> Step by step

3. Starting from scratch

1

On the next page we’ll look at the new preset browser and how to seek out the best presets in Zebra CM’s library. However, if you want to make sounds from scratch, that’s pretty straightforward too. To get started, click on the data display and select ‘init’ at the bottom of the presets list.

2

Let’s start with the oscillators. To hear just OSC1 ensure the Volume is down for OSC2 and Noise. Now turn the main Wave dial to select a sound. You’ll see the oscillator graphic change as you do this. We’ve gone for Waveform setting 6.20. We’ve also activated Reset to restart the wave for every note.

3

Other oscillator options to try include the new Crisp option which brightens the oscillator slightly and also Sync which applies the integrated hard sync, which we’ve set to 2.0. Our final OSC1 setting is unison, which we’ve set to 4 using the button on the top left, with a Detune setting of 6.0.

4

Now set up OSC2, remembering to turn up its Volume. We’ve selected waveform 9.2 and set the Tune above to an octave below (-12.00) with Reset active, Sync not active, unison 4 and Detune 8.0. Now try the additional waveform parameters (Filter and Symmetry) to tweak the sound. We’ve set these to -52 and 55 respectively.

5

Next, use the Noise generator to create a third pitched oscillator. Choose the Digital type and below the Pitch knob select KeyFollow. Now drag over the blue dot next to it to create a modulation depth of 64, and then set a Pitch value (we’ve chosen 44.00). Finally, balance the three Volumes to taste (82, 150 and 85 for us).

6

By default, the Filter should be set to LP 12dB and Env2 assigned to the Cutoff, so ensure you have these settings. Now simply adjust the Cutoff and Env2 depth so the filter cutoff increases when you play a note. We’ve set Env to 72.00 and Cutoff to 30.00.

7

Moving onto the envelopes, we can adjust some settings here. Env1 is already assigned to the output VCA, so tweak the response to taste. We’ve chosen Attack 7, Decay 81, Sustain 49, Release 30. Meanwhile for Env 2, which is affecting the Filter, it’s Attack 0, Decay 41, Sustain 23 and Release 15, with all other settings remaining the same.

8

So far we’ve been working in Polyphonic mode, but for the sound we’ve created there’s a better option. Head over to the Global section and in the top left select Legato. Then at the bottom of this section, set a portamento time using the Glide knob – we’ve chosen 25.

9

Finally, let’s add a bit of modulation and delay in the effects section. Simply activate the modules in the Master chain in the bottom right by double clicking on them. Then adjust any parameters to taste. We have simply activated them as is and then adjusted the Mix blend – Mod FX 20, Delay 13.