How does Analog compare to Automat or Zebra?

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 2:12 pm

Yeah, Analog is a pretty limited softsynth compared to Z2, there's just no comparison. I think Analog sounds really nice, if you want that warmer typical analog sound in an easy to program subtractive softsynth, anlog fits the bill nicely.

But Zebra2 is a hugely more complex fully modular softsynth that does subtractive, FM, AM and waveshaping synthesis. way, way more options and timbres available in Zebra2.

Clip envelopes are a nice way to expand on the modulation possibilities with Live's synth, but as you still can;t record this type of automation in session view, it's something I really don' have a use for myself.

littlepig · Post by **littlepig** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:44 pm

Zebra CM is a pretty awesome little synth! There is loads of good stuff in there, well woth buying a copy of CM to get it.

Angstrom · Post by **Angstrom** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:04 pm

simple way to find out is download the AAS demo of ultra-analog

Svetla · Post by **Svetla** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:13 pm

downloaded AAS VA. it was good, but turning off the effects changes the sound.
i think automat and zebra cm sound just as good if not better...
but i want to wait and see what the live version is like,.

merges · Post by **merges** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:41 am

how do you use your external control surfaces with zebra 2 though? i am running into the 128 limit, which makes zebra 2 somewhat less useful for live performance. is there something i'm missing?

condra · Post by **condra** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:53 am

Hmmm, I was just thinking of having Zebra rolled into Live the way Analog is.
:drool

One can dream I suppose.

tylenol · Post by **tylenol** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:45 am

merges wrote:how do you use your external control surfaces with zebra 2 though? i am running into the 128 limit, which makes zebra 2 somewhat less useful for live performance. is there something i'm missing?

You can midi map anything in zebra. Also, the XY controls are all towards the beginning of the parameter list, so anything you control with them falls under the 128 parameter limit.

merges · Post by **merges** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:49 am

i actually just caught the XY thing in some experimentation, so that is really really useful. how do you access the general midi mapping in zebra? i couldn't figure it out within live. for instance, how can i map a control to a parameter like the formant filter vowel of filter 3 (if i have a filter 3)?

i heard there is a "hidden" midi map/midi learn feature in zebra but i don't know how to access it.

many thanks for the heads up and help

happy new year's!

lola · Post by **lola** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:30 am

zebra is nice.

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 6:52 am

Another vote for Zebra. The full version of Analogue from AAS looks cool, but Zebra 2 has some pretty amazing filters. The moog emulation filters are really nice.
Also, back to the original line up there, Automat has some really interesting filters, definitely in a league of it's own.

It's funny, but me and a few others ( might have been on this forum or KVR, or BBL? ), were asking Urs Heckman who makes Zebra why Stiwi (who makes Automat) doesn't just go for it and start writing soft synths for money, and we all agreed his work was just great. Answer was he likes doing it as a hobby, probably makes too much programing for money to risk it. [/u]

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:16 am

Analog: Oscillators and filters are amazing - the filters have six different kinds of overdrive, which is mightily nice.

BUT I will have to say that Analog loses out on sheer programmability: There are some serious issues with regard to programming options in Analog - stuff like the lack of a *proper* pitch envelope, the fact that modulating stuff like sync depth, pwm settings and so on gets pretty hairy.

Still, for ease of use, for use in 9 out of 10 sounds, and for sheer rawness of being Analog is really awesome. I mostly use it straight up, with no effects at all, and it gets really close to my old pwm-able Transcendent 2000 real analog- yum! And besides, for most tasks you will only end up using a very small portion of something like Zebra, for sure.

http://www.thecovertoperators.org/audio-demos - scroll down to find the player for Number Cruncher - especially clips like Anatal and Crouch Down are rockin and extremely "phat", even on my tiny speakers at home. Analog rules.

Cheers,
Andreas.

tricil · Post by **tricil** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:03 am

Kodama · Post by **Kodama** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:08 am

I don't know why Abes chose AAS over Urs.

Even Zebra CM whoops Analog for sound and versatility!

The only upside is integration (which can also be a downside - no midi learn!) and if you got Analog free with a bundle.

Plus, ZCM patches will load in Z2 if you upgrade at some point.

Also check out Triple Cheese while you're at it.

pepezabala · Post by **pepezabala** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:11 am

I am not a specialist in synth programming in no way. But I have analog, automat and Zebra CM. For sheer usability the analog presets included in the ableton suite are quite handy - just drop them into a channel and use the 8 macro-controls without much thinking. Zebra CM is fun to tweak and sounds great but you immediatly want some more buttons and knobs to access vital parameters. I made myself a zebra-rack and the limitation to 8 macro-controls was irritating. Automat is pure fun using the randomize-functions and by this creating bizarre sounds.

It's definetly comparing apples and oranges, each has it's pros and contras and might be a better choice in different contexts.

icedsushi · Post by **icedsushi** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:01 pm

Kodama wrote:I don't know why Abes chose AAS over Urs.

Probably because AAS has a more well rounded lineup for a DAW, because of the physical modeling synths...which cater to a wider market, covering more types of music production.

Also being the independent developer he is, if contacted by Ableton to partner, it's possible Urs would choose to continue to sell his plugins directly, maintaining exclusive control over his product.