Using Multi-Stage Envelope Generators (MSEGs) in Zebra

This is a nice, in-depth video tutorial about using the Multi-Stage Envelope Generators (MSEGs) in Zebra 2.5.

When it comes to flexibility, Zebra 2.5 is one of the most open and customizable synthesis experiences you can find. The powerful multi-stage envelope generators are one of the things that allow you to achieve the kind of control over your sounds in Zebra that is uncommon in so many other popular soft synths on the market today. This tool gives you the choice to modulate and shape your sounds based on BPM, seconds, freeform timing and even looping. The types of curves you can use are somewhat limited, but once you get the hang of how everything works in the envelope matrix, you gain more control over how the curves come together and you find that there are very few limitations at all!

Assigning multi-stage envelope generators to just about any parameter throughout Zebra is very easy to do and quite intuitive. In fact, you can even assign MSEG to control another MSEG in a number of different ways, depending upon the specific parameter(s) you choose to manipulate. There are several points at which you have the ability to gain more control over how MSEGs are affecting the parameters they are mapped to, and U-He made it quite easy to duplicate entire envelope curves from one to the next for easy syncing and offsetting.

Each of the multi-stage envelope generators you create can have it’s own timing and trigger type, which can be a huge advantage when working with more psychedelic and experimental sounds, especially once you get some filters and effects involved. These MSEGs in Zebra 2.5 are a sound designers dream come true with a wireless modular synth, as they are perfect for working with everything from simple synth instruments to FX to high end foley to immersive soundscapes and everything in between.

The last things to touch on, in regards to the multi-stage envelope generators, are the controls and the ability to save and load presets. The controls consist of Velocity, Attack, Loop and Release. To get the hang of how these controls affect the behavior of the MSEGs is to set up some curves, assign your MSEG to something easy to follow (like pitch) and begin manipulating each of the controls individually. These provide you with even more control over the delivery and development of your sounds. Saving and loading presets is a huge time-saver when it comes to using MSEGs in Zebra. There are bunch of factory presets that come with Zebra, but you can also download others from the Zebra community and save your own custom presets for later use and sharing. Lastly, everything touched on here in this tutorial can also be controlled via automation in your DAW of choice. Greatest synth ever? Perhaps.