Using Frequency Modulation in Zebra Creatively

Once you get comfortable with this incredibly deep synth, you can begin experimenting with things like advanced frequency modulation in Zebra.

From time-to-time we like to share little ideas like this one. Not a full-blown sound design tutorial, but rather just something to get the ideas brewing and the creative juices flowing. This particular effect is something you can easily achieve using frequency modulation in Zebra, as you can see in this quick video lesson. But once you have a sound like this one, what exactly do you do with it? Well, that;’s what this post will hopefully help answer for you.

The beauty in this patch is obviously revealed when you are actively manipulating it via the XY pad. As the rate of modulation has been mapped to this pad, you can easily achieve amazing transitions and changes that can help take your music into another realm entirely. So one easy way to take using frequency modulation in Zebra even further, is to simply create a few few more XY pads that allow you to tweak other parameters. Affecting pitch, filter cutoff, oscillator or wavetable position, etc can all provide excellent results with very little time required for programming.

Another way to create some new variations on this patch, made using frequency modulation in Zebra, is to begin with different modulation assignments form the very beginning. Maybe try assigning the LFO to something other than pitch. Or assign an envelope to slowly change the waveform being generated by the oscillator. You can even begin experimenting with layering different unique sounds in a similar fashion to achieve deep and intriguing results. The possibilities are literally endless with a synth as flexible as Zebra!