Z3ta+ Modulation Matrix - Basics

This tutorial will focus on the modulation matrix in z3ta. Its one of the basics in creating sound for this synth and you will definitely need to be able to use it if you want to use this synth properly

The first thing you need to know is that you can either left click or right click in the middle part of each box to scroll the parameter options up and down, or you can click on the little arrow to the left of each box to pick from a list of all the available parameters.

First up is the "source" - this is pretty self explanatory. This will be the defining function of each modulation that is assigned to each preset. In this case it is assigned to Envelope Generator 1.

Next is "range" - this function determines the amount of modulation that the source sends to the "destination"

The "curve" panel refers to the type of curve processing applied to each modulation - see the manual if you want a detailed description

"control" - is where you apply things like aftertouch and velocity processing

and "destination" - is, obviously, where you are sending your modulation to.

 

So to break it down - this particular preset is using Envelope Generator 1 to control both z3ta's filters, with the range control on full. Meaning that the entire sound is controlled by that particular envelope routing scheme, and you can affect the filter by opening the x-y pad and moving that around.

If you wanted to have the filter gradually open over the course of say 5 seconds, then i would set the attack time of EG1 to 5 seconds in the Envelope Generators section of the synth.

If you wanted to have the speed and amount of filter instead controlled by how hard you press the keys on your keyboard, you would have to turn "source" to "on" - turn off the "curve" control, and set "control" to "velocity"

Just by running through the list of available parameters to tweak in each section i'm sure you are starting to get an idea of just how much is possible with this synthesizer... have a play around and get used to each parameter and what it does then move on to some more advanced tutorials.