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Z-Plane Filters
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» SourUltraFast replied on Mon Dec 22, 2008 @ 7:59pm |
 Coolness: 91400 | Hi
Does anyone knows how could i get my hands on Z-Plane filters technology (Created by E-Mu) BUT: 1-Have to be hardware or MAC OSX compatible 2-Have to be in real-time (most important of all) 3-Must handle automation |
| I'm feeling stomach ache right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Subtone replied on Sat Dec 27, 2008 @ 7:53pm |
 Coolness: 34900 | Emu held exclusive patents for its z-plane filters. Get yourself an Emu Morpheus (supposedly this synth had the best implementation of the filters). After the Morpheus was discontinued, Emu put z-plane filters in the Ultra series samplers, which were used extensively in drum n bass production. These can be automated in sequencers using midi control change messages or in logic with the sound diver utility. Your best bet would be ebay or to keep a close eye on kijiji and craigslist.
Creative Labs has recently bought Emu and all its patents. All hardware synths/samplers/sound modules/effects have been discontinued. Creative has a product called the Emulator X2, a software sampler, which features z-plane filters. I doubt they come close to the hardware equivalents. The basslines for my first two vinyl releases with Spinal in 2004 on his home-grown label Metaphor Recordings were done using his Emu Ultra Sampler. Some of the mid-range layers we did used peak morphing z-plane filters and those kinds of textures are something that takes me lots more processing even 4-5 years later. Here's a link to the Emulator X2: [ us.creative.com ] |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» SourUltraFast replied on Sat Dec 27, 2008 @ 8:32pm |
| Coolness: 91400 | Thank you so much Subtone.
I have a question about the Ultra sampler serie : do i need to create sample librairies/bank or can i just run audio thru it and use the filters like a simple fx processor? |
| I'm feeling stomach ache right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Subtone replied on Sat Dec 27, 2008 @ 8:55pm |
| Coolness: 34900 | No worries:)
The Emu Ultra Samplers came standard with 20 gig hard drives and one would have to transfer sounds using SCSI or by recording through the inputs. I don't think it's possible to use the filters and cords section (modulation) on a real-time audio input signal. You could, however, use the built-in effects section (reverb, delay, chorus, flanger etc..) on an input signal. Emu did release the RFX card which added more effects and more complex routing to the Ultra Series Samplers (maybe it enabled filters on an input signal too?). As far as I remember though, the filters could only be used on a pre-loaded or recorded sound. I imagine that such processing is too much unless the audio is being buffered through the sampler's on-board RAM. If you need to use z-planes on an audio input signal in real-time, I would recommend doing some research on whether the RFX card upgrade on Ultra Series samplers enabled this functionality, or if the Emulator X2 offers this feature. Why do you need this on an audio input signal? For live instruments? |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» SourUltraFast replied on Sun Dec 28, 2008 @ 7:36am |
| Coolness: 91400 | Originally Posted By SUBTONE
Why do you need this on an audio input signal? For live instruments? I have 2 grrrreat V.A synths and I play bass guitar but filtering is always the flaw,imo. I'd like to be able to morph effin' crazy filters in a live P.A setup and get to mess around with this filtering technology in a producer context too. I have no doubt that you know how to make grrreeeeat basses(mids too!) with these types of filters from what i heard of you. I'd like to make it possible in a Live 7.0 context, cuz there is only 1 V.A filter that rocked my world (Virus C) and morphing filters is something i dreamed of and never experienced. I need new ways of layering and f..king around with new filters! Your help would be more than appreciated, dear Subtone |
| I'm feeling stomach ache right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» nothingnopenope replied on Sun Dec 28, 2008 @ 9:29am |
 Coolness: 201235 | most of the examples I have heard of zplane filters don't sound a lot different from chaining a filter into a good phaser effects (like the waves enigma) |
| I'm feeling over 9000 right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» SourUltraFast replied on Sun Dec 28, 2008 @ 10:12am |
| Coolness: 91400 | Originally Posted By SCOTTYP
most of the examples I have heard of zplane filters don't sound a lot different from chaining a filter into a good phaser effects (like the waves enigma) If ya dont push it... PUSH IT REAL GOOD! The few examples i saw here and there on the interwebz were not impressing indeed but i know drastik f..ked warped alien-like morphs can be acheived with those filters when you push'em real good. From what i understood, you already have a bunch of filters with different pole config. and algorithms and you can warp from different filters to others... I could (might) be wrong but if so, I need a piece of that goody good cake |
| I'm feeling numb right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Subtone replied on Sun Dec 28, 2008 @ 10:24am |
| Coolness: 34900 | Originally Posted By SCOTTYP
most of the examples I have heard of zplane filters don't sound a lot different from chaining a filter into a good phaser effects (like the waves enigma) Unfortunately, neither enigma nor any other *single software plugin has come close to replicating the definition, presence, and all-round sickness of these filters. Basically you input values for your 'start frame' and 'end frame' filter curves and the z-plane uses a morph parameter to interpolate, back and forth, between two entirely different filter responses. This is completely different to having two different filter states and crossfading between the two. The z-plane algorithm will cycle through a multitude of different filter types with similar responses to produce a ridiculously smooth morphing effect. The Phase modulation you heard in your examples is probably introduced during interpolation between frames which use notch filters. When you automate the values for the start and end frame filter responses, in conjunction with the morph parameter, you literally start going were no producer has gone before. Also, by using a phaser plugin you're limiting yourself to the plugin's monophonic cyclic modulation (monophonic since the phaser is not retriggered each time you play a new note). Thus, even with a tempo sync feature you still need to bounce/export long sections of your sound and chop out the best portions to have anywhere near the same level of control you get by using a notch filter and automating the cutoff and then low pass and high pass filters to mimic a phaser's characteristic sweeping effect. Phasers are cool on subtle layers, build-up sections, and incidental sounds, but I would refrain from using them on any unlayered or major element in a track which gives it its drive and unique identity (i.e. hook/lead, mid-range bass, vocal, percussion etc.) Here's more technobabble on z-planes: [ www.sweetwater.com ] And Dillusion Man's basic tutorial on using peak/shelf morph filters in Emu Ultra Samplers: [ www.dillusion.co.uk ] Update » Subtone wrote on Sun Dec 28, 2008 @ 10:56am <quote>I have 2 grrrreat V.A synths and I play bass guitar but filtering is always the flaw,imo. I'd like to be able to morph effin' crazy filters in a live P.A setup and get to mess around with this filtering technology in a producer context too. I have no doubt that you know how to make grrreeeeat basses(mids too!) with these types of filters from what i heard of you. I'd like to make it possible in a Live 7.0 context, cuz there is only 1 V.A filter that rocked my world (Virus C) and morphing filters is something i dreamed of and never experienced.
</quote> Well one solution would be to create banks in an Emu Ultra Sampler containing multisamples of sounds from your VA synths (record individual notes of your synth sounds, transfer to the emu via scsi and map accordingly). Next, hook up a midi keyboard (or any keyboard synth with a midi out) to the Emu and just play your sampled VA synth sounds live with the z-planes. Ed Rush and Optical were known for resampling and mangling sounds from their Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 and Access Virus synths through their Emu samplers. As far as using Emu filters on a live bass guitar, Im not sure that z-planes would be too effective unless you added harmonics first with a distortion pedal or something similar. The more harmonic content a sound has, the more the filter has to work with. Besides, how are you gonna play guitar and tweak filters at the same time? You got an extra arm up your sleeve or something?? It sounds as though your bass guitar could benefit more from something like the sherman filter bank: [ www.sherman.be ] Update » Subtone wrote on Sun Dec 28, 2008 @ 11:02am Sucks that you cant post two consecutive responses. Noah should enable BBCode in 'add update'. |
Z-Plane Filters
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