Yeah i actually bought a wx5, 2nd hand...i think it might have been brocken...not sure...i didnt really like it....so i sent it back.......actually.....mainly because im a flute player 1stly.....get into the spitty jethro tull influenced funk stuff....the wx5 is closer to a sax than a flute.......i kind of found i could do exactly the same thing on a keyboard.....and the cool stuff you can do on a flute...such as jethro tull does is mostly mouth tongue  and breath technique........flute played through distortion or phaser is cool...so yeah the flutes probably best being played as a flute......however i should experiment with turning flute audio to midi....and using it with melodyne could be very cool

rwheeler
 One indication of the extent of features would be that Groove3 has a 24 video course on this synthesizer that provides a good introduction.  

Alright, I have to ask...Do you work for Groove 3 ?
Because almost every single one of your comments mention how great the Groove 3 videos are.
Almost like an advertisement pitch.

rwheeler
Z3TA+2 is a synthesizer with great depth of features and sound design capabilities, as well as an extensive set of presets to get started. But I would look to other tools if I wanted a sampler. The interface is dense with controls, which can be daunting.

rwheeler
One indication of the extent of features would be that Groove3 has a 24 video course on this synthesizer that provides a good introduction.  

I can only assume that the OP was actually asking about the included synth in Sonar, the original z3ta+ classic.  The Z3TA+ 2 is a separately purchased premium Cakewalk soft synth, with a redesigned user interface and some new features and presets.  Also the new version cannot be inserted as an audio effect like the original version could.
 
I recently browsed the available content on Groove3, and found that it covers some topics well. They have some gaps, and some course topics don't appear very deep. But in each course outline they offer one video lesson in each course as a preview, so you can decide if it's for you.  I would consider paying the $15 a month for a 30 day pass, as needed.  Might be a time saver compared to surfing YouTube, which can be hit or miss at times
 
That said, Groove3 does not have any content for the original z3ta+ classic, probably because Z3TA+ 2 is seen as the replacement.  I have both, and still think the original is very cool!

paul jenkins
Yeah i actually bought a wx5, 2nd hand...i think it might have been brocken...not sure...i didnt really like it....so i sent it back.......actually.....mainly because im a flute player 1stly.....get into the spitty jethro tull influenced funk stuff....the wx5 is closer to a sax than a flute.......i kind of found i could do exactly the same thing on a keyboard.....and the cool stuff you can do on a flute...such as jethro tull does is mostly mouth tongue  and breath technique........flute played through distortion or phaser is cool...so yeah the flutes probably best being played as a flute......however i should experiment with turning flute audio to midi....and using it with melodyne could be very cool

The WX5 has a fingering mode very close to a flute. One has to set the dip switches to get it. And, yes, if you want a flute sound, it's best to play flute; no argument there. I don't use my WX5 for my sax or flute sounds (except for bari sax, piccolo, and alto and bass flute sounds. I don't own those).
 
If you get the chance, however, to re-check out the WX5, you might want to set up the dip switches and play it with flute fingering.
 
Good luck.

Z3ta+2 is one of the best soft synths I've ever used, its powerful and flexible and just plain heap of fun to play with. Z3ta+ original factory patches are still accessible from it if anyone still hankering after them.

Z3TA+ 2 is way cool, but is not included even in the Platinum bundle.  You gotta pay to play!  But the original z3ta+ classic is included with Professional and Platinum.  Not to be overlooked ... very powerful, and sounds great, too!

the original z3ta+ was one of the example synths used by simon cann in his "how to make a noise" book http://noisesculpture.com/ 
the original is free, including patches :-) http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a-noise-a-comprehensive-guide-to-synthesizer-programming/

pwalpwal
the original z3ta+ was one of the example synths used by simon cann in his "how to make a noise" book http://noisesculpture.com/ 
the original is free, including patches :-) http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a-noise-a-comprehensive-guide-to-synthesizer-programming/

Yup!  I posted that link earlier in this thread
 
That is an excellent primer for synth programming. The other synths he covers in that book are fairly dated by now, but he seems to give more than enough examples using z3ta+ to follow along with.
 
Simon Cann also released A FREE ebook with the chapters from "Cakewalk Synthesizers, from presets to power user, 2nd Edition" that his publisher could not fit in the printed book.  Check out the link to the download package at this link:  http://noisesculpture.com/cakewalk-synthesizers/
 
The download package includes the full ebook (255 pages, Chapter 14-29) as well as the sample programs from the book. It includes a chapter on z3ta+ programming, as well as a master class from a sound designer for z3ta+.
 
eBookTopics include:
sfz and sfz+
Cyclone Groove Tool
Cyclone Groove Tool: Creating Your Own Grooves
RXP REX Player Groove Box
DropZone Drag and Drop Sampler
Creating Sounds in DropZone
Square I
DreamStation
Roland GrooveSynth
Creating Sounds in PSYN II
Creating Sounds in Pentagon I
Creating Sounds in Z3TA+
Creating Sounds in Dimension and Dimension Pro
Creating Sounds in Rapture
Power Users at Work - programming examples
Frank Genus
Part I: Basses ....................(Rapture)
Part II: Keys ......................(Rapture)
Part III: Leads ....................(Rapture)
Ruben Nievas
Ruben’s Productions
Ruben’s Music
Ruben’s Programs .............(Dimension Pro)
Francesco Silvestri
Francesco’s Programs.........(z3ta+)

abacab

pwalpwal
the original z3ta+ was one of the example synths used by simon cann in his "how to make a noise" book http://noisesculpture.com/ 
the original is free, including patches :-) http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a-noise-a-comprehensive-guide-to-synthesizer-programming/

Yup!  I posted that link earlier in this thread
 

sorry i don't know how i missed that! i bought the papery version years ago, it's still so relevant :-)

paul jenkins
Yeah right.....maybe ill never use this?...im new to the world of midi.....im a guitarist, bassist, drummer, flute/sax....1st......So ide love to be able to sample flute and map it to a midi keyboard.......but that skill seems a little beyond me.......its probably easier just to just play it and cut and paste(EDIT).......

Yes correct, it is much easier. Creating a good sample library is a big job. And then you need the patience and skill to play it so it sounds like a real instrument.
 
If you are a multi-instrumentalist, recording yourself live and editing the result is what it's all about.