from the read me instructions on thvirus mod ultimate version
rgc:audio z3ta+ Virus MOD v2 Ultimate
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Introduction
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This is an updated version of Virus MOD v2 by fr4ncesco revised and improved
by Walter Cescato.
A myth says that z3ta+ engine is based on the Access VIRUS but it is not, it
is an extraordinary synthesizer capable of an infinite palette of sounds and
this includes those generated by an Access VIRUS.
With almost unlimited patching possibilities I found the z3ta+ one of the few
synthesizers able to emulate Oberheim's monsters Matrix-12 and Xpander.
The modification features a Wavetable set based on the VIRUS "Classic" Mode set,
a skin based on the VIRUS TI and a bank loaded with VIRUS inspired sounds.
The improvements over previous virus MOD are:
• The custom Wavetable set does not overwrite the original z3ta+ Wavetable set.
• When the VIRUS Wavetable set is loaded, the corresponding original VIRUS Waves
labels are shown in the 'Oscillators Wave' selection (only 'User 1 to 6' labels
remain unchanged being actually VIRUS Waves 58, 59, 60, 62, 63 and 64).
• The skin not only shows a more realistic hardware look but also helps with
some clues in the signal flow.
• The default bank is preloaded with both the VIRUS Wavetable set and the z3ta+
original Wavetable set.
• Additional loadable VIRUS Waves (21, 22, 42, 44, 49, 54, 61, Saw and Pulse) are
included so the "Classic" Mode set is now completed.
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Requirements
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A clean, working, un-moded installation of z3ta+ v1.53 (compatibility with other
versions is unknown).
v1.53 was the last version developed by rgc:audio and had many improvements:
• Native Windows Vista® Support (applies to Windows 7)
• 64-bit Windows binaries in DXi and VSTi formats
• Stand-Alone Microhost for x64 Windows versions
• Real-Time and Off-Line independent Playback Quality selectors
• New MIDI Learn functionality
• Import MIDI file to Arpeggiator function
• Optimized Arpeggiator Engine
• Wavetable saving (from Oscillator Shaper)
Note: Banks saved in older v1.3 does not load properly in v1.53. A workaround
is to load and save old banks in v1.4 and then load in v1.53. The "v13 default"
bank was already converted and included in the MOD.
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Downgrade?
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This is 2012 and there's Cakewalk z3ta+2 so what's the point of using v1.53?
• Cakewalk z3ta+2 does not allow using more than one Wavetable set.
• Cakewalk z3ta+2 does not have the 'Load Global Wavetable set' program option.
• Cakewalk z3ta+2 does not have the 'Load Program Wavetable set' program option.
• Cakewalk z3ta+2 does not handle banks as it used to be.
• Cakewalk z3ta+2 distorts v1.x patches using 'Loaded User Wavetables'.
• Cakewalk z3ta+2 offsets an octave up in arp patterns from v1.x patches.
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Installation
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• Copy/replace contents of 'z3ta+' folder to your 'z3ta+' main folder:
(where Arpeggios, Documentation, Resources, Tunings and Wavetables are located)
• Copy/replace contents of 'Programs' folder to:
(Windows XP) ...Program Data/Cakewalk/z3ta+/Programs
(Windows 7) ...ProgramData/Cakewalk/z3ta+/Programs
Note: A 'Factory Backup' folder is included with the original 100 arpeggios that
are replaced by the MOD.
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Loading And Saving
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• If you are happy with the included banks and you don't need to change Wavetable
sets just use them, change them and save them. The only special thing to know is
to select the [F] sub-bank prior saving a bank based in the default 'VIRUS' bank.
• If you are tweaking programs within a host such as Cubase don't worry, wavetable
set references are saved within the project.
• To load banks or programs saved with previous MOD use 'Load Global Wavetable set'
or 'Load Program Wavetable set' program options to load the included "virus.set".
• To load banks or programs based on the original z3ta+ Wavetable set use 'Load
Global Wavetable set' or 'Load Program Wavetable set' program options to load the
original "oscil.set".
• To save banks using custom Wavetable sets select the program following the last
one using the custom Wavetable set, load "oscil.set" with 'Load Program Wavetable
set' and then save the bank. Remember that custom Wavetable sets must remain inside
the 'Wavetables' folder!
• To save banks based on the original z3ta+ Wavetable set select any program, load
"oscil.set" with 'Load Program Wavetable set' and then save the bank.
• Finally you have to know about the power of 'User 1 to 6' shapes available from
the 'Oscillators Wave' selection and loadable from disk in 'WAV' format (look for
the 'Load Program Wavetable' program option): There are 6 oscillators per program
so you can build up a sound by loading up to 6 custom oscillator shapes... but you
can tweak another program and load another 6 different oscilator shapes... and so
on, and so on, and here's more good news... the whole data is kept encrypted within
the bank, even if the original 'WAV' source is deleted! Just amazing, isn't it?
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>>>> VIRUS Default <<<<
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The VIRUS Default program is patched with initial settings as a starting point for
users needing to shape a VIRUS inspired sound from scratch.
• USER Waves 1-2 are preloaded with Saw and Pulse waves respectively.
• Oscillators "couple" 1-2 generates Triangle and Saw waves.
• Oscillators "couple" 3-4 generates Saw and Pulse waves.
• The oscillators couples 1-2 and 3-4 represent the main oscillators in the VIRUS,
where an oscillator offers a control to morph from Saw to a selected Wave or Square.
This behavior can be achieved here by tweaking levels within a couple (note that
OSCILLATORS MODE is NSYNC to do this properly). Of course pre-selected Waves might
be changed but keep in mind the following to stay in VIRUS domains: A Saw wave MUST
exist in each couple and Pulse or Triangle is the only choice for Sub-Oscillator.
• Oscillator 5 is reserved to use for NOISE or as VIRUS 'fixed-Shape' Oscillator 3.
• Oscillator 6 generates a Pulse wave and represents the VIRUS Sub-Oscillator.
• The X-Y PAD controls Oscillators couples balance horizontally and Sub-Oscillator
level vertically, so there's no need to change adjustments from multiple sliders in
OSCILLATOR section (remember these sliders are reserved for Wave Shape).
• The Pulse-width for the Triangle wave in couple 1-2 is adjusted with the RANGE
control in the MATRIX, with destination OSC1 PW (actually this is patched in case a
Square wave is selected).
• The Pulse-width for the Square wave in couple 3-4 is adjusted with the RANGE
control in the MATRIX, with destination OSC4 PW.
• Everything is bused through Filter 1 in DUAL, meaning everything is affected by
Filter 1, then by Filter 2. ENVELOPE 1 is patched to control both filters CUTOFF.
• Note that RENDER is set to HIGH and POLYPHONY to 16 voices, this setting is not
compulsory so it might be changed depending on systems and projects.
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"Morphing" With the z3ta+
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Here's some help on patching for 2 Oscillators 'morphing' using the RANGE Control:
SOURCE RANGE CURVE CONTROL DESTINATION
ON <morph!> FUN1
FUN1 ======== U-LIN- OSCA LEVEL
FUN1 ======== OSCB LEVEL
The z3ta+ also provides a way to perform 'morphing' between 2, 3 and 4 parameters
with the X-Y PAD as done by some classic instruments like Sequential Prophet-VS,
Yamaha SY22 and KORG Wavestation. Here's some help for patching:
///////////////////////////
//B C//
// //
// //
// //
// //
// //
// //
// <morph!> //
// //
// //
// //
// //
// //
// //
//A D//
///////////////////////////
SOURCE RANGE CURVE CONTROL DESTINATION
X-Y PAD X ======== U-LIN- OSCA LEVEL
X-Y PAD Y ======== U-LIN- OSCA LEVEL
X-Y PAD X ======== U-LIN- OSCB LEVEL
X-Y PAD Y ======== OSCB LEVEL
X-Y PAD X ======== OSCC LEVEL
X-Y PAD Y ======== OSCC LEVEL
X-Y PAD X ======== OSCD LEVEL
X-Y PAD Y ======== U-LIN- OSCD LEVEL
Note: A powerful filter controller can be patched with A, B, C, D being replaced
by filters CUTOFF and RESONANCES.
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Disclaimer
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The content on this package is not intended for commercial use or distribution.
This project is about sharing knowledge between synthesizer enthusiasts and no
profit is pursued. Trademarks mentioned on this document are property of their
respective companies.
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Credits
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René G. Ceballos - Synth and effects design and programming
Bitplant - Original user interface design
Limeflavour - 'ModernRetro' skin design
Dusty - The NeoPhysik - HQ waves for the custom Wavetable set
Big Tone - Original sound design