Since parts, especially the casings I have been using, have become more and more expensive, I started to look for alternative ways to get things made.
Since Zaturn is my favorite synth, I started doing a redesign of this.
While redesigning the whole thing anyway, I had some other new ideas that I wanted to try out:
RGB LEDs, an extra set of audio outputs, more push buttons and maybe also some other push buttons (inspired by a thread in a public forum).
Unfortunately the original Zaturn program did not have the resources available to run these extras, so I had to free up some resources.
After looking through all my presets, I realized that I very rarely used the wave table oscillators and the filter frames sequencers. Removing these two features made it possible to add the extras. Zaturn Zero was born :)
Zaturn Zero compared to the original Zaturn
Zaturn Zero is compatible with all the original Zaturn presets. Presets using wave tables and/or filter frame sequencer might sound different.
Zaturn Zero Analog is compatible with all the existing Zaturn polyphonic analog filter boards.
Zaturn Zero is a polyphonic/multi-timbral modular synthesizer with memory. All connections between modules, module settings, sequences and sample assignments can be memorized for instant recall.
Like many other Gotharman instruments, each preset contains 2 versions of the preset, which can be morphed between. With one knob, you can morph all the settings of a complete modular system!
It will also hold all your samplings in memory, even after a power recycle.
Two different models are available: Zaturn Zero Analog and Zaturn Zero Digital. Zaturn Zero Analog has room for one polyphonic analog filter board, while Zaturn Zero Digital only has digital filters.
Zaturn Zero has a number of build-in modules, which are divided into 4 equal groups, A, B, C and D. Within each of these groups, it is possible to arrange the modules in 2 main parts and 2 alternative parts. Zaturn Zero has 8 main parts and 8 alternative parts in total. Each part can be trigged separately, and they have their own separate output module.
Keeping the modules in groups, made it possible to add the Favorite Sound system from SpazeDrum!
Part 1 and 2 in Group A can each be set in polyphonic mode, so that Zaturn Zero can be up to 2 x 4 notes polyphonic. Modules in groups B, C and D can be linked to Group A, to get the same sounds on each polyphonic note, or they can be unlinked to have different sounds on each polyphonic note.
Like most other Gotharman instruments, each of the 8 parts can also just be in monophonic mode, for 8 completely separate parts.
Each analog group has a dual analog or digital filter (4 dual analog filters in total). Currently 6 different styles of analog filters are available for Zaturn Analog:
Original Zaturn filters: Newly engineered 12 db dual self-resonating analog filters, with a special character,arranged as LPF and BPF in parallel to each other.
Spaze Filters: The filters used in polySpaze, SpazeBoard2 and VCF8. 24db dual self-resonating analog filters,arranged as HPF and LPF in serial.
Vothar 8 Filters: The unique sounding filters of the Vothar 8, built with discrete parts. Arranged as LPF and BPF in parallel to each other.Modified so that they can self-oscillate, and so that they distort a tiny bit more at higher input levels. These filters are more unstable than the other Zaturn filter types, which makes the filter tuning less precise. Therefore these filters might no be ideal for polyphonic stuff. More info on the original Vothar 8 can be found here:https://tonetweakers.com/products/gotharmans-vothar-8.
Multi Filters: These are based on the SSI2140 filter chip, and has the same character as the VCF10 filter board. Each filter group has a lowpass filter with selectable slope (6, 12, 18 and 24 db), and a switchable 12db bandpass/highpass filter. When bandpass is selected, the LPF and BPF runs in parallel. When highpass is selected, the HPF goes into the LPF in serial.
VCF5: These filters are based on the VCF2 filter board with some added features, like 24db filter modes and self-oscillating resonance.
Each filter Group has 2 filters, which can be set in 12db LPF, 12db BPF, 12db HPF, 24db LPF and 24db BPF modes.
When the input levels are set to values higher than 100, the filters starts to add a warm drive.
An analog distortion is also included per group. When this is switched on, the filter input levels sets the drive.
Ladder Filters: This filter board adds two analog ladder filters to each Group (8 in total). Classic Ladder filter sound and a bit more. Various filter modes and overdrive is possible via the Drive and Inv parameters.
When Drive is set to zero, both filters are in lowpass mode.
When Drive is turned up to around 100, and Reso is set to 100 or above, both filters will be in bandpass mode.
When Drive is turned further up, low frequency compensation will kick in.
When turned up above 256, the filters will start to distort. Filter A will be in lowpass mode and Filter B will be in bandpass mode.
The filters audio can be inverted to each other, to create other filter types.
When the input levels are set higher than 80, the filters will start to drive in a nice and fat way.
8 Patch Points are also available, for inter-connection of the 4 Groups.
1024 preset, 1024 songs, 64 favorite sounds and up to 8192 samplings can be held in its internal FLASH memory.
Unlike the Anamono X, which had 2 separate bus systems, one for audio and one for modulation, Zaturn Zero only has one bus, that handles both audio and modulation, so everything can be connected to everything.
The modules of each Group (4 groups in total):
- 2 standard Gotharman Oscillators (8 in total) - Waveforms (morph from sine to triangle to sawtooth to pulse to feedwave), resonator oscillator, Draw waveform oscillator, harmonic oscillator, FOF oscillator, Sine Function oscillator, noise, drum oscillators (3 x percussion, 2 x cymbal, clap), sample playback.
-1 Oscillator B (4 in total) – A special oscillator with a manipulative sine wave.
-1 Noise Generator (4 in total) – While the oscillators can output pitched noise, a simple unpitched white noise generator is also available.
-1 Dual analog or digital filter (4 in total).
- 1 digital filter (4 in total) - 28 filter types. Standard filters, triple filters, vowel filters, sharp filters, tube filters...
- 2 VCA's (8 in total) - with ADSR envelope, 16 different characteristics and a clip parameter. Can be trigged by any source.
- 2 Effects Processors (8 in total) - Many of the LD effects plus a new reverb, saw animator, a wavefolder and some new pitch effects.
- 4 LFO's (16 in total) - With variable waveform, curve and draw waveforms. Key syncable.Can trigger parts and the sequencer.
- 2 Envelopes (8 in total) - ADSR + decay envelope with loop options. Can be trigged by any source.
-2 Sample and Hold Generators (8 in total) .
- 1 Ring VCA (4 in total) – With several modes, like Ring Modulator, crossfader, AND, XOR and Mix.
- 2 Output modules (8 in total -1 for each part) - Handles the final output level, output assignment and the stereo panning.
-8 Patch Points/ Voltage Controlled Switches. For inter-connecting the Groups and for switching.
