Additional Product News

Modular Proph@t Plus Now Available!

Recently some talk on Planet Z raised my interest in developing more sophisticated modules for use in the Creamware Modular system. I have taken the Proph@t Plus and modified it as shown to work as a module within a standard Creamware Modular II or III. This greatly expands upon the older Prophet style structure by adding a patchable connect bay for direct access to a wide variety of functions.

Price for the Proph@t Plus System (regular + Modular) is 149 EUR.
You receive the synth as both a regular device, and a module for use in your standard Creamware Modular system.

Purchase of the Proph@t Plus System can be done via a verified account with PayPal to my address, johnbowen@bigplanet.com.
ShareIt purchases are also possible by clicking here.

Proph@t Plus Available Again!

The Proph@t Plus is my customised version of the Prophet synthesizer. It features a number of additional functions compared to the original hardware unit, include Highpass and Bandpass filters, effects, Wav Oscillators for sample playback, and a number of performance functions for use with Aftertouch and Velocity. For a screenshot, click here. (To see all 3 control surface pages, please check the Screen Shots section.)

Read Sound On Sound's June 2003 review of my Prophet Plus here.

The Proph@t Plus now comes with both the regualr and Modular version (seen above) as a complete system. Purchase of the Proph@t Plus System can be done via a verified account with PayPal to my address, johnbowen@bigplanet.com.
ShareIt purchases are also possible by clicking here.

CombPlusPro v3.0

Someone recently requested an older synth of mine, called the CombPlusPro. This synth formed the basis of the Red Dwarf product, and still retains its own interesting character, so I decided to update it with the new format preset list, Effects Bypass, Master Volume and Poly Level, and paging the many popup surfaces. It's pretty compact and DSP-efficient as well, so if you are interested, you can order the CombPlusPro v3_0 for 49 EUR. For a screenshot, click here.

Solaris Core

I'm excited to introduce a new version of my acclaimed Solaris synth, the Solaris Core. This synth consists of the core elements used in most of the original Solaris factory presets. It also is presented in a size that easily fits 1024 x 768 screen resolution. There are 4 of my RDX Oscillator sections, each of which can select from six different oscillator types. Here's a screen shot showing the RDX2 oscillator's type menu.

Although Solaris Core has but 2 filter sections (reduced from 4 on the regular Solaris), the filter types have been expanded. Here's a link to a second screen shot showing the filter types list: Solaris Core filter types.

If you've been waiting to buy the full Solaris, the Core version is a great alternative choice, with the ability to play approximately 90% of the original Solaris presets - and, at a price that makes it easier than ever to own a Solaris product - 129 Euros!

In the future, Solaris Core owners will be able to upgrade to the full Solaris v4.1 (for an additional 99 Euros). For a Demo version, or more information, please contact me at johnbowen@comcast.net.

Solaris Core Price is 129 EUR. To purchase, click here.

Quantum Wave

Here is a screen shot of the Quantum Wave. Price - 179 Euros.

To purchase, click here. If you'd like to receive a Demo version to try out, just send me an e-mail request.

Many thanks to all those who participated in the naming contest - the name was contributed by Carl Löfgren, who also created a number of fine presets for the instrument. (Also, I want to apologise to Till Kopper, who recently contacted me about the use of 'qwave'. He maintains a Web site dedicated to Waldorf products, www.unofficial.waldorf-wave.de, and uses the name 'qwave' as a page for his music www.qwave.de, and as his forum nickname. I honestly had no idea about this!! And after searching so long for a name...I obviously didn't check thoroughly enough - Sorry!).

My thanks also to all those who participated in the development of this product: Stephen Hummel, Benoist Guitton, Carl Löfgren, Celmar Engel, Brent Garlow, Christian Schellschmidt, and Paul Kuchar.

Originally a custom project for Hans Zimmer, it is based on the functional design of the Waldorf Wave, using the Creamware Waldorf oscillators and the LP filter from the Pro One emulation (with an additional 12 dB HP filter). It is structured as a 4-part synth, meaning there are 4 individual synths inside the device (this being my first multi-timbre synth project). Potential customers should note that the Creamware version of the Waldorf oscillator does not produce the same quality of aliasing as the original, and therefore you should not expect the Quantum Wave to produce a faithful emulation of the Wave's sound.

It is not meant to be a 1:1 emulation of the Waldorf Wave, though I was able to get most of the Wave's functions implemented, adding or removing some things as necessary with a softsynth design. (For example, there was no need to emulate the way the Wave's display screen showed the parameter values; rather, I organised the surface to have parameter displays close to each knob.)

Other additional features:

1) you can use any RD compatible oscillators or filters with the Q-Wave to expand sonic capability. (These include my RD modules II, and the full line of satellite modules by SpaceF).

2) Both oscillators can be used as audio rate modulation sources, and also appear processed through a ring modulator in the mixer section.

3) Stereo Flanger and Delay effects have been added.

4) Each of the 4 parts are available at separate aux outputs.

There are two caveats - one, the amount of DSP usage can be very high, especially if all 4 synths are enabled; two, the surface is not as 'paged' as I usually would make it, as I wanted to have more information visible at once, so the surface is large, making it optimal for only higher resolution settings (1280 x 1024 is recommended).

For this version, no user-editable waveshapes or tables are possible, however, a future update could provide this, depending on sales and user demand. This is also true for other factors of the original Wave's sound, such as the extreme amount of 'stepping' found in LFO frequency modulation or the envelope generator outputs, which was not implemented as a matter of choice.

Rotor EX And Rotor 48

The Rotor EX is now available (see purchase link below). It is capable of some very broad and expansive soundscapes - I've posted some sound examples on the MP3 Demo page here. Suffice it to say, there's been some very strange and wonderful sounds coming out of this! You can download the Demo file from PlanetZ.com's web site (look under 'Devices').

I did go back into the Rotor 48 and updated it to have RD slots and a few other really simple improvements - and it is also now available as an included synth in the Rotor EX package. This means for the price of 125 Euros, you get both synths - the Rotor EX, and the updated Rotor 48!

Available now; package price is 125 Euros - click here to purchase.

You can see a screen shot of the Rotor EX here.
Listen to some MP3 examples at the Demo page here.

Ambient RD

In response to the increasing number of RD compatible modules (see SpaceF announcement below), I've taken the current version of the Ambient (v3.1) and converted it into an RD version. The four main oscillator sections and the two filters are replaced with RD slots, allowing the user to customize the architecture of the signal path. You can see a screen shot of it here.

The Ambient RD requires the RD Modules series II to play the factory presets, but will work with SpaceF satellites when creating your own custom presets. Price for the Ambient RD is 60 Euros, or you can purchase a bundle of the Ambient RD with RD modules (normally 65 Euros) for a price of 125 Euros.

To purchase just the Ambient RD, click here.

To purchase the Ambient RD Bundle, click here.

Announcing - RD compatible modules from SpaceF

Many new oscillator and filter modules are available now from SpaceF. They have done a fantastic job creating a number of satellite modules that are compatible with the RD system (RD compatible synths are Solaris, Ambient RD, Dark Star v3, Red Dwarf EX, Rotor 48RD, Rotor Jr., and RD Drum). Please check here to learn more: http://www.spacef.com/PRODUCTS/BB/BLACKBOX001.htm.

You can now use PayPal as a way to purchase Zarg Music products. Just use johnbowen@bigplanet.com as your payee address.

The RD Drum

(click on surface to view Sequencer page)

Price is 80 EUR, and includes some 32 RD Drum modules, including an updated RD version of ClapLab from Wolfgang Rter. You can order by clicking here. There is also a bundle of the RD Drum and the RD series II modules. The modules normally sell for 65 EUR, but the bundle price for both is 115 EUR, a 20% savings! You can purchase the bundle here.

The RD Drum, when fully loaded, requires an average of 4 DSPs. Owners of Luna and Pulsar I cards are advised that full functionality will be limited.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Reuter, who created most of the factory presets for the RD Drum, and also made a number of suggestions for improved functioning of the device. Check the Links page for his Web site, 'wolf audio design'. Thanks, Wolfgang!

Here's additional screen shots:

1) RD Drum Sequencer page
2) alternate channel display for Delay parameters (slots 1 3 are switched)

Here's a number of audio examples, hosted by Ben Walker:

1) basic set 06.MP3

2) Dance1.MP3

3) Funky1.MP3

4) DrumAndBass.MP3

5) Popmachine.MP3

6) LaRDy.MP3

There's more - please see the posting on Planet Z here:

http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=13879

Updated Rotor Jr v2.0.

This is my most affordable RD-compatible device ($49), and now comes with multimode oscillators installed. This means the basic unit can produce sound without the need to purchase the RD series II module pack, however, a number of presets do require them. Each of the 4 oscillators can produce sound from 1 of 4 sources: the Multimode osc, the RD Insert Slot, a Wav osc (sample playback) or an External Input. Also implemented is the new style preset list and XTC Mode. To see the new surface design, check the Screen Shots page. To purchase, click here.

Here are 2 'pad sounds' - examples of what the Rotor Jr. can do: Rotor Jr. Demo#1 (703 KB); Rotor Jr. Demo#2 (846 KB)

Now released - Version 3.0 - an updated, more powerful version of the Red Dwarf EX

If you've been waiting for a powerful but more affordable semi-modular synth, version 3.0 of the Red Dwarf EX may just be the ticket! Here's a list of the changes to this ground-breaking synthesizer (originally released in November 2000):

1) Utilizes the new format preset list; smaller device size, faster preset loading
2) Easier to use interface - all surfaces have been remapped as 'paging surfaces', except for LFO1 2.
3) Expanded Mod Matrix allowing full view of all 8 mod paths, with added modulation paths of the Mod Amounts themselves.
4) Now with separate amount levels for each LFO mod path.
5) Added Global system functions such as intelligent Unison mode, low/high note assignment, and legato mode.
6) Included Flanger and Delay effects.
7) Additional mod matrix sources, such as Osc1/2 and Filter 1/2, for digital feedback effects.

View all 3 of the new panel pages in our Screen Shots section.
Price - 125 Euros...which includes the RD series II module pack (a 65 Euro value)! Purchase HERE.

Previous Red Dwarf EX owners can purchase the upgrade for $40 HERE.

For details, please see this description of the Red Dwarf concept.

Updated RD Modules series II released

The latest in the RD Module series is now available. These 77 modules allow you to greatly expand the functions of any current Zarg Music semi-modular synth, which include the Red Dwarf EX, Rotor 48 RD, Rotor Jr., Dark Star v3.0, and Solaris. In addition, if you are a registered owner of the Creamware Modular II/III system, or have the Flexor Modular set, you can make use of most of those Modular modules within your Zarg Music semi-modular synth!

To read more about the RD semi-modular concept, please check this link.

Price is EUR 65.00, available here. If you already own the RD series I, please email me for a special discount coupon to upgrade to series II.

The Python Pro

In conjunction with XD7 Systems' Paul van der Valk, Zarg Music offers the Python Pro, an enhanced and extended version of Paul's famous Modular 'Python' patch! Though featuring the same sonic design elements, the Python Pro has been further augmented with additional features not available previously. Available for Purchase in the Zarg Music Store - price $99.

For a Demo version, please send me an email request at johnbowen@bigplanet.com. Please go to the Comments page to read users' feedback about the Python Pro.