A different approach than that of a classic Drum Machine
Although ZAPS can do many things, it does its best at creating percussive lines through a
totally different approach to classic drum sequencing.
The fact that it is a monophonic voice could seem like a limitation at first, but this rather gives
the resulting rhythmic lines their own character. It also allows us to manipulate all of the
sounds through time, and all at once.
With Zaps, we have the ability to address, control and change all of the parameters of the
analog synth through time, by saving its different states on memory slots. You can think of it
as step automation or parameter locking.
The interface also allows us to manipulate the settings stored on each slot while we move
through them by editing them all at once, this way we can shape a rhythm as a whole and
not only as individual parts.
About the synth architecture
The synth core has a classic configuration with a special attention on the details: two analog
VCOs, AM, through zero FM, a two channel mixer, a high-pass filter and two digital
envelopes . The analog generation and signal provides a sound free of aliasing and other
digital artifacts, while the through zero FM allows to produce glass, metallic and rough
sounds that keep the main VCO in tune.
The magic comes from the digital control: retriggerable envelopes, sync of the VCO waves
at each trigger, autotune of the VCOs, lock of the parameters at each SLOT, morphing
between sounds, randomization of any parameter, assignable CV inputs, a file system, edit
multiple SLOTS at once, etc. The combination of analog synth and digital control provides
large doses of flexibility with a great sound.
