Team Zenbeats

auxmux

Out of curiosity, does Zenbeats have midi fx recording, parameter automation, au parameter midi mapping, or drag and drop for importing files?

wim

@auxmux said:
Out of curiosity, does Zenbeats have midi fx recording,

yes

parameter automation,

yes

au parameter midi mapping,

only from external controllers (unless I missed an update somewhere)

drag and drop for importing files?

no

HotStrange

@DMfan said:

@HotStrange said:
I’m curious, what is it about Zenbeats that you prefer and why choose it over Logic? Not saying it’s bad, just wondering your thoughts on it.

Long story short, tried some DAWs on iOS over the years, really liked NS2 but waited in vain for audio tracks, Zenbeats came along and I decided to use it. Liked the workflow, loop view, the TR-style drum sequencer, the access to AUv3, had Roland synths in the past and liked the Roland sound. I simply don’t wanna learn another DAW, I have what I need for the hobby level I am on. Tired of jumping ships, just like with synths.

I want to learn and master what I have, not start all over.

/DMfan🇸🇪

Totally understandable! I’ve never fully mastered one single DAW, just AUM. So I’m excited to really dove into Logic. But if it ends up not being for me, that’s okay too. We have so many options on iOS, which is a great thing.

HotStrange

@dendy said:
just out of curiosity checking Zen Beats - and i am nicely surprised ... it went through long way since i tried it first time... i would say this has much better UI than Logic.

Yeah interface wise it may actually be my favorite.

auxmux

@wim said:

@auxmux said:
Out of curiosity, does Zenbeats have midi fx recording,

yes

parameter automation,

yes

au parameter midi mapping,

only from external controllers (unless I missed an update somewhere)

drag and drop for importing files?

no

Thanks! Does it support Files app for importing samples?

fisherro

@DMfan said:

Feel free to share what it would take to make Zenbeats your DAW of choice on iOS? GUI, functions, “flow”….whatever!

I’m a fan of Roland’s synths and other products, so I tried really hard to like ZenBeats. But while I’ve managed to complete projects in Gadget and NS2 last year despite having not used them before, I failed with ZenBeats. (I’ve completed projects in GarageBand too, but I’ve used it longer. And I would probably have completed one in Cubasis if Logic hadn’t come along.)

I don’t remember specifics, but it was all around selecting, copying, pasting, moving, and editing parts. It would take me a while to figure out how to do what I wanted, and then I’d manage to mess it up and have to retry several times to get it right. And that never got better. And sometimes I couldn’t figure out how to do something even though I’d done it before. It was constant frustration without ever getting to the part where I actually knew how the software worked. Once I finally gave up and moved the project to NS2, I got it done so much faster.

(And again, I gave ZenBeats at least as long of a chance as I did NS2, Gadget, or any other DAW when I was new to it.)

So, I expect that whatever changes would be needed to make it my DAW of choice would be different enough than it is now to annoy the people who like it now. I think it just won’t ever be the DAW for me.

On top of that the main draw for me was having the SH-101 and Jupiter-8 on iPad, but it only has presets. And despite buying the relevant packs, it still had fewer presets for those synths than I was expecting.

The best way for Roland to get my money through an iPad app would be with full SH-101 and Jupiter-8 apps with AUv3 support. (I gather they have both in both reskinned-Zenology and specific emulations of the individual synth versions, and I’d be interested in either.)

Also a version of Tone Studio for my SY-1000 for iPad. That ought to be free, but I’d pay for it.

wim

@auxmux said:

@wim said:

@auxmux said:
Out of curiosity, does Zenbeats have midi fx recording,

yes

parameter automation,

yes

au parameter midi mapping,

only from external controllers (unless I missed an update somewhere)

drag and drop for importing files?

no

Thanks! Does it support Files app for importing samples?

yes

DMfan

@dendy said:
just out of curiosity checking Zen Beats - and i am nicely surprised ... it went through long way since i tried it first time... i would say this has much better UI than Logic.

It is unfortunate the journey Zenbeats has travelled haven’t been more noticed.

/DMfan🇸🇪

DMfan

@fisherro said:

@DMfan said:

Feel free to share what it would take to make Zenbeats your DAW of choice on iOS? GUI, functions, “flow”….whatever!

I’m a fan of Roland’s synths and other products, so I tried really hard to like ZenBeats. But while I’ve managed to complete projects in Gadget and NS2 last year despite having not used them before, I failed with ZenBeats. (I’ve completed projects in GarageBand too, but I’ve used it longer. And I would probably have completed one in Cubasis if Logic hadn’t come along.)

I don’t remember specifics, but it was all around selecting, copying, pasting, moving, and editing parts. It would take me a while to figure out how to do what I wanted, and then I’d manage to mess it up and have to retry several times to get it right. And that never got better. And sometimes I couldn’t figure out how to do something even though I’d done it before. It was constant frustration without ever getting to the part where I actually knew how the software worked. Once I finally gave up and moved the project to NS2, I got it done so much faster.

(And again, I gave ZenBeats at least as long of a chance as I did NS2, Gadget, or any other DAW when I was new to it.)

So, I expect that whatever changes would be needed to make it my DAW of choice would be different enough than it is now to annoy the people who like it now. I think it just won’t ever be the DAW for me.

On top of that the main draw for me was having the SH-101 and Jupiter-8 on iPad, but it only has presets. And despite buying the relevant packs, it still had fewer presets for those synths than I was expecting.

The best way for Roland to get my money through an iPad app would be with full SH-101 and Jupiter-8 apps with AUv3 support. (I gather they have both in both reskinned-Zenology and specific emulations of the individual synth versions, and I’d be interested in either.)

Also a version of Tone Studio for my SY-1000 for iPad. That ought to be free, but I’d pay for it.

Thanks for your input! I’ll be sure to let the dev know your thoughts.

Sometimes you just don’t “click” with an app, and that is what it is. But: may I ask you to try it again to get a current perspective on it? More than one person has been positively surprised…

Regards,
DMfan🇸🇪

DMfan

@HotStrange said:
Totally understandable! I’ve never fully mastered one single DAW, just AUM. So I’m excited to really dove into Logic. But if it ends up not being for me, that’s okay too. We have so many options on iOS, which is a great thing.

Indeed. But with so many options, at least I felt I didn’t get anywhere. Zenbeats was the tool for me to become more productive, not just fiddling around.

And IMHO with the pace Zenbeats is updated, the way the users are listened to and treated, the developer very active I can follow along without the need to re-learn from scratch. Knowing Zenbeats better and having more “flow” inside it than any DAW I used, has made me able to dive into mixing and mastering the last year or so. Several times I have realized the function I am learning from a tutorial for example, is in fact already in place in Zenbeats. And if isn’t I have collected so many AUv3 apps through the years, I can make it work that way. And then I’ll start nagging the developer about it not being present in Zenbeats😂.

It is definitely the DAW for me, and I believe for a lot of other people as well, they just need to try it out. Twice in the thread it has been, although subjectively, said Zenbeats has a BETTER UI than Logic Pro… just noting.

/DMfan🇸🇪

DMfan

A word from Nu-Trix the Synth Guy, also a fan of Zenbeats:

DMfan

And here Zenbeats is used as the hub for live stuff…

/DMfan🇸🇪

audiblevideo

I miss Skram

HotStrange

@DMfan said:
And here Zenbeats is used as the hub for live stuff…

/DMfan🇸🇪

Awesome! I’m really tempted by those little compact units. My fiancé and I are doing the tiny house thing so I don’t have space for big studio gear anymore so those would be perfect. But also for that price I could save up and get one bigger groovebox like the SH-4d.

JohnnyGoodyear

@HotStrange said:

@DMfan said:
And here Zenbeats is used as the hub for live stuff…

/DMfan🇸🇪

Awesome! I’m really tempted by those little compact units. My fiancé and I are doing the tiny house thing so I don’t have space for big studio gear anymore so those would be perfect. But also for that price I could save up and get one bigger groovebox like the SH-4d.

Have to say that the J6 is a lovely thing. Haven't done anything with it via Zenbeats, but presuming there's some productive mileage to be had in that...

HotStrange

@JohnnyGoodyear said:

@HotStrange said:

@DMfan said:
And here Zenbeats is used as the hub for live stuff…

/DMfan🇸🇪

Awesome! I’m really tempted by those little compact units. My fiancé and I are doing the tiny house thing so I don’t have space for big studio gear anymore so those would be perfect. But also for that price I could save up and get one bigger groovebox like the SH-4d.

Have to say that the J6 is a lovely thing. Haven't done anything with it via Zenbeats, but presuming there's some productive mileage to be had in that...

Do you have them all or just that one? I’m definitely interested but I think I prefer the Volca line. A Drum, Sample, Modular, Keys, and FM could be had for the price of all 4 of those. And maybe even enough leftover for a usb mixer to run them through. I used to have a whole Volca setup strictly for standalone jams and I kind of miss that.

Telstar5

@telecharge :Dunno but I predict a new audio engine in Zenbeats 4 as well as a much deeper iPad integration with Zencloud

telecharge

I revisited Zenbeats recently and found all the soliciting to be bothersome. I can't think of any other software that I paid to unlock that bombards me with pop-ups and banner ads.

wim

@Telstar5 said:
@telecharge :Dunno but I predict a new audio engine in Zenbeats 4 as well as a much deeper iPad integration with Zencloud

What does "a new audio engine" mean to you?

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

catherder

@telecharge said:
I revisited Zenbeats recently and found all the soliciting to be bothersome. I can't think of any other software that I paid to unlock that bombards me with pop-ups and banner ads.

Settings / Interface and untick “show browser offers”. That did the trick for me.

Telstar5

@CapnWillie : Logic maybe wouldn’t make sense for someone as deep into the Roland ecosystem as you are . Logic to me is tops but if you actually KNOW ZB through n through as well as the MV1 , what CAN’T you do? Nothing , of course . And Mathew is of course Roland’s best not so secret weapon . Company rep of the year for sure .

HotStrange

@ehehehe said:

@telecharge said:
I revisited Zenbeats recently and found all the soliciting to be bothersome. I can't think of any other software that I paid to unlock that bombards me with pop-ups and banner ads.

This. And the horrendous, janky UI. Logic is ways ahead. Along with a neutered version of the pop-music boring and vanilla VA-engine which will never have full tweakability because that would cannibalize their hardware.

Roland do some things right, but it's far between them nowadays. The new SP is the only cool thing in their current lineup. Last before that was the V-Synths, then the MVs, but those days seem long gone in favor of tiny, cheap plastic vst redoes and boring subscription vst-rehashes of classics, which are all played out to death by now. They could easily included more functionality to the plugins, revamping their whole sound, but no. Their whole synth sound is at its best sitting like glue in the background. 808/909s have become boring also. The SYS-500 might be cool, idk.

I fully disagree with this. The SE-02 is one of the best mono synths on the market hands down. All the Boutiques have been fantastic. The new AIRA compact line is great. And imo, the TR-8s/6s and 707/101 are among the best drum machines and grooveboxes you can buy. I think they’ve been killing it personally.

I’m a huge fan of Zenbeats as well.

telecharge

@catherder said:
Settings / Interface and untick “show browser offers”. That did the trick for me.

Thanks, but that and "show home screen deals" are greyed-out for me. Perhaps the latest version unlock is required? Hopefully, Matt will address it here. Otherwise, I will ask Roland support.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

HotStrange

@ehehehe said:

@HotStrange said:

@ehehehe said:

@telecharge said:
I revisited Zenbeats recently and found all the soliciting to be bothersome. I can't think of any other software that I paid to unlock that bombards me with pop-ups and banner ads.

This. And the horrendous, janky UI. Logic is ways ahead. Along with a neutered version of the pop-music boring and vanilla VA-engine which will never have full tweakability because that would cannibalize their hardware.

Roland do some things right, but it's far between them nowadays. The new SP is the only cool thing in their current lineup. Last before that was the V-Synths, then the MVs, but those days seem long gone in favor of tiny, cheap plastic vst redoes and boring subscription vst-rehashes of classics, which are all played out to death by now. They could easily included more functionality to the plugins, revamping their whole sound, but no. Their whole synth sound is at its best sitting like glue in the background. 808/909s have become boring also. The SYS-500 might be cool, idk.

I fully disagree with this. The SE-02 is one of the best mono synths on the market hands down. All the Boutiques have been fantastic. The new AIRA compact line is great. And imo, the TR-8s/6s and 707/101 are among the best drum machines and grooveboxes you can buy. I think they’ve been killing it personally.

I’m a huge fan of Zenbeats as well.

Some like tradition, others innovation i guess. Nice adjectives; fantastic, great, best. But why, what do you like so much? Increased functionality for better sound design or sequencing would be totally possible instead of re-releasing old classics in new skins aka tiny plastic boxes with extremely minor tweaks. For me with big hands, they are often unusable, and i've yet to come across anyone jamming in the wild with anything else than an ipad or laptop. Look at how much they improved the new SP, why not carry it over to other product lines?

I think what current Roland is great at is commodifying creativity. Exploiting peoples GAS with their web of ecosystems and tiny affordable boxes. Trendy "dawless" landfill that non-professionals can afford, which carefully avoids cannibalizing any of their other products functionalites. I hope they will hop on the DAW-in a box bandwagon and release something serious and cool workstation-like. Nobody i know would fiddle with noisy mini-jacks just for some played out samples that's everywhere to be found. And heard. It's just uninspiring, bad for the environment and boring.

I don’t see a reason to justify why I like it when you’re just being dismissive. Clearly tons of people like them.

DMfan

@telecharge said:

@catherder said:
Settings / Interface and untick “show browser offers”. That did the trick for me.

Thanks, but that and "show home screen deals" are greyed-out for me. Perhaps the latest version unlock is required? Hopefully, Matt will address it here. Otherwise, I will ask Roland support.

Are you using the free version? That would make sense then from a marketing point of view to have you test the app and then urge you to dive in further, nothing strange about that. There is a deal right now I think, All platform unlock for $39.99, very much worth it I would say if you use PC/Mac as well...

/DMfan

telecharge

@DMfan No, I'm not using the free version.

DMfan

@telecharge said:
@DMfan No, I'm not using the free version.

Relayed to the dev directly👍.

/DMfan🇸🇪

DMfan

@DMfan said:

@telecharge said:

@catherder said:
Settings / Interface and untick “show browser offers”. That did the trick for me.

Thanks, but that and "show home screen deals" are greyed-out for me. Perhaps the latest version unlock is required? Hopefully, Matt will address it here. Otherwise, I will ask Roland support.

Are you using the free version? That would make sense then from a marketing point of view to have you test the app and then urge you to dive in further, nothing strange about that. There is a deal right now I think, All platform unlock for $39.99, very much worth it I would say if you use PC/Mac as well...

/DMfan

You’re right, you need V3 (latest) unlock to make these areas become clickable.

/DMfan🇸🇪