RE: Starr labs - Z Tar midi controller (How About Zendrum?)

["Douglas Lawrence" <douglas-lawrence@home.com>]

You guys may already know about this, but have you ever checked out a
Zendrum (http://www.zendrum.com). They seem to have a couple models to span
several prices ranges.


I've seen them used live twice, Billy Cobham and Vinx (Jungle Funk). If I
had extra $$$ right now, I think I would get one just to check it out.


-----Original Message-----
From: evening [mailto:evening@ulster.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 5:43 AM
To: Loopers-Delight@annihilist.com
Subject: Re: Starr labs - Z Tar midi controller


>Date: Tue, 27 Oct 1998 13:15:52 -0800
>From: "Jonathan El-Bizri" <jbiz@linkexchange.com>

>
>I just bought a mini-Z fro Ztar systems. It's a mid controller set up like
a
>touch style instrument. >
<snip>
>I don't know if I can recomend them yet (I have yet to see mine) but I 
>have
>talked to a number of satisified customers. If anyone is interested, I'll
>dig up the web address. Their site has lots of pretty pictures for the
>curious.

I had Harvey Starr build me a handhelp percussion controller about 3
years ago.
here's my experience:

bad -

I paid $900 up front & waited 15 months before I rec'd anything. It took
numerous phone calls and during one of them he said "I've received death
threats from people who've been waiting too long for their Z-Tars." This
didn't make me very comfortable.

The Z-Bar was pretty much unplayable from an ergonomic standpoint I sent
it back & got a refund.

good -

His software kick ass - very, very flexible.

He did send me a demo low-end Z-Tar to play with while I was waiting -
which a friend eventually bought from him.

In summary - Harvey is basically a nice guy & his Z-Tar * software are
excellent but make sure you get a date from him as to when your gear will
be built or better yet buy what's in stock. - the 30 day return is a nice
policy.

jmw