The FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions : Part 1
Please read through this file before sending any questions. Whilst we enjoy talking about our present and future products with potential and existing customers, email consumes a large proportion of our time and our priority at the moment is shipping products.
When will the first ZEIT be available?
The first pilot build ZEIT Sequencers shipped in January 2006. The first beta-tester machines began shipping in June 2006.
What's the status of the Desktop version?
The Desktop version is now through beta-test. The first units shipped to customers at the end of August 2007.
What's the difference between the Rack-mounting and Desktop versions?
The Desktop version features two additional clocking speeds, 1/3x and 3x, as well as four additional Algorithmic directional controls. Future software revisions of the Rack Mounting sequencer will support the extra functionality but these will only be available from within an editor menu. You won't be able to select them from the front panel because we want to keep the user interface as simple as possible. There won't be any weird and whacky combinations of functions keys to memorise!!!
How big is the rack-mounting unit?
The Rack-mounting unit is 12U high i.e. 533mm (H) x 481mm (W).
Will I be able to able to place an order for a machine now?
Yes, you can place an order for ZEIT now. A 50% deposit is required as all instruments are currently built to order and there is a lengthy waiting list. We are not currently taking orders for Phaedra.
Can I see a ZEIT in the flesh before I buy one?
At the moment, all sequencers are made by hand, by one person, so they are not exactly thick-on-the-ground. As soon as a sequencer has been built and tested, it is shipped. However, our US Dealer, Analogue Haven, should have at least one unit in stock at all times, should you wish to see one in the flesh. As a company, we intend to demonstrate the instrument at a number of electronic music festivals around Europe and possibly in the US too throughout 2006 and 2007 so please keep checking these pages to find out if we're appearing anywhere near you in the near future.
Can I read the manual before I purchase?
Yes. The on-line manual is now available from the side menu.
How long will I have to wait for my sequencer?
At present, the waiting list is quite long and we must satisfy the backlog of orders first.
Frequently Asked Questions : Part 2
I have a concert in three weeks. Can I jump the queue?
Sorry, no. Many of our beta-testers have been waiting more than three years for their machines. We must satisfy their orders first.
When will you publish a revised functional specification?
A revised functional specification is now available for download from the ZEIT 19" rack sequencer section.
Do you have any high resolution images for publications?
High resolution images are available for download from here.
When will the Samples page be updated?
The Samples page has now been replaced with the Download page, which should be easier to navigate. New samples are added all the time. so bookmark the page and check back regularly.
Can I customise my sequencer?
A limited number of customisation options are available. The LED and buttons colours can be customised and this is included in the price. Sadly, we no longer offer custom graphics and/or front panel colours. The cost proved extremely high for just one-off designs.
What about Phaedra?
Phaedra has moved forward to the advanced planning stage and we now have a good idea of exactly what it will do, based on the large number of suggestions received so far. We estimate that Phaedra will appear around first quarter 2008.
How much additional functionality will the Phaedra offer over the ZEIT?
Phaedra will offer thirty-two step sequencing, dual microprocessor control, extended sequencing capabilities, extended compositional capabilities and lots more. Please write to us if you have any suggestions regarding this instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions : Part 3
If I volunteer my services as a beta-tester can I get a reduced price machine?
Thanks, but we already have our full complement of beta-testers.
ZEIT was first discussed 4 years ago. What's the hold up?
ZEIT has been almost entirely designed and developed by one person, David Hughes, who writes all the code, builds all the circuit boards and does all the testing. He makes the tea, cleans the workshop and, occasionally, adds something to the manual. He tries hard but he isn't perfect.
Will ZEIT be made available in kit form?
Sorry, no. ZEIT is a very complex instrument and probably beyond all but the most experienced of constructors.
Will the source code be made available?
The source code will not be placed into the public domain although we do share code fragments with other developers. Contact us and we'll see what we can do! :)
Will the CV/trigger interface be an optional extra?
Yes.
When will the CV/trigger interface be released?
We should be able to release this option by the end of the third quarter, 2007.
Can I clock ZEIT from my analogue modular?
Expansion options are being developed to support this facility.
What about future expansion?
We are looking at a number of expansion possibilities. ZEIT was conceived as a modular sequencer. In other words, you only buy the sections you really need. If you have any additional ideas we would be happy to consider these.
Will I be able to get my hands on a ZEIT for review purposes?
Review machines will be made available once we have satisfied the current backlog of orders. If you require a review machine or images and/or specifications for a publication please contact us and we will do our best to help.
Can I have a user-defined scale?
Yes. ZEIT currently supports sixteen user-defined scales.
Frequently Asked Questions : Part 4
Will you consider major changes to the specification?
We will readily consider any feature which we think will enhance the playability or musicality of ZEIT and future products. However, we should point out that the full specification of ZEIT is currently frozen until we have enough beta-machines in the field.
Why is the ZEIT so expensive? Thirteen hundred quid is a lot of money!
Yes, thirteen hundred quid is a lot of money but we're not Roland or Yamaha and we can't mass produce instruments in the same way as the bigger companies. We are a small company producing only small quantities to order. The economics of scale are not on our side.
So, can I have a ZEIT for just the cost of the components?
Alas, no. We'd love to be purely altruistic but, like most people, we have to eat to stay alive and we would like to keep a roof over our heads.
Isn't ZEIT just another vapour-wear product?
ZEIT is not and never was a vapour-ware product. Production machines are now shipping!
What about software upgrades?
Software upgrades will be available from the Infection Music web pages as MIDI System Exclusive downloads. A boot loader system has been developed to support this.
What do I do if I find a bug in the software?
First of all, we'll publish a list of known bugs and projected resolution times on the web page. If the bug isn't there then you can report the problem to us using the bug report form which we will release once the beta-machines are released into the wild.
Can you develop customised software for me?
Alot depends upon what you want ZEIT to do above and beyond its current specification. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
What about future products?
Naturally, we can't say much about future products just yet. We'd like to get the ZEIT out of the door before we move onto other projects but, suffice to say, there are a number of products currently in development and some of them look very exciting indeed. Well, we think so anyway.
Will you publish service information for your products?
Yes, but only to registered service agents.
Can I have a ZEIT for my high school science project?
Yes, so long as you can pay for it. :)
FAQ Last updated 04-Mar-09