u-he has announced the release of a major update to its flagship modular synthesizer instrument for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Rebuilt from scratch with state-of-the-art technologies spanning analog modeling, physical modeling and purely digital synthesis, Zebra 3 delivers a bold mix of popular and novel sound design possibilities and a fresh user experience.
It’s been a very long time in the making, and we at u-he are beyond proud of what Zebra 3 has become: A deep workhorse synth with many powerful new modules wrapped in a sleek, modern interface. Although it builds on decades of experience gained through several generations of Zebra2, Zebra 3 is an entirely new development. Deep synthesis indeed…
Spline-based morphing oscillators, through-zero FMOs, countless new filter models selectable from a 2D palette, physical-modelling tools such as modal resonators and combs, a ring modulator with frequency shifting, and even a polyphonic EQ/resonator. But that’s only a small part of the story.
Zebra 3 features
- Adaptive interface: Modules only appear when added to the patch, organized via drag and drop.
- Over 1,200 factory presets.
- Unified spline editor for oscillator waveforms and MSEG curves with geometric morphing.
- Two oscillator engines: Wavetable (up to 16× unison) or additive (up to 1024 partials, can be inharmonic).
- 20 oscillator effects including spectral decay, sync, phase remapping and more.
- Filters with 13 models, both classic and original (Ladder, Cascade, SVF etc) each offering up to 12 responses (e.g. LP, HP, BP with 6/12/18/24 dB/Oct).
- FM oscillators with 2 operators plus an audio input as a third operator.
- Modal resonators and comb filters with detailed control over feedback and damping for physical modelling synthesis.
- Noise and Exciter modules for realistic transient and physical modelling sources.
- Vector & Scan mixers: Blend 4 sources with XY pad (loopable) or scan through them sequentially.
- Pitch, gate and trigger signals as first-class modulation — modular-style routing freedom.
- Mod Math modules for combining and transforming modulation signals.
- Mappers that act as step sequencers or as freely drawable transfer curves for other modulators.
- Ring modulators, distortions, wavefolders, equalizers (as global effects and per voice).
- Delays, multitap delay, reverbs, compressors etc. in global FX grid with per voice send amounts.
- Available as CLAP, VST3, AU and AAX on macOS, Windows and Linux.
- Support for MPE, microtuning, MTS-ESP (realtime tuning).
Zebra 3 is now available to purchase for €249 EUR at the u-he store and from distributors such as Plugin Boutique, AudioDeluxe, Best Service and Loot Audio. Owners of Zebra 2 (predating Zebra Legacy) can login to their account for upgrade options.
