Zebra is a next-generation virtual synthesizer plug-in. It combines subtractive and additive synthesis with a powerful modulation engine that even smoothly integrates with the built-in effects section.

With version 2.0, Zebra has not only become an even more wireless modular synth. It also adds the sonic capabilities of FM, modeling of natural sounds and advanced wavetable synthesis... latter can be learned & used quickly with Zebralette, which is an included mini-Zebra

Extended information

- The Multi-Mode Filters:
Zebra's filters are different from the ones found in other products. - They do not try to simulate any particular technology, they merely extends the analog principle, but it's as easy to use. - And they sound really rich!

Choose from 9 totally different sounding lowpass modes, or use bandpass, highpass, peaking, phasers, shelving. You can use up to 4 of them in parallel, in series, whatever your sound needs, all in stereo.

From within the Modulation Matrix, any parameter of the filters, such as resonance or drive can be modulated at high rates without getting mad.

- The Oscillators:
Zebra's oscillators offer some functionality that looks familiar, while technically, it is not.

New since Version 2.0 is the possibility to create 16 waveforms for each oscillator, either in additive fashion or by drawing the wave itself. In addition to this advanced wavetable synthesis, 2 Oscillator Effects with 18 types can be applied for instant mangling of waveforms - making each oscillator a synthesizer of its own!

And... of course... each oscillator can play in single, double or quad mode for the really big sounds!

- Modulation:
Well, in Zebra there's almost nothing you can't modulate!

Many parameters, like filter cutoff or oscillator frequency, have dedicated modulation channels set up, which operate at an ultra-fine resolution of 4 samples. This is accurate...

Almost any other synthesis parameter (in fact every parameter that has a knob for control) can be modulated by the 4 slots of the modulation matrix. This includes the effects section!

The list of modulations doesn't end here. For instance, every stage of the envelopes ( Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release ) can be scaled by Key Velocity as well as Key Follow. This adds a good portion of vitality to your sounds!

And one shouldn't forget the immense possibilities offered by the XY controls.

- Effects:
Zebra comes equipped with a large set of built-in audio effects.

There's two chorus/flanger/phaser effects, two multitap delays and a flexible reverb for the beginning.

Exceeding common effects sections, there are also two 4-band equalizers, two waveshapers, two fully equipped Zebra filters, Mixers and a Ringmodulator.

Using the two integrated send busses and the flexible routing options, these effects can act upon different portions of the patch, and they can be processed in any order and in any scheme thinkable.

- The Audio Engine:
Zebra is based on a modular plugin engine, all coded from scratch by u-he.

This engine is highly flexible, platform independent and performs a lot of tasks to ensure reliable, optimal performance.

The engine performs all connections between modules, takes care of modulation tasks and automatically observes all parameters. For example, it smooths any parameter changes from the user interface, Midi Controls or automation so that tweaking a knob never produces zipper noise. - It offers everything to ensure a satisfying and stable user experience.

Furtherly, it makes Zebra and future u-he plugins thoroughly extensible. - If there's serious demand for a feature addition, it can be added to the plugin, without breaking preset compatibility or need to rewrite huge portions of the code. Expect u-he plugins to be evolving by customer needs!

Technical specifications

modules & key features:
Signal Flow:
* Synthesis Grid with 4 x 12 module matrix
* Effects Grid with 3 x 6 effects matrix
* Mixer for each output in Synthesis Grid
* Sends/Returns for Channels 2 & 3 of Effects Grid

Synthesis Grid:
4 x Oscillator
* 16 editable wavetables/curves
* additive or graphical wavetable generation (4 modes)
* single, dual, quad modes
* Sync and PWM for any waveform
* 2 special oscillator effect sections, 17 types each
* normalization
* mix and panning
* Resolution controls modulation accuracy vs. cpu hunger

4 x Filter
* 18 types
* includes phasers, formant filters and analog modelled lowpass filters

4 x FM Oscillators
* FM by input from any other module in the signal chain
* FM by self (feedback)
* Amplitude Modulation mode (AM)
* alternative FM using a lowpass filter on iput signal
* mono or stereo operation with pan, mix and width

2 x Noise Generator
* White, Pink, Digital, Crackles
* 2 built in filters to vary the noise generation
* mono or stereo operation with pan, mix and width

2 x Comb Filter
Comb filters are short delay lines with a feedback path. They can be used for flanging effects or spectral mangling of sound. The feedback can cause self oscillation. When played "in tune" with some damping, comb filters provide a vast source of "alive" sounds. This is often used as a building block for digital models of natural instruments such as strings and wind instruments.

* 5 modes with different types of feedback networks
* up to 4 comb filters in the network
* PreFill function initializes delay buffers with noise
* frequency independent feedback
* damping and waveshaping of feedback signal
* control of delay time ratios
* alternative input point for some types (Flavour)

2 x Ring Modulator
* oversampled, aliasing free ringmodulation

2 x Shaper
* currently just one soft saturation mode (work in progress...)
* Edge parameter for band selective waveshaping, leaving treble untouched
* Depth parameter for mode specific variations (i.e. asymmetry)

4 x Channel Mixer
* combines Grid Channels

Effects Grid:
2 x ModFX
* Chorus/Flanger, Phorus and Phaser modes
* signal split to operate on variable mid bands
* optional equalization
* optional Quadrature element

2 x Delay
* Stereo, Dubby, Multitap modes
* pan, sync and ratio (percentage of sync) for up to 4 taps
* lowpass and highpass on feedback
* normal feedback and crossover feedback for ping-pong delays

1 x Reverb
* currently 2 models
* Reverbrator (delay network) and Diffusor (allpass network)
* Range parameter scales delay lengths (similar to room size)
* Independent Range for Reverbrator and Diffusor for artificial rooms
* Feedback in Reverbrator controls decay, can be infinite
* Feedback control in Diffusor (smooth diffusion, slap back)
* Warm, smooth modulation

2 x Shaper
* see Shapers in Synthesis Grid

1 x Ring Modulator
* see Ring Modulators in Synthesis Grid

2 x Channel Mixer
* see Channel Mixer in Synthesis Grid

Modulation Sources:
General
* Velocity
* ModWheel
* Breath Control
* Expression
* Gate
* Key Follow

4 x Envelope
* ADSR
* Fall/Rise for Sustain Phase
* Optional Init value or Delay
* Optional Sustain2, Loop Time or Release2
* Variable Slope mode
* Different time bases, including sync to host tempo
* Every parameter can be scaled by Velocity and Keyfollow

6 x LFO (2 global, 4 per voice)
* 8 waveforms
* Modulatable Amplitude and Rate (voice only)
* Delay (voice only)

4 x MultiStage Envelope Generator
* up to 32 nodes
* variable slopes for each segment
* loop
* various meta controls are not yet in the preview version

more to come... modulation mixer, scaling operator, arpeggiator