u-he has announced version 2.0 of Zebra, a major update to the wireless modular synthesizer plug-in. Unlike Zebra 1.5, version 2.0 will be available in both Audio Units and VST formats for Mac OS X and in VST format for Windows XP.

The full version is expected to be released in early 2006 but a fully functional preview version is already available for download (it lacks some features).

Zebra 2 can be pre-ordered for $169 (full price will be $199); upgrades from Zebra 1.5 will be available. An interesting "Dinosaur Crossgrade" offer is also available, which could get new purchasers $50 off of its normal price for a little work on their side.

Modules & Key Features (subject to change)

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 input 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 ring-modulation.
• 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.
• more to come... tba

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.
  • Reverberator (delay network) and Diffusor (allpass network).
  • Range parameter scales delay lengths (similar to room size).
  • Independent Range for Reverberator and Diffusor for artificial rooms.
  • Feedback in Reverberator 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.
• More to come... compressor, eq, etc.

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, etc.

Also:

• Modulation Matrix.
• Arpeggiator (not yet in preview, see Filterscape to get an impression).
• Alternative tunings (not yet in preview).
• Module presets (not yet in preview).
• Tons of patches in the works.
• and more...