Zebra 3 and Zebra Legacy

[audiojunkie]

Hehehe, it's time for this kind of post again...

So when random people on the internet started talking about Zebra 3 even before Zebra 2 was released, at some point people would hold off buying Zebra 2 (which was still new) because they were speculating about Zebra 3 (which was not even in consideration).

In order to end those speculations, I came up with the idea to post the pricing and upgrade paths to ensure that people know that their investment into Zebra 2 was not in vain. Hey, we even sat down and laid out some ideas.

That was in early 2012 or so, and Diva had just come out and little did we know that Diva would quickly become our most successful product, and there would be little to no time anymore to work on a big project until, well, a global pandemic of all things.

Anyhow, we stick to the old plan laid out back then:

Zebra 3 will be 249€
Upgrade from an original (pre-Legacy) Zebra 2 license: 30€
Upgrade from an original Zebra 2 + The Dark Zebra license: Free

Now, at that time we did not think about whatever would happen with Zebra 2, and where things would stand ten years later. There were concerns that if Zebra 3 somehow included Zebra 2, we either couldn't keep up work on Zebra 3, or we'd have to discontinue Zebra 2, or change pricing.

So we decided that once the Zebra 3 oscillator - which was worked on for a very long time - was somewhat ready to show off, we would semi-discontinue Zebra 2 in the form of Zebra Legacy and at the same time cut off the upgrade path. That again was before it turned out that we'd lose our license to publish VST2 plug-ins and that we'd spend another year or two rereleasing all plug-ins with VST2 support for a last time. Big financial blow, but also not bad to get rid of technical debt. We're almost done, 5 months to go to release a few left overs.

So now things are dragging on again, but we see light at the end of the tunnel. We are considering - but have neither decided nor will we promise - a temporary solution to support those who bought Zebra Legacy. This could be something like "if you have a license for this product, we'll give you a discount voucher in the vicinity of 50 bucks towards that new product which will be valid until day X". This isn't entirely selfless thinking, from a business perspective It may even be merely a necessity to get the new product going. And I think it's fair towards everyone. However, we'll see where we go. It's a hot topic with a lot of opinions.

Now, if anyone reads above as a promise to do so and buy Zebra Legacy to save money: Don't. If you buy it, buy it because you like it. Because it's a great synth with amazing value for 99€. But don't buy it because you really want Zebra 3 even though you have not seen it yet - it may not be what you imagined, and you might not be saving any money at all.

Anyhow, wish you all a Happy New Year, and I'm almost certain that we'll have exciting things coming in 2025.

This is another reason (of many) why I like Urs and U-he products. You've been up front from the very beginning, and continue to deliver news and progress reports actively in the forums.

Once again, Thank you for supporting Linux in everything!!

[Touch The Universe]

At 250 would that make it the second most expensive vsti on the market?

[seafire]

Not even close, but I think most people who are serious about music won't think twice about the price.

[Urs]

Hehehe, the price is what we posted 12 years ago on this forum, for everyone to see. It hasn't changed since, even though the equivalent of 249€ in 2012 is more like 320€ in 2025. Yet we stick to the 249€ tag, as we have with all our software that hasn't gone up despite the inflation.

[tarn]

Is there a newer version of the Zebralette 3 beta than 15573? I've been searching for a download page, but all I've found is the initial download link.

[bmrzycki]

At 250 would that make it the second most expensive vsti on the market?

This kind of thinking is IMO short-sighted.

I purchased Z2 in 2006 for (I think $199). But let’s say it was $250. I’ve had a supported instrument, with free feature and bug fix updates, for 19 years. If I paid that annually that’s about $13 a year. I can’t even get fast food for one for that these days.

To the impulsive buyer and seller I can see how it seems steep. But from where I’m sitting it’s probably the best investment in digital plugins I ever made. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide if Z3 is an investment in a new, and different, approach to digital synthesis.

[jtsterays]

I hope the initial Z3 version include a sampler/granular module, been really into D-50 type sounds recently.

[Touch The Universe]

At 250 would that make it the second most expensive vsti on the market?

This kind of thinking is IMO short-sighted.

Since when are facts short-sighted?

[seafire]

It's not a fact tho.

[Sampleconstruct]

KVR is for hagglers.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Buy a secondhand license.

[buffalo roam]

[/quote]
Most likely, when Z3 comes out (as per U-he tradition), there will be a discount on Z3 that usually happens during the public beta. You'll be able to try Z3 beta without restriction during the beta and if you like it, jump on a discount before the actual release. At least, that's how it's typically worked in the past (and how I've come to own most everything)
[/quote]

Do you recall how much of a discount, percentage-wise, the beta discount has been for previous introductions? This is of interest to me, as 249 euros is quite a lot for me, much as I respect the value u-he's products have for a lot of people. It seems to me I was able to buy Steinberg's entire Absolute line of products on sale, including Halion 7, for about that price a few years ago.

[GruvSyco]

Most likely, when Z3 comes out (as per U-he tradition), there will be a discount on Z3 that usually happens during the public beta. You'll be able to try Z3 beta without restriction during the beta and if you like it, jump on a discount before the actual release. At least, that's how it's typically worked in the past (and how I've come to own most everything)

Do you recall how much of a discount, percentage-wise, the beta discount has been for previous introductions? This is of interest to me, as 249 euros is quite a lot for me, much as I respect the value u-he's products have for a lot of people. It seems to me I was able to buy Steinberg's entire Absolute line of products on sale, including Halion 7, for about that price a few years ago.

I have no idea and, personally I wouldn't even bank on it unless it came from the mouth of someone from U-he. Just because they've always done it in the past, doesn't guarantee it. I don't remember any of the discounts specifically but I'd guess it's more of a $$ off than it is a % off... nice round numbers that way.

Anyways, Z3 appears to be quite a long way off still. I would just enjoy what's available now and maybe pack a couple $ away each week until the release. When the beta eventually comes out, you'll get to try it... you may not even like it (it could happen).

[buffalo roam]

Most likely, when Z3 comes out (as per U-he tradition), there will be a discount on Z3 that usually happens during the public beta. You'll be able to try Z3 beta without restriction during the beta and if you like it, jump on a discount before the actual release. At least, that's how it's typically worked in the past (and how I've come to own most everything)

Do you recall how much of a discount, percentage-wise, the beta discount has been for previous introductions? This is of interest to me, as 249 euros is quite a lot for me, much as I respect the value u-he's products have for a lot of people. It seems to me I was able to buy Steinberg's entire Absolute line of products on sale, including Halion 7, for about that price a few years ago.

I have no idea and, personally I wouldn't even bank on it unless it came from the mouth of someone from U-he. Just because they've always done it in the past, doesn't guarantee it. I don't remember any of the discounts specifically but I'd guess it's more of a $$ off than it is a % off... nice round numbers that way.

Anyways, Z3 appears to be quite a long way off still. I would just enjoy what's available now and maybe pack a couple $ away each week until the release. When the beta eventually comes out, you'll get to try it... you may not even like it (it could happen).

Thanks for your reply. My own quick Internet search shows that Hive's beta was introduced at about about a third off the final price, and about the same occurred for Diva. I realize there's no holding u-he's feet to the fire of past patterns, but this one would be nice to see in Zebra 3.

[ATS]

is it coming out in 2025?