Zebra 3 and Zebra Legacy

[Urs]

Well, Zebra never had any such previews. We have considered Hive-like visuals for oscs and filters, but they would cost us space for about one module in the racks.

Visualisation of oscillators and MSEGs are always accessible through the bottom tabs, which like Z2 are automatically switched to if e.g. one touches the osc module in the grid or a modulation depth knob connected to an MSEG.

The filter preview is going to be static initially also because it needs to depict more than just the response. There's also the model with its specific characteristics. In the future we might be able to animate this, but as we expect Zebra 3 to eventually have 100+ distinct filter algorithms (currently in the alpha: 48), we first need to see where we take it before we can assess effort, CPU and other trade offs for such an animation.

As for LFOs, we're experimenting with various options. We eventually want to have a Hive-like scope in Zebra 3 that should help visualise and analyse modulations down to sample level.

I'd also like to reiterate that the initial release will probably have fewer modules and options than Zebra 2. Like, whole sections such as arpeggiators and sequencing won't be there is 3.0, but they might come in 3.1 through 3.5. So I'd expect Zebra 3 to evolve in similar ways as Zebra 2 did, but Zebra 3 is a clean slate with many, many concepts of Zebra 2 revisited and rewritten for maintainability and future expansion. That also goes for a lot of what's happening in the UI.

[Tj Shredder]

I appreciate, that arps and sequencers won't be there! I always find them useless, I have a DAW with arps and sequencers and usually skip all presets with those elements... I want to create my movements myself...

[Urs]

I appreciate, that arps and sequencers won't be there! I always find them useless, I have a DAW with arps and sequencers and usually skip all presets with those elements... I want to create my movements myself...

Well, hehehe, they won't be absent forever. But I want them to integrate nicely in the overall architecture. Not necessarily to replace what the DAW does, more like something to complement it and maybe have some live tweakable elements to them. A DAW only ever has MIDI, MPE or similar things it can send to a synth, but a synth like Zebra can have internal wires that can go beyond what "playing a note" is. Which might not suit everyone's needs, but I'd like to at least offer the possibility for those who wish to make use of it

[pdxindy]

I appreciate, that arps and sequencers won't be there! I always find them useless, I have a DAW with arps and sequencers and usually skip all presets with those elements... I want to create my movements myself...

Well, hehehe, they won't be absent forever. But I want them to integrate nicely in the overall architecture. Not necessarily to replace what the DAW does, more like something to complement it and maybe have some live tweakable elements to them. A DAW only ever has MIDI, MPE or similar things it can send to a synth, but a synth like Zebra can have internal wires that can go beyond what "playing a note" is. Which might not suit everyone's needs, but I'd like to at least offer the possibility for those who wish to make use of it

I like that approach. For regular arps, I always use either a 3rd party plugin or Bitwig's arp device anyway.

IMO, better to focus on unique connections and performance capabilities in the synth itself.

[WalterH]

Hi! I read that on synthanatomy.com
"U-he Zebra 3 is now in early alpha, and they estimate it will be released at the end of the year. "
Will there be Zebra 3 beta before final release ? Or "at the end of the year." they mean beta?

Edit:
Not gonna create new message, will edit that one.
Thanks for the answer down below Urs, Zebra rules!

[Urs]

Hi! I read that on synthanatomy.com
"U-he Zebra 3 is now in early alpha, and they estimate it will be released at the end of the year. "
Will there be Zebra 3 beta before final release ? Or "at the end of the year." they mean beta?

We hope to have an internal beta by June/July. That's already optimsitic though.

Once we have an internal beta, we start the preset design phase, which will take approximately 3-5 months. During that stage we'll optimize and polish things on the software side.

So with some luck we'll have a public beta in Q4 2025, maybe even a release before the end of the year.

We'll see how it goes...

[jtsterays]

Will this first Z3 version include the detuning law option?

[Urs]

So, detuning laws. I have had my fair share of dealings with those over the decades.

I could write essays about them.

The one we use now is just fine. I think there isn't a better one.

(addendum: It's a complicated topic, I need a lot of time to get deeper, I'd rather address this another time, and maybe have some examples prepared)

[bonch]

Is it worth reaching out to U-he about beta testing, or do you already have your selection process for that nailed down? I use a niche DAW (Renoise) and beta test for them, so I've found it nicely self-serving to report bugs to plug-in makers so I can keep using my weird favorite DAW.

[Urs]

So, for beta testers, we usually approach them. Like someone posts on KVR or GS or sends an email with an observation or two. If we recognise great feedback with profound knowledge, there's a good chance we'll invite them to join. Even better if they use a DAW or platform where we're a tad short.

People can of course always reach out, there's no written rule.

That said, beta-testing-for-us isn't a spectacular thing. We don't relentlessly churn out new versions and keep folks busy. Recent years have been draining even, as we mostly had bug fix updates and maybe a new UI. However that should change soon as we're moving from maintenance mode to almost a creative spree.

[jtsterays]

So, detuning laws. I have had my fair share of dealings with those over the decades.

I could write essays about them.

The one we use now is just fine. I think there isn't a better one.

(addendum: It's a complicated topic, I need a lot of time to get deeper, I'd rather address this another time, and maybe have some examples prepared)

We're talking about unison detuning law right? Because it's not about being better or worse, just expanding the options.

[NAD]

So, detuning laws. I have had my fair share of dealings with those over the decades.

I could write essays about them.

I would totally read that.

[MorpherX]

If there comes a Zebra3 beta will then also Zebrallette3 be updated ?

[Cyoon]

If there comes a Zebra3 beta will then also Zebrallette3 be updated ?

Did you notice that it has just been updated with a second beta and lots of improvements?

[jtsterays]

I loved that you added the granular texture effect. Will you add more weird effects? Same for the filters, so far it looks like there are only normal filter shapes, how about some wild ones like a morphable filter (e.g Oberheim) or crazy multi resonant resonant ones (e.g UVI Shade)?