Zebra 3 Public Beta (final beta)

[PieBerger]

Here is my Zupersaws preset. I expanded the original concept by adding Osc 3 & 4 in Additive Render mode with some smooth random modulating Compression and Expansion for more wonk and because why not

Remember that the purpose of the exercise wasn't to come up with a better than X synth supersaw, but to show an example of how to 'think more Zebra' when designing patches.

[FrogsInPants]

Is there an option to prevent controls from responding to scroll events? With a scrollable panel, I expect scroll gestures to scroll the panel. When other controls steal those events it subverts that intention and results in unintended parameter changes. To me, the ability to use scroll events to interact with controls is largely redundant, and the ability to freely use scroll gestures to scroll the pane without having to carefully position the cursor to avoid other controls is much more valuable.

[kraster]

Having used Zebra a lot for a week or so I'd say where it is most unique is the how it deals with waveforms.

Even in synths with wavetable editors like Serum creating wavetables is more of an auxiliary process. In Zebra 3 it's more a fundamental part of the programming of the synth and the vector implementation makes it very easy to do. In that respect, Zebra is more focused on the fundamentals of the oscillator creation than the more downstream approaches of other synths.

Also Zebra feels a lot more modular than other supersynths in some respects. For example most supersynths run the main signal through a main envelope/VCA combo and the envelope is almost always controlled by note on. In Zebra you can decouple from the envelopes and decouple the envelopes from note on.

Zebra 3 inherently pushes you into territories that those other synths don't and that's a great thing, imho and I think it's a mistake to approach Zebra like it's another Serum/Pigments/Phase Plant/Current.

It's much more its own thing with some very unique ways of doing this. Where I might grab a filter to alter the sound in say Serum, I find myself editing the waveform handles or applying oscillator FX in Zebra 3.

It's a different headspace but a very inspiring one, imho. It's the kind of synth that I'm thinking about programming possibilities when I'm not using it.

I also think that it's fundamentally one of the best sounding synths out there. There's a heft when you need it or it can go wiry and aggressive or soft and airy or anywhere in between and often within the same patch@

I definitely think the GUI could do with a little tightening up, some QoL improvements would help and it needs general bug squashing but it is a beta so I set my expectations accordingly.

But I can see Zebra 3 being a mainstay for me for many years to come.

[kraster]

Is there an option to prevent controls from responding to scroll events? With a scrollable panel, I expect scroll gestures to scroll the panel. When other controls steal those events it subverts that intention and results in unintended parameter changes. To me, the ability to use scroll events to interact with controls is largely redundant, and the ability to freely use scroll gestures to scroll the pane without having to carefully position the cursor to avoid other controls is much more valuable.

I'll add a +1 to this.

I think the primary use of a scroll wheel is to scroll to unseen parts of the screen.

I've never been fully convinced of using the scroll wheel for parameters in any synth I've used and more often than not there's far too more unintentional changes to parameters than anything else.

[Teksonik]

I'm happy to upload a patch too, but since this is a forum where, checks notes, people write stuff

Exactly, (checks notes) that's what I did...write stuff.

I'm not going to engage you on the other points, because I consider you to be one of the professional antagonists in this place and I just want to have a laugh and learn/share more about synths and synthesis, not get drawn into arguments with no positive outcomes for anyone.

You posted your opinion then I posted mine. I consider what you wrote to be incorrect information so I responded. If that's "antagonism" then so be it....perhaps a thicker skin would serve you well and that goes for another prominent poster in this thread as well.

[Urs]

Is there an option to prevent controls from responding to scroll events?

I'm sure, there will be.

So one of the surprising things for us is this. We have forever had this in Zebra 2 and I can't remember a single complaint. Suddenly, here, we have a lot.

So we'll deal with it. Either we'll figure out why suddenly it does not work, or we'll add a preference or something.

[kraster]

I'm happy to upload a patch too, but since this is a forum where, checks notes, people write stuff

Exactly, (checks notes) that's what I did...write stuff.

I'm not going to engage you on the other points, because I consider you to be one of the professional antagonists in this place and I just want to have a laugh and learn/share more about synths and synthesis, not get drawn into arguments with no positive outcomes for anyone.

You posted your opinion then I posted mine. I consider what you wrote to be incorrect information so I responded. If that's "antagonism" then so be it....perhaps a thicker skin would serve you well and that goes for another prominent poster in this thread as well.

"It's not even in my top 10 at this point, no offensive to the developer or the cult."

You’re entitled to dislike the synth. Calling the people who like it a “cult” isn’t critique, it’s a cheap provocation.

This isn’t about sensitivity — it’s about you choosing language that frames other users as irrational and expecting no pushback. That’s not “honest,” it’s just antagonistic.

[BBFG#]

Well cult is short for culture and in that regards I'm content with being part of it. I haven't seen anyone implying Urs as a deity though or demeaning/stalking anyone that's not toeing the homogeny of perception as the "creepy" forms to what certain cults have become.

[jtsterays]

Our leader Urs Heckmann (and team)

[Urs]

Dawg, I'm such a deity.

[Urs]

(hey, sorry, I'm off to watch them latest seasons of Fargo - y'all on your own yous are!)

[kraster]

Is there an option to prevent controls from responding to scroll events?

I'm sure, there will be.

So one of the surprising things for us is this. We have forever had this in Zebra 2 and I can't remember a single complaint. Suddenly, here, we have a lot.

So we'll deal with it. Either we'll figure out why suddenly it does not work, or we'll add a preference or something.

I think if something is very common like parameter control by scroll wheel most people just accept it even if it's annoying.

I'd say it also depends on the actual device itself. I use an Apple magic mouse and it's very sensitive to accidental scroll input. Mechanical mouse wheels are more deliberate so less prone to accidentals.

I think one of the reasons you're having more requests is that a beta is different because people see it as an opportunity to change things before the release.

Personally, I'd love to have the option to turn it on or off in every synth/effect. I think it works well for things like adjusting Q in eqs but for overall parameter use where there are competing spaces personally I'd always prioritise scrolling since I nearly always use click and drag to change parameters.

[BBFG#]

Dawg, I'm such a deity.

But aren't we all?

[enCiphered]

Confirmed: Zebra 3 now runs on divine DSP. Latency = eternal.
But careful! Once a dev reaches deity status, feature requests require a sacrifice and arrive only when the stars align.

[Ah_Dziz]

Most CPU optimisations to come will affect the FX section. Things in the voice section are mostly at the end of options, unless we add quality modes.

I'm always all for quality settings. If nothing else it can give interesting sonic variety depending on how it's implemented.