Soooooo ...

[ontrackp]

I have been using Zebra for about 8 months and just purchased Synthmaster, partly because the price was crazy low for such a powerful synth with so many interesting ways to make sounds. In my opinion, Zebra runs circles around SM, and if I had to choose just one it would be Zebra. This is mostly based on ease of use and interface.

Synthmaster 2.6.8 (on a Mac using Logic 9) is ugly and buggy. It does not consistently allow copying and pasting of sub-presets (oscillators, envelopes, etc...) and is funky about saving patches also. It sounds great -- no question, but as far as pure enjoyment of working with the software, I find it to be kind of a mess.

I've been using synths professionally as a composer and producer for over 30 years and only during the last year have made the transition from hardware to software. I still have lots of hardware around, but almost never fire anything up anymore. Mostly because of Zebra. Judging a synth is very subjective and I don't believe my opinions any more right than anyone else's, and I fully respect those who feel differently than I do. Both Zebra and SM have lots going for them and I appreciate the effort their makers put into their programming. Zebra is simply more elegant, has a deep but easy to use sound making engine, and is constantly surprising me with it's ability to easily satisfy sound design needs. There is something about the sound of SM that makes it sit in a mix really, really nicely -- it's weird because the presets don't always sound great when played on their own. I just wish that KV331 would make the GUI and functional improvements that would bring the synth up to really pro standards.

I demo'd many, many soft synths before settling on Zebra (and now Zebra HZ), and my advice is that you should get Zebra -- it will keep you happily busy programming sounds for years.

[Painmooser]

I'm using Alchemy and Zebra2HZ almost equally, I still prefer Alchemy for its granular pad sources though. Where Zebra catches up is in using both 2.6 and HZ in different instances, since they do have a character all their own and still compliment each other perfectly. I've also regained an interest in Zebralette for its quick simplicity and clarity in complimenting leads. But out of those three Zebras, HZ gets opened up the most.

One of my 'granular' presets for Zebra... (just 1 osc)

http://draigathar.org/sounds/Zdisto.mp3

Nice!

that sounds really atmospheric - I like it!

and yeah as a short time Zebra User my opinion might not be as weightful as of others. But all I can say is, that I originally cam from Guitar playing slowly into electronic music. A few years (its already 13 years now ^^) ago I settled on Cubase and Native instruments and was happy so far. But I got lazy - I thought I had seen it all and that there might only be minor differences across SW Synths - and so it came that only a year ago I browsed the internet to see what is new there..

And I Was blown away by the new "sound" (new in terms of - new to SW Synths).. downloaded the DIva demo, Nebula 3 - and all I have to say is I trust my ears, and u-HE with Nebula alone makes a perfect song, I stroingly consider to sell those "mastering" tools now - I dont need them anymore.

The soft synths from today do sound nothing like the sw from 1998-200x - really its not a huge difference its game changer difference... its just a completely different thing now. I got chills for the first time for a long time since I played guitar..

I strongly recommend to audit the suggestions in this thread!

[DarkerDigital]

After I bought Zebra 2 I never used my Virus TI2 again. I eventually sold it.

[BBFG#]

After I bought Zebra 2 I never used my Virus TI2 again. I eventually sold it.

My Radias seems to rarely get powered up now.

[dsan@mail.com]

Sooooooo......I started the demo of Zebra2 last night and have to say that it is loud. I am able to turn down the channel volume and gain a lot of headroom. This is an encouraging start.

I see tremendous potential with Zebra2. As for presets though I am having some trouble finding sounds that fit in my tracks.

Don't get me wrong, Howard Starr is a great sound designer; it's just the instrument, I think, is meant for another type of producer.

I think the HZ version is more to my type of music but then there is no demo to know for sure what the presets are like. The song demos sound more to my liking but I remain skeptical.

I'll probably though go ahead and buy the two; my thinking is that once I have enough time on my hands I will be able to make those sounds that I want or need.

Will still demo Diva in case it brings something different to the table.

Thanks to all for the valuable contributions and helping me with the decision. Much appreciated!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

Oh, and BBFG# - My Rediass ain't so ready anymore either

[dsan@mail.com]

Sooooooo.....I am now the proud owner of Zebra2, The Dark Zebra and Diva. Next stop.......ALL those soundsets!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[pdxindy]

Sooooooo.....I am now the proud owner of Zebra2, The Dark Zebra and Diva. Next stop.......ALL those soundsets!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

Good luck! and the u-he forum is a good place to ask questions should you have some.

[Painmooser]

Sooooooo.....I am now the proud owner of Zebra2, The Dark Zebra and Diva. Next stop.......ALL those soundsets!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

me too mate, and I played nearly the whole day with zebra 2 alone. There is so much to discover its absurd how flexible this little thing is..

crazy believe me.

[dsan@mail.com]

Thanks pdxindy!

Actually, the support I saw in the forum was one of the reasons I pulled the trigger. The support and reputation of Mr. Heckman was a major factor.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[dsan@mail.com]

Sooooooo.....I am now the proud owner of Zebra2, The Dark Zebra and Diva. Next stop.......ALL those soundsets!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

me too mate, and I played nearly the whole day with zebra 2 alone. There is so much to discover its absurd how flexible this little thing is..

crazy believe me.

Yes it is! Crazy way too much!

Did my playing with during my demo phase. Spent most of the day downloading the freebie patches and organizing.
Maybe mess around a bit later but definitely will be using it tomorrow!

Have fun Painmooser!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[ontrackp]

Sooooooo.....I am now the proud owner of Zebra2, The Dark Zebra and Diva. Next stop.......ALL those soundsets!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

Congratulations! Great decision. Don't be shy about posting questions on the U-he forum -- it's a great community of people who are happy to give advice and answer programming questions. Also, check out the YouTube Zebra videos. After you've had your hands on Zebra for a little while you will get a lot out of them.

[dsan@mail.com]

Thanks ontrackp!

I don't know if I'll live long enough to get through all the content.
I have been hours just clicking through the presets and testing the sounds. I keep running across one I like and it takes me a while to say "Ok on to the next". No end in sight yet

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[ontrackp]

Yeah... it's deep. Spend some time de-constructing the patches, also. Very good way to learn.

[PietW.]

Is Uhe Zebra the new Access Virus?

:

Zebra = Software
Virus = Hardware


Very strange questions.

[D-Fusion]

Is Uhe Zebra the new Access Virus?

:

Zebra = Software
Virus = Hardware


Very strange questions.

No no.

Zebra = Software in a box
Virus = Software in another box