u-he Zebra 3 Public Beta Released

Noise Harmony
2 days ago
3 min read

u-he has released Zebra 3, the long-awaited modular synth plugin, into public beta. After more than a decade of development, according to u-he, this complete rewrite brings new sound engines, enhanced filters, and a modern interface to one of synthesis’s most respected tools.

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The day Zebra users have been waiting for has arrived. u-he officially opened the Zebra 3 public beta on December 10, allowing anyone to test the plugin, even without a license. According to Urs Heckmann, founder of u-he, the synth has been in active development for over a decade, making this one of the most anticipated releases in recent plugin history.

Zebra 3 is built on the same modular concept as Zebra 2, but the architecture, algorithms, interface, and workflow have been rebuilt from the ground up. u-he describes it as a complete evolution, though it comes at a cost, CPU usage is generally higher than in Zebra 2, often around double per module.

New Oscillators and Sound Engines

One of the centerpieces of Zebra 3 is the new spline-based wavetable oscillator. Previously featured in the free Zebralette 3, this oscillator allows users to shape wavetables with guide curves, oscillator effects, and a large set of sound-design tools. It’s a flexible system that makes additive and wavetable synthesis feel more intuitive.

Another major addition is the physical modeling oscillator. This engine focuses on modal synthesis, simulating the resonant characteristics of marimbas, drums, and other struck instruments. It’s u-he’s first real dive into physical modeling within Zebra, and it expands the synth’s tonal palette into more organic and acoustic territory.

Zebra 3 also introduces vector synthesis. The new 4-in-1 mixer module allows users to pan and loop between sound sources. For producers building cinematic pads or shifting soundscapes, this is a substantial upgrade.

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Updated Filters and Modulation

Filters have been overhauled too. While Zebra 2’s filter selection was solid, Zebra 3 goes further, u-he has updated some of the original models and plans to add more. According to Urs Heckmann, none of the Diva filters from ZebraHZ will be ported directly, but new models with similar characteristics are in development. Currently, the beta includes over 48 filter types, with more on the way.

The interface has also been completely redesigned. It’s cleaner, more modern, and makes use of color-coded visuals that help users navigate the modular routing. Zebra 3 moves away from the dense, slightly dated look of Zebra 2 and toward something that feels more aligned with current production tools.

For users who rely on modulation, Zebra 3 includes improvements to the famous modulation mappers and a new pitch assignment page. This page lets users customize pitch behavior for up to four sources, with individual settings for modulation, quantization, and related parameters. It enables more detailed control over pitch routing and assignment, opening up new creative possibilities.

The multi-FX section now includes a texture module, loosely inspired by Mutable Instruments Clouds. It’s designed for ambient and atmospheric processing, adding granular texture and motion.

Presets, Pricing, and Compatibility

Zebra 3 ships with 300 demo presets that highlight the new features and provide a practical starting point.More presets will be added throughout the beta phase. However, the synth does not yet include an arpeggiator or sequencer, u-he plans to implement these later, based on community feedback.

In terms of pricing, Zebra 3 is available for pre-order at an introductory price of €179, down from the final retail price of €249. Owners of Zebra 2 (purchased before it became Zebra Legacy) can upgrade for €30. For those who own both Zebra 2 and The Dark Zebra, the upgrade is free.

Zebra 2 patches will not be compatible with Zebra 3 due to the complete rebuild and consolidation of modules. This is a trade-off for the architectural improvements, but it does mean users will need to recreate or adapt older sounds manually.

The public beta is available now for testing. Anyone interested can download it from the u-he community forums using a license card, which allows beta access without requiring a full purchase. The official release is expected later this year, though no exact date has been confirmed.