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u-he announces Zebra 2 (+pre-order)

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u-he

u-he has announced version 2.0 of Zebra, a major update to the wireless modular synthesizer plug-in. Unlike Zebra 1.5, version 2.0 will be available in both Audio Units and VST formats for Mac OS X and in VST format for Windows XP.

The full version is expected to be released in early 2006 but a fully functional preview version is already available for download (it lacks some features).

Zebra 2 can be pre-ordered for $169 (full price will be $199); upgrades from Zebra 1.5 will be available. An interesting "Dinosaur Crossgrade" offer is also available, which could get new purchasers $50 off of its normal price for a little work on their side.

Modules & Key Features (subject to change)

Signal Flow

  • Synthesis Grid with 4 x 12 module matrix.
  • Effects Grid with 3 x 6 effects matrix.
  • Mixer for each output in Synthesis Grid.
  • Sends/Returns for Channels 2 & 3 of Effects Grid.

Synthesis Grid

  • 4 x Oscillator
    • 16 editable wavetables/curves.
    • Additive or graphical wavetable generation (4 modes).
    • Single, dual, quad modes.
    • Sync and PWM for any waveform.
    • 2 special oscillator effect sections, 17 types each.
    • Normalization.
    • Mix and panning.
    • Resolution controls modulation accuracy vs. cpu hunger.
  • 4 x Filter
    • 18 types.
    • Includes phasers, formant filters and analog modelled lowpass filters.
  • 4 x FM Oscillators
    • FM by input from any other module in the signal chain.
    • FM by self (feedback).
    • Amplitude Modulation mode (AM).
    • Alternative FM using a lowpass filter on input signal.
    • Mono or stereo operation with pan, mix and width.
  • 2 x Noise Generator
    • White, Pink, Digital, Crackles.
    • 2 built in filters to vary the noise generation.
    • Mono or stereo operation with pan, mix and width.
  • 2 x Comb Filter
    Comb filters are short delay lines with a feedback path. They can be used for flanging effects or spectral mangling of sound. The feedback can cause self oscillation. When played "in tune" with some damping, comb filters provide a vast source of "alive" sounds. This is often used as a building block for digital models of natural instruments such as strings and wind instruments.
    • 5 modes with different types of feedback networks.
    • Up to 4 comb filters in the network.
    • PreFill function initializes delay buffers with noise.
    • Frequency independent feedback.
    • Damping and waveshaping of feedback signal.
    • Control of delay time ratios.
    • Alternative input point for some types (Flavour).
  • 2 x Ring Modulator: Oversampled, aliasing free ring-modulation.
  • 2 x Shaper
    • Currently just one soft saturation mode (work in progress...).
    • Edge parameter for band selective waveshaping, leaving treble untouched.
    • Depth parameter for mode specific variations (i.e. asymmetry).
  • 4 x Channel Mixer: Combines Grid Channels.
  • more to come... tba

Effects Grid

  • 2 x ModFX
    • Chorus/Flanger, Phorus and Phaser modes.
    • Signal split to operate on variable mid bands.
    • Optional equalization.
    • Optional Quadrature element.
  • 2 x Delay
    • Stereo, Dubby, Multitap modes.
    • Pan, sync and ratio (percentage of sync) for up to 4 taps.
    • Lowpass and highpass on feedback.
    • Normal feedback and crossover feedback for ping-pong delays.
  • 1 x Reverb
    • Currently 2 models.
    • Reverberator (delay network) and Diffusor (allpass network).
    • Range parameter scales delay lengths (similar to room size).
    • Independent Range for Reverberator and Diffusor for artificial rooms.
    • Feedback in Reverberator controls decay, can be infinite.
    • Feedback control in Diffusor (smooth diffusion, slap back).
    • Warm, smooth modulation.
  • 2 x Shaper: See Shapers in Synthesis Grid.
  • 1 x Ring Modulator: See Ring Modulators in Synthesis Grid.
  • 2 x Channel Mixer: See Channel Mixer in Synthesis Grid.
  • More to come... compressor, eq, etc.

Modulation Sources

  • General
    • Velocity
    • ModWheel
    • Breath Control
    • Expression
    • Gate
    • Key Follow
  • 4 x Envelope
    • ADSR.
    • Fall/Rise for Sustain Phase.
    • Optional Init value or Delay.
    • Optional Sustain2, Loop Time or Release2.
    • Variable Slope mode.
    • Different time bases, including sync to host tempo.
    • Every parameter can be scaled by Velocity and Keyfollow.
  • 6 x LFO (2 global, 4 per voice)
    • 8 waveforms.
    • Modulatable Amplitude and Rate (voice only).
    • Delay (voice only).
  • 4 x MultiStage Envelope Generator
    • Up to 32 nodes.
    • Variable slopes for each segment.
    • Loop.
    • Various meta controls are not yet in the preview version.
  • more to come... modulation mixer, scaling operator, arpeggiator, etc.

Also:

  • Modulation Matrix.
  • Arpeggiator (not yet in preview, see Filterscape to get an impression).
  • Alternative tunings (not yet in preview).
  • Module presets (not yet in preview).
  • Tons of patches in the works.
  • and more...
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