Zebra Soft Synth in Public Beta

(Click for a close-up)

Users of OS X-based Audio Unit host applications can try out a new toy as part of a preview public beta offering from u-he.com. Zebra is a synthesizer plug-in that combines subtractive and additive synthesis with a modulation engine that even integrates with the built-in effects section.

Zebra's subtractive synthesis section is a dual oscillator, filter, amplifier configuration while a spectral editor gives you access to the additive synthesis engine, supporting an unlimited number of waveforms. There's also a flexible modulation matrix that lets you modulate some of the more than 50 destinations. Available effects include delay, reverb, chorus, flanging, and phasing.

Zebra was also designed with live performance in mind. It features 4 XY controls for doing real-time sound morphs as well as a MIDI learn function so you can easily control more than 100 parameters from hardware MIDI controllers.

The Audio Units version for Mac OS X should be available sometime later this month. Until then, there's the public beta available for download right now. A Windows VST version is tentatively planned for release early next year.

Zebra is priced at $159 (USD), but a special pre-order price of $79 is being offered through December 31.