u-he Zebralette 3 is a free Synthesizer plugin that previews the new oscillator engine of the upcoming Zebra 3 synth. The release candidate is out now.
After almost 2 years of beta testing (1 year and 10 months, so to speak), u-he has now released the Zebralette 3 release candidate, including new features and improvements. This release isn’t happening without reason.
The long-awaited Beta testing phase for Zebra 3 is imminent. According to u-he, the first Zebra 3 beta is planned for release next week, coinciding with Zebralette 3. Finally! And they also use Zebralette 3 RC to test a new simplified licensing system.
U-he Zebralette 3 Release Candidate
Zebralette 3 Release Candidate (RC) includes some significant changes based on the upcoming Zebra 3 Beta. U-he has removed some parameters from Zebralette 3 that are no longer present in Zebra 3’s final feature set, and added new ones.
Users with less powerful systems will be pleased to know that the plugin’s CPU performance has been further optimized. Here is a list of the changes to the Zebralette 3 RC:
- License card import feature
- Osc wavetable mode: now with phase modulation in the modulation target list and new DC block option
- New ModNoise modulation source
- User-definable MIDI control modulation sources expanded (added Ctrl C&D)
- MSEG single trigger mode has been removed, and MSEG can now be used as VCA source
- New OSC FX bypass button
- S&H trigger system has been improved
- New preferences for mouse wheel and trackpad handling, for animation handling, and for reset behaviour on playback star
- Countless other small improvements & fixes
License Cards System
Alongside the release of Zebraellete 3 RC, u-he launched a new licensing system. Don’t worry, no subscription, no online requirement, etc.
They use small PNG images that store your serial numbers in the metadata, as you can see in the picture above. According to u-he, the idea was inspired by Plogue, who has adopted a similar concept for many years.
License cards work offline on multiple computers and do not require an internet connection, as they use a no-challenge/response system.
Currently, the new system is also being beta-tested with Zebralette 3 RC, where the PNG file can be imported for testing purposes.
The first commercial product to support license cards will be Zebra 3. There is no fixed release date for the first Zebra 3 beta, but a release is planned for next week. So, it’s coming very soon.
That’s why all owners of the original Zebra 2 + The Dark Zebra (TDZ) combo also have their Zebra 3 license in the new License Card. License card support for the other plugins will follow step by step in 2026.
The new Zebralette 3 Release Candidate is available on the KVR Audio u-he forum. Exciting news, and one thing is sure: the countdown for Zebra 3 Beta has now begun.
Update from April 5, 2025
Zebra 3 is in full development. A first look was given at this year’s NAMM Show. The free Synthesizer plugin u-he Zebralette 3, which has been in public beta for a year, offers a glimpse into Zebra 3’s capabilities.
Today, u-he released public beta 2 with new features and bug fixes in their KVR Audio forum thread.
U-he Zebralette 3 Public Beta 2
According to u-he, they are now focusing on making Zebra 3 feature-complete before switching back to bug-fixing mode. This means that while they fixed a large number of bugs in Zebralette 3 Public Beta 2, they still have quite some way to go.
The new Public Beta 2 introduces a new dark mode, which now gives you the choice of two GUIs. An important improvement in the new version is the reduced CPU usage. It also comes with plenty of new presets and other engine additions and improvements:
- Osc FX order can be swapped
- new curve maths parameter
- curve morph position now on the GUI
- option to switch off waveform plot
- showcase smart folder added to preset browser
- ADSR times improved
- and other tiny details.
There are also many fixes, but also known issues you can see in the KVR Audio thread.
A very welcome update. It’s available on the KVR Audio forum.
Update From February 17, 2024
Excellent news from U-he. The public beta version of Zebralette 3 is available now on the KVR Forum. Please read carefully on the forum what the current known issues are, and more.
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Article from January 26, 2024
In Berlin at Superbooth 23, Urs Heckmann (U-he) presented the first teaser for the long-awaited Zebra 3 Synthesizer. Not with an actual Z3 version, but with a first alpha version of Zebralette 3 Synthesizer. It will be a completely revised version of the popular free synth.
Now, more than 6 months have passed, and the development has continued. NAMM 2024 is coming up, and U-he will be exhibiting in Anaheim. One of the news will be the beta version of Zebralette 3.
U-he Zebralette 3
You read that right: Zebralette 3 will be presented in beta version at NAMM 2024. It’s not Zebra 3 yet, but it’s a light version of what we can expect in Zebra 3. According to U-he, they will showcase its capabilities as well as the excellent wavetable and MSEG editing tools.
Urs Heckmann also says on the KVR forum:
While “beta” means “feature complete but still a bit buggy”, we hope to go public soon after NAMM. We’ll then spend the coming weeks and months fine tuning the user experience and its sonic powers with the help of your feedback.
We’re confident that Zebralette 3 will become one of the most comprehensive wavetable generation tools available, and like its predecessor, it’ll be free.
Zebralette 3 will remain a free Synthesizer plugin with one Zebra oscillator, one Zebra multi-segment envelope generator, LFO, ADSR envelope, and VCA so what we know from Zebralette 2.
The new Zebra 3 engine is already active at the core of it. Part of the engine is a new oscillator that incorporates various synthesis options, including wavetable, spline wave, morphing, VA, and additive. The hefty thing about it is the built-in editor, reminiscent of a super powerful math program.
Once opened, you can draw your own waveforms, generate wavetables, or work with additive synthesis. The new spline technology lets you generate morphing wavetables smoothly together.
On top, there will be a plethora of different oscillator FX with which you can achieve wilder oscillator timbres. All this will also be available in the free Zebralette 3 Synthesizer
Zebra 3 Release?
When is Zebra 3 coming? The question of all questions. Urs Heckmann and U-he currently have no news about them but says:
As for the most tingling question: We can not yet assess a timeline as to when its bigger brother – Zebra 3 – is ready, but once Zebralette 3 is finished, the largest chunk of work on Zebra 3 is done as well.
Also, our team has been making big progress in areas that are not part of Zebralette. We’ll know more once we get there.
Here is an extensive demo from NAMM 2024.
U-he Zebralette 3 will be available in an open beta version after NAMM 2024. The plugin will be a free download and an official release TBA.
More information: U-he
I know very few people care, but it’s actually a “free Synthesizer plugin (macOS/windows/linux)” (as everything u-he does). 😉
Nice to see the use of “windows” instead of “PC”, though!
this is the highlight of the free synth scene 2024. great addition to u-hes other free synth zebra cm. the editor looks like autocad for audio. advanced sophisticated concepts 😀
This the only software beta (and SynthMaster 3) that I have installed.
Love it
Zebralette is awesome. The sound quality is top notch and made me rethink my 3rd Wave Purchase. Urs is an amazing guy too and his communication with the community is second to none. U-he is my favorite plugin company.
Best joke ever:
Zebra 3 is coming soon.
next week (8-15 Dec) 🙂