U-He’s new Zebralette 3 synthesizer public beta release lets us get hands-on with the highly anticipated freeware update.
U-He’s legendary Zebralette has long been one of the best free synth VSTs available, and as such, any hint of an update generates a lot of buzz in the freeware world.
The excitement peaked when Urs Heckmann previewed Zebralette 3 at Superbooth early in 2023. While the thought of a potential 2023 release had us on the edge of our seats, discussing what we know already and speculating on what might be has kept us going.
Finally, we can get our hands on the first public beta of Zebralette 3. Although this release isn’t the finished article, it’s an exciting step forward for several reasons.
First of all, we can put core features, like the spline-based wavetable editor, to the test and see how deep this single oscillator beast really goes.
Furthermore, it’s a chance to share opinions and suggestions with developers who want constructive feedback, which means you could see some of your ideas implemented in future releases.
Zebralette 3 is a highly ambitious synth, and it’s important to remember that this public beta is just one step, albeit a significant step, in the process, and you should expect the unexpected (bugs, crashes, missing/limited features) on the journey to a full release.
Urs Heckmann put together a great introductory video detailing the core features of Zebralette 3, including:
- The powerful spline editor
- Wavetables and additive synthesis mode
- Stamp tools and wavetable snapshots
- Oscillator effects slots and spectrum
- Wavetable export
There’s a detailed user guide to accompany the introduction video, and although it’s tempting to dive straight in, it’s worth reading first.
Zebralette 3 might be far from a polished product, but the new fully-vectorized GUI looks fantastic. The awesome U-He team has already crafted some excellent early presets to demonstrate the potential of Zebralette 3.
There’s no definite end date for the beta period; it will last as long as it takes to get it right, but these are exciting times!
To make it easier to share your feedback and ideas, U-He has created multiple threads covering various topics:
- Spline editor & usability
- Wavetable engine discussion
- Bug reports
- Tips & tricks
Zebrelette 3 will be available with support for 64-bit AU, VST3, AAX, and CLAP formats.
As we’re more than halfway through the month, it’s a good time for a reminder that you can grab UADs PolyMAX for free with any purchase at Plugin Boutique during February 2024.
Download: Zebralette 3 Beta (FREE)
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