
Zebra2 soundsets
New sounds for Zebra2
We asked world-class sound designers to create soundsets that would inspire our Zebra2 users. From cinematic to club-ready to experimental, these soundsets show off Zebra2's incredible versatility and sonic range. No need to be a top sound designer to get the most out of Zebra2—we have you covered.
The Dark Zebra
The Dark Zebra arose from a collaboration between Hans Zimmer and Howard Scarr. The soundset contains 400 presets—nearly all the Zebra sounds found in the The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises soundtracks, and some that did not make it into those films.
Also included, a custom-built version of Zebra2 (ZebraHZ) requested by Hans to suit his workflow. Several of the Dark Zebra presets take advantage of the extra features only available in ZebraHZ.
NEW November 11, 2024: CLAP and native Silicon AAX support. See Zebra Legacy Release Notes for a complete list of changes.
Download the ZebraHZ / The Dark Zebra user guide (PDF).
Please note:
The Dark Zebra requires a Zebra2 license. This is also valid for the included ZebraHZ plug-in: It will not work without a Zebra2 license.
Release
- Current release: v2.9.4
- macOS revision: 16765
- Windows revision: 16765
- Linux revision: 16765
- Want to update? Request your licenses here.
Info
- ZebraHZ and The Dark Zebra require a valid Zebra2 license to work
- ZebraHZ and The Dark Zebra are resold / transferred together with your Zebra2 license
- Please read the included Read Me text file carefully before installing
- ZebraHZ and The Dark Zebra are installed alongside Zebra2, they do not replace it
- The presets have been made to suit Hans' workflow—read the included patch info on how to use them.
- ZebraHZ features Diva filters but does not have Diva's multicore support
System requirements
- macOS 10.10 or newer
- Windows 7 or newer
- Linux
- 1GB RAM, more recommended
- 55-175 MB free disk space
- 1000 × 600 or larger display
- Modern CPU required:
Windows/Linux: Intel Nehalem or newer, AMD Bulldozer or newer
Mac: Intel Nehalem or newer, Apple silicon M1 or newer - Host software
- Linux: glibc version 2.28 or newer
The sound of The Dark Zebra
I Saw Only Darkness
Track by Jarkko Hietanen
Darksun Rises
Track by Arksun
Flying Blind
Track by Ned Bouhalassa
The Striped Bat
Track by Ned Bouhalassa
ZebraHZ history
ZebraHZ 2.9.2 (revision 10374)
ZebraHZ 2.9.2 offers NKS support and we increased the number of Comb filter modules from 2 to 4 and Resonators from 1 to 3. Your version is older? Request your licenses here
ZebraHZ 2.8 (revision 9709)
Apart from a sleek new look and the new searchable preset browser, ZebraHZ version 2.8 has more synthesis "grunt" than the previous version: First, we doubled the number of modulation matrix slots (now 24) and MSEGs (now 8) so you are unlikely to run out of those in a hurry!
ZebraHZ also inherits the wave folder modules and the plate reverb (NuRev) from the regular Zebra 2.8. With two fundamentally different reverb units you can not only set up more interesting spaces, but dedicate one of them to e.g. emulating the body of an acoustic guitar.
Finally, the most recent special request from Hans: the 8 X/Y sources now appear in the list of modulators so you can use them as direct performance controls.

ZebraHZ - user interface
Zebratron
ZEBRATRON is heavily inspired by tape-based keyboards and other groundbreaking instruments of the late ‘60s and ‘70s. Indeed, several of the presets are remarkably similar to the psychedelic sounds of that era, while others reinterpret their flawed aesthetic…
Zebratron author Howard Scarr: "I wanted to simulate what were considered flaws at the time, but are highly prized today: tape and BBD colouration, odd vibrato, various pitch anomalies, recorded room ambience etc.. Zebra's new reverb model came in very handy as a resonator, and the two delay modules make great classic phasers!"
All presets were programmed to be performed using the left hand controls and Zebra's two user definable controls.
The sound of Zebratron
Demo tracks
Zebratron Demo
All sounds (incl. drums) come from Zebratron.Track by Urs.
Zebratron Drip Hop
All sounds from Zebratron (except drums).Track by Oddvar and Howard.
Presets
Drums
Bowed
Organs
Plucks
Voices
Winds
Oddities
Traveller
Traveller invites sonic exploration with this collection of rich, imaginatively designed sounds. Move between experimental and organic, ambient and sci-fi, abstract and rhythmic. Traveller forges a path between early electronica/ambient and Bereczky's personal background in orchestral soundtrack.
This 122-preset collection offers an eclectic range of versatile and useful sounds: basses, arpeggios, pads, drones, keys, brass and more. Each preset includes performance control as well as XY pad assignments for immediate sound warping. Move between worlds with Traveller.
The sound of Traveller
Sweeping
With a vaguely ’70s feeling, Samuel creates a sweeping track to show off Traveller.Swirling
The more dramatic and darker second part of Samuel’s demo track.Techno
Oddvar ups the tempo and delivers a pulsing techno inspired track.About the author
Sámuel Bereczky is a composer, sound designer and cello player with a background in acoustic symphonic music. He has performed in many film scores and orchestras and has worked with Ennio Morricone and Tamás Vásáry.
Crystallia
Crystallia delves into the renowned cinematic side of Zebra2. Sound designer Enzalla delivers tailored sounds for film and game composers, and musicians looking to add expressive flair to their compositions. For your epic moments, frenetic action or emotional passages—Crystallia will inspire you. And with Zebra's flexibility the presets are only a few tweaks away from making them your own.
For anyone into ambient, chill-out and film music productions, these 150 sounds offer a wide range of options: thundering drums, rich pads, percussive FX, crystal clear keys, thick basses and much more. Crystallia will add motion, depth and shine to your compositions.
The sound of Crystallia
Atmospheric
Showing the darker and moody side of Crystallia in this cinematic piece by Enzalla.Heavy
Tension, urgency propel this piece forward. Created by Enzalla.About the author
Vincenzo Bellanova (Enzalla) is a pianist, composer, teacher and sound designer based in Milan, Italy.
Alexander Hacke: NYC
New York City is a soundset created by Alexander Hacke of the famous German post-industrial band Einstürzende Neubauten. Hacke's work has influenced musicians worldwide, and industrial music would certainly not be the same without him.
In this collection Hacke combines his love for New York City and Zebra2. A musical homage to the city. A cinematic soundtrack for your travels through the streets, capturing the diverse flavours of New York City. Some sounds are playable chromatically, others tell an entire story with a single note. Some smirk at you ironically, others evoke the strangest of emotions.
For some this is the ultimate synaesthetic guide to the Big Apple, for others it is a most unusual collection of sounds and noises for Zebra2.
Chronospheres
Chronospheres contains 128 expressive sounds created by Bigtone Studios.
The sound of Chronospheres
Pads
Bass
Loops, drums, grooves
Semi-real
Keys, sequences, leads
Atmospheres, FX
DancePack
If anyone claims there are no dance sounds for Zebra2, you can direct them to this soundset. Nick Moritz and Xenos Soundworks come together on DancePack, a massive collection of percussion, megasaws, basses, digital noises, psychedelic leads and much more.
DancePack is comprised of two parts, Inspiration and Zebra Energy, where each sound designer showcases their sound design skills. Together there are 324 sounds, created to meet the needs of dance music producers, whether it's house, techno, EDM, dubstep, drum and bass, hip hop, or something totally new.
Download Inspiration list of presets and Read Me (PDF)
Download Zebra Energy list of presets and Read Me (PDF)
The sound of DancePack
Drum 'n bass
Track by Nick Moritz.House
Track by Nick Moritz.Cinematic
Track by Nick Moritz.Inspiration
Track by Nick Moritz.Extraordinary
Track by Nick Moritz.Stratospheres
Stratospheres is the sequel to the acclaimed Chronospheres soundset.
Stratospheres focuses on meticulous recreations of classic analogue sounds, but with several surprises included. The sounds were carefully crafted to ensure they remain rich and expressive across several octaves. All presets are truly playable.
Stratospheres is essential for lovers of analogue synthesis and sounds.
The sound of Stratospheres
Keys
Bass
Arps
Leads and sequences
Pads and atmospheres
Transmission
Transmission has over 160 presets: smooth warm pads, deep basses, rhythmic / arpeggiated sequences, modern leads and chilled-out ambient washes… all with controller and XY support.
But Transmission is more than a simple soundset. It is filled with tools to help you in your own sound design efforts: 400 XY variation presets, 32 preset templates with a variety of synth configurations, 50 oscillator templates, waveform library, 200 free-running MSEG templates. And a custom Transmission skin for Zebra2.
The sound of Transmission
Selected presets
A sampling of individual presets from Transmission.Zebra Science
If you like the Zebra2 sounds Howard created for Inception, The Dark Knight and other Hollywood blockbusters, you will love this. Zebra Science is packed with expressive instruments (highly recommended for keyboard players), weird and wonderful noises and a slew of fine analog emulations.
Zebra Science includes 242 sounds, 48 oscillator templates, 35 envelope (MSEG) templates and a few tips and tricks to hone your sound design skills.
The sound of Zebra Science
Selected presets
A selection of individual presets from Zebra Science.Zebra Sciences
Track by Tanzpartner.ZebraSkools
Two bestselling soundsets from Michael Kastrup, merged into one massive bundle. AFTERskool and Oldskool are now ZebraSkools.
At your fingertips you get more than 600 lush and playable presets covering decades of synthesizer and keyboard history. Skool is in.
Download the full list of presets and Read Me:
Zebra2 Oldskool (PDF)
Zebra2 AFTERskool (PDF).
The sound of ZebraSkools
Oldskool