Oscillator

To state that the Zebra2 oscillators are ‘highly flexible’ would be a huge understatement. They are so powerful that the Zebra2 package includes an extra instrument called Zebralette, which consists of just one oscillator transplanted into a much simpler synth framework.

The OSC module includes such features as stacking (dual, quad or eleven) oscillators, pulse width modulation, hard sync, phase controls, and a powerful OSC FX section with a choice of 2x24 different spectral effects.

Frequency Modulation Oscillator

Apart from the main OSC module, Zebra2 also includes a FMO type for FM synthesis.

The Frequency Modulation Oscillator module is closely related to the famous Yamaha DX7. It includes most of the features of the OSC module, plus different input modes to digitally shape the sound, and a ring modulation option.

Noise

Noise has traditionally been used for percussive sounds, wind effects, explosions, and similar…

The Noise module features four different flavours: White, Pink, Digital, and Crackles - which produces sounds simlar to a Geiger counter or worn-out vinyl. The module also features both LP and HP filters, and a Width control.

Voltage Controlled Filter

The VCF modules are Zebra's CPU-friendly filters. Although there are no high voltages in this synthesizer, most of Zebra’s VCF types are still almost as alive as their analogue forebears.

The Voltage Controlled Filter features 23 filter types starting from lowpass, bandpass and highpass filters, to parametric EQ models, sample-rate reduction, or even 2 different phasing modules.

Cross-Modulation Filter

The Cross-Modulation Filter module is an extremely flexible multimode filter featuring self-oscillation, input-dependent distortion and audio-rate FM via the extra input.

It features 15 filter types, and altough the module is more CPU-intensive than the VCF one, it's more flexible - it allows the combination of two filter types in stereo with differential cutoff. It also includes controls such as Over, and Click, both useful to push the filter to its limits.

Comb Filter

Comb filters are based on ultra-short delay lines with a feedback pathway. Even if the input is a very short impulse, the feedback loop can turn this into a slowly decaying tone. The frequency response curve resembles a regular row of spikes, hence the name.

The Comb module features 8 different modes, an internal impulse generator with 3 different waveforms to choose from, Detune, Vibrato, Distort controls, and more… Ideal for the creation of envelope-driven polyphonic flangers, realistic plucked and bowed strings, flutes, mallet, and other percussion instruments.

Sideband

The Sideband module is a stereo frequency shifter, the origins of which go back to the early days of radio. Related to ring modulation in which two signals are multiplied, resulting in two sidebands.

It features 3 different range options to pick from: 10Hz, 200Hz or 4kHz.

Shape

An input level dependent distortion unit with a choice of different algorithms.

There are two Shaper modules available in Zebra2, featuring 4 different types of distortion: Shape (for the classic waveshaper effect), T-Drive (frequency dependent waveshaping), Crush (a bit-reducer), and Wedge - a waveshaper with foldback function.

Distortion

The Distortion module creates traditional analogue-type saturation.

There are 6 different types of distortion to choose from: from tube distortion, to clipping, rectification, or foldback. It also features 2 different post filter modes. If used in the Zebra2 FX Grid, it can mimic a complete guitar amplifier and speaker cabinet.

Fold

A Wavefolder is a special kind of waveshaper which maps the input signal onto a sine, folding it back on itself multiple times. Like hardware wavefolders, Zebra2’s Fold sounds best when applied to signals with very little high frequency content.

The Ripples control represents the number of cycles. Folds is the perecentage of Ripples used, and Bias shifts the used section to the left or right. The Live View button enables realtime animation of any modulation.

Mix

The Mix module can mix two signals. It can be used for cross-fading, or for reducing stereo width.

It features 5 pan modes and a modulation control.

Envelope

Although it looks like a regular ADSR with just a few extras, the Envelope module also has a few tricks up its sleeve: It is syncable, loopable, and offers 2-stage attack and release…

It features 6 time bases and 3 curve modes, plus fall and rise time, and also velocity and key scale controls.

Low Frequency Oscillator

Alongside envelopes, Low Frequency Oscillators represent THE classic modulators – for vibrato or any cyclic movement.

Zebra2 includes LFO and LFOG modules. This one is instantiated per voice, which means every note played gets its own LFO.
There are 8 different waveforms to choose from, or a custom waveform (User mode). All classic LFO controls are there, such as Sync or Restart. It also includes a Slew option for instantaneous or smooth transitions.

Global Low Frequency Oscillator

The Global Low Frequency Oscillator is simpler than the normal LFO, as the assignable knobs and the delay are missing. However, the main difference is that this one does not retrigger per voice.

All other features are the same, including the choice of waveforms.

Modulation Mapper

Zebra’s Modulation Mapper is a general purpose table of 128 individual values.

With its 4 different modes and extensive selection / drawing tools, the MMAP module can be used for countless different tasks.

Modulation Mixer

Zebra’s Modulation Mixer processes up to 3 modulation sources in different ways.

You can sum modulations, scale the sum by a constant, or use one of the inputs to crossfade between the other two.