Apple Silicon Macs with host applications that are also M-1 native will see a “massive performance boost” and smoother GUI. This update allows users to open multiple instances of u-he plugins without bogging down CPU power. Improved browsers with drag and drop soundset installation, new CPU resource management for the Hive synth, and plugin support for MTS microtuning software are also available.

Aesthetic updates include new designs for freeware software Triple Cheese and Computer Music Magazine‘s ZebraCM synth.

Non-Apple Silicon users also benefit from the new update. The latest multicore support update for Intel-based Macs claim to yield a smoother GUI response across all Mac models. Windows and Linux users also enjoy the same boosts in performance and graphics from the update.

At the time of their most recent press release, u-he says AAX Mac plugins upgrades are currently unavailable “until native support for Big Sur/Apple Silicon arrives.” Pro Tools users can download the previous versions until there is an available update.

The Performance Updates for Mac, Windows and Linux systems are free for existing plugin owners directly from the u-he website. 

Zebralette is the free version of their four-oscillator Zebra2 plugin, only providing one oscillator to craft sounds. Don’t be fooled, however – Zebralette’s Waveform Editor provides 16 customizable waveforms to use. Four drawing modes are available: GeoMorph and GeoBlend allows 32-point waveform harmonic drawing while SpectroBlend and SpectroMorph give harmonic control across 128 columns.

u-he Zebralette’s Waveform Editor.

Pairing the Zebralette’s modulators with its WaveWarp feature and over 30 effects adds subtleties or extra dynamics to a sound. After mastering the plugin, users can move over to Zebra2, offering more in-depth sound modeling options across four different oscillators. Rounding it off with a sleek GUI plus new support (including Mac OS X Big Sur) makes Zebralette a strong addition to any plugin library. As the developers put it, “You can do quite a lot with one oscillator.”

The original u-he Zebralette.

Urs Heckmann founded Berlin-based u-he (Heckmann Audio GmbH)  in 2001. The Diva, Zebra, Hive and Repro virtual analogue synthesizers have all been released to rave reviews. U-he even has a special version of the Zebra2 plugin for film composer Hans Zimmer.

Learn more or download the Zebralette on the u-he website.