To go along with its recently updated Zebra soft synth, now in version 2.5.1, u-he released three new patch banks: Alexander Hacke's "New York City" ($39), BigTone Studios "Stratospheres" ($30), and Zebra DancePack ($39).

Between the three patch banks and Zebra's many features, you have all the sounds and tools needed to create anything from modern dance and house to atmospheric works, FX, and more.

New York City was created by by Alexander Hacke of the German post-industrial band, Einstürzende Neubauten. U-he writes that Hacke’s work has influenced many musicians around the world, and the musical genre we know as "industrial" would not be the same without him. In this patch collection, Hacke combines his love for NYC with his love for Zebra2, providing a musical homage and cinematic soundtrack that captures the unique flavor of various New York locations. Some sounds are playable chromatically, while others tell an entire story within a single note, according to u-he.

About the New York City collection, the makers write: "Some smirk at you ironically, others evoke the strangest of emotions. Always read the patch info, and always try the XY controls for extra expression! For some this will be the ultimate synaesthetic guide to the Big Apple, for all others it will be the most unusual collection of individual sounds and loops they’ve ever heard from Zebra2."

Next in line, the Stratospheres patch bank by BigTone Studios is the sequel to the first Chronospheres set, offering emulations of classic analog sounds and more. All patches are said to remain rich and expressive across several octaves, and all sounds are very playable.

Zebra DancePack is actually two soundsets in one. Created by Xenos Soundworks and Nick Moritz, this patch bank offer sounds for producers of modern dance, house, and drum 'n' bass. For this patch bank, Moritz and Xenos Soundworks combined their resources to create a tremendous collection of drums and percussion, megasaws / hoovers, edgy digital noises, and psychedelic leads. The sounds in this pack are packed with "Zebra energy" and ready to inspire.

The three new patch banks for Zebra 2.5.1 are now available from u-he at u-he.com.