Z3TA: How to soften the sounds

perhaps simple things like adjusting the attack for a start also the fx side of the synth, turning off / lowering things might be of interest also.

There are a number of different things you can try. The first and most effective technique would probably be to filter more aggressively. You might also look at using the EQ effect. You can add some lushness to the sound by using the chorus effect and/or reverb. And as previously noted, you can lengthen attack times (and also lengthen release times) for a softer sound. This is all basic synth programming ... well worth your time learning if you're into this stuff.

As an afterthought, here's something else you might play with ... something that's not basic synth programming. As this is z3ta we're talking about, look into what the wave shaper might be able to do to the sounds. In particular, I'm thinking that the use of the Wave and LPF transformations might nudge things in the direction you want. I haven't tried it, but it might be worth a little experimentation.

It's a very agressive synth. You're not just hearing things. You may want to look at adding another synth. Rapture is more gentler sounding overall, IMO.

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I wouldn't use waveshaping to soften/dull down a sound - I'd look for it and back it off.

Well, as I said in my post 17 months ago, I haven't tried this but I'd bet the two options I mentioned would in fact make a sound less harsh.  Certaingly we could expect that of the LPF shaping option.  But the Wave shaping option claims to do the following: "partially morphs the waveform into a sine - mostly used to reinforce the fundamental in a weak waveform".  That sounds like a harshness remover technique to me.  If I ever get some time to experiment, I'll do so.