KVR Audio

Ryan99 · Post by **Ryan99** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 12:29 pm

Hi,
All these synths are on sale until the end of the year. I can upgrade to Dune 2 at 30% off the upgrade price. I have Dune 1 and I like it, and Dune 2 got really good reviews. I tried the beta version of U-He newest synth Hive, and it sounds amazing! With the survey voucher, I can buy it at 75$.

On the other hand, Best Service has it's annual 2 for 1 sale, including on Tone2 synths. I listened to demos and found Gladiator Expanded and Nemesis to sound really really good. It's the only time they are on sale for the year. The reviews are really positive.

Since I don't think I will buy them all, I was thinking of getting U-He Hive and Dune 2 or get the 2 for 1 sale to get Tone2 Gladiator Expanded and Nemesis.

Anyone can share their comments on these synths? Thanks!

kiezum · Post by **kiezum** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 12:33 pm

Dune 2 is excellent! Workhorse synth. I haven't tried Hive yet.

Tone2 Electra and Nemesis are tempting with this 2 for 1 deal. Will I buy these or V Collection 4?

Urs · Post by **Urs** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 12:43 pm

Uhm, didn't Tone2 pull their products from Best Service?

If you have Dune 2 and if you learn it thoroughly, you won't need any of the other synths. If you don't want to goo too deep with a synth and if you prefer quick results, Hive and Nemesis might be a cool couple. If you don't want to tweak but you need a gazilion of presets, Gladiator might be your first choice.

Chris-S · Post by **Chris-S** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 12:51 pm

Urs recommending Dune2!?

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 1:16 pm

Tbh, i find soundwise, Hive and Dune 2 are not so far from each other, so there might be a bit of overlap.

db3 · Post by **db3** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 1:21 pm

Urs wrote:If you have Dune 2 and if you learn it thoroughly, you won't need any of the other synths..

This is why u-he is so well respected

I was going to say pretty much the same. I have Dune 2 and it's an all-round monster, but Hive may be more immediate in the area where it specialises. I thought Hive was a bit weak sounding at first, but now I'm getting my head around the GUI, I'm building some really nice thick layers.

I would say the Tone2 equivalent would be Electra2. I was really impressed when I demo'd...and the BOGOF deal posted on JJR would be very tempting with Nemesis. Hybrid3 and Spire are also very capable in this area.

zvenx · Post by **zvenx** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 1:41 pm

I find it almost like comparing new school (dune 2 and hive) with older school.
I doubt if gladiator as much as i like it will ever be expanded or updated. I guess if fm sounds are your thing you would appreciate nemesis. But to me both hive and dune 2 sound better. More modern, more in your face, easier to program for me anyway, and both i am sure will be continually updated.

If it was me i would choose hive and dune 2 by miles. I am really starting to realise how underrated dune 2 may be.

Also i do think dune 2 has improved upon dune 1 by leaps and bounds.
My two cents.
Rsp

Robmobius · Post by **Robmobius** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 2:17 pm

Dune II is a really cool synth. Good for pretty much everything. Exquisite pads and solid bass. All wrapped up in a very user friendly interface with lots of hidden depth.

The Tone2 deal is brilliant! Gladiator and Nemesis would be my choice (if the deal is still available). Despite Gladiator being older it's still excellent, and is a joy to program with has loads of high quality presets (as Urs pointed out). Nemesis is a beast! And if you like that silky digital sound, then this is a no brainer. It also excels in the bass department. And covers a wide array of digital sounds so it would go perfect with Gladiator as there's no real overlap. Lots of room to expand these synths too with soundsets and other options.

Spire is another one to check out (I think it's on sale at the mo). Very high quality sound, while it's mainly thought of a edm synth - it has the potential to do a lot more. Beats Sylenth imo.

I don't know what to say about HIVE really. On the one hand it's not quite finished. However, so far, this is one of the best syths I've ever heard. And it's easy to use with that cracking UI. But the filters and the resonance are absolutely beautiful. It also has that trademark U-he 'instant warmth' to it. Plus, I've not heard another soft synth (in the EDM/Dance class) that can match it's low end. Okay maybe Omnisphere but they are not really the same.

To me this is the younger brother to Diva - Who is just as big, but geared toward a newer market. If it continues to evolve, in the way that it has, then it will probably be my favorite synth of all time. I love aggressive electronic music so it's the one I've been waiting for.

But fair warning, I'm a big fan of all the synths you've mentioned so far. But I'm a complete fanboy when it comes to U-he and Tone2. So, I'm biased.

Seriously tho'. You can't go wrong with anything that has been mentioned so far.

Lets not forget Serum or Oddity they are wonderful too! Just to confuse you even further...

EnGee · Post by **EnGee** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 2:35 pm

Hive or Dune 2 for me. They both sound great and can do many kinds of sounds. Depends on what you have already really.

kuzami · Post by **kuzami** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 3:04 pm

I agree with Urs, Hive/Dune 2 and Nemesis is probably the best combination here. Dune 2 and Hive are similar synths, so there is a lot of overlap.

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 3:23 pm

It's x-mas, why not treat yourself, and get them all ?

VitaminD · Post by **VitaminD** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 3:31 pm

Numanoid wrote:It's x-mas, why not treat yourself, and get them all ?

Free synths on Numanoid! Thanks!!

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:03 pm

VitaminD wrote:Free synths on Numanoid! Thanks!!

I wish

Just checking out Hive it feels like a VA synth based on the traditional waveform selections of the OSCs. But as one of the selling points is that "Hive’s engine can be switched to different basic characters on the fly (buzzword translation would be: Multi Synth Engine Technology™)" more is probably found under the hood.

Dune 2 and Gladiator are very versatile synths, capable of many types of synthesis.

Nemesis is sold as a FM/Neo FM machine.

So if to make a selection it is mainly between Hive and Nemesis, as Dune 2 and Gladiator can double for each other.

mutantdog · Post by **mutantdog** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:57 pm

Hive will never be as cheap as it is now. You can always go for the Tone2 sale next year, maybe even before. Once Hive is full price, it will stay that way. Even secondhand, u-he stuff holds its value. I don't own Dune2, not sure that i need it really, but it has a lot of fans and gets a lot of love it appears.

loungepanda · Post by **loungepanda** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 5:05 pm

There are trial versions for all. Make up your own mind.

U-He Hive and Dune 2 or Tone2 Gladiator Expanded and Nemesis?