The long DIVA thread

[hakey]

Re the sensitivity of filters to oscillator level - might it be possible to have a little more output volume for patches with very osc low [should have been 'low osc'] gain?...

The trouble is - people tend to turn everything up without thinking.

True - imo, a big problem with the patch contests is that there's no way to encourage sensible perceived loudness levels.

[fceramic]

I really wish the Dual Osc and Digitally Controlled Oscillators had level control like the rest. Could you at least add an output or input level control to the pre-filters?

[hakey]

How about a 'one shot' restart mode for the lfo's? A saw lfo, for example, would then become a ramp generator.

[valhallasound]

We have a noiseless version of the famous synth chorus, the ensemble modelled after a digital emulation of *that* ensemble (I don't have a Polysix for reference), the other chorus is taken from a legendary digital multifx box, but tweaked to my liking.

Wow. Now i know why that ensemble sounds great. I love the Ensemble FX from the Korg emulation. I never played a real one so this is my only reference.

I'll go and try to recreate my favorite Polysix patches with Diva now...
Will be difficult to replicate the SSM filter with Diva but i'll try.

I won't insist that the ensemble is perfect though, I just looked at the behaviour of the other one and made some wild guesses. There's 6 taps and 3 LFOs, and the relation of the LFO speeds may be slightly off, whereas I think the depths are pretty correct.

Regarding SSM, we have an Opera 6 which sounds nothing like Korg's Polysix emulation. That's why we haven't even bothered With any OpAmp ladder until we can get hold of either a Polysix or (better) an Rev 2 Prophet 5.

To my ears the ensemble effect has too much presence and feels as if the audio is being sucked into a vacuum hose. Therefore I prefer the ensemble emulation in the Korg Legacy bundle, and also the Dimension D emulation by EMS. The combination of the latter with the Diva synth engine brings me in pure heaven (typically, I use the Dim D in stereo mode, setting 1, 40-50% dry/wet). Hope this doesn't sound too negative, just trying to give some feedback. The Diva synth engine is just wonderful! Congratulations, Urs, with this fantastic achievement!! Cheers, Jack

There will be a Dry/Wet/ controlfor the chorus in the final version iirc.

BTW: I can't wait for ValhallaÜberMod! The combination with DIVA will be awesome

I'll give reports on this combo soon.

I haven't followed this whole thread, but I own a Polysix (which has partially eaten itself, as is the way of most Polysixes) and another synth with the SSM2044 filter. This is a VERY different filter than any of the SSM2040 synths, or the discrete OTA cascades. The SSM2044 is very smooth, and doesn't have the overdrive of the discrete OTA synths that I have heard. Quite frankly, it is kind of a "meh" filter to my ears - much better than the CEM OTA cascades, but not as good as the Roland IR3109 + diode clipping in the SH101, and certainly not up to Moog levels.

Internally, the SSM2044 is closer to a Moog filter than the OTA cascades of the SSM2040, and there is a Dave Rossum patent for the internal architecture that would explain more. So I'm not sure why it sounds so different from the Moog filters.

Sean Costello

[justin3am]

What exactly are non-syncing delays needed for? (Honest question, I simply never used that myself)

I also think that un-synced delays are important. There are some very interesting "wonky" rhythms you can achieve this way.

However, I have no problem getting un-synced delays with Diva. If you set the delay parameters to non-integer values... presto, un-synced delays. Same goes for the LFO rate parameters. However, if you automate the host tempo and you want your delay times to remain fixed, this becomes a problem. I don't often automate master tempo (I have other tricks for modulating tempo) so it's not a big deal to me.

[Bronto Scorpio]

What exactly are non-syncing delays needed for? (Honest question, I simply never used that myself)

I also think that un-synced delays are important. There are some very interesting "wonky" rhythms you can achieve this way.

However, I have no problem getting un-synced delays with Diva. If you set the delay parameters to non-integer values... presto, un-synced delays. Same goes for the LFO rate parameters. However, if you automate the host tempo and you want your delay times to remain fixed, this becomes a problem. I don't often automate master tempo (I have other tricks for modulating tempo) so it's not a big deal to me.

That will work in some cases of course. But lets say I have a pad sound which uses unsynced LFOs and I use your method to "tune" the delay to the LFOs. If I made that preset at 140 BPM and a user opens it at 120 BPM it will sound completely wrong! Unsynced delays are important imo

Cheers
Dennis

[evilplazma]

gonna give this phat monster a try Thanks U-He

Wicked Synth

[justin3am]

What exactly are non-syncing delays needed for? (Honest question, I simply never used that myself)

I also think that un-synced delays are important. There are some very interesting "wonky" rhythms you can achieve this way.

However, I have no problem getting un-synced delays with Diva. If you set the delay parameters to non-integer values... presto, un-synced delays. Same goes for the LFO rate parameters. However, if you automate the host tempo and you want your delay times to remain fixed, this becomes a problem. I don't often automate master tempo (I have other tricks for modulating tempo) so it's not a big deal to me.

That will work in some cases of course. But lets say I have a pad sound which uses unsynced LFOs and I use your method to "tune" the delay to the LFOs. If I made that preset at 140 BPM and a user opens it at 120 BPM it will sound completely wrong! Unsynced delays are important imo

Cheers
Dennis

Good point!

[evilplazma]

small pack of starter patches : http://www.4shared.com/file/-5KwKU9A/u- ... _Bank.html?

[Sendy]

What exactly are non-syncing delays needed for? (Honest question, I simply never used that myself)

Dub

There's a sweet spot where a delay time will basically be in tune with the beat, but the repeats gradually 'flutter away' from it, which not only is quite a pretty effect, but it also creates space by moving energy away from always being on the beat.

I find delays that are locked to beat multiples a bit limiting at times.

[Howard]

I find delays that are locked to beat multiples a bit limiting at times.

Diva's delay isn't locked to *integer* multiples, though. It will do dub.
It will *not yet* do matched delay to unsynced vibrato, or precise slapback/shatter etc. independent of the host bpm.

[Gonga]

I usually prefer a fixed time for delay. I'm weird make no mistake, but I like a slight lag to it so it starts to get out of sync after a couple echos. It gives a swing feel to it and sounds more natural to me. The truth is, all the delays I used to use (except for the ping-pong delay I got with my TEAC A-3340S at 7.5 ips) you just dialed in a delay and it was never exactly the same as the tempo...so that's what I'm used to!

[cl516]

other than a tiny bug i encountered today, this synth sounds amazing. sounds like the real deal to me.
(and yes the bug was sound related)

if anyone's interested in some demo patches I was playing, please click link. http://bit.ly/tUPijW

[lofty]

...

[grymmjack]

pre-ordered. awesome sound!