u-he

Polybius · Post by **Polybius** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:25 am

Here's what i'm dreaming of:

- Zebra "Deluxe" (or "Zebra Pro"): A special version of Zebra with all the Diva filters which can be chosen as modules. So you'll have all the filter types currently existing, XMF, VCF, FM ... and then ... DIVA!!!! So you'll have DIVA TRIPLE VCO, DIVA DUAL VCO etc... to be chosen as modules.

Price: 299,-
Upgrade from Zebra: 99,-

From an end-user POV, this would be heaven. From a marketer POV, I dunno, U-HE might be shooting it's own foot, since Zebra Pro would be competing directly with it's own Diva.

Anyway, just dreaming out loud

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:45 am

Let me put it this way: if I ever found myself on a desert island with electricity and a laptop, and had a choice of just one synthesizer to bring, chances are I would likely choose Zebra. I'd need a sampler as well, in that case that would probably be Kontakt. Or MachFive 3 (seems a lot more fun to use).

djsubject · Post by **djsubject** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:53 pm

IMO Zebra is still the daddy of all soft Synths!!

penko · Post by **penko** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:57 pm

Zebra. Still the best, especially for weird/ambient/noise etc.

Urs · Post by **Urs** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:59 pm

Polybius wrote:Here's what i'm dreaming of:

- Zebra "Deluxe" (or "Zebra Pro"): A special version of Zebra with all the Diva filters which can be chosen as modules. So you'll have all the filter types currently existing, XMF, VCF, FM ... and then ... DIVA!!!! So you'll have DIVA TRIPLE VCO, DIVA DUAL VCO etc... to be chosen as modules.

Price: 299,-
Upgrade from Zebra: 99,-

From an end-user POV, this would be heaven. From a marketer POV, I dunno, U-HE might be shooting it's own foot, since Zebra Pro would be competing directly with it's own Diva.

Anyway, just dreaming out loud

I'm actually thinking a bit into that direction, however in a slightly more complex and exciting way (and less expensive maybe)

Nice2b · Post by **Nice2b** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:13 pm

Just wanted to inform that I bought Zebra a few days ago and I couldn't be happier with it. Finally patchbuilding without that C-E-B-R-A melody

On the topic of Zebra vs DIVA, this is what I think:
DIVA sounds awesome instantly, not much tweaking required. Patch building is really quick and the interface is a beauty.
Zebra requires good knowledge of synth programming to make it sound awesome. People tend to think that now that DIVA is out, Zebra doesn't cut it anymore in terms of sound quality. I couldn't disagree more! I think it can sound amazing, from analog fatness to cold digital sharpness. If you're straight after classical analog sounds, DIVA might be just a tiny bit better in that respect, but Zebra can do so much more that it doesn't really matter to me.
Also, while the UI is not as beautiful as DIVAs, I think it's very efficent and is very easy to grasp, considering the deepness of Zebra.

The sonic range of Zebra is impressive. So far I've been creating typical analog basslines, warm pads, wobbling dubstep basslines (excuse me for that

), smooth leads, an organ, percussion, minimalistic tech-house-basslines and nice stabs and I feel like I didn't even scratch the surface yet.
Although I'm not much of a preset guy, I went through the factory presets and have to say I'm just amazed. Realistic sounding birds, just using 2 modules and a few FX - I mean, seriously, there is no limit. Howard, you are a genius!
Although I still lust for DIVAs sexy knobs, she will have to wait until I'm done with the Zebra - if that will ever happen. Matter of fact, I decided that all 2012 I will use Zebra as my only synth for every single track I make.

Gonga · Post by **Gonga** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:32 pm

Agreed, but the more I use Diva, the more fun I'm having. The sound is so beautiful...

Right now at this very time, it would be a tough decision for me to make!

Polybius · Post by **Polybius** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:55 pm

Urs wrote: I'm actually thinking a bit into that direction, however in a slightly more complex and exciting way (and less expensive maybe)

That would be sooooo seriously awesome in so many ways! I'm holding off on purchasing Diva, since I simply can't justify the purchase right now, and Zebra is still my go-to synth for nearly any type of sound. Glad to hear the future is looking bright for Zebra!

xh3rv · Post by **xh3rv** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:02 pm

Urs wrote:
Polybius wrote:Here's what i'm dreaming of:

- Zebra "Deluxe" (or "Zebra Pro"): A special version of Zebra with all the Diva filters which can be chosen as modules. So you'll have all the filter types currently existing, XMF, VCF, FM ... and then ... DIVA!!!! So you'll have DIVA TRIPLE VCO, DIVA DUAL VCO etc... to be chosen as modules.

Price: 299,-
Upgrade from Zebra: 99,-

From an end-user POV, this would be heaven. From a marketer POV, I dunno, U-HE might be shooting it's own foot, since Zebra Pro would be competing directly with it's own Diva.

Anyway, just dreaming out loud
I'm actually thinking a bit into that direction, however in a slightly more complex and exciting way (and less expensive maybe)

Not that I'm frightened, but what would this mean for CPU usage? Will it be much different from Diva? Or is it too early to tell?

(FWIW, I honestly always feel like I've under-paid for Zebra)

Polybius · Post by **Polybius** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:33 pm

xh3rv wrote:
Urs wrote:
Polybius wrote:Here's what i'm dreaming of:

- Zebra "Deluxe" (or "Zebra Pro"): A special version of Zebra with all the Diva filters which can be chosen as modules. So you'll have all the filter types currently existing, XMF, VCF, FM ... and then ... DIVA!!!! So you'll have DIVA TRIPLE VCO, DIVA DUAL VCO etc... to be chosen as modules.

Price: 299,-
Upgrade from Zebra: 99,-

From an end-user POV, this would be heaven. From a marketer POV, I dunno, U-HE might be shooting it's own foot, since Zebra Pro would be competing directly with it's own Diva.

Anyway, just dreaming out loud
I'm actually thinking a bit into that direction, however in a slightly more complex and exciting way (and less expensive maybe)
Not that I'm frightened, but what would this mean for CPU usage? Will it be much different from Diva? Or is it too early to tell?

(FWIW, I honestly always feel like I've under-paid for Zebra)

CPU-usage would only be higher when u insert a DIVA filter I suppose. But it's too early to tell probably. We don't even know what Urs has up his sleeve now

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:33 pm

Zebra reminds me a little of a modular synth, like my Doepfer, Nord Modular, etc., although a little faster to work with. It also has a lot in common with Alchemy, which I also love.

The appeal of analog polysynths, and therefore Diva, is partly the sound, and partly the ability to work quickly with the interface in a straightforward, no-nonsense sort of way. This ie not to suggest that Zebra is diffcult, but they are completely different synths, designed with different goals in mind.

After actually sitting down and using both for a while, it became very clear that I can put both instruments to good use. If you are considering Diva, I recommend buying it soon before the price goes up. I would have bought Zebra at the same time, but I just added a few new modules to my Eurorack system and should probably wait a bit.

djanthonyw · Post by **djanthonyw** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:38 pm

I've never liked the sound of Zebra, I think it sounds 'flat'. So technically, I did choose one and it's Diva... which sounds amazing, and actually sounds analog.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:19 pm

Flat? :/

I disagree.

djanthonyw · Post by **djanthonyw** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:28 pm

EvilDragon wrote:Flat? :/

I disagree.

Well, I'm not asking anyone to agree with me, but that is my conclusion as to why I don't like it's sound. I do find it rather 'flat' sounding. I've demoed it and wanted to like it so many times.

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:35 pm

I think that about some synths, then I hear what better sound designers (than me) can do with them and realize it's mostly me. :-} Not saying that's the case with anyone but myself -- I'm okay at a lot of things, not great at any one -- just saying.

u-he

KVR Audio

If you had to choose one: DIVA or Zebra?