I'm evaluating zebra and diva right now. I'm getting pretty clear on each one's strengths and weaknesses compared to the other in terms of workflow and feature set.
However, I've found with audio subtleties that sometimes it is initially difficult to hear differences that later on after working with some particular sound flavor in various settings become obvious.
As I work with the Diva and Zebra demos, I'm looking for some hints on where to listen and what sorts of things I can do to make clear the "sound signature" differences between these two.
It is my understanding that if I were to get the "dark zebra", I get essentially (one of) the diva filter modules, is that correct? Given that, in what ways might I notice the sonic difference between these two? What can I do with Diva that I would not be able to do with Zebra?
thanks in advance...
diva vs. zebra2
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- KVRist
- 92 posts since 14 Oct, 2013
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- KVRer
- 29 posts since 4 Nov, 2005
i'm *sort of* in the same boat, but am just completely blown away by Diva's sound. There's just nothing like it. . . not even zebra...! (hope I don't get in trouble for that 
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- KVRAF
- 3817 posts since 8 Mar, 2006
Diva... analog, simple yet rich, solid, sounds
Zebra.. digital, complex, flexible etc...
Diva sounds "better"
Zebra can sound "better" too, it has a different overall sound character, but if used right (there are all kinds of tricks to hide some, a bit outdated aspects of some modules) you can recreate some very convincing analog stuff too.
I have both and use both.. but Zebra is my go-to synth mainly because all the modulation possibilities I guess.
Zebra HZ, the one that comes with TDZ doesn't have an exact replica of Diva's filters, rather similar one.
Zebra.. digital, complex, flexible etc...
Diva sounds "better"
Zebra can sound "better" too, it has a different overall sound character, but if used right (there are all kinds of tricks to hide some, a bit outdated aspects of some modules) you can recreate some very convincing analog stuff too.
I have both and use both.. but Zebra is my go-to synth mainly because all the modulation possibilities I guess.
Zebra HZ, the one that comes with TDZ doesn't have an exact replica of Diva's filters, rather similar one.
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- KVRAF
- 26941 posts since 3 Feb, 2005 from in the wilds
Zebra HZ has all the Diva filters (minus filter FM)... however, that does not mean it sounds like Diva and at least for me, the Diva filters in HZ are mostly too cpu costly to use often. Zebra does not have the multi-core support for example.
For me, both synths have different strengths and compliment each other well. I would not want to do without either. If I absolutely had to pick one it would be Zebra because it has a vast sonic range. Diva does a lot that Zebra cannot though.
For me, both synths have different strengths and compliment each other well. I would not want to do without either. If I absolutely had to pick one it would be Zebra because it has a vast sonic range. Diva does a lot that Zebra cannot though.
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- KVRAF
- 5223 posts since 20 Jul, 2010
Zebra starts with a very neutral sound and lets you fill in the details - almost like building a synth from scratch, only without the tedious groundwork. Diva is more like exploring and learning to exploit the various ways in which the filters and oscillators have been coded to HAVE character, and playing these up/down depending on the sound you want.
http://sendy.bandcamp.com/releases < My new album at Bandcamp! Now pay what you like!
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- KVRAF
- 3817 posts since 8 Mar, 2006
Sendy wrote:Zebra starts with a very neutral sound and lets you fill in the details - almost like building a synth from scratch, ...
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- Banned
- 6129 posts since 9 Oct, 2007 from an inharmonious society
Zebra can do a wider variety of sounds imo. Due in most part to the amount of options it has, over Diva.
MSEG's, user defined waveforms, Osc Fx, routing control as some examples.
Zebra can do all the digital type sounds better than Diva.
Diva can do all the analog type sounds better than Zebra.
They can overlap with some types of sounds as well.
Only my opinion of course.
MSEG's, user defined waveforms, Osc Fx, routing control as some examples.
Zebra can do all the digital type sounds better than Diva.
Diva can do all the analog type sounds better than Zebra.
They can overlap with some types of sounds as well.
Only my opinion of course.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 92 posts since 14 Oct, 2013
Zebra certainly has much more programmability than Diva. More modulation sources, more destinations, the oscillator FX, etc. This also comes at the price of being perhaps not as *immediate* as Diva. No question Diva is beautiful in its simplicity, while retaining a lot of options.
My question though is, can Zebra, with a sufficient amount of programming, sound as rich, solid, present, warm, <pick your Diva adjective>, as Diva? Even for some "analog" types of sounds? Is it a matter or having to program in a lot of little oscillator variation and animation and so on, or is there something in Diva that can just *never* be heard from Zebra?
I suspect the latter, but I'd like some help identifying that "sound" or even "feel" (apart from when doing high-res filter sweeps). My ears aren't familiar enough to hear it yet, so if anyone has suggestions as to some way of hearing it, where I might direct my attention, that would be great.
If it's not the filters (again, I'm talking about Zebra HZ), are the oscillators that much more <adjective> by themselves? Do the mixer and so on model analog warmth that much better? Just curious.
FWIW, I am budgeted for *one* of these. I come from the Matrix-12 background, so do like loads of random lfo's modulating all kinds of destinations etc. Having to program is not an issue for me (I've played with the Zebra demo, it's fine). However, I've bought vsts in the past that sounded good but just took time for me to become aware of their sonic weaknesses. If I get something significant sound-quality-wise in Diva over Zebra (not just intuitiveness of programming), it may be worth sacrificing all that cool Zebra programmability, depending...
Thanks again...
My question though is, can Zebra, with a sufficient amount of programming, sound as rich, solid, present, warm, <pick your Diva adjective>, as Diva? Even for some "analog" types of sounds? Is it a matter or having to program in a lot of little oscillator variation and animation and so on, or is there something in Diva that can just *never* be heard from Zebra?
I suspect the latter, but I'd like some help identifying that "sound" or even "feel" (apart from when doing high-res filter sweeps). My ears aren't familiar enough to hear it yet, so if anyone has suggestions as to some way of hearing it, where I might direct my attention, that would be great.
If it's not the filters (again, I'm talking about Zebra HZ), are the oscillators that much more <adjective> by themselves? Do the mixer and so on model analog warmth that much better? Just curious.
FWIW, I am budgeted for *one* of these. I come from the Matrix-12 background, so do like loads of random lfo's modulating all kinds of destinations etc. Having to program is not an issue for me (I've played with the Zebra demo, it's fine). However, I've bought vsts in the past that sounded good but just took time for me to become aware of their sonic weaknesses. If I get something significant sound-quality-wise in Diva over Zebra (not just intuitiveness of programming), it may be worth sacrificing all that cool Zebra programmability, depending...
Thanks again...
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- KVRist
- 215 posts since 21 Nov, 2012
I was in the exact same situation about a year ago or so. In the end I chose Zebra (though I did add Zebra HZ). The endless possibilities lured me to Zebra. I felt that Diva sounded absolutely great, but that I kept making variations of the same sound. I have a Mopho so I've got some aspects of basic subtractive synth covered (though Divba sounds better for some sounds). When tweaking Zebra I kept coming up with sounds I'd never heard before. That said, the new digital osc (the feedback osc in particular) has gotten me considering Diva again.
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- KVRAF
- 3817 posts since 8 Mar, 2006
IMO, in some cases yes, especially with this new dist module!My question though is, can Zebra, with a sufficient amount of programming, sound as rich, solid, present, warm, <pick your Diva adjective>, as Diva?
Though decision having to pick between Diva and Zebra!
You need to conclude what would be the things you will mostly use the synth for?!
I would get that 1st...
+, like Stollmeister mentioned.. with this new Digital Osc, Diva just got a whole load of new, pretty accessories!
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- KVRer
- 29 posts since 4 Nov, 2005
glittle -- don't forget about zebrify, which comes with Zebra 2. It lets you process audio external to Zebra through Zebra's filters, shapers, FX, etc. (with or without modulation…!)
it sounds like you might be more interested the synth side of things, but it's something to consider. that being said, it hasn't made my decision any easier.
it sounds like you might be more interested the synth side of things, but it's something to consider. that being said, it hasn't made my decision any easier.
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- KVRAF
- 3817 posts since 8 Mar, 2006
Yeah, once Zebrify gets the deserved "big" update... it will be unstoppable!
I must warn you that once you get into an effects based modular environment, you can't really go back... (it's like realizing the benefits of automating everything but having the program take care of all the hard work!)
I must warn you that once you get into an effects based modular environment, you can't really go back... (it's like realizing the benefits of automating everything but having the program take care of all the hard work!)
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- KVRAF
- 2083 posts since 28 Feb, 2011
DIVA really outshines all other synths in certain areas. If you are an "old school" type with a lot of affection for pure Moog, Roland, Korg, Oberheim oscillators and filters, then DIVA is for you. If you like an interface that is really classic, and you really like that easy workflow with knobs and switches all laid out before you, then DIVA really shines there too. (In fact, in my opinion, DIVA is easily one of the best synths ever to learn the basics of subtractive synthesis on). Finally, if you have a very discerning ear for the very best sounding resonant filter available, DIVA won't let you down.
Otherwise, for all the reasons stated previously, go with Zebra.
Otherwise, for all the reasons stated previously, go with Zebra.
Last edited by Gonga on Tue Nov 26, 2013 3:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRer
- 29 posts since 4 Nov, 2005
oh? anything in particular been alluded to for that next update? (I might have missed the thread if there is one…)3ee wrote:Yeah, once Zebrify gets the deserved "big" update... it will be unstoppable!
I must warn you that once you get into an effects based modular environment, you can't really go back... (it's like realizing the benefits of automating everything but having the program take care of all the hard work!)
and you hit the nail on the head - sending even two drum sounds from nepheton into a zebrify preset and then swapping out modules and adding modulation parameters yields a world of sounds.
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- KVRAF
- 3817 posts since 8 Mar, 2006
Well, I don't know, other than the new dist module now in the public beta, nothing I know of...papertiger wrote:oh? anything in particular been alluded to for that next update? (I might have missed the thread if there is one…)3ee wrote:Yeah, once Zebrify gets the deserved "big" update... it will be unstoppable!
I must warn you that once you get into an effects based modular environment, you can't really go back... (it's like realizing the benefits of automating everything but having the program take care of all the hard work!)
My comment was about the feeling that with every Zebra update, Zebrify is left a tiny bit behind. ... + imagining how Zebrify 3 might be like?!
