Hive preview (April 1 update)

[martingifford]

Urs,

Vote for option 2 - I got it instantly. Dumb is good! Saves so much time!

Will basic computer keyboard navigation be available in the final version, e.g. use the computer's arrow key to step between presets, and the tab key and shift-tab keys to switch between text fields in the save dialogue box.

Also, it would be great if parameters in use glowed. When I look at the presets, I don't even know what's in use. I don't know where to start experimenting with adjustments. Since Hive is kicking Sylenth's toosh regarding visuals, glowing visual cues would be another great improvement.

Anyone,

How do you change the octave of sub-oscilators. I'm not understanding the oscillators section at all. I click on stuff and turn dials and nothing seems to happen. Need an instructional video asap.

[V0RT3X]

Here's quick demo of the presets I've come up with in few days. I think HIVE is my favourite U-he synth because it's so fast to program. I want to see oscillator sync though in the future and maybe some more mod targets, like another mod slot knobs...

nice patches

[EvilDragon]

Anyone,

How do you change the octave of sub-oscilators. I'm not understanding the oscillators section at all. I click on stuff and turn dials and nothing seems to happen. Need an instructional video asap.

There's a parameter for sub osc volume, raise that one first. You also need to route the sub osc through one of the filters if you actually want to hear it. It's quite simple.

And changing the octave - there's a parameter for that, too. Take a good look.

[Urs]

An eco mode for the normal filter could make recreating that 303 preset a piece of cake.

A mode that actually sounded like a 303 would even be better.

[Urs]

till when is HIVE discounted again? im still struggling getting this or SPIRE.

All of January 2015, and then possibly some.

(If Hive gets released in January, it'll be discounted till end of January. If not you'll get all of my vacation and then whatever it takes to finish it after I come back in March - in any case there'll be an updated version in January and more information by, say, the 20th +/- a few days)

[kelvyn]

I have all the U-He synths and am really enjoying this new one... But due to deadlines and the fact I have a low IQ I've become something of a preset slut... When can we expect some official Hive presets?

I really appreciate the work others have put into making their Hive presets available. Thanks!


A lot of my work can be found at: www.finaltouch.de

[Urs]

Will basic computer keyboard navigation be available in the final version, e.g. use the computer's arrow key to step between presets, and the tab key and shift-tab keys to switch between text fields in the save dialogue box.

You can already use arrow up/down keys to step through presets. You have to however click the preset navigator to give it the keyboard focus.

Using the tab key in the text input fields depends largely on the host. I've already spent a lot of time on getting this going in some hosts, but it never seems to sufficiently work in all hosts.

Also, it would be great if parameters in use glowed. When I look at the presets, I don't even know what's in use. I don't know where to start experimenting with adjustments. Since Hive is kicking Sylenth's toosh regarding visuals, glowing visual cues would be another great improvement.

Well, generally speaking, everything contributes to the sound you hear. The main indicator being whether or not a volume knob is set to 0.00, or if it's modulated by the Matrix.

However, if you would like to learn the basics of synthesis and sound design, it doesn't get much easier than with Hive because you can solo each oscillator and each filter. Unfortunately we don't have a user guide yet, but there's also nothing in Hive that is in any way "unusual".

Need an instructional video asap.

We have ordered one, but of course we can't do it until the UI and feature set are still work in progress. Work on this won't start before February. That said...

… a key aspect of subtractive synthesizers is that they're commonly built out of similar bulding blocks with a nearly identical set of parameters. Those parts usually vary only in number, but never in the way they're typically used. There's always a given number of oscillators, usually one or two filters, a simple mixer and/or amplifier, one or two envelopes and an LFO or two. These modules interact to control the basic pitch, timbre and volume of a sound alongside it's development over time. The principle is universal, such that if you know how one subtractive synthesizer works, you almost know them all. The individual modules commonly differ only in a few minor details, but never in fundamental ways. Therefore, any tutorial video that explains "subtractive synthesis" will also explain the main ingredients used in Hive, such as this:



Everything explained in there is also true for Hive, as Hive is pretty much "two synths in one", the first one being on the left of the hexagon while the second resides on the right hand side. The parameters explained in the video are also the ones with big knobs or faders in Hive, because they're the most important ones. The main difference is, Hive does not even have a dedicated VCA. Like the guy says "there's not much to say", so we simply put volume knobs into oscillators and filters without explicitely labeling them as VCA. However, the Amp envelopes are by design always in control of the volume development over time.

The thing in Hive that remains a tad abstract is the Modulation Matrix. While its use is optional, we will work on visual feedback regarding what modulates which parameter, but that's also one of the points that might either delay the final release or be added later.

[Urs]

I have all the U-He synths and am really enjoying this new one... But due to deadlines and the fact I have a low IQ I've become something of a preset slut... When can we expect some official Hive presets?

I'm sure we will bundle some of the factory presets with an update in January, no matter if they're still work in progress or not.

[coincidental]

I'd vote for Option 2 - keep it simple. I think the feature set is fine as it is, given the aim of the synth. It would be easy to succumb to feature-bloat. Having said that, a few more "icing on the cake" options I can see are:

• More "via" options including some curves, inverse, variable multiplier (no idea if this is possible or even makes sense - haven't thought about it very much).
• A few more FX options - Bazille-like tilt options for the distortion maybe? Though the inclusion of modulatable EQ and comp is really great More FX maybe? (But where would they go?? - make the WIP tab a grainy/glitchy miniworkshop?)

If you do go for macro-knobs, keep it to 2 knobs only - less is more!
Just discovered the vibrato LFO in the mod dropdowns, which is an unexpected extra.

[Sendy]

No, no, no! When it comes to macros and dance music, more is more! EDM people want to be able to pull up a preset and warp a sound around using 8 macros connected to hardware controllers.

[coincidental]

No, no, no! When it comes to macros and dance music, more is more! EDM people want to be able to pull up a preset and warp a sound around using 8 macros connected to hardware controllers.

True! Perhaps better to say "less is less, more is more" - but I think 4 is "in between". Wiring up 8 might put off many people from making their own presets, so it would need to have a handy "autocomplete" option as well.

[Urs]

Yeah, I don't know… will ponder about it

[Sendy]

Four sounds about right for a synth of Hive's complexity. Though mostly I'm OK with just the mod matrix.

[xamido]

Another demo, this time using another midi. The midi on this one is taken from the free freshly squeezed samples midi micro.

All sound from Hive, except the drum which is addictive drums (distorted preset, forgot the name). Master track got slate vbc ,with less than 1 db gain reduction, and T-racks Brickwall Limiter.

https://soundcloud.com/el_camido/hive-test-4

Btw i really enjoy is the EQ and comp on Hive. I don't need to add external fx if it's just for this short demo.

[Caine123]

till when is HIVE discounted again? im still struggling getting this or SPIRE.

All of January 2015, and then possibly some.

(If Hive gets released in January, it'll be discounted till end of January. If not you'll get all of my vacation and then whatever it takes to finish it after I come back in March - in any case there'll be an updated version in January and more information by, say, the 20th +/- a few days)

thanks a lot this saves me cause i will get payment beginning of january !