Hive preview (April 1 update)

[Aiynzahev]

It doesn't matter if people will accept it as a sylenth1 IMO. It's going to stand out on it's own, it's a U-he synth.

Besides, say U-he put all the work in to make it sound just like Sylenth1, than what? Might as well just use Sylenth1 and 32-bit lives for the same cost if you already own sylenth1. And you do already own it if you love it. And all of this is not considering that Sylenth2 might actually come out next year. Then it really would have been a total waste of time.

[bmrzycki]

Many people always comparing them with Sylenth and if there is only one part not sounding/working exactly the same, some people will not accept this as a Sylenth successor. There is still the wish to have a 1:1 Sylenth clone but better and with more features

Hive isn't trying to be the replacement for Sylenth or the Virus. It's a simpler synth with a focus on ease of use with u-he's style.

Those looking for a 1:1 replacement will be disappointed with pretty much everything else. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if/when Lennar releases Sylenth2 those same fanatics would complain it didn't sound 100% the same as Sylenth1.

[Photontic]

I'll just put in my 2 cents about Hive in general, because why not?

Urs and team, you have done an absolutely amazing job. I own Sylenth1 as well (and a whole bunch of other synths), but none of them (that includes Sylenth1) have made me able to so easily create actually good sounding stuff (at least in my opinion). Getting something done in Hive and having it sound good is just so freaking easy, and that is something you should be proud of.
I mean I've shared a few presets here that people seemed to like - and I have no damn clue what I'm doing. No experience with sound design or the likes, but I just try my best while I'm learning and sometimes I guess I'm a blind squirrel who finds some nuts - something that has happened much more with Hive than anything else. And for someone who's still very much learning and trying to figure out all this music stuff, that is an absolutely great feeling. What I learn in Hive can be used in other synths as well, so it's just pure bliss.

And obviously there'd be no point in creating a Sylenth1 clone - because we already have Sylenth1. While Hive shares a lot with it, it's still its own, like it should be.

Hive as it is now, and as you've pointed out yourself, likely isn't going to change much, nor should it. As always, and that's why I like you guys so much, you put some real thought into what you're doing (not that others don't, but it really shows with you guys), and aren't just trying to do everything. There's a clear goal and you will reach it, while actively listening to feedback as well as running thoughts by us to gauge what direction to go in.

Don't ever change - all of this is one of the reasons that you are a top developer among a lot of us. Your quality products and your ability to interact with us.

Of the two solutions you mentioned regarding the BYO thing, I'm probably liking the 1st one the most. They both make sense, but as I understand it, to me the first one seems to be the simpler option for those who don't want to bother with too many choices, where the 2nd one almost forces you to choose for each setting.
Sometimes hiding things a little bit is good UX.

I also have another request that I haven't seen mentioned. You've said that you will make the knobs that deal with frequency show the actual frequency, which is great. However can you extend this to the pre-delay of the reverb as well (although make it ms and not frequency )? It's a pretty important aspect and having 0-100 makes very little sense as I have no idea what that actually is in time...

Hive is without a doubt a must-buy for me as soon as I have the money for it.

Thank you for this wonderful synth!

[GeorgeZ]

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.

I have some ready-ish. Should I submit or just share here?

Both

Righto, I'll finish up the descriptions and double check the levels. Sound be up a bit later

EDIT: Think I'll add tags as well, SEQ, BS, LD etc... hate it when patches don't have that!

[Tricky-Loops]

If you want to sound like Sylenth1, buy Sylenth1. If you want to sound like Spire, buy Spire. If you want to sound like Dune 2, buy Dune 2. If you want to sound like Synthmaster, buy Synthmaster. If you want to sound like Hive, buy Hive.

Simple, ain't it?

[Photontic]

If you want to sound like Sylenth1, buy Sylenth1. If you want to sound like Spire, buy Spire. If you want to sound like Dune 2, buy Dune 2. If you want to sound like Synthmaster, buy Synthmaster. If you want to sound like Hive, buy Hive.

Simple, ain't it?

Now you're just talking nonsense.

[Tricky-Loops]

If you want to sound like Sylenth1, buy Sylenth1. If you want to sound like Spire, buy Spire. If you want to sound like Dune 2, buy Dune 2. If you want to sound like Synthmaster, buy Synthmaster. If you want to sound like Hive, buy Hive.

Simple, ain't it?

Now you're just talking nonsense.

Nope. Because I don't care whether Hive sounds like Sylenth1, Spire, Dune 2 or Synthmaster. If it sounds good (enough), I'll buy it...

Why should it sound like Sylenth1 when there already is Sylenth1? To force Lennard to develop Sylenth2?

[Photontic]

If you want to sound like Sylenth1, buy Sylenth1. If you want to sound like Spire, buy Spire. If you want to sound like Dune 2, buy Dune 2. If you want to sound like Synthmaster, buy Synthmaster. If you want to sound like Hive, buy Hive.

Simple, ain't it?

Now you're just talking nonsense.

Nope. Because I don't care whether Hive sounds like Sylenth1, Spire, Dune 2 or Synthmaster. If it sounds good (enough), I'll buy it...

Why should it sound like Sylenth1 when there already is Sylenth1? To force Lennard to develop Sylenth2?

I was joking - I had hoped the wink-smiley gave it away! I basically write the same thing in my post a few post above.

We are very much in agreement, I can assure you.

[Breeze]

BTW a quick one: I always consider a turned on light on equipment as being "ON" and even though I understand the logic of "Bypass ON", I'm still second guessing when I look at the FX status icon, maybe because I have to look up at the parameter description to confirm it. Just me?

[exmatproton]

28 presets for grabs. From simple plucks to more difficult sounds.

Enjoy and to everybody a happy newyear!!!

[Superkidmcsd]

I'll just put in my 2 cents about Hive in general, because why not?

Urs and team, you have done an absolutely amazing job. I own Sylenth1 as well (and a whole bunch of other synths), but none of them (that includes Sylenth1) have made me able to so easily create actually good sounding stuff (at least in my opinion). Getting something done in Hive and having it sound good is just so freaking easy, and that is something you should be proud of.
I mean I've shared a few presets here that people seemed to like - and I have no damn clue what I'm doing. No experience with sound design or the likes, but I just try my best while I'm learning and sometimes I guess I'm a blind squirrel who finds some nuts - something that has happened much more with Hive than anything else. And for someone who's still very much learning and trying to figure out all this music stuff, that is an absolutely great feeling. What I learn in Hive can be used in other synths as well, so it's just pure bliss.

And obviously there'd be no point in creating a Sylenth1 clone - because we already have Sylenth1. While Hive shares a lot with it, it's still its own, like it should be.

Hive as it is now, and as you've pointed out yourself, likely isn't going to change much, nor should it. As always, and that's why I like you guys so much, you put some real thought into what you're doing (not that others don't, but it really shows with you guys), and aren't just trying to do everything. There's a clear goal and you will reach it, while actively listening to feedback as well as running thoughts by us to gauge what direction to go in.

Don't ever change - all of this is one of the reasons that you are a top developer among a lot of us. Your quality products and your ability to interact with us.

Of the two solutions you mentioned regarding the BYO thing, I'm probably liking the 1st one the most. They both make sense, but as I understand it, to me the first one seems to be the simpler option for those who don't want to bother with too many choices, where the 2nd one almost forces you to choose for each setting.
Sometimes hiding things a little bit is good UX.

I also have another request that I haven't seen mentioned. You've said that you will make the knobs that deal with frequency show the actual frequency, which is great. However can you extend this to the pre-delay of the reverb as well (although make it ms and not frequency )? It's a pretty important aspect and having 0-100 makes very little sense as I have no idea what that actually is in time...

Hive is without a doubt a must-buy for me as soon as I have the money for it.

Thank you for this wonderful synth!

I agree, BYO version 1 i think is the way to go here, and it makes more sense for times to be shown as times imho.

I basically echo everything in this post

[GeorgeZ]

BTW a quick one: I always consider a turned on light on equipment as being "ON" and even though I understand the logic of "Bypass ON", I'm still second guessing when I look at the FX status icon, maybe because I have to look up at the parameter description to confirm it. Just me?

I have to say, initially, with the FX being lit up, I was fumbling a bit as well, but I ended up just saving an init preset with FX on, but with all modules off. Since then I've not paid any attention to it, unless if A/B'ing.

[Infinite5ths]

If you want to sound like Sylenth1, buy Sylenth1. If you want to sound like Spire, buy Spire. If you want to sound like Dune 2, buy Dune 2. If you want to sound like Synthmaster, buy Synthmaster. If you want to sound like Hive, buy Hive.

Simple, ain't it?

What do you think this is...GearSlutz??

[u-u-u]

If you want to sound like Sylenth1, buy Sylenth1. If you want to sound like Spire, buy Spire. If you want to sound like Dune 2, buy Dune 2. If you want to sound like Synthmaster, buy Synthmaster. If you want to sound like Hive, buy Hive.

Probably I'd run out of money before reaching Hive. You should reverse the order.

[ontrackp]

Hive will become the synth with the most simplified GUI and the most complicated modulation matrix that needs 100 pages of the manual...

(Seriously, isn't it strange that while some people are saying they don't need no more features, others are suggesting more and more features for the mod matrix?)

More modulation matrix slots and modulation sources doesn't make it more complicated... just makes it more fun!