Got Diva - what U-he should I get next?

[Shiek927]

There's no way anyone can answer that question for you. You really just have to ask yourself what you want ♥.

For me, my first u-he synth was Zebra2. It was fantastic for it's time and I loved just how much support it has.

I put it aside however because I ultimately found it too overwhelming for me. One of the lessons that I learned about sound-design was that you don't need all the bells and whistles. It turned out to be completely true for me. It's why I like u-he's new "Hive" synthesizer. It sounds almost lush as full and Diva, but with Sylenth simplicity.

Ultimately, it has to do with my tastes as well. I'm simply not much of a sound-designer. I have no problem whatsoever in using the thousands of patches already available for my songs. Sometimes I'll tweak them a bit. It's only when there is absolutely nothing like what I need that I'll actually start from INIT and try to make something. I don't want to compromise on sound-quality, but I want to get straight into composing which I'm infinitely more concerned about than sound-design.

But not everything is the same way. Some people love synth-programming and will find having a lot more fun with Zebra2. Maybe you desire more digital sounds. So you would prefer Bazille.

It really depends on your tastes and outlook on sound-design. Nobody can answer this for you ♥.

[aaron aardvark]

Try them all in the demo mode! If I had to live with only one synth, it would be Zebra. Some people like Ace a lot, and it is relatively inexpensive, though it's not one of my favorite u-he synth plug-ins. Hive is relatively easy to program.

[yosi199]

Thanks all for the replies guys. I'm definitely not a mad programmer - I usually browse the presets for inspiration and then tweak them to my liking. I guess I'll have to download the demo versions of the rest and decide which I enjoy more but it's true - I know I'll have them all at the end

[Shiek927]

Thanks all for the replies guys. I'm definitely not a mad programmer - I usually browse the presets for inspiration and then tweak them to my liking. I guess I'll have to download the demo versions of the rest and decide which I enjoy more but it's true - I know I'll have them all at the end

You sound just like me. I absolutely recommend Hive .

[Elektronisch]

I recommend them ALL. They all sound different from each other and each great in theyr way.

[StudioDave]

I recommend them ALL. They all sound different from each other and each great in theyr way.

Agree++.

I've purchased ACE and Hive. I've done a lot of synthesis programming in Csound, and at one time I made my own sounds for a variety of hardware synths. Not so much anymore, mainly due to the output of so many better sound designers. I'll tweak settings here & there, that usually gets me what I'm listening for.

Diva and Bazille are high on my list. I'm also considering discoDSP's Vertigo. All awesome synthesizers.

Best,

dp

[MFXxx]

Talking personally
Zebra for all your stock and then some sounds.
Hive for the simplicity of programming sounds and again some great stock+ sounds.
Diva - just because its diva. Very smooth and it does have an elevated sound once you intergrate it into your mix and mixdown using the high settings.
Bazille. Well I got it just cause Im someone who doesnt like to miss out, however I do not find I require the level of modular programming it integrates and again same goes for ACE, fo I have them, yes. Do I use them as much to their full potential as Diva and HIve, no. Saying that Zebra has a great GUI and modular slot layout for getting to understand what programming synthesis is all about.

Just my 5 pence.

[jwc1967]

I agree that it really depends on you alone.
If I were to choose one it would be Zebra simply because of the ground it covers. There isn't much I haven't been able to do with it so far. (It fills the place the Chroma used to, for me).
Diva is special and, for me, where you go to just sit play music without worrying about the exhausting details of programming as much... it would replace my old analog stuff in an immediacy sense. (Would fill the place the Jupiter, and MonoPoly used to). This license is next for me, but was set back for a little while by...
Bazille is the big toy I never had. The place to mess around and play with the cords and switches and knobs. I had to jump on this with the $$ I was setting aside for Diva.
But, since we are all different in taste, music, and styles Hive has no real place for me at the moment. I don't do dance music and it would be redundant otherwise. I would love to own everything u-he, but, at the moment, it's a matter of economics and practicality.

So... it really is up to you. We each have different lists of gear and reasons.

[MFXxx]

@jwc This is something I often overlook with Diva.
The pure pleasure of sitting down with only diva loaded and jamming is superb. It is the pinnacle example of what all other vst should strive to be. Not purely on the analogue feel but the playability and simplicity of tweaking sounds

[core]

If you like tweaking presets you'll love Zebra, There's a gazillion patches for it http://www.u-he.com/PatchLib/

[Erkenfresh]

The synths that end in the letter A are my bread and butter now. I highly recommend Zebra. It's so flexible you'll never feel limited in your sound design.

[lotus2035]

Ok guys I'm in love with the Diva. She fills my world with analog goodness. Naturally she was the first U-He I'll have.

But now, I have Bazille, Hive, Zebra to choose from. I've only tried playing with Zebra and I did liked it but since I'm on a low budget - which one SHOULD BE MY NEXT ONE ??

A.C.E.!