Diva vs Analogue - a real world test

[beely]

It seems every time I come back to check in on this thread, the subject is something completely different...

[2ZrgE]

Of course that also means I get more work done. So maybe that's a good thing.

Good thing that I'm only here at office hours.

Just don't take things too seriously, and those little fights going on here are sometimes a bit funny and entertaining (at least for me).

[fmr]

What amazes me is how this thread wasn't locked yet. Other were locked for much less than what I read here.

[SWAN808]

well Ive seen worse lol...but for sure its had some interesting moments...

[wagtunes]

well Ive seen worse lol...but for sure its had some interesting moments...

Well, FWIW, I enjoyed the test. I was pleased to see the similarity between the two synths. Even more pleased that I don't feel I am missing anything by not having an Oberheim.

Though the 4 voice is still the coolest looking synth I've ever seen.

[zvenx]

It seems every time I come back to check in on this thread, the subject is something completely different...

Lol.
Exactly and I can't seem to stay away for good.
lol.
rsp

[SWAN808]

well Ive seen worse lol...but for sure its had some interesting moments...

Well, FWIW, I enjoyed the test. I was pleased to see the similarity between the two synths. Even more pleased that I don't feel I am missing anything by not having an Oberheim.

Though the 4 voice is still the coolest looking synth I've ever seen.

thanks glad you enjoyed it

[aciddose]

I decided that posting on KVR is not productive. I won't find any real help from anyone here

Makes me sad...
Come on, just mute the ones who don't like you and often attack you and reopen the thread.

Well, I would if I thought it would be productive. It was open for quite some time and I didn't get any serious bug reports or so on. (I.E. not host-specific.)

What I decided was just that I should complete everything that needs to be completed first and then post that version as a RC for serious testing after I've already tested it myself.

It really just boils down to me actually needing to do that work. I can't see myself having any time available for it in the next while, so until I do there isn't much point.

As I said nothing stops people from starting a thread and discussing whatever they want. I might poke my head in to try to point out when mistakes are made or add information if I think it is useful, I just don't have the motivation to start such threads or actively participate in them myself.

[pdxindy]

For me, I simply find these guess the synth comparisons fun.

Glad to hear it! If you look in the preset demo video that I own and enjoy Musings ....I deleted most other Diva presets!

Glad you enjoy them! I made no effort whatsoever to cater to any sensibilities besides my own... they are not for everyone

I have a fine set for Bazille ready to go... have been busy elsewhere than music so it has languished.

[fmr]

well Ive seen worse lol...but for sure its had some interesting moments...

Well, FWIW, I enjoyed the test. I was pleased to see the similarity between the two synths. Even more pleased that I don't feel I am missing anything by not having an Oberheim.

thanks glad you enjoyed it

Yes, that part I also enjoyed (congratulations BTW). What i didn't enjoy was what came after (although it was expected).

[zerocrossing]

As for the idea that the test was one big advert - again - Ive been testing stuff for years - and I already did big tests with no commercial aspect. I recommend anyone try to make many very close comparisons with an analogue synth and see how long it takes. The pack idea came about way into the experiment as a way to try to compensate all this time. As anyone can see - this is my first pack. If I was a known sound designer I might understand the skepticism - but actually Im a known tester and analogue enthusiast (on GS at least under SWAN808)...

Having made the test - of course it is stupid not to maximise the project and make it good with positive promotion. But that does not impact the integrity of the test. The only small bias I have spoken about on GS - in that when I made a selection of comparative sounds - I picked the closer examples. This is sensible IMO because Diva and the OB8 are different synths - so you cannot do an exact parameter or component test. That should be obvious in a Diva vs OB8 comparison. Despite being an analogue enthusiast I still feel it is right to give Diva the best possible chance to prove itself against an analogue synth - rather than setting it poorly making differences obvious. The criticism that I made Diva sound 'better' or 'too good' is actually a compliment to me and also Diva-IE it can sound that close or even better. If you think about it there is no 'sound better parameter' so what the result is is that simply Diva sounds better on a very similar patch.

OK, I'll apologize for my comments about this being a commercial. Perhaps they were a bit harsh... even though they became a commercial. You did pick the closer sounds though, so that's not nothing. But, as we've talked about ad nausium, Diva is not an OB-8 emulator.

Here's a question for you, analoguesamples909... are you keeping your OB-8? If so, why? I'll take my answer off the air.

Here's why I like Diva more than an OB-8. It responds to velocity and aftertouch. It's got higher polyphony. Much higher preset memory. I don't have to deal with cassette memory storage. It's roughly $2300 cheaper. It doesn't take up any space in my studio and I don't have to dust it. Oh wait, I'm starting to sound like

Oh, also, I don't actually care for vintage analog synths. Most of the coveted classics lacked really basic things that modern analogs now mostly have. (put me in the 'disappointed' category that Korg decided to not trick out their new MS20 and Odyssey with at least velocity and aftertouch)

Now, here's the test I'd really love to take. software vs. Prophet 6. That thing sounds amazing to me. Every now and then I think I should sell my 12 and get one. The problem is I've fallen in love with the 12 as a controller, but that's another story.

[wagtunes]

Here's why I like Diva more than an OB-8. It responds to velocity and aftertouch. It's got higher polyphony. Much higher preset memory. I don't have to deal with cassette memory storage. It's roughly $2300 cheaper. It doesn't take up any space in my studio and I don't have to dust it. Oh wait, I'm starting to sound like

Me. LOL.

That's pretty much how I feel about hardware. Actually, I'm not even that picky about the aftertouch and velocity. In fact, I think hardware sounds great. But the price, space it takes up and repairs just make it not worth it for me.

Haven't heard the Prophet 6 yet. I'm sure it's great.

[ImNotDedYet]

Here's why I like Diva more than an OB-8. It responds to velocity and aftertouch. It's got higher polyphony. Much higher preset memory. I don't have to deal with cassette memory storage. It's roughly $2300 cheaper. It doesn't take up any space in my studio and I don't have to dust it. Oh wait, I'm starting to sound like

Me. LOL.

That's pretty much how I feel about hardware. Actually, I'm not even that picky about the aftertouch and velocity. In fact, I think hardware sounds great. But the price, space it takes up and repairs just make it not worth it for me.

Haven't heard the Prophet 6 yet. I'm sure it's great.

I played around w/ the P6 twice this weekend...it's flippin gorgeous looking and sounding. Plus, it fits the whole in my outboard gear - current analog poly. But I resisted and bought a bunch of hand drums instead.

[beely]

That's pretty much how I feel about hardware.

Yeah. For me it's no longer about the sound - good software works just as well and generally has far better features and more resources.

The thing that would make me prefer, say, a Jupiter-8 over software is the dedicated control surface, which can't be underestimated. Programming sounds under your fingers on a dedicated control surface is about a gadzillion times "better" than mousing around, or MIDI learning a few parameters. (Yes, there are some software interfaces where the mouse is better, but not for general knob/slider/switch-type stuff.)

That and, well... it's a fricken Jupiter-8! Lovely thing...

(And indeed, so is the P6...)

[SWAN808]

Here's a question for you, analoguesamples909... are you keeping your OB-8? If so, why? I'll take my answer off the air. .

the truth is Ive been thinking about selling my OB8 for a while - because my situation at the moment isn't one where the luxury of a vintage analogue is entirely sensible. Also - Ive been moving away from the 2008 nu disco sound and more towards modern styles...I have to be honest taking my fave OB8 presets and getting the GUI done - it really affected me and changed my relationship with Diva and since I did Ive felt much less like switching it on....doing the tests particularly the one where I did a blind test and gave it to some of the well known analogue enthusiasts on GS who mostly got it wrong affected my thinking also.

So logically all the direction should be towards selling it. But there is a problem. I have a deep emotional attachment to that machine and its great to have a bespoke distinct instrument with character. There is something about playing it and the very subtle movement that is inspiring. People dismiss this aspect, claim confirmation bias or placebo, but I challenge someone to live with a proper vintage analogue and then say that. Diva can deliver the sound conveniently for a great price, but the whole vibe of using the analogue machine is different. A lot of people are musicians, and the feel I think is important. So its not a short answer! I may still sell it we will have to see...I kind of want a JD-Xa