Diva vs. Repro-5

[Echoes in the Attic]

One thing that stands out pretty clearly to me and that I actually find a bit strange is that I like very few of the presets for Diva, but I love most of the factory presets for Repro (especially 5). I find it's possible to get sounds I like with Diva but for some reason I just don't like the factory sounds or even sound sets that I hear for it. Not sure why.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

One thing that stands out pretty clearly to me and that I actually find a bit strange is that I like very few of the presets for Diva, but I love most of the factory presets for Repro (especially 5). I find it's possible to get sounds I like with Diva but for some reason I just don't like the factory sounds or even sound sets that I hear for it. Not sure why.

I feel like every U-he synth has had better factory presets (on the whole - there's brilliant stuff in each) than the synth that preceded it. I hope that doesn't offend anyone, just my opinion, but I think they've got the best group of sound designers now that they've ever had. I've been running through the Hive library tagging favorites (my method: favorite, and uber favorite), and I'm well above 300 at last count. And it's a very diverse group of presets from a bunch of different preset designers. Both RePro's also have a fantastic group of presets in the factory library. I haven't gone through Diva's in quite some time (certainly not since the new browser came out), but I don't have that same level of enthusiasm for the factory patches and have always been more inclined to roll my own.

[pdxindy]

One thing that stands out pretty clearly to me and that I actually find a bit strange is that I like very few of the presets for Diva, but I love most of the factory presets for Repro (especially 5). I find it's possible to get sounds I like with Diva but for some reason I just don't like the factory sounds or even sound sets that I hear for it. Not sure why.

I feel like every U-he synth has had better factory presets (on the whole - there's brilliant stuff in each) than the synth that preceded it. I hope that doesn't offend anyone, just my opinion, but I think they've got the best group of sound designers now that they've ever had. I've been running through the Hive library tagging favorites (my method: favorite, and uber favorite), and I'm well above 300 at last count. And it's a very diverse group of presets from a bunch of different preset designers. Both RePro's also have a fantastic group of presets in the factory library. I haven't gone through Diva's in quite some time (certainly not since the new browser came out), but I don't have that same level of enthusiasm for the factory patches and have always been more inclined to roll my own.

Actually, I think that is true also of GUI's and FX as well... everything is getting better... u-he has hit a new level of amazing. I feel like the company is truly reaching its creative potential.

[zerocrossing]

If you had to pick just one, which one?
And why?

I’ve owned both, sold Diva, and then bought Diva again. They’re both excellent and it depends on what you’re trying to do. If you want the very best emulation of an analog synth, the choice is easy. RePro is that. If you want more voices, more modulation, more of everything, Diva is your choice.

[flocked]

One thing that stands out pretty clearly to me and that I actually find a bit strange is that I like very few of the presets for Diva, but I love most of the factory presets for Repro (especially 5). I find it's possible to get sounds I like with Diva but for some reason I just don't like the factory sounds or even sound sets that I hear for it. Not sure why.

I feel like every U-he synth has had better factory presets (on the whole - there's brilliant stuff in each) than the synth that preceded it. I hope that doesn't offend anyone, just my opinion, but I think they've got the best group of sound designers now that they've ever had. I've been running through the Hive library tagging favorites (my method: favorite, and uber favorite), and I'm well above 300 at last count. And it's a very diverse group of presets from a bunch of different preset designers. Both RePro's also have a fantastic group of presets in the factory library. I haven't gone through Diva's in quite some time (certainly not since the new browser came out), but I don't have that same level of enthusiasm for the factory patches and have always been more inclined to roll my own.

I have the same feeling. I like the factory presets of Repro and Hive the most, while Zebra the least and Diva is somewhere in between. The current group of sound designers is amazing and just the included factory presets are worth all the money

[Urs]

When factory presets are made, everyone is new to the synth and timing is critical. The more complex the synth the more difficult to deliver the best results for the factory lib. Complexity goes Zebra > Diva > Hive > Repro as far as "getting to know the synth".

Also, from time to time we add new factory presets to showcase new features. These often are results of a hike of experience, as seen in Zebra's add-on patches and maybe even Repro-5 (poly added to Repro, kind of).

[Fleer]

Do show the Diva some Repro filter love when you find the time, Major Urs.

[hakey]

I like very few of the presets for Diva, but I love most of the factory presets for Repro

every U-he synth has had better factory presets (on the whole - there's brilliant stuff in each) than the synth that preceded it.

I like the factory presets of Repro and Hive the most, while Zebra the least and Diva is somewhere in between. The current group of sound designers is amazing and just the included factory presets are worth all the money

Is this anything to do with presets suited to particularly genres?

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Is this anything to do with presets suited to particularly genres?

I suspect there is a combination of factors at play and I'm not sure I think genre is really a big one honestly. For instance, Diva only allows for two effects at a time. There's no EQ effect, no distortion (outside of driving the rotary), no spring reverb or compressor, etc. There's also only the most basic of arp with no sequencer or mod sequencer. So effect options and feature/design constraints are one factor. Hive also has a wider selection of sound designers in the factory bank compared to Diva, so you get a more diverse set of perspectives in the factory content. And as Urs mentioned, complexity probably has something to do with it. I'd also bet that as the sound designers themselves continue to learn new tricks and refine their craft, that even some of those same folks that created factory patches 10 years ago would likely produce patches that sound better to today's ears (both ours and their own).

[hakey]

I agree about Diva being relatively limited. Zebra certainly isn't (and for my taste, I'd choose the Zebra factory presets over those of other u-he synths).

Z2 doesn't offer much that's explicitly aimed at various EDM genres - is that a factor here?

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Is this anything to do with presets suited to particularly genres?

I suspect there is a combination of factors at play and I'm not sure I think genre is really a big one honestly. For instance, Diva only allows for two effects at a time. There's no EQ effect, no distortion (outside of driving the rotary), no spring reverb or compressor, etc. There's also only the most basic of arp with no sequencer or mod sequencer. So effect options and feature/design constraints are one factor. Hive also has a wider selection of sound designers in the factory bank compared to Diva, so you get a more diverse set of perspectives in the factory content. And as Urs mentioned, complexity probably has something to do with it. I'd also bet that as the sound designers themselves continue to learn new tricks and refine their craft, that even some of those same folks that created factory patches 10 years ago would likely produce patches that sound better to today's ears (both ours and their own).

On second thought, I left out the most important factor perhaps: these are just one person's opinions at a particular point in time.

[hakey]

Three people said more-or-less the same thing, which is interesting, I think.

[spacepluk]

I got Repro to complement ZebraHZ some time ago and I ended up replacing Zebra with Diva... Definitely worth it to have both.

[Ploki]

I got Repro to complement ZebraHZ some time ago and I ended up replacing Zebra with Diva... Definitely worth it to have both.

the first u-he synth i bought was A.C.E. and i think it still sounds amazing, especially for the price.
Then Repro, then Hive. Got Diva in the bundle, but wasn't on my radar, but the more i play with it the more i like it. it's gooey, spongy, while repro is more thick, foggy.
I want a Zebra because i got Diva tho.

I usually do stuff with external effects anyway, but just yesterday i was finally able to craft a bass sound i was after for years and never got quite close - until Diva

[spacepluk]

Haha! letting Zebra go was a hard decision! I'll probably get it again after Z3 is released. I mean I would get all u-he plugins if I had the budget