Hive 2.0 is out!

[EvilDragon]

Yet another one who doesn't understand that MSEG simply doesn't fit into Hive's concept of keeping it all simple and accessible.

And whining about CPU when it's still one of the most efficient synths out there, compared to everything it can do and at that level of sound quality, is completely ridiculous.

[PieBerger]

Yet another one who doesn't understand that MSEG simply doesn't fit into Hive's concept of keeping it all simple and accessible.

Indeed. I'm happy we got a more streamlined, 'fun' solution, I can't stand MSEGs. Every single one I've used in a synth has been an inspirational/workflow blackhole.

[Stefken]

1. Hive 2 uses more CPU

It's actually very cpu efficient.

2. The Mod-Tool is very restricted compared a MSEG.

You may want to reconsider that...

[Urs]

According to my own measurements, Hive 1.x LFOs + Envs use more CPU than Hive 2.0's LFOs + Envs + FGs + ShapeSeq, because I managed to squeeze more cycles out of LFOs and envs than the new stuff uses. The ModMatrix had a major speed improvement in Hive 1.2. As far as I can remember, oscillators and filters have not been touched.

But to be honest, that doesn't mean much, it's measured on just one machine.

[KBSoundSmith]

I do not upgrade from Hive 1.2 to V 2.0 because

1. Hive 2 uses more CPU
2. The Mod-Tool is very restricted compared a MSEG. The user has no possibilty to change the lenght and speed of a segment in that editor and there are only 8 curves possible. In a MSEG like in Harmor you con draw with pensil 3 or 300 curves and adjust everything.
This Toy-Shit-Tool can do nothing compared to a MSEG except blinking like a baby-toy and I have tested this Hive 2 and have also VSTis with very good MSEGs
3. The distance between solo of OSC1/Filter1 and OSC2/Filter2 is much to big
4. The colorization of this Hive 2 is awfull in my view

I am satisfied with Hive 1.2 for what it does and for what I am using it.

Well not every synth is for everyone, regardless of the quality of their reasons.

When I want to use highly customizable MSEGs, I turn to Zebra. Or Serum. Or FM8. But I'd say it's worth learning how to actually use Hive 2, because the Shape Sequencer CAN be used as an MSEG, albeit without an arbitrary number of points. The shape sequencers, while having the appearance of being basic, are actually very powerful if you take the time to experiment with how they can be used, especially once they begin interacting with other modulation sources. There is more than meets the eye here.

The other thing is that you may be used to an East Coast paradigm (in general, my preference too), whereas Hive takes inspiration from some West Coast synth philosophies, which have a very different approach to sound design and modulation. It'd be worth taking a look into some Buchla modules etc to get an idea of where the new modulation options are coming from, as well as the non-linear ways people tend to use these modules (the simplicity is only surface level). Hive is a marriage of East Coast Osc+Filter and West Coast modulation. I think the solution is elegant and a fun contrast to how I normally program in something like Zebra.

As for your complaints about the GUI... dunno. Artistically, I think it's one of the nicest GUIs out there. I really like the aesthetic. My one issue is with the mirrored positioning of corresponding elements (eg Amp 1 and Amp 2). Being used to "read left to right" rather than "read left to right... AND right to left," I have inadvertently adjust Mod 2 when my intention was to adjust Amp2 -- yes I should read the envelope, but when working fast, the default is to expect the same layout. Other than that, I've little to complain about.

[Stefken]

+1 on everything.

Not a fan of the mirroring either but still a fine piece of engineering. I understand a second skin is in the works and if the designer is who I think it is, I most likely will go for this second skin.

[pdxindy]

Yet another one who doesn't understand that MSEG simply doesn't fit into Hive's concept of keeping it all simple and accessible.

Indeed. I'm happy we got a more streamlined, 'fun' solution, I can't stand MSEGs. Every single one I've used in a synth has been an inspirational/workflow blackhole.

In general, I don't much care for MSEG's either. I do like the ones in Zebra because they have attack, loop (sustain) and release sections plus ability to control/modulate the speed of each independently. The Zebra MSEG's are flexible and useful without having to use many points.

Drawing long complex shapes in MSEG's I find tedious and not of much use to me. Sounds too static as the shape itself cannot be modulated. When I started really getting into Bazille, I missed having an MSEG... then I discovered the beauty and musicality of having simpler modulators that could be inter-connected and modulated. It gives more organic results than the standard MSEG... There was for sure some learning curve but once past that, I've never missed the MSEG and for most purposes find the more modular approach superior.

No doubt there will be some specific cases where Hive's new modulators cannot do what a regular MSEG could. But most of the time they can... and they can also do a range of things MSEG's cannot. And they do it all quite easily... it just takes a shift in mental approach.

[PieBerger]

+1 on everything.

Not a fan of the mirroring either but still a fine piece of engineering. I understand a second skin is in the works and if the designer is who I think it is, I most likely will go for this second skin.

I'm hoping that it's who you/I think it is too No disrespect to the current design, which I think is great and a step up from the previous blue/orange incarnation.

[samsam]

Should go all out on the mirroring and make the right hand envelopes RSDA...

[Urs]

The problem is, people see faces in anything more or less symmetrical. If we don't mirror the modules, it'll look like the smiley.

[Cinebient]

As alternative maybe upside down...will go well along with the next Stranger Things

[Stefken]

Should go all out on the mirroring and make the right hand envelopes RSDA...

You beat Vurt to it .

[anoise]

+1 on everything.

Not a fan of the mirroring either but still a fine piece of engineering. I understand a second skin is in the works and if the designer is who I think it is, I most likely will go for this second skin.

I'm hoping that it's who you/I think it is too No disrespect to the current design, which I think is great and a step up from the previous blue/orange incarnation.

Eclipse "2"...right?...

[Yorrrrrr]

Though initially I didn't like the mirroring concept from an usability/consistency point of view, I guess it's better from a design perspective, so maybe it's just a matter of getting used to.

[david.beholder]

Please stay on topic and do not turn this thread into yet another licensing / copy protection debate.

That would be much appreciated!

Damn, Urs, I didn't have time yesterday to put my share of jokes about it in this thread. And today it's not welcome anymore