Diva vs. Repro?

[MissOptimyst]

Hi everyone! I’ve always heard amazing things and sounds from these synths so I am looking to start my U-He collection in the near future. I am looking for one very digital synth and one analog sounding synth, at least to start.

So far for the digital synth I’m pretty sold on Hive 2. In terms of analog sounding synths, would I be better off with Diva or Repro? What are the major differences? Why do you prefer one over the other? Any advice would be amazing!

[yellowmix]

It's apples and oranges.

Diva is generally more flexible, it has swappable modules and more modulation sources, it's a synth toolkit to me. RePro is an accurate (to the degree analog synths of the same model are accurate to each other) model of a specific synth and has newer technology and an excellent sequencer (you can sequence with Diva but it's not as straightforward).

If I could have only one? Diva purely out of its flexibility. I could make one-synth songs with RePro but it's harder. But you're not making one synth songs are you? And you already have Hive which is already very flexible, so you need not necessarily cover the bases and go for a very characterful synth.

My suggestion is demo both, read the manuals as there is a lot of depth. Make tracks with Hive and the other, see what complements the way you work best. The demos are very generous to me. They last forever, with intermittent noise. Beats time limitations any day.

[MissOptimyst]

It's apples and oranges.

Diva is generally more flexible, it has swappable modules and more modulation sources, it's a synth toolkit to me. RePro is an accurate (to the degree analog synths of the same model are accurate to each other) model of a specific synth and has newer technology and an excellent sequencer (you can sequence with Diva but it's not as straightforward).

If I could have only one? Diva purely out of its flexibility. I could make one-synth songs with RePro but it's harder. But you're not making one synth songs are you? And you already have Hive which is already very flexible, so you need not necessarily cover the bases and go for a very characterful synth.

My suggestion is demo both, read the manuals as there is a lot of depth. Make tracks with Hive and the other, see what complements the way you work best. The demos are very generous to me. They last forever, with intermittent noise. Beats time limitations any day.

Thanks! Diva does sound more what I may be looking for then. I definitely use more than one synth lol I have quite a collection already right now. Of which, I have V Collection so I don’t need something that is an exact emulation per se. If anything I want a beefier sounding analog synth with character to compliment the instruments I already have.

Who knows down the road if I enjoy Hive 2 and Diva a lot I may be in the market for Repro. For now just want to stick with two. Best of both worlds basically.

[lunardigs]

In terms of sounds, I'd say Diva tends more toward smooth, beautiful sounds. While Repro--especially Repro-1--sounds edgy with a lot of crisp presence. Surely this is subjective. Although, if you demo their respective presets, you may get the same sense.

For instance, someone I work with just bought Repro, because, in his opinion, it sounds aggressive and powerful for drum & bass. I'd agree.

[dune_rave]

i have chosen diva, when decided between diva and repro.

[MissOptimyst]

In terms of sounds, I'd say Diva tends more toward smooth, beautiful sounds. While Repro--especially Repro-1--sounds edgy with a lot of crisp presence. Surely this is subjective. Although, if you demo their respective presets, you may get the same sense.

For instance, someone I work with just bought Repro, because, in his opinion, it sounds aggressive and powerful for drum & bass. I'd agree.

This really helps too for me to think Diva is probably more the way to go. I have enough synths with grit. I definitely like the idea of smooth and beautiful.

[Dirtgrain]

I demoed them both for months before getting Diva. I still want the Repro duo at some point.

[MissOptimyst]

I should probably go the demo route as well. I usually don’t, but in the case of U-He isn’t that what you download anyway and then put your serial in once you buy it? I mine as well try them out for myself first.

[Dirtgrain]

Yep. The demos just spit out noise periodically.

[sleepcircle]

I am going to have to be in the minority here, I can make repro1/5 do pretty much anything i want with a bit of work, and the sound just SHREDS. it's wild without needing to depend on the modern crutch of over-distortion/bitcrushing for its wildness.

i messed around with diva a lot, and it is great and very flexible, but i always come back to repro when i need something really strong and defined.

[aaron aardvark]

I personally like Repro better, though Diva is very good also. Just try the demos and decide for yourself.

[Nevel]

I recently bought Diva and I really really like it. It's amazing and so flexible.

Now I'm thinking about purchasing Repro also.
Do you guys have and use both?
Are you using Repro for specific sounds that you cannot make with Diva?

Thanks

[lunardigs]

Yes, both here. Repro-1 produces my favorite Reese bass sound lately. It's powerful and smooth. It also has the 'analog drift' sound. Plus, the filter and it's options are really good. There's also a wavefolder effect if want it gnarly sounding. Yet, for me, a clean transparent Reese sound is the best.
Diva is second for making this sound IMO. I've tried all the models too. Repro always seems to be more present--which of course could be a reason to choose Diva in some cases. Diva is also quite smooth here.
Noteworthy too is that Repro (1 or 5) seems to use as much or more CPU as compared to Diva for similar patches.

[Nevel]

Yes, both here. Repro-1 produces my favorite Reese bass sound lately. It's powerful and smooth. It also has the 'analog drift' sound. Plus, the filter and it's options are really good.

Nice to hear, I also like that Repro1 has a built in sequencer so it gives me more creativity. I think I'll use Diva for smooth and mellow sounds such as pads, ambience and leads and Repro for bassline, sequences and more aggressive sounds.

I was also interested in Hive but I find Repro more characteristic and 'real' if you know what I mean, and I fear I actually still have to learn more about synthesis and modular techniques to fully enjoy Hive or Zebra.

Thank you for your input

[Ou_Tis]

I have both, but I strongly prefer Repro. Maybe I haven't given Diva enough of a chance though; I dislike the presets (they're great at reproducing a sort of cheesy, campy 70's synth sound). I've never used a hardware synth and have minimal interest in learning the antique skeuomorphic controls. Any good examples of a more contemporary sound from Diva?