I Have Zebra, do I need Diva, or Hive?
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SynthasaurusRex SynthasaurusRex https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=470752
- KVRer
- 29 posts since 19 Jul, 2020
I'm mostly interested in sound design, which Zebra (2, HZ - now Legacy) covers in spades. Now that the rare sale is on, is there a compelling reason to add Diva? Or Hive? I have demos of both and I'm not seeing it.
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- Banned
- 1646 posts since 4 Aug, 2017
Hive can load Serum wavetables plus waveforms and wavetables from other synths.
Also, I would look specifically at these features of Hive:
12 x 2 modulation matrix slots with modifiers for curvature, rectification, quantization, sample & hold, slew rate
Unique 8-step shape sequencer with 4 independent outputs
Arpeggiator, step sequencer with real-time recording
Scale quantizer with pre-defined list of scales
2 function generators which can serve as extra envelopes, gate generators, LFOs, slew limiters
Also, I would look specifically at these features of Hive:
12 x 2 modulation matrix slots with modifiers for curvature, rectification, quantization, sample & hold, slew rate
Unique 8-step shape sequencer with 4 independent outputs
Arpeggiator, step sequencer with real-time recording
Scale quantizer with pre-defined list of scales
2 function generators which can serve as extra envelopes, gate generators, LFOs, slew limiters
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- KVRist
- 101 posts since 20 Feb, 2018 from La Spezia, Italy
I'm probably not the right person to ask advice to, because I own all U-He tools.
And well, strictly speaking, you *didn't* ask me: so, gosh! You have a point on that! Anyway...
To me, U-He synths are musical instruments, not soft synths.
Each has its own specific character, which I use for different roles in my toolset, just like old keyboards.
Just to tell you, you didn't name Repro-1 which is my go-to for bass sequencers and nostalgic leads.
When I want that "old" style pads or singing leads I go to Diva, especially if I have to tweak the sound while playing: it feels so "analog".
When I want bright and "bellsy" sounds, moreover if arpeggiated, I prefer Hive. And so on.
So, as far you can get, you can't go wrong, in my opinion, with any of U-He synths.
Profit from the offer! Doesn't happen often.
Cheers,
Fabrizio
And well, strictly speaking, you *didn't* ask me: so, gosh! You have a point on that! Anyway...
To me, U-He synths are musical instruments, not soft synths.
Each has its own specific character, which I use for different roles in my toolset, just like old keyboards.
Just to tell you, you didn't name Repro-1 which is my go-to for bass sequencers and nostalgic leads.
When I want that "old" style pads or singing leads I go to Diva, especially if I have to tweak the sound while playing: it feels so "analog".
When I want bright and "bellsy" sounds, moreover if arpeggiated, I prefer Hive. And so on.
So, as far you can get, you can't go wrong, in my opinion, with any of U-He synths.
Profit from the offer! Doesn't happen often.
Cheers,
Fabrizio
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- KVRAF
- 9521 posts since 6 Oct, 2004
Go through the Howard Scar presets from Diva and Hive, comparing them to your designs in Zebra.SynthasaurusRex wrote: Fri Dec 23, 2022 1:16 am I'm mostly interested in sound design, which Zebra (2, HZ - now Legacy) covers in spades. Now that the rare sale is on, is there a compelling reason to add Diva? Or Hive? I have demos of both and I'm not seeing it.
The greater the differences, the more compelling the purchases could be.
Perhaps an upgrade in hardware midi controller would make your Zebra work even more productive?
Cheers
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- Banned
- 1646 posts since 4 Aug, 2017
I would check out these to see what you can do with sound design in Hive:
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Funkybot's Evil Twin Funkybot's Evil Twin https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=116627
- KVRAF
- 12455 posts since 16 Aug, 2006
Yeah, from a sound-design perspective, I think Hive brings something to the table. It can be deceptively deep, disguised by a facade of simplicity.
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SynthasaurusRex SynthasaurusRex https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=470752
- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 29 posts since 19 Jul, 2020
Thanks everyone for your replies. I've decided on Hive for now. At $74.50 it's an easy choice.
Absolutely, I've been seeing Howard Scarr's work since long before Zebra.glokraw wrote:Go through the Howard Scar presets from Diva and Hive
Thanks for the reference. I'll certainly take a look at those videos.tony10000 wrote:I would check out these to see what you can do with sound design in Hive
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- KVRist
- 237 posts since 5 Feb, 2006 from Toronto
If you're Hans Zimmer apparently Zebra HZ* is 'everything you need' 
but I have them all, too — for what it's worth HIVE and the ZEBRAs and the Eurorack module U-HE's CVLization are seeing the most use from me lately, but I do like to switch it up.
D.I.V.A. is amazing and I have used and then owned it since it's betas and release tbh "VA" is not as appealing as it once was because I have tons of IRL *real* not virtual ANALOG hardware instruments now and I did not have ANY when I first got DIVA and all of the very earliest U-He products.
If PLUGMON is still doing the World Cup Sale buy everything they have available for HIVE and all of the U-HE sounds and themes. Unlike most 'skins' that just change GUI colors PLUGMON adds plenty of zoom and added bonus functionality.
* Yes that is PLUGMONs theme Hans Zimmer uses on his Zebra
but I have them all, too — for what it's worth HIVE and the ZEBRAs and the Eurorack module U-HE's CVLization are seeing the most use from me lately, but I do like to switch it up.D.I.V.A. is amazing and I have used and then owned it since it's betas and release tbh "VA" is not as appealing as it once was because I have tons of IRL *real* not virtual ANALOG hardware instruments now and I did not have ANY when I first got DIVA and all of the very earliest U-He products.
If PLUGMON is still doing the World Cup Sale buy everything they have available for HIVE and all of the U-HE sounds and themes. Unlike most 'skins' that just change GUI colors PLUGMON adds plenty of zoom and added bonus functionality.
* Yes that is PLUGMONs theme Hans Zimmer uses on his Zebra
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- KVRist
- 237 posts since 5 Feb, 2006 from Toronto
What's Icarus? Does it let you save Wavetables in different formats?
Recently discovered the 4ms Spherical Wavetable Navigator WTs are in 512k format which I'm guessing may account for considerably different sound?
I have been using several softwares for the same purpose —to resynthesize audio into wavetables bring into Hive 'cuz none of the other wavetable synths sound or work quite as well compared to HIVE though I still use and really like stock + other WT synths too.
Recently discovered the 4ms Spherical Wavetable Navigator WTs are in 512k format which I'm guessing may account for considerably different sound?
I have been using several softwares for the same purpose —to resynthesize audio into wavetables bring into Hive 'cuz none of the other wavetable synths sound or work quite as well compared to HIVE though I still use and really like stock + other WT synths too.
pdxindy wrote: Sat Dec 24, 2022 7:10 pm I resynthesize audio into wavetables in Icarus and then bring them into Hive to use as exciters for the comb filters. Can't do that with Zebra 2
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O S X 12.5 -- > + --> VENTURA 13
O S X 12.5 -- > + --> VENTURA 13-
- KVRist
- 237 posts since 5 Feb, 2006 from Toronto
Dang~ found 2TONE Icarus 2 site but there's no trial version for the Mac Platform so I can resist that temptation for now LOL
addedndum to the OP U-He purchase questions if NI are discounting the U-He FX plugins they get potentially even MORE use than the instruments… I use them on everything
addedndum to the OP U-He purchase questions if NI are discounting the U-He FX plugins they get potentially even MORE use than the instruments… I use them on everything
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O S X 12.5 -- > + --> VENTURA 13
O S X 12.5 -- > + --> VENTURA 13-
- KVRAF
- 26961 posts since 3 Feb, 2005 from in the wilds
Icarus is a synth by Tone2.
It does a good job resynthesizing audio of different types. Its a good wavetable synth on its own too. I don't think it export in different formats. Serum does.
It does a good job resynthesizing audio of different types. Its a good wavetable synth on its own too. I don't think it export in different formats. Serum does.
petedako wrote: Sun Dec 25, 2022 7:16 pm What's Icarus? Does it let you save Wavetables in different formats?
Recently discovered the 4ms Spherical Wavetable Navigator WTs are in 512k format which I'm guessing may account for considerably different sound?
I have been using several softwares for the same purpose —to resynthesize audio into wavetables bring into Hive 'cuz none of the other wavetable synths sound or work quite as well compared to HIVE though I still use and really like stock + other WT synths too.pdxindy wrote: Sat Dec 24, 2022 7:10 pm I resynthesize audio into wavetables in Icarus and then bring them into Hive to use as exciters for the comb filters. Can't do that with Zebra 2
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- u-he
- 30201 posts since 8 Aug, 2002 from Berlin
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- Banned
- 1646 posts since 4 Aug, 2017
Has he ever used Hive or any other u-he synth besides Zebra/HZ?