[HIVE2] I need help/advice with the reverb module of this synth.

[Karmoon]

Dear all,

EDIT:
After getting advice from people, I have now resolved this issue and have a better understanding of how to use this synth.

I struggle to get good results out of Hive2's reverb module.

The synth is brilliant. I use it for making SFX, for cinematic work, for metal, for electronic stuff. It is good at everything. I use it in virtually all of my projects. I make all my own patches, but I make time to study the patches of a man called "Howard Scarr" (the HS presets). His patches are like a synthesis master class imbedded within the synth.

It is for these reasons I suspect that the problem is with me and not the synth.

To counter this, I use an external reverb (usually Valhalla Room). Then the results make me happy and I feel like I am flying through space.

What I don't understand is that with Diva, I can get results that make me happy with the inbuilt reverb. I feel like I am exploring galactic anomalies. But with Hive I cannot get the reverb to work well for me. I can use it for subtle room ambiences and such very easily. But I cannot get that "I am exploring other galaxies" feeling that I get when using Diva's reverb or an external reverb. When I stack the reverb after heavy delay, then I can get close...but something is missing.

I have read the documentation and feel that I understand the parameters of reverb plugins.

Please note, this post is in no way a complaint against the synth or people who crafted it and should not be interpreted in such a manner. It just seems to me that the reverb module stands out because I find it to be "ok/decent" and not "bloody hell this is amazing."

I would be interested to know if anyone can give me advice or feels the same way.

Thanks.

[claudedefaren]

...

[Urs]

It is literally the same reverb algorithm in Hive and Diva, but we use a different parameter set. In Hive you get a pre-effect tilt filter ("Tone") and a combined mix parameter, whereas Diva you have separate dry/wet parameters and an additional Diffusion parameter - which in Hive is internally linked to the Decay parameter (more decay leads to higher diffusion). We think that Hive's reverb is slightly easier to use (Decay and Diffusion are linked in a sweet spot for our taste) and it is - thanks to the Tone control - more creatively versatile.

[Karmoon]

It's a common criticism of Hive that the reverb and delay are its weakest points. IMO better to stick with Valhalla.

Hive's reverb is just too quiet. You really have to crank the Wet knob to get enough out of it, but then you've lost too much of the dry volume, and the patch overall becomes much quieter. Same for the delay. Valhalla room is much better in this regard, plus its modulation is a lot more obvious and allows you to get spacey where the Hive one does not.

Diva's plate reverb by comparison lets you adjust the volume of dry and wet separately.

To counteract this shortcoming you can use the compressor after the reverb in Hive purely as a Gain booster (Amount set to 0, only increase the Gain knob) but even still it's not going to be as good as using Valhalla.

I think the same reverb is in Zebra btw, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Thank you. This post was extremely helpful. I think my main issue is likely the wet/dry knob VS independent controls for dry and wet signal.

I am glad I posted, it makes sense now.

[Karmoon]

It is literally the same reverb algorithm in Hive and Diva, but we use a different parameter set. In Hive you get a pre-effect tilt filter ("Tone") and a combined mix parameter, whereas Diva you have separate dry/wet parameters and an additional Diffusion parameter - which in Hive is internally linked to the Decay parameter (more decay leads to higher diffusion). We think that Hive's reverb is slightly easier to use (Decay and Diffusion are linked in a sweet spot for our taste) and it is - thanks to the Tone control - more creatively versatile.

Yes, the tone control of the reverb in Hive is very useful. I apologise for neglecting that in my original post. That's a great feature.

Based on the other user's post, my problem is in fact my own workflow and not the synth itself. I will endeavour to practice more with the reverb module of Hive. I often end up outputting synths to something like Triad or guitar pedals anyway, so this really isn't a big deal. But I am glad that I asked.

Thank you for your reply, and really, thank you for your plugins. They add a great deal of joy to my working day.

[Howard]

It's a common criticism of Hive that the reverb and delay are its weakest points.

I hear that criticism for the first time here - so I'd hardly call it "common"!

I think the same reverb is in Zebra btw, but correct me if I'm wrong.

They are very different.

[claudedefaren]

...

[Urs]

Here is one such example of multiple people saying this very thing: viewtopic.php?t=430018

I don't see anyone criticising Hive's reverb...?

[Urs]

Thank you for correcting me on Zebra being VERY different. The parameters are the same as Zebra's NuVerb, so I assumed.

Yes, NuVerb is Hive's reverb. I guess Howard was thinking about Zebra's other reverb unit.

[claudedefaren]

...

[[nx]]

Hive 2's reverb does get too quiet.

[Viktor [TUC]]

Hive 2 has many ways to increase volumes, quiet reverb should be easily remedied.

[Chris-S]

Just add the compressor (with amount=zero) and crank up the Out-knob.