u-he

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:47 pm

Urs wrote:
EvilDragon wrote:The best part of that is that some of those venerable digital synths can be had for quite cheap nowadays... But even so, Urs & co. do borrow stuff they analyze, anyways, right?
We're expanding rapidly... we'll be looking into Diode ladders and all sorts of evil and elegant filters soon. If they're applicable for modellation in Diva, I don't know yet.

What we've learned though is that it's impossible to model a filter (or anything) without actually having it. Even if you run a complete simulation in Spice or Qucs, things look considerably different in the real world. One needs the right ideas and good ears to get close enough.

Awesome, Urs!

taoyoyo · Post by **taoyoyo** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:21 pm

Nielzie wrote:
EvilDragon wrote:
taoyoyo wrote:maybe it's an idea for a second emu-type U-he synth specifically more for recreating those digital-type classics... 'Digi-Diva' or something?!
Hmm... I disagree splitting that into two products. Who wouldn't want to try to use Minimoog's oscillators through Roland D50 digital filter? Or to put PPG wavetables through a Minimoog filter?

DIVA could be an endless component-switching playground. Mix and match between various digital and analog oscillator types, filters, or envelopes... Fun!
I fully agree. Such digital/analog modelled marriages could be sweet

I don't disagree that the marriage might be very nice, just that the attraction for me with Diva is the simplicity of doing one thing (analog modeling) *really well*... in a plug-in world where 'everything has to do everything' it's refreshing to me... limitations that help one actually quickly program a great sound rather than getting caught up in the endless modulation options and sonic possibilities that a plug-in might have.

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:24 pm

I like the simplicity of Diva (it can still do more than you might expect)

The sound is going to please a lot of people!

justin3am · Post by **justin3am** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:34 pm

tommyzai, one of the things that has always appealed to me about U-He instruments is that their strengths are tough to categorize. I think that there are some synths that are designed to be "the ultimate bass synth" or "the pad machine" or "the lead monster" or whatever... I don't believe Urs designs these instruments from that perspective. It has always seemed to me, that Urs designs instruments with flexibility in mind so that the user can decide what the strengths are.

It's a shame if you find that frustrating.

taoyoyo · Post by **taoyoyo** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:44 pm

pdxindy wrote:I like the simplicity of Diva (it can still do more than you might expect)

The sound is going to please a lot of people!

Sounds perfect (no pun intended).

Nielzie · Post by **Nielzie** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:56 pm

taoyoyo wrote:
I don't disagree that the marriage might be very nice, just that the attraction for me with Diva is the simplicity of doing one thing (analog modeling) *really well*... in a plug-in world where 'everything has to do everything' it's refreshing to me... limitations that help one actually quickly program a great sound rather than getting caught up in the endless modulation options and sonic possibilities that a plug-in might have.

Why would the possibility to choose an analog moddeled oscillator run through a digital modelled filter or vice versa make it more complex? As I understand it this would be just some non-analog-moddeled modules in the list to choose from. We're not talking about deep modulation routings or matrixes

tommyzai · Post by **tommyzai** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:57 pm

justin3am wrote:tommyzai, . . . It's a shame if you find that frustrating.

Justin, Thank you for your response. I do NOT find instruments with flexibility frustrating. What I find frustrating is my ability to communicate a simple question on this thread. I edited out the rest of this. I give up. I hear you . . . There's no right or wrong; There's no best; Everyone has different taste; To each his own and so on. Ahhhrr. Basically, we are back to "try the demo and decide for yourself." Imagine if you were buying a car and asked the salesman questions and he gave you these answers. Back to Diva we go!

PeteJames · Post by **PeteJames** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:57 pm

Didn't know filterscape VA existed. Sounds interesting, I'll have to give it a try

Urs · Post by **Urs** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:09 pm

I've added a bit more contrast... what do you think?

Bronto Scorpio · Post by **Bronto Scorpio** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:11 pm

Sorry tommyzai but there is no right answer to your question. All U-He synths have completely different features (there is some overlap between ACE and Bazille though) and produce completely different sounds. They aren't just the same synth with different GUIs. It's impossible to say things like "ACE can do awesome basslines while Zebras bass is utter crap".
I'd really love to answer your question but it's impossible.

Now back to DIVA:
I guess Howie already made some nice factory presets?
And will there be some factory presets of classic synths? All the nice presets Eric Persing made for the Rolands for example (not necessary imo....but I guess some guys out there would appreciate it)?

Cheers
Dennis

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:11 pm

tommyzai wrote:
justin3am wrote:tommyzai, . . . It's a shame if you find that frustrating.
what SOUND are each best at producing.

there is no best... it depends from person to person.

tommyzai · Post by **tommyzai** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:11 pm

Much easier to see the knobs, sliders, logo, and stuff, but the wood side panels seem a little odd . . . not in-line with the rest of the design. Sorry, I know many like wood, but IMO 19' ears would work better in this case.

jupiter8 · Post by **jupiter8** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:14 pm

Oh peak even,i'm impressed.

Bronto Scorpio · Post by **Bronto Scorpio** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:16 pm

Urs wrote:I've added a bit more contrast... what do you think?

Looks even better now

Cheers
Dennis

bmrzycki · Post by **bmrzycki** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:16 pm

tommyzai wrote:What I find frustrating is my ability to communicate a simple question on this thread.

A good part of that is because I think what you're asking is not a simple question. The same synth can evoke completely different responses from 2 different people. One person might think it's the be-all-end-all for pads while the other uses it as their secret bass line creator. And if you asked each of them they'd tell you a completely different answer. the only way I've found what tool is good for Bass/Leads/Pads is to try it myself. Where does the tool guide me and where do I guide it? What section of the presets do I tend to spend the most time playing and examining? My answers as to what u-he synths are best for is most certainly different from a good deal of people here.

I will say of all the tools u-he has produced I find Zebra to be the most rewarding. The time spent on it always reaps sonic rewards later. The sheer number of modules and routing options means I can approach the sound I'm after in many different ways. And Urs keeps adding new modules + refinements for free since 2006. I guess you could call Zebra my comfort synth.

u-he

KVR Audio

The long DIVA thread