Analog synth to go with Hive 2
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 74 posts since 1 Jul, 2017
I intend on using u-He Hive 2 as my main soft synth, but I would like to purchase my first analog synth to use alongside it – partly to get the analog character, but also to have fun programming more hands-on.
I want something that has good sounding oscillators and filter, is quite versatile without being overly complex, useful for bass and leads, and for it to fit comfortably on my desk.
I've been tossing up between a Dreadbox Erebus V3 and a Novation Bass Station II. I can't say which is more versatile, but the Dreadbox is better looking (I love the look) and smaller. The Bass Station isn't desktop, but it will fit fairly comfortably on my desk – it's just not a particularly attractive unit, but the sound demos impress me and the recent updates are encouraging. The Roland SE-02 has also crossed my mind, mainly due to the compact size.
The other option I've considered would be to spend more and get a Novation Peak, but I wonder if it may overlap a bit with the capability and sound of Hive 2, and perhaps I'd be better off getting a mono synth – something that may be better for bass and leads. It's also a tad bigger than I'd really like at 464mm, but it should be okay.
I'm interested to know others thoughts on my synth candidates, or to take new recommendations. I wouldn't want anything bigger than the Peak and my max budget would be around the cost of the Peak.
Thanks.
I want something that has good sounding oscillators and filter, is quite versatile without being overly complex, useful for bass and leads, and for it to fit comfortably on my desk.
I've been tossing up between a Dreadbox Erebus V3 and a Novation Bass Station II. I can't say which is more versatile, but the Dreadbox is better looking (I love the look) and smaller. The Bass Station isn't desktop, but it will fit fairly comfortably on my desk – it's just not a particularly attractive unit, but the sound demos impress me and the recent updates are encouraging. The Roland SE-02 has also crossed my mind, mainly due to the compact size.
The other option I've considered would be to spend more and get a Novation Peak, but I wonder if it may overlap a bit with the capability and sound of Hive 2, and perhaps I'd be better off getting a mono synth – something that may be better for bass and leads. It's also a tad bigger than I'd really like at 464mm, but it should be okay.
I'm interested to know others thoughts on my synth candidates, or to take new recommendations. I wouldn't want anything bigger than the Peak and my max budget would be around the cost of the Peak.
Thanks.
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- KVRian
- 1457 posts since 26 Jun, 2002 from London, UK
Look for something that has an audio input. I have a lot of fun feeding VSTs such as Hive through a Microbrute or Mopho for instance.
Wavetables for DUNE2/3, Blofeld, IL Harmor, Hive and Serum etc: http://charlesdickens.neocities.org/
£10 for lifetime updates including wavetable editor for Windows.
Music: https://soundcloud.com/markholt
£10 for lifetime updates including wavetable editor for Windows.
Music: https://soundcloud.com/markholt
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 74 posts since 1 Jul, 2017
I have considered the DM12 before, but I was deterred when I saw a few people say that the raw oscillators don't sound very good and that it relies heavily on its internal FX. Also wondering if the lack of a third or sub osc will be limiting. I'm still open to it though. It's a very attractive unit nonetheless.
Never considered routing soft synths through pedals, but I'll keep that in mind as an option.
Thanks.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 74 posts since 1 Jul, 2017
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jacqueslacouth jacqueslacouth https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=48379
- KVRian
- 1149 posts since 18 Nov, 2004
After decades of not buying one, I finally went down the Moog route and picked up a Subsequent 37. A beautiful sounding, inspiring piece of craftsmanship which just continually begs to be played...It gives me a warm gooey feeling every time I play it.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 74 posts since 1 Jul, 2017
Beautiful synth I'd love to have, but out of my price range and too big for my desk. Glad to hear you're loving it.jacqueslacouth wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2019 12:03 am After decades of not buying one, I finally went down the Moog route and picked up a Subsequent 37. A beautiful sounding, inspiring piece of craftsmanship which just continually begs to be played...It gives me a warm gooey feeling every time I play it.
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- KVRAF
- 8074 posts since 16 Oct, 2006
The peak costs between £999 - £1099 depends on where you go.Dim Vision wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:33 pm I wouldn't want anything bigger than the Peak and my max budget would be around the cost of the Peak.
Thanks.
What about an Elektron Analog 4 it costs around £1037 and sounds fantastic plus it has overbridge.
Elektron Digitone is small but powerful too costs £579
Rob
- GRRRRRRR!
- 15846 posts since 14 Jun, 2001 from Somewhere else, on principle
Yeah, you'd be crazy to go past Analog 4 - it can be a four voice polysynth or four monosynths or anything in-between. As Rob says, the sound is incredible, the best hardware synth I've heard in a very long time. Or, if you just want to dip your toe in the water, get an Uno and see how it goes. I reckon you'll be surprised how good it is.
Last edited by BONES on Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
NOVAkILL : Asus RoG Flow Z13, Core i9, 16GB RAM, Win11 | EVO 16 | Studio One | bx_oberhausen, GR-8, JP6K, Union, Hexeract, Olga, TRK-01, SEM, BA-1, Thorn, Prestige, Spire, Legend-HZ, ANA-2, VG Iron 2 | Uno Pro, Rocket.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 74 posts since 1 Jul, 2017
I actually bought the Digitone because it's around my price range, excellent build quality and form factor, but I regret not going analog. I also don't want a groove box — I'm really only interested in designing patches in a more hands-on way. I'm returning it, and will just use Operator for FM.rob_lee wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2019 12:29 amThe peak costs between £999 - £1099 depends on where you go.Dim Vision wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:33 pm I wouldn't want anything bigger than the Peak and my max budget would be around the cost of the Peak.
Thanks.
What about an Elektron Analog 4 it costs around £1037 and sounds fantastic plus it has overbridge.
Elektron Digitone is small but powerful too costs £579
Rob
Analog 4 is tempting though, and Overbridge is very convenient and useful.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 74 posts since 1 Jul, 2017
I'll have to look into the Analog 4 more closely. I ruled it out earlier because when you start getting up to synths in its price category you start to get good 8 voice units, such as Peak and Rev2.BONES wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:05 am Yeah, you'd be crazy to go past Analog 4 - it can be a four voice polysynth or four monosynths or anything in-between. As Rob says, the sound is incredible, the best hardware synth I've heard in a very long time. Or, if you just want to dip your toe in the water, get an Uno and se how it goes. I reckon you'll be surprised how good it is.
I'll take another look and listen to the Uno as well, since it's dirt cheap.
- GRRRRRRR!
- 15846 posts since 14 Jun, 2001 from Somewhere else, on principle
Why do you regret not going analogue? As much as I love my Analog Keys, Pulse 2 and Uno, I rate Ultranova, MicroMonsta and Skulpt just as highly and use them all for the same kinds of things. In fact, of the six of them, I'd put the Pulse 2 last. It sounds great but despite it's incredible depth of ability, it doesn't do anything I can't cover with MicroMonsta at least as well and it doesn't sound objectively better to my ears. Same with Uno and Skulpt. As much as I love Uno, if it came to a choice I'd take Skulpt because it can do all the stuff Uno does and a whole lot more besides. I would take Analog Keys over Ultranova, though, there is something really special about it that is rare and precious, but I doubt it has much to do with it being analogue. It's just a really well crafted instrument.
At the end of the day I just don't find anything special about analogue synths and it's not something that comes into my purchasing decision process at all. e.g. I didn't buy Uno because it's analogue, I bought it because it sounds amazing and does a lot for the money. Those are the exact same reasons I bought Skulpt and it's nearly twice the price.
At the end of the day I just don't find anything special about analogue synths and it's not something that comes into my purchasing decision process at all. e.g. I didn't buy Uno because it's analogue, I bought it because it sounds amazing and does a lot for the money. Those are the exact same reasons I bought Skulpt and it's nearly twice the price.
NOVAkILL : Asus RoG Flow Z13, Core i9, 16GB RAM, Win11 | EVO 16 | Studio One | bx_oberhausen, GR-8, JP6K, Union, Hexeract, Olga, TRK-01, SEM, BA-1, Thorn, Prestige, Spire, Legend-HZ, ANA-2, VG Iron 2 | Uno Pro, Rocket.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 74 posts since 1 Jul, 2017
I might arrive at the same conclusion as you, but since I've never used an analog synth I want to experience it and decide for myself. That's why I regret it.BONES wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:45 am Why do you regret not going analogue? As much as I love my Analog Keys, Pulse 2 and Uno, I rate Ultranova, MicroMonsta and Skulpt just as highly and use them all for the same kinds of things. In fact, of the six of them, I'd put the Pulse 2 last. It sounds great but despite it's incredible depth of ability, it doesn't do anything I can't cover with MicroMonsta at least as well and it doesn't sound objectively better to my ears. Same with Uno and Skulpt. As much as I love Uno, if it came to a choice I'd take Skulpt because it can do all the stuff Uno does and a whole lot more besides. I would take Analog Keys over Ultranova, though, there is something really special about it that is rare and precious, but I doubt it has much to do with it being analogue. It's just a really well crafted instrument.
At the end of the day I just don't find anything special about analogue synths and it's not something that comes into my purchasing decision process at all. e.g. I didn't buy Uno because it's analogue, I bought it because it sounds amazing and does a lot for the money. Those are the exact same reasons I bought Skulpt and it's nearly twice the price.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 74 posts since 1 Jul, 2017
I've read a few posts on Gearslutz, people saying if you don't intend to make use of the sequencing capabilities, you are better off not getting the Analog Four. Since I am returning the Digitone for similar reasons, I'm disinclined from getting the Analog Four.