This is the right answer. They are both excellent at what they do. Diva is more flexible and general in usage and sounds excellent because it emulates parts of diffent well known synths that you can recombine. Repro gives you the sound of Dave Smith's legendary Prophet synths and the included effects are great (as Jon demonstrated). I own most of the U-he line. They all are excellent synths designed by a company that really cares about quality.
That's a good question you're asking. Both are top notch synths. Diva has more options. But Repro 5 sounds so incredibly good, even though it seems like a very simple synth. It is the best sounding synthesizer I've heard so far.
I'm so so so glad you made this. I would also really love a Diva or Hive video! I own both, and I'm often not sure which to reach for, since it seems like you can make a lot of the same simpler sounds with both.
Was planning to get Repro 5 on black friday - my other main synths: Hive, F'em, Biotek 2, and MOK Miniraze. Renoise Redux as my sampler. I passed up getting a SC Pro One so many times for like $400 as a youngster, I really want this recreation! Recorded a real Prophet before too in my old studio. Love the vibes and the effects are great! You mentioned liking Lyrebird - that was the starting point for U-he's delay plugin "Colour Copy" which is a fun time.
Diva for versatility if I had to chose one. Both are great though. I wish u-he produce a synth like UVI's Falcon where we could chose modules from Diva, Repro, Zebra, etc.
I've actually been meaning to reach out with that as a video idea/a thing I'd love your thoughts on - "how do you choose which synth to use"? Of course, some are super unique or have very particular sounds, but in general, with Diva, Pigments, Hive, Massive, Serum... how do you decide which to use? I imagine it's part sound quality, and part how comfortable you are with the workflow, because there's probably a lot of overlap. Anyway, was super glad to see this video, because you're addressing exactly the kind of questions I've been having.
Two of my favorite synths, There is something special about Repro, I love opening it up and just playing around with sounds. Have you tried out any of the Usual Suspects' Virus emulations?
I've a question that's been nagging me and is hopefully related. I’m not very good at designing sounds, and that’s okay: as a hobbyist, I haven’t been able to give the craft enough time and dedication to become proficient. I have three jobs :-) But I also seem to have a more specific problem: while I can and have made perfectly usable sounds with modern wavetable synths such as Pigments or PhasePlant (also with the granular oscillators in both), I am utterly hopeless at getting anything not completely banal from analog-modeled synths such as Diva or any Minimoog emulation, or literally anything from Cherry Audio (except Harmonia, Harmonia is awesome for me). I once dedicated a week to practicing making ambient plucks in any synth I have that can even make a pluck, dozens of instruments. Turns out, Vital, PhasePlant, Pigments, Surge XT, Massive X and such are no problem, I made way nicer plucks in all of them than I expected. But never, not once in the analog emulations - there it was hopeless. No matter if I tried Diva, Lush 2, Retrologue, Obsession, Arturia’s OpX-a, Model 72 or (now) Model 78 from Softube, it was all awfully basic and bland. Sure, it was a pluck, and sure, the filter envelope was doing its job, but the overall sound was just banal. In Vital I can start from a pure sine wave and come out with something that’s unique and possibly interesting. But never with these “oldies”. Do others have a similar experience? What do I need to “get” those synths with two boring waveforms, PWM, a filter, a basic unison and not much else? What am I missing?
Diva is the first u-he synth I got and if you can just afford one, it would be my recommendation. It strikes such a good balance between versatility and ease of use, while also having its own character. I only got u-he repro this year, because I wasn't sure if it would be worth buying when I already own Diva. No regrets - I just love the sound and character of Repro. For just dabbling around and enjoying the sound, it's become my favorite synth, especially with this preset pack: th-cam.com/video/brzJaA95hpk/w-d-xo.html. Maybe because it's character fits my personal preferences well?
I own the arturia one and repro. I personally think they sound way different. Try the repro demo out though and see for yourself. Also I think repro sounds better than the srturia synth. But the arturia aound more like the real prophet
@@PeteGunnShow RE the sound of the Arturia vs Repro, yeah I agree that the Arturia sounds very much like an original Prophet (I had one years ago), and the u-he does sound different. I think I'd describe the u-he sound as "meatier". Maybe that's the Pro-1 influence on the plug-in? I'll have to try the demo again, and maybe pick Repro up when it's next on sale. Cheers!
@@GerenM63 yea, meatier is a good way to describe it. it also sounds more modern to me too, im not sure why. Thats really subjective tho. I got my copy of diva on Knobcloud for like $80 USD. Repro i did pay full price for. I think that is the only plugin I have ever paid full price for outside of rent to own with phaseplant or something. So if you are seriously considering trying to get it at a discount, and they dont do anything for black friday, check the second hand market. Alot of ppl dont realize that KVR and Knobcloud have used VSTs on there,. its a great way to save money. I just picked up a copy of RX10 elements for 9.95 because i needed something to get some reverb out of a stem that someone sent me. anyway, I am rambling lol
Both!
This is the right answer. They are both excellent at what they do. Diva is more flexible and general in usage and sounds excellent because it emulates parts of diffent well known synths that you can recombine. Repro gives you the sound of Dave Smith's legendary Prophet synths and the included effects are great (as Jon demonstrated). I own most of the U-he line. They all are excellent synths designed by a company that really cares about quality.
Haha, exactly my first thought!!
… It’s the only way to be sure, lol …
That's a good question you're asking. Both are top notch synths. Diva has more options. But Repro 5 sounds so incredibly good, even though it seems like a very simple synth. It is the best sounding synthesizer I've heard so far.
When I was faced with this question, I chose Repro - but if I had it to do over I would chose Diva.
I'm so so so glad you made this. I would also really love a Diva or Hive video! I own both, and I'm often not sure which to reach for, since it seems like you can make a lot of the same simpler sounds with both.
Both!! I love Repro for Bass!
Was planning to get Repro 5 on black friday - my other main synths: Hive, F'em, Biotek 2, and MOK Miniraze. Renoise Redux as my sampler.
I passed up getting a SC Pro One so many times for like $400 as a youngster, I really want this recreation! Recorded a real Prophet before too in my old studio. Love the vibes and the effects are great!
You mentioned liking Lyrebird - that was the starting point for U-he's delay plugin "Colour Copy" which is a fun time.
Repro sounds lovely, but I require more flexibility, so if I HAD to decide: Diva.
Diva for versatility if I had to chose one. Both are great though. I wish u-he produce a synth like UVI's Falcon where we could chose modules from Diva, Repro, Zebra, etc.
I've actually been meaning to reach out with that as a video idea/a thing I'd love your thoughts on - "how do you choose which synth to use"? Of course, some are super unique or have very particular sounds, but in general, with Diva, Pigments, Hive, Massive, Serum... how do you decide which to use? I imagine it's part sound quality, and part how comfortable you are with the workflow, because there's probably a lot of overlap.
Anyway, was super glad to see this video, because you're addressing exactly the kind of questions I've been having.
I can def put something like this together, it's a great topic!
If you do, you can absolutely count on my $$ support @@jonaudio!
Such a hard choice as these synths sound so good! So yes, it depends, but if possible, Both! 😆
Two of my favorite synths, There is something special about Repro, I love opening it up and just playing around with sounds. Have you tried out any of the Usual Suspects' Virus emulations?
I have so many damn synths. I am addicted to then. But repro gets used much more consistently than any other analog style synth in my collection.
I've a question that's been nagging me and is hopefully related. I’m not very good at designing sounds, and that’s okay: as a hobbyist, I haven’t been able to give the craft enough time and dedication to become proficient. I have three jobs :-)
But I also seem to have a more specific problem: while I can and have made perfectly usable sounds with modern wavetable synths such as Pigments or PhasePlant (also with the granular oscillators in both), I am utterly hopeless at getting anything not completely banal from analog-modeled synths such as Diva or any Minimoog emulation, or literally anything from Cherry Audio (except Harmonia, Harmonia is awesome for me). I once dedicated a week to practicing making ambient plucks in any synth I have that can even make a pluck, dozens of instruments. Turns out, Vital, PhasePlant, Pigments, Surge XT, Massive X and such are no problem, I made way nicer plucks in all of them than I expected. But never, not once in the analog emulations - there it was hopeless. No matter if I tried Diva, Lush 2, Retrologue, Obsession, Arturia’s OpX-a, Model 72 or (now) Model 78 from Softube, it was all awfully basic and bland. Sure, it was a pluck, and sure, the filter envelope was doing its job, but the overall sound was just banal. In Vital I can start from a pure sine wave and come out with something that’s unique and possibly interesting. But never with these “oldies”.
Do others have a similar experience? What do I need to “get” those synths with two boring waveforms, PWM, a filter, a basic unison and not much else? What am I missing?
At this price: Both ✌️
Diva is the first u-he synth I got and if you can just afford one, it would be my recommendation. It strikes such a good balance between versatility and ease of use, while also having its own character.
I only got u-he repro this year, because I wasn't sure if it would be worth buying when I already own Diva. No regrets - I just love the sound and character of Repro. For just dabbling around and enjoying the sound, it's become my favorite synth, especially with this preset pack: th-cam.com/video/brzJaA95hpk/w-d-xo.html. Maybe because it's character fits my personal preferences well?
Appreciate the share! That soundpack is so good. Probably picking up Repro on black friday and then snagging that.
U he is so great wish i had more money to throw at them
Repro or Pigments ?
I’m liking Diva more … 🤷🏻♂️
Both
I got a few Uhe things, and still not yet really using them...oh my, tho I don't heve repro5. Building a collection on uhe can get expensive hihii
I have Diva now, and considered buying Repro. But, already having Arturia's Prophet-5 V makes added Repro seem at least slightly redundant? Maybe?
I own the arturia one and repro. I personally think they sound way different. Try the repro demo out though and see for yourself. Also I think repro sounds better than the srturia synth. But the arturia aound more like the real prophet
@@PeteGunnShow RE the sound of the Arturia vs Repro, yeah I agree that the Arturia sounds very much like an original Prophet (I had one years ago), and the u-he does sound different. I think I'd describe the u-he sound as "meatier". Maybe that's the Pro-1 influence on the plug-in?
I'll have to try the demo again, and maybe pick Repro up when it's next on sale.
Cheers!
@@GerenM63 yea, meatier is a good way to describe it. it also sounds more modern to me too, im not sure why. Thats really subjective tho.
I got my copy of diva on Knobcloud for like $80 USD. Repro i did pay full price for. I think that is the only plugin I have ever paid full price for outside of rent to own with phaseplant or something. So if you are seriously considering trying to get it at a discount, and they dont do anything for black friday, check the second hand market. Alot of ppl dont realize that KVR and Knobcloud have used VSTs on there,. its a great way to save money. I just picked up a copy of RX10 elements for 9.95 because i needed something to get some reverb out of a stem that someone sent me.
anyway, I am rambling lol
DIVA OR ALEXIS TEXAS ?
Both?
The main question is why am I watching synth reviews when I already have synths that are perfectly fine? l would pick Diva.
Diva