u-he Hive 2 Software Synthesizer

Hive 2: Sleek, streamlined, supercharged
Hive’s clear layout and easy workflow let you create stunning patches in next to no time at all. Although surprisingly CPU-friendly, Hive doesn’t sacrifice flexibility or audio quality. Now packed with more controls than ever, version 2 opens up new dimensions of expression… and sheer fun!

Features

• Low CPU usage, 3 different synth engines
• 2 oscillators with standard waveforms or 2D wavetables, up to 16x unison, tunable sub-oscillators
• Drag & drop modulation assignment
• 12×2 modulation matrix slots with modifiers for curvature, rectification, quantization, sample & hold, slew rate
• 4 user-definable XY control pads
• Arpeggiator, step sequencer with real-time recording
• Unique 8-step shape sequencer with 4 independent outputs
• 2 function generators which can serve as extra envelopes, gate generators, LFOs, slew limiters
• 7 rearrangeable effects: distortion, chorus, delay, phaser, EQ, reverb, compressor
• Panel presets for oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, sequencer, FX and modulation matrix
• Solo buttons let you audition individual oscillators and filters during sound design
• Scope to view the audio output or any modulation signal, with freeze option and zoom controls
• Microtuning support (.tun files)
• 2000+ NKS-ready factory presets by some of our favourite sound designers, many more available online
• Resizable UI from 70% to 200%

Underneath its sleek exterior, Hive 2 lets you go as deep as you like. Add movement and life using the shape sequencer, or instantly record, rotate and arpeggiate note sequences. The 12-slot matrix even lets you modulate effect parameters, encouraging you to explore a whole new world of creative options. With its swappable audio engine, flexible signal routing, wavetable support and quality effects, Hive 2 makes sure you can get the sound you want with a minimum of fuss.

How it works
Hive 2 includes Wavetables! These appear as multiple waveforms, and are controlled in the central hexagon. You can manually select wavetables, modulate the wave position via the matrix, or even scan through them automatically using the envelope and loop options (which let you animate wavetables without the need for an extra modulation source).

This panel also offers a Reverse option to flip the wavetable back to front, Cyclic mode for seamless wavetable cycling, and various real-time interpolation methods.

Multi-Table
Wavetables can be split into multiple parts (up to 16), effectively creating a 2-dimensional oscillator. For instance, a wavetable with 30 frames can be split into 3 x 10 frames by setting Tables to 3. The lower Position knob will crossfade between those 3. This feature opens up a second dimension of wavetable scanning, such as velocity crossfade or multisample support.

UHM scripting
Want to go even deeper? Many of Hive’s factory wavetables are not samples, but “.uhm” files containing scripts written in a proprietary wavetable generation and manipulation language. If you’re interested in writing your own scripts, grab this document (also included in the Hive installer)…

Interpolation
Hive provides 4 different algorithms for interpolating between wavetable frames: switch, crossfade, spectral, or zero phase. The appearance (and CPU usage) of waveforms can differ significantly, depending on the chosen interpolation. The spectral and zero phase modes shift the relative phases of partials differently, while the switch option only shows non-interpolated waveforms.

Shape Sequencer
The Shape Sequencer is where you can create complex modulations and/or rhythmic patterns. It offers a comfortable way to ‘gamify’ rhythm creation. While it may look like a baby version of what other synths have to offer, Hive’s shape sequencer can do a lot more than first meets the eye…

The shape sequencer has four Shape Modulator lanes (A, B, C and D), each with an independent set of options determining how the active cells in that lane are sequenced: This means that the shape modulators can be triggered differently and run at different speeds..

Function Generators
Hive’s Function Generators combine simple envelope functionality with LFO, slew limiter (a.k.a. envelope follower) and gate control. Each of the three outputs has its own ‘crosshair’ you can drag & drop onto any modulation target, onto the Scope or even onto the modulation matrix source fields. Triggered and/or modulated by the LFOs, the Shape Sequencer and each other, Hive’s Function Generators can create some truly mind-bending motion effects!

Arpeggiator and Sequencer
The ARP/SEQ panel in the central hexagon is where you make rhythmic and melodic loops.

Arpeggiator
You can select up to 3 octaves range, 6 different direction options, and 4 for the order. Additional features are Restart, which sets the number of notes the arpeggiator will play before jumping back to the beginning, and ClockDiv, which slows the arpeggiator down relative to the sequencer.

Sequencer
The sequencer has 2 different modes, one of which lets you send control signals (CC) without triggering any notes. Like the arpeggiator, the sequence will run whenever one or more notes are played, and will stop when all notes are released. In record (REC) mode you can enter individual notes on your keyboard or even capture the output of the arpeggiator.

Flexible Effects
Hive’s hexagon includes 7 different effects: Distortion, Reverb, Equalier, Chorus, Delay, Compressor, and Phaser.

Enable and rearrange

The on/off status and position of each effect in the chain is controlled using the central column: Click once to enable or disable an effect, and drag up and down to rearrange. This ease of use invites experimental combinations e.g. short reverb into highly resonant phaser into heavy distortion.

Edit and modulate

Effects in Hive are fully-featured with many editable controls, a selection of presets, and the well known u-he quality.

Modulation Matrix
Hive features a 12-unit modulation matrix (6 units per page) which lets you connect modulation sources (LFOs, envelopes, shape sequencer, MIDI controls etc.) to countless targets, optionally via a second modulation source. 2 targets can be assigned per unit, each with its own modulatable depth control. The row of 5 modifiers per target can alter the curvature, rectify, quantize, sample/hold or slew-limit the modulation signal: This is seriously deep stuff, but it doesn’t get in the way!

Performance controls
On this page you’ll find a pad with 4 controls – simply connect them to your MIDI controllers for maximum fun on stage. Other views are also available.

Automatic parameter scanning
Hive is able to assign XY controls to parameters automatically. It looks into the structure of presets that have unused XY controls, and assigns them to the most appropriate XY macros (pre-defined sets of parameters). Of course you can create your own XY control definitions, with up to 4 targets per dimension.

Scope
Animated graphics in software synthesizers not only look cool, but can also help you program your sounds by showing you what’s happening in real time. Hive’s Scope is especially useful for displaying how the parts of complex modulation interact (e.g. the Function Generators with an LFO).