U-he DIVA's Digital Oscillators has long been a favorite among music producers for its analog modeling and rich sound design capabilities. But what makes this VST plugin truly unique is its versatile digital oscillator section. In this blog post, we’ll break down each oscillator in detail, covering everything from waveforms to sound shaping features.
Multisaw Oscillator: Stacked Sawtooths for Rich Pads
The Multisaw Oscillator combines seven stacked sawtooth waves, making it ideal for creating lush pads and rich harmonic textures. The DETUNE knob adjusts the spread between the stacked waves, while MULTI lets you blend between the original saw and the detuned waves.
Key Features:
Seven stacked sawtooth waves for thick textures.
DETUNE controls the spread of the saws.
MULTI mixes original and detuned waves.
Ideal for creating full pads and dance leads.
If you’re producing house, trance, or any genre that requires thick, detuned leads or pads, the Multisaw Oscillator is your go-to option in U-he DIVA.
Triwarp Oscillator: Wraparound Triangle Waves
The Triwarp Oscillator is another unique oscillator in DIVA’s digital section, featuring a triangle waveform with wraparound peaks. The WRAP control adjusts the threshold where the waveform peaks fold back on themselves, while BEND tweaks the symmetry. This results in quirky, almost chaotic waveforms that can introduce unexpected harmonics into your sound.
Key Features:
Triangle waveform with wraparound peaks.
WRAP and BEND adjust the waveform’s behavior.
Great for experimental sounds and aggressive tones.
Producers looking for more unconventional, aggressive sounds will find the Triwarp oscillator indispensable when crafting experimental or glitchy presets in the U-he DIVA VST Plugin.
Noise Oscillator: White Noise with Resonant Filtering
The Noise Oscillator in DIVA provides a white noise generator with an integrated resonant low-pass filter. The TUNE knob adjusts the filter’s cutoff frequency, while Q boosts resonance to reduce low frequencies, creating more focused or washed-out noise textures.
Key Features:
Resonant low-pass filtering of white noise.
Adjustable cutoff via TUNE and resonance with Q.
Suitable for creating atmospheres, percussion, or sound effects.
This oscillator is perfect for those designing percussive elements, textured sweeps, or ambient pads. Experiment with DIVA’s modulation to create evolving, filtered noise textures.
Feedback Oscillator: Guitar-Like Tones with Comb Filtering
Next up is the Feedback Oscillator, which introduces a short delay with feedback to a sawtooth waveform, mimicking the tones of distorted guitar strings. The TUNE parameter (available on OSC2) controls the delay length, while the FEEDBACK knob adjusts the intensity of the comb filter effect, adding distortion and resonance to your sound.
Key Features:
Comb filtering for distortion and resonance.
Delay control via the TUNE knob.
Perfect for creating metallic, string-like tones.
For those producing rock-inspired electronic music, or if you’re after a unique gritty texture, this oscillator is a hidden gem in the U-he DIVA VST Plugin arsenal.
Pulse Oscillator: Blending Square and Pulse Waves
The Pulse Oscillator is a hybrid of square and pulse waveforms, giving you a wide range of tonal possibilities. The Pulse Width (PW) parameter allows for fine-tuning of the pulse width, giving you control over the harmonic content and creating that characteristic “hollow” sound. But what sets this oscillator apart is the SPIKE UP feature, which morphs the waveform into a sawtooth-like shape, introducing a complex ‘pseudo-sync’ effect. Keep an ear out for possible aliasing when you push the oscillator too hard.
Key Features:
Pulse Width modulation (PW) for shaping sound.
SPIKE UP morphs the wave into a sawtooth.
Ideal for creating edgy, digital sounds with rich harmonics.
This combination makes it a go-to for producers looking to create fat, dynamic leads or basslines in genres like electro or techno. With U-he DIVA’s rich VST plugin modulation options, the Pulse oscillator can be your gateway to evolving textures.
Sawtooth Oscillator: Synced Sine for Harmonic Control
The Sawtooth Oscillator offers a standard saw wave, but with a twist—an additional synced sine wave. The HARMONICS knob adjusts the level and polarity of this sine wave, while BEND shifts the sine up an octave. This setup lets you add smooth harmonic content to the harshness of the saw, giving you more control over the tonality of your patches.
U-He Diva: How to Create the Perfect Stab for Your Production?
Key Features:
HARMONICS control for sine wave level and polarity.
BEND shifts the sine wave up an octave.
Great for pad sounds or harmonically rich leads.
Producers seeking to create lush pads or soaring leads will appreciate the flexibility of this oscillator. Combine it with modulation options in the U-he DIVA for even more expansive soundscapes.
Triangle Oscillator: Pure and Harmonic with Synced Sine
The Triangle Oscillator offers a triangle wave with a synced sine wave an octave higher. The HARMONICS knob controls the sine wave’s level, and BEND adjusts the symmetry of the waveform. When using this oscillator, the harmonic balance can be easily monitored with the built-in scope, making it an excellent tool for creating clean, rich sounds.
Key Features:
Synced sine wave adds harmonics to the triangle.
BEND for symmetry control.
Ideal for clean, pure tones, or evolving harmonic pads.
For purists who enjoy a simple yet versatile waveform, the triangle oscillator in U-he DIVA is a great starting point for creating atmospheric sounds or sub-bass elements in your music.
If you enjoyed this article and want more tips for U-He Diva, be sure to check out this guide 5 Useful Tips for the U-he Diva VST Plugin
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