Plugin comparison
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which synth to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
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Contenders
Synth / u-he
Diva is a virtual analogue synthesizer that models oscillators, filters and envelopes from classic hardware synths via circuit simulation.
GForce Oberheim Matrix-12 is the first officially licensed software recreation of the Oberheim Matrix-12 and Xpander, with a 15-mode filter, full matrix modulation, and MPE.
Score verdict
On the Dubspot Score, u-he Diva comes out ahead (9.1). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
| Signal | u-he Diva | GForce Oberheim Matrix-12 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | $83.99 intro / $119.99 full |
| Dubspot Score | 9.1 | 9.0 |
| Formats | VST3, AUv2 (macOS), CLAP, AAX | Standalone, VST2, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Oscillator models | 5 models based on classic synth hardware (Triple VCO, Dual VCO, DCO, Dual VCO Eco, Digital) | — |
| Filter models | 5 models based on classic synth hardware (Ladder, Cascade, Multimode, Bite, Uhbie) | — |
| Polyphony | Up to 16 voices, plus duophonic, monophonic and legato modes | — |
| Factory presets | Over 1200 factory presets | — |
| Effects | 2 stereo effects slots (chorus, phaser, plate reverb, delay, rotary speaker) | — |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows and Linux (Linux is beta) | — |
| Developer | — | GForce Software (with Oberheim and Marcus Ryle) |
| Models | — | Oberheim Matrix-12 (1984) and Xpander |
| Voices | — | 12, in Single and Multi (6-zone) modes |
| Oscillators | — | 2 per voice (triangle, saw, pulse); osc 2 adds noise and hard sync; FM |
| Filter | — | 15 modes (1-4 pole LP, HP, BP, notch, phase, combinations), 2 VCAs in series |
| Modulation | — | Per voice: 5 envelopes, 5 LFOs, 4 ramps, 3 trackers, lag processor, vibrato |
| Mod routing | — | Any source to any destination, 6 bipolar slots per parameter with quantize |
| Arpeggiators | — | 6 micro arpeggiators, one per zone |
| Macros | — | 4 global |
| Presets | — | 570+ (380+ new, 190+ original Matrix-12 and Xpander) |
| Formats | — | Standalone, VST2, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Systems | — | macOS 10.15+ (Intel or Apple Silicon), Windows 7+ (i5 / Ryzen 5), 8GB RAM |
| Price | — | $83.99 intro until Dec 5, 2026, $119.99 full; 14-day trial |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.