Super 8 - New polysynth by Native Instruments

[BONES]

Have we "hit the wall" when it come to synthesis ? Nothing new, nothing better ?

Like what? What is it you feel you haven't been able to do for the last 30 years? Everything is just a rehash of the same stuff as always. Like any other synth you care to name, this thing has some very nice sounding patches that I'd definitely be able to find uses for and it's clear, simple GUI gives it definite appeal. These days you are basically paying for. the sound of the oscillators and filters, everything else can be had externally if you need it.

I can certainly hear and see the appeal of this, I just don't see the value in it at the price they are asking. At $39 I'd be on board but that's about as much as I'd be willing to spend, I think.

[Elektronisch]

I think its a grear adition to NI synth library because NI doesnt have simple great sounding poly va. There is Rounds, but that stupid round system makes it just more dificult and annoying to use.

[Russell Grand]

Here's the problem. As a simple synth goes, compared to other simple synths, this brings ZERO new to the table. Now, throw an $89 price tag on top of it and it's absolutely ludicrous.

I have tons of simple synths. I can get the sounds that this thing gives out of many of them, and for a lot less than $89.

That's the problem. NOT that it's a simple synth.

It costs $69. But I realize you'll be angry no matter what. NI offering a product you don't want = A PROBLEM FOR YOU. Life is incredibly difficult, it's true. I hope you find a way to sleep at night.

[Russell Grand]

Have we "hit the wall" when it come to synthesis ? Nothing new, nothing better ?

Like what? What is it you feel you haven't been able to do for the last 30 years? Everything is just a rehash of the same stuff as always. Like any other synth you care to name, this thing has some very nice sounding patches that I'd definitely be able to find uses for and it's clear, simple GUI gives it definite appeal. These days you are basically paying for. the sound of the oscillators and filters, everything else can be had externally if you need it.

I can certainly hear and see the appeal of this, I just don't see the value in it at the price they are asking. At $39 I'd be on board but that's about as much as I'd be willing to spend, I think.

+1

[EvilDragon]

Pleasant noises, in particular

you're not actually the least bit evil are you

I can be if I put some effort into it.

Is Komplete 13 imminent?

Not for at least a year more, I'd say.

[plexuss]

+1 It has some noice sounds and over-all seems quite nice. But $90? Hmmm... have to think about that...

[Elektronisch]

I think 89 is a fair price, maybe on the bigger part considering the competition that is virtual analog (semi modular or not) - The Legend, U-He Ace, TAL juno emulation and free Tyrell N6, but imo Super 8 is more capable off and also sounds bigger, more in your face soundwise. Repro is another one in the competition, but its also more expensive, but its 2 synths in 1 package.

[ghettosynth]

Pleasant noises, in particular

you're not actually the least bit evil are you

I can be if I put some effort into it.

Is Komplete 13 imminent?

Not for at least a year more, I'd say.

Perfect! I'm sticking to the odd numbered Komplete plan.

BTW: This sounds great and I think the U/I is rather novel. And to be that guy, I wish that NI would do even more in Reaktor. In fact, let's merge Reaktor and Kontakt, oh man that would be great. Ok, I know that isn't going to happen.

And while we're at it, f**k yeah on Reaktor 6.3!

[Amram]

I think 89 is a fair price, maybe on the bigger part considering the competition that is virtual analog (semi modular or not) - The Legend, U-He Ace, TAL juno emulation and free Tyrell N6, but imo Super 8 is more capable off and also sounds bigger, more in your face soundwise. Repro is another one in the competition, but its also more expensive, but its 2 synths in 1 package.

NI Fixed the price to 69$.

[jarnold]

I can understand why people compain it's reaktor instrument because of the cpu overhead, but complaining because it's such a big hassle to open it in reaktor is just nuts >
It's just one mouseclick more ,that's hardly an issue >
The cpu overhead is .

It isn't just one more mouseclick... I open Reaktor, then I have to select the ensemble folder of the ensemble I want. Sometimes I have to scroll to the one I want. Then I have to double-click the ensemble. However, I don't care about the mouse clicks.

Besides the CPU use (which is especially high even when no notes are playing), the browser is poor... working with presets is not elegant at all... cannot resize the GUI... no MPE support... in Bitwig, when I want to create a remote page in Prism, all the parameter names start with Modal Bank so I have to manually rename them all to something meaningful... in Rounds many of the parameters are not automatable. I see no pattern for why some are and some aren't.

It is not one thing... but all the small things add up to make the whole experience feel clumsy. I see no reason to put up with the various workflow oddities while also using more CPU than the same synth outside of Reaktor would use.

Agree. Reaktor and Kontakt are a pain to use. Interesting and unique tools wrapped up in an irritating system.

[MuzikFreq]

I can understand why people compain it's reaktor instrument because of the cpu overhead, but complaining because it's such a big hassle to open it in reaktor is just nuts >
It's just one mouseclick more ,that's hardly an issue >
The cpu overhead is .

It isn't just one more mouseclick... I open Reaktor, then I have to select the ensemble folder of the ensemble I want. Sometimes I have to scroll to the one I want. Then I have to double-click the ensemble. However, I don't care about the mouse clicks.

Besides the CPU use (which is especially high even when no notes are playing), the browser is poor... working with presets is not elegant at all... cannot resize the GUI... no MPE support... in Bitwig, when I want to create a remote page in Prism, all the parameter names start with Modal Bank so I have to manually rename them all to something meaningful... in Rounds many of the parameters are not automatable. I see no pattern for why some are and some aren't.

It is not one thing... but all the small things add up to make the whole experience feel clumsy. I see no reason to put up with the various workflow oddities while also using more CPU than the same synth outside of Reaktor would use.

Agree. Reaktor and Kontakt are a pain to use. Interesting and unique tools wrapped up in an irritating system.

the reason I dont use any of them sadly. I also find the cpu usage outrageous for some plugins.

[Elektronisch]

I think 89 is a fair price, maybe on the bigger part considering the competition that is virtual analog (semi modular or not) - The Legend, U-He Ace, TAL juno emulation and free Tyrell N6, but imo Super 8 is more capable off and also sounds bigger, more in your face soundwise. Repro is another one in the competition, but its also more expensive, but its 2 synths in 1 package.

NI Fixed the price to 69$.

Wow its like they are reading my mind, i thought 69 is a sweetspot for this kind of synth to compete with the rest good job NI!

[bite_me]

CPUseless!

[Sound Mechanics]

Just tried Super 8, so here's my thoughts....
Although I get frustrated with GUI size (a big put off with N.I. for me), it's a simple synth that's easy and fun to use. I got lost in super 8, testing it for half an hour or so which is always a good sign to me. Even though the presets were ok, I like the way it's set out and it quickly produced some nice sounds with a slightly different vibe.
I could just possibly put up with the screen size for the sound!

So thumbs up from me

It was quite a good Sci-Fi film too

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

i thought 69 is a sweetspot

You're not the only one for whom 69 is a sweetspot

In other news, I just don't really understand why it exists. I guess it took zero investment in R&D, and will probably sell at that price-point. But...