Super 8 - New polysynth by Native Instruments

[EvilDragon]

I guess it took zero investment in R&D

Incorrect.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

I guess it took zero investment in R&D

Incorrect.

Of course (Shoulda put 'zero' in inverted commas). But just how much, relatively speaking, does a seasoned synth developer need to spend in order to design an instrument with such a simple architecture? (Rhetorical question, really)

[Captain]

The interface and other marketing material evoke some strong C64 & 80’s nostalgia in my mind... always a good thing Really like the overall style and vibe. With a lower price, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment, now I need some more time to find excuses for getting it. Anyway, will continue playing with the demo for now...

[vstliefhebber]

Any locked macro's in there? Or is everything accessible?

[EvilDragon]

I guess it took zero investment in R&D

Incorrect.

Of course (Shoulda put 'zero' in inverted commas). But just how much, relatively speaking, does a seasoned synth developer need to spend in order to design an instrument with such a simple architecture? (Rhetorical question, really)

Well the filter was modeled from scratch, the oscillator design is also something that is not found in factory Core macros, there was a bunch of tweaking to get 8 voices of poly with acceptable CPU load (it ain't worse than Roland Cloud emulations, in fact it's better than, say Roland's Jupiter-8, when I compare them with 8 voices going), and then there's iterations upon iterations of UI design...

I don't have the numbers but it could've easily taken over a year.

Any locked macro's in there? Or is everything accessible?

I can't find any locked macros in it.

[AnX]

Well the filter was modeled from scratch...

the filter in Super 8 is actually a refreshed emulation of Prophet-5 Rev 3 that's in NI offices, which was the same one used while creating Pro-53 back in the day

[Elektronisch]

Well the filter was modeled from scratch...

the filter in Super 8 is actually a refreshed emulation of Prophet-5 Rev 3 that's in NI offices, which was the same one used while creating Pro-53 back in the day

I dont know how it really is, but with English not being my native language as it is written it is said that:

Filter is pro 5 emulation wich was created from scratch using the refreshed Prophet 5 rev3 real analog hardware but the same one wich was used to model Pro 53 back in the day.

Maybe im wrong who knows

p.s. Also not knowing this info it gave me a bit of familar sound to Repro 5 when i played the demo (i use Repro 5 quite often), dont know if its because of the filter, but sound is quite familar, big and in your face

[pixel85]

- Hey we have this new simple synth with great sound and no need to go deep into menu and tabs!
- You lack of innovation! I saw something similar thousand times!
- Hey we have this new synth with experimental engine and synthesis technology!
- It's too complex give me something easy to work with!
- Hey we have this simple synth with some new/unusual synthesis technology!
- I need to use Reaktor which means 3 more mouse click I can't be bothered with such amount of tasks to do!!!!!!!!
- But you can use it in Komplete Kontrol/[other alternative method]
- Idc! I don't want to use simpler way I just don't want to use your product at all!
-...
- How you dare to offer me this synth that I don't want!!!!!!!!

^^^kvraudio in summary

[mcbpete]

^^^kvraudio in summary

(the only thing it's missing is a plugin doctor screenshot )

[EvilDragon]

Well the filter was modeled from scratch...

the filter in Super 8 is actually a refreshed emulation of Prophet-5 Rev 3 that's in NI offices, which was the same one used while creating Pro-53 back in the day

I dont know how it really is, but with English not being my native language as it is written it is said that:

Filter is pro 5 emulation wich was created from scratch using the refreshed Prophet 5 rev3 real analog hardware but the same one wich was used to model Pro 53 back in the day.

Maybe im wrong who knows

That's exactly what I meant. It's a ground-up remodeling of the same Prophet-5 that was used when Pro-53 was created.

[Sound Mechanics]

Well the filter was modeled from scratch...

the filter in Super 8 is actually a refreshed emulation of Prophet-5 Rev 3 that's in NI offices, which was the same one used while creating Pro-53 back in the day

I dont know how it really is, but with English not being my native language as it is written it is said that:

Filter is pro 5 emulation wich was created from scratch using the refreshed Prophet 5 rev3 real analog hardware but the same one wich was used to model Pro 53 back in the day.

Maybe im wrong who knows

That's exactly what I meant. It's a ground-up remodeling of the same Prophet-5 that was used when Pro-53 was created.

Now that's interesting, I thought there was a prophet like atmosphere to it... great I love Prophet emulations, even if it's just the filter!

[EvilDragon]

- Hey we have this new simple synth with great sound and no need to go deep into menu and tabs!
- You lack of innovation! I saw something similar thousand times!
- Hey we have this new synth with experimental engine and synthesis technology!
- It's too complex give me something easy to work with!
- Hey we have this simple synth with some new/unusual synthesis technology!
- I need to use Reaktor which means 3 more mouse click I can't be bothered with such amount of tasks to do!!!!!!!!
- But you can use it in Komplete Kontrol/[other alternative method]
- Idc! I don't want to use simpler way I just don't want to use your product at all!
-...
- How you dare to offer me this synth that I don't want!!!!!!!!

^^^kvraudio in summary

When you're right, you're right!

[fmr]

- Hey we have this simple synth with some new/unusual synthesis technology!
- I need to use Reaktor which means 3 more mouse click I can't be bothered with such amount of tasks to do!!!!!!!!
^^^kvraudio in summary

Not exatly. It should be:

- Hey we have this simple synth with some new/unusual synthesis technology!
- I need to use Reaktor which means extra CPU taxing and use restraints for something that should be really lightweight and straightforward to justify its use!!!!!!!!

Let put things this way: If the planned Massive X would be a Reaktor Player ensemble, do you think its interest would be:

a) More
b) The Same
c) Less

[EnGee]

It was a nice surprise from NI when I read my email

I have demoed it for half an hour (but I haven't read this thread!). For me, I like it and I think it is a very good synth. What I liked:

- Very nice sounds (I thought of Jupiter 8 and then of Prophet 5, but in the end I didn't care which direction it is intended to go!).
- Excellent design and workflow.
- Good CPU usage (not low, but not very high, about 15% to 20% on my Ryzen 1600X).
- Excellent balance between simplicity and sound design. It felt just right for me
- Excellent price (will it stay like that?)
- Many good presets

I also compared it with RePro 5 (my No. 1 analogish synth) and I listened carefully. RePro 5 has more organic round sound that I like it more. Super 8 is very tempting to buy as it is a very nice synth to program and can be the "go to" synth for me.

Anyway, I don't have any money left (Car service with new tyres!), so I might buy it later. Still having the demo and playing with it. I'll compare it also with Diva, although I think it has a different character from what I have from synths. It is like a polyphonic blocks synth (character). After all, I think it is a great addition to the Reaktor family

[Biome_Digital]

Here's the problem. As a simple synth goes, compared to other simple synths, this brings ZERO new to the table.

Not quite correct. The modulation system alone is something I didn't see in some other simple synths, which either have fixed modulations or a fixed number of modulation slots. In Super 8, every synth parameter can be modulated by two destinations, and each destination can be sidechained. Also, there's no tabbing, and there's a nice amount of visual feedback as well.

I have to agree that all these are pros for this synth.