At Superbooth 2024, being held May 16-18 in Berlin, UDO has introduced the Super 8 synthesizer, a 16-voice polyphonic, bi-timbral analog-hybrid performance synthesizer.
The Super 8 features immediate hands-on controls, an expressive 61-note weighted keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch, and the “powerful, flexible and addictive sound of the UDO Audio family”.
Here’s a first look at the new Super 8 with UDO founder and designer George Hearn, via Sonicstate:
At the core of the Super 8 are two independent binaural analog-hybrid synthesizer signal chains. The Super 8 offers up to 16 voices of polyphony and two unique timbres, each with their own independent effect chain. Like its larger sibling, the Super Gemini, voices and timbral layers can be split, dualled, sequenced all at the touch of a single control.
Powered by complex FPGA digital oscillators, the Super 8 offers expansive tonal features, such as wave morphing, cross & ring modulation, bi-directional sync and an all-analog signal path to the output. Equipped with a 61-note semi-weighted keybed with polyphonic aftertouch, left hand performance controls and 256 performance and patch slots, 32 interchangeable waveforms and 16 sequences, the Super 8 balances power, playability and performance.
One of the key features of Hearn’s designs is his implementation of binaural synthesis. Most analog synths are mono, or they pair a mono synthesis path with stereo effects. Hearn’s synths feature twin synthesizer signal paths.
In Binaural mode, each channel (ear) has a complete synthesizer voice. You can detune and de-phase the left and right oscillators, amplitude and filter (and indeed other parameters) relative to each-other. Ranging from subtle to extreme, this unique feature allows for experimenting with the ‘width’ of the sound and creates an improved sense of 3D positioning. It has in this sense one “super voices” for every two “conventional” voices.
Hearn says that “The Super 8 sits confidently between the Super 6 and the Super Gemini. This synth is the distillation of the UDO philosophy of The Power of Play — with the dual cores and playability features of it’s bigger cousin, all in a more compact and simplified presentation — it’s the best of both worlds.”
Pricing and Availability:
The Super 8 is expected to ship in July 2024. Pricing is to be announced.
impressive demo
Looks and sounds totally sweet, but what’s the difference between this and the Super Gemini?
It’s kind of a halfway between the super 6 and the Gemini. It’s got the poly AT keyboard from the Gemini, control panel from the Super 6, a voice count halfway between the two, and a weight that’s easier to manage. George in one of the videos said he thought it was kind of ridiculous to see people gigging with the gigantic and heavy Gemini so decided to make it a more portable package geared more towards performance.
What do you think, are future Super6 models having this new poly AT keyboard?
You mean future units? no. it’s optional.