StarskyCarr Puts the Groove Synthesis 8M Under the Microscope

While size matters, the 8M’s screen makes an impression right away. With six encoders for context-driven tweaking, it compensates for its fewer physical controls with a bigger, more informative display. Starsky highlights the ease with which one can access all oscillator controls through this setup. This makes sound editing a breeze, with performance-ready controls at the user’s fingertips. Like a well-oiled machine, each section of the synth – oscillators, filters, envelopes – comes alive under the command of this sizeable interface. Imagine a screen that lays out everything the way you want it, eliminating the usual display chaos found in more cramped interfaces. This is a desktop synth that’s been designed with user experience at the forefront.

The allure of the 8M is not just in its specs, but in its sonic capability. Starsky showcases this with a simple sine wave patch grooving alongside a classic 808 clap – a testament to how the 8M can hold its ground in a chaotic sonic battlefield. The module is crammed with new patch options and sample banks that take you from an erasure-like wavetablescape to analog-infused polychord madness. It features compatibility with its larger kin, offering seamless patch compatibility and all the PPG, wavetables, and modulation sections you’d expect. When Starsky gets his groove on, the 8M showcases its sonic street weapon status effortlessly.

Starsky emphasizes the balance between size and capability. The 8M might be smaller, but it’s no less powerful, sporting two stereo output pairs and a sampling input for creating custom wavetables. It’s got MIDI in and out, accommodating most studio setups. Yet, for all its compactness, it doesn’t compromise on delivering the Third Wave sound that synthesists crave. It may have fewer voices and parts compared to its bigger siblings, but it’s still an excellent sound module for those not wanting all the fluff – just the core punch. Scheduled for a July release, the 8M is priced at an attractive $1995, making it a tempting choice for those seeking professional-grade features in a more convenient size.