Superbooth 24: UDO Audio Super 8 is a new 16-voice bi-timbral hybrid Synthesizer with polyphonic aftertouch keybed.
Good news from UDO Audio: The Super 8 hybrid Synthesizer is now shipping. The first batch of devices is on its way to retailers and should soon be available at Thomann, Schneidersladen, and other retailers.
The UDO marketing team also published a new video about the Super 8 and its self-oscillation and resonance capabilities.
The Super 8 is ready for its debut! We’re excited to announce that units are now on their way to stockists around the world, and the first synths are already arriving at their new homes. We can’t wait to see what people create with this next step in the Super Series.
If you’re thinking of bagging one for yourself, now’s the time! For those of you receiving their synths be sure to visit udo-audio.com/downloads for the latest firmware, to get the most out of your Super 8.
Available at my partner
Article From May 20, 2024
Update: First Look video added!
The day has come. Superbooth 24 officially starts its first day today. Many new Synthesizers have already been introduced in advance, and you will hear about others over the three days. The first day starts with a big surprise.
The British company UDO Audio has a new flagship Synthesizer. It’s another Super synth.
UDO Audio Super 8
Super 8 is a new bi-timbral polyphonic hybrid Synthesizer. It uses the stellar analog and digital engine already known from the Super 6 and Super Gemini.
Unlike the S6, the engine now has 16 hybrid stereo voices. It would be interesting to know how these are divided. The Super 6 has 12 voices but runs in a true stereo audio path that gives you 6 “super” stereo voices. So I wonder if there are 32, but due to the stereo path, they put them into 16.
The Super 8 inherited the Super Gemini’s voices and timbral splitting, dualling, and sequencing ability. It allows you to effortlessly transition between two independent synth layers, inspiring textural, deep, and rich soundscapes at a touch
The core is again powered by two complex FPGA digital oscillators with traditional and custom waveforms, wave morphing, cross- and ring modulation, PWM, and bidirectional sync—there have been no changes compared to the siblings. Also, the mixer and the 4-pole 24dB per octave analog VCF with the additional high-pass filter remain the same.
On the modulation side, it hosts two ADSR envelopes, one for modulating the filter and a second for the analog VCA. They have classic design but upgraded with some neat additions, already seen in the previous synths. For example, envelope 1 has a hold stage and loop mode. Next to this is again the DDS Modulator and singe multiwave LFO.
Again, modulation assignments are very classic. Since the Super 8 has no screen, these can be assigned using a modulation matrix on the front panel. A 64-step sequencer and an arpeggiator with multi-modes are also onboard.
At the end of the Super 8 signal chain, there are two 24-bit effects, including a syncable stereo delay and dual-mode stereo chorus
New Keyboard
A key feature and highlight of the UDO Audio Super 8 is the 61-note weighted polyphonic aftertouch keyboard. Since the engine was already polyAT and MPE compatible, it was only a matter of time before a version with a new keyboard came out. I would have guessed a Super 6 MK2 rather than a Super 8.
UDO Audio describes the synth as an evolution in the Super family and that the new Super 8 sits confidently between the Super 6 and the Super Gemini. Ok, so we also know that the Super 6 will remain on the market.
On the backside, you have a built-in power supply, a USB port for data, a full MIDI interface, three pedal inputs, a stereo (L/R) mix output, a delay freeze input, and independent layer outputs.
First Impression
Another flagship Synthesizer from developer George Hearn of UDO Audio. Now that polyphonic aftertouch keybeds are available, implementing it in the regular Super engine was a logical next step. I hope, however, that we will also get new concepts in the future, as we now have the same engine in three flagship instruments: the Super 6, Super 8, and Super Gemini.
The Super 8 looks very sexy, and I’m pretty sure it will sound stellar like the other two. It’s a shame that there is still no display to show parameters or manage presets.
UDO Audio Super 8 will be available in July 2024 for $ 3,699/3749€/£2,995 RRP.
More information here: UDO Audio
I think the most important announcement from UDO for this Superbooth 24 is the firmware 1.0 of the Super 6 on June 3 (according to the home page of the UDO site). This firmware has been awaited for almost 2 years. I hope it will finally fix the many bugs of super 6.
Just how long will they milk this engine…
Add 150€ and you get the Super Gemini… OK !
300
I have a slight feeling that this synth looks blatantly similar to my Novation Summit… FPGA, bitimbral, 4 outputs… 🤔
i see a new upgrade keyboard for the udo-6 called supertouch
It has 32 oscillators, for a total of 16 voices, combined in stereo that makes 8 of them. Hence the name.
On the looks of it is rather a more affordable super Gemini. It has the same sound engine and keybed, but no glide strip, no separate controls for each layer and 4 mono/ 2 stereo voices less.
UDO also announced to provide user exchangeable poly aftertouch keybeds for all existing Super 6’s, for around 400 GBP. Together with the new firmware, here’s your new Super 6 Mk2.
Still needs a display
I have the Gemini, and I can tell you it’s a different experience alltogether without a display. It forces you to listen to the instrument in order to decide on your next move in sound shaping. And you are less prone to look for presets! I’m learning faster on sound design this way than ever before, but it is not easy. Anyways one day or another they’ll add sysex to their engines, and then we’ll be able to ‘see’.
Whilst I will concur with you that our ears are the most vital aspect in sound creation, a screen is NOT an obstacle nor a distraction. They can just as easily provide a feature to disable it if need be. A screen can provide wonderful feedback, provide vital clues for intricate and fine tuning of parameters, and present management. This omission and arrogance by the creator makes this synth for me an absolute no! Period. There is no excuse in this day and age.
I am confused the website says semi weighted for the gemini key bed and weighted for the super 8. Does anybody know for sure if there is a difference in the super 8 and gemini keybed?
I think at that price, I’d probably just spring for the gemini.
A mini display ? No ? Really ?
I write again, this synthesizer is nothing more than a more expensive Novation Summit without an OLED screen, don’t be fooled.
We got it the first time, Just because you can’t afford it doesn’t make it like you’re made in china summit.
I am worried for the company – three premier products with same engine against other headline releases from moog, arturia and 3rd wave.
I feel they could be spreading themselves too thin and esp when you consider that people are maybe more drawn to the Muse or any other the others at that price bracket.
Then they are squeezed by teo5 and take 5 at the lower end. For example.
The competition is stronger now I think and people still get worried by it “not being analog” but hey I’m a summit owner who briefly had a super 6 desktop. I had to sell it due to money worries but I too think knowing what knobs’ values are is important
I’m proud of UDO as I’m a Bristol lad but I have a nagging fear they could over reach themselves as they are too small to be able to reduce prices. It’s a shame as they are beautiful synths otherwise and I like hybrid synth engines very much. They can be warm or clean.
Now you’ve made me imagine them putting out an affordable true stereo monosynth based on this engine. Or maybe even a monosynth version of the engine, but with a patchbay! Eurorack modules? 🙂
No innovation vision or something interesting here. Also please try to be at least a little bit less fan-boyish in your reporting. Is there USB audio? Why are customers waiting for firmware updates that fix annoying bugs two years? What is the difference to Novation Summit? Software support / DAW integration via plugin? Etc., you see, lots of questions a web journalist could ask himself.
1) less fan-boyish? it’s a news article. If you need sterile copy paste articles, you are on the wrong side. I don’t have a relationship, a benefit or a device from them. They are out of my budget. So fan-boyish also?
2) no USB audio
3) I asked Georges due of the bugs on Superbooth 24. Thanks for remember me: there are firmware updates (the last month), why so late? because UDO Audio has a little team, until recently it was Georges who did everything from developing and fixing. Also the firmware. Now they have another developer who helps them (got this info from Superbooth 24).
4) a different engine (two different developers) with a different sound character, different workflow, polyphonic aftertouch keybed, made in Germany/UK vs China… but answering you this question, I need to compare both synths in a test and this not possible for a long time. Unless you give me the money to buy both and give you answer.
5) UDO Audio synths are analog-style hardware synths. George doesn’t want a display, so I’m pretty sure he’s also not a fan of DAW intergration via a plugin. He can do that because it is his development and every developer has his own ideas. If he doesn’t want to do that, then that’s the way it is. The world is not going to end because the synth hasn’t the features. And there are always people who don’t need this.
6) I do my job the way I think is best. Some of the points you would like to see I cannot fulfill because I cannot test every device as I am a one-man operation. So you have to be satisfied with what you see. If you have specific questions about things I have tested, there is a Patreon where you can do that.