Impact Soundworks Chro-Nyx is a new Roland JP-8080 Synthesizer emulation with an expanded feature set for Native Instruments Reaktor Player.
Before plugins existed in every possible design and sound, musicians discovered digital synthesis in hardware form. The virtual analog synths of the 90s, such as the Access Virus, the Roland JP-8000, or the JP-8080 with its legendary Supersaw, were popular and remain today.
Impact Soundworks has now emulated this Supersaw classic in its instrument Chro-Nyx, and it goes even further than the original unit
Impact Soundworks Chro-Nyx
Cho-Nyx is a new virtual analog Synthesizer that emulates the legendary Roland JP-8080, including all the functions, but also goes far beyond the classic feature set.
Interesting, Impact Soundworks decided to implement Chro-Nyx as a Reaktor Player instrument instead of a classic VST plugin. But of course, you can also run Reaktor Player as a plugin in your DAW.
Unlike in the original, you can spot at the Chro-Nyx not only the original seven waveforms but also 24 more oscillator types that take inspiration from synths like the Access Virus, Juno-106, Alpha Juno, and more. For example, you can find FM modes like the 2-OP or RAW.
Each oscillator offers classic controls like detune, mix, phase, alter, and more. There is also a noise generator with a switchable pink noise. Then, you can thicken any sound with the built-in sub-oscillator, Jupiter-8 style cross modulation, and up to 10-voice unison.
These features already show that it is more than a simple JP-8080 emulation. From here, it goes into an advanced filter block with four distinct filters.
You can work with a JP-8080 modeled filter with all the slopes and types (LPF, BPF, and HPF), two dual filters that run split, in series, or parallel, and a third post-FX filter.
Additionally, you have five distinct filter types (classic, lush, acid…) and Virus-style filter FM. To spice things up in the filters, you can also switch on a multi-mode filter with 18 different filter drive types from waveshapers, FM, overdrive, distortion, and more. Plus, there is a boost button.
Modulation & FX
On the modulation side, Impact Soundworks Chro-Nyx offers two multi-wave audio-rate LFOs, three multimode envelopes (mod, filter, and amp ADSR/AD), step sequencers for parameters, and math operators inspired by Eurorack synths.
A modulation matrix with 16 independent slots lets you map modulators to the engine parameters. Alongside this, it also hosts a customizable arpeggiator, trance gate, and a sequencer with adjustable play direction, length, and more.
To refine your sounds, Chro-Nyx also includes a mighty multi-FX section, including emulations of the Roland JP-8080’s tone control, delay, and chorus. That’s not all.
28 other effects modules give you more ways to shape your sounds, such as shimmer reverbs, waveshapers, phasers, and more. Also onboard are two analog-modeled shelving and peak EQs (both pre- and post-FX).
For even deeper sound design options, you can also work with expanded vocoder and a modular-inspired 12-band filterbank.
Impact Soundworks promises that the Reaktor synth ships with the entire original JP-8000 and JP-8080 preset banks, plus all new ones made with the latest features of the Chro-Nyx synth.
First Impression
First of all, I’m thrilled that there’s another commercial release for Reaktor. They’ve been rare in recent years. Chro-Nyx seems like a solid virtual analog Synthesizer with plenty of features.
The recreation of the JP-8080’s user interface is appealing, as are the extra features. Whether the Reaktor ensemble sounds like the original is something for hardware users to judge.
Alternatively, there’s always Sunrizer for iOS and macOS (Apple Silicon), which also follows in the footsteps of these legendary Supersaw synths from the past.
Impact Soundworks Chro-Nyx is available now at an introductory price $79, down from $99. It runs as a Reaktor 6 and Reaktor 6 Player ensemble.
Reaktor 6 Player is free of charge and runs as a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
More information here: Impact Soundworks
How about sysex patch compatibility? In such price range it could be included.
for that everything must be identical on the parameters side etc and I think there are many differences. If you need an editor for the JP-8080, there is one from Aura Plugins
Jasper and Co have been developing this for years…..it was a knockout in it’s earlier iterations and a begged and supported these guys to get this out to the world market. 30yrs in electronic music ive owned several JP-8000’s 8080’s Juno’s etc etc i have NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ELSE on the market plugin wise ( and without bragging I own all of them ) that comes even remotely close to this instrument and even OUTSHINES the originals in so many ways it’s astounding. The dedication and passion and perserverence put into this Synth are ten fold and I ecstatic for Jasper and Co and the synth world for this to be finally released. 10/10 and NO no-one is pressing me or paying me jackshit for that assesment either. GET IT you wont regret it 🙂