All user reviews of 5/5 for the Native Instruments FM8

I had no compatibility issues setting up FM8. The installation and set up process is very simple and straightforward.
However, the software itself is very complex and hard to understand at first.
To the new user, FM8 will probably be overwhelming. To understand what's going on you need to know oscillator routing, enveloping, and have a good understanding of the way synthesizers work.
You can easily look through the presets and fidget around to find out what certain parameters in the software does, but it will teach you a lot about synthesis and routing.
Once you understand the structure of FM8, it is very straightforward and actually not that complicated at all. The interface is just a bit daunting at first.



SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

FM8 works flawlessly on my Windows 8 Laptop, 2.5GHz Intel i5-4200M CPU, 6 gigs of ram.
I have been using this software for over 2 years now and it has proven to be very stable, and easy on CPU.
As for performance, this is easily the most diverse synthesizer out there. The possibilities are virtually endless.
You can make anything from a devastating heavy bass synth, to a soft pleasant chime or bell, and everything in between! FM8 is a truly revolutionary plugin.

OVERALL OPINION

If you want a synth that can do just about anything, FM8 is the one for you. It is a must-have for anyone looking to better their sound design and learn more about synthesis.
At first, FM8 will seem complex and hard to understand, but it really is straightforward once you get to understand it. There are so many varieties of oscillator waveforms, routing techniques, and even built in effects that will help you create some insanely innovative sounds that will make you stand out.
I would highly recommend this plugin to anyone interested in electronic dance music production.

Installation is quick and painless, no incompatibility, the manual is not worth much (like all NI products that I bought) But neither offers excellent tutorial videos that can engage in the discovery and to quickly get something nice from the "machine". As I had FM7, in my case it was an upgrade. Very well done, all the old sounds were recovered automatically.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

2x2.8 GHz Pentium D920 - RAM 4 GB - 500 GB SATA I work with Cubase SX3 and still I install VST and standalone, in both cases, it runs without worry.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 10 days. The new interface is superb, very ergonomic and clear. It is a product designed for both beginners and pros. FM8 benefits from Korebrowser handy, as well as an intuitive new feature Morphing programs, save and playable live. The new sounds are delivered cleaner is the great class! Programming (though FM synthesis) has become very simple. And finally, NI has renewed a machine that might seem outdated: the arpeggiator. The one that comes with FM8 is incredible, not to be missed!
What I like most: the overall power of FM8, sound, interface, the arpeggiator and morphing.
What I like least:?
Cheap for a product that flirt with perfection. A huge well done to Native Instruments.

Installation: made by my local dealer (apparently without problems)

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

P4 PC - 3.0Gb / sound card rack Wami (EgoSys) / 1 GB ram /
The logitiel works perfectly (of Cubase 4 in my case)
compared to other vsti and given the wealth of sounds it uses little resources from the pc, so I can open multiple FM8 without any problems
perfect stability

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for one month but I had the FM7 for 1 year.

+: Sounds incredible, complex, highly scalable ... Very very very good (and I compare such with Reason but I continue to enjoy a lot), very fast loading, low fuel consumption of the CPU, easy to use, well above the FM7 including through the arpeggiator, morphing .. .
-:? (Not found)

Excellent quality / price ratio (update of 99 euros in my case coming from FM7)

I bought without any hesitation

So far so good. FM8 installed with no problems and has so far worked flawlessly. I use a macbook and there has been no compatibility problems thus far. FM8, like most Native Instruments plugins, can be a little tricky and somewhat daunting at first. I feel like the headings and fields are always the easiest to digest. Initially, it is quite easy, like most plugins, to go through all the presets, but making your own sounds can be tricky. I definitely recommend having the manual accessible when you get to this stage. It will save you time and a lot of guessing. Yes, the manual is clear enough.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

My computer configuration is as follows: A Macbook (2.2ghz, 4gb Ram, 120 HD), Presonus Firepod/Firebox Interface and Logic Pro 8. So far, the plugin has worked flawlessly with this configuration. As for performance, the FM8 certainly doesn't bog down my computer, not with 4 gigs of Ram, which I suggest for all whose computer can accept that much. The patches change quickly and the sound is fantastic so I give it a 10 or 10 for performance. As I stated before, no crashes or glitches so far. Native Instruments have given me no trouble in the past and continue to perform that way.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using FM8 for roughly 6 months. What I like about it the most is the excellent sound patches (presets and the custom stuff I have made). They are so full and lush that it makes me not regret selling off all my hardware synths. What I don't like about this plugin (as with most Native Instrument products) is its sometimes confusing look. I feel like Native Instruments could learn a thing or two from Logic ( designers about plugin layouts. I have lots of synth plugins (such as Abysynth, Massive, all of Logic's synths, Sugarbytes, Arturia stuff, IK mulimedia stuff) and this one keeps popping its head up on the top list. The samples are just so...I don't know, delicious might be the right word. I got this in a package deal which is the way to go. Buying these plugins individually is way more money. I think I got 4 plugins (FM8, Pro 53, Abysnth and Kontakt) for somewhere around $400. Its a decent chunk of change, but all those plugins have certainly seen there fair share of use. Yes, I would definitely buy FM8 again. It never disappoints.