8.4Great
FM8 is Native Instruments' digital FM synthesizer with eight operators and a modern interface, the successor to FM7.
Plugin comparison
FM8 vs AIR Hybrid 3
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which synth to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
Synth / AIR Music Technology
AIR Hybrid 3
6.7Decent
Hybrid 3 is AIR Music Technology's high-definition virtual synthesizer combining analog warmth with digital manipulation across two simultaneous parts.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, FM8 comes out ahead (8.4). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | FM8 | AIR Hybrid 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.00 | — |
| Dubspot Score | 8.4 | 6.7 |
| Formats | Standalone, VST, VST3, AU (macOS only), AAX | VST, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Synthesis | FM (frequency modulation) synthesis | — |
| Operators | 8 operators, freely combinable in algorithms | — |
| Presets | Over 1,200 presets | Over 1,200, including 200+ new patches by AIR sound designers |
| Effects | 12 built-in high-quality effects | — |
| Platforms | Windows (64-bit) and macOS (64-bit) | — |
| Plugin formats | VST, VST3, AAX (Win); VST, VST3, AU, AAX (Mac) | VST and AAX (32- and 64-bit), AU (64-bit), plus VST3 |
| Synthesis architecture | — | Two simultaneous parts, each with 3 oscillators plus a sub-oscillator |
| Per-part modules | — | Filters, LFOs, envelopes, and effects per part |
| Manufacturer | — | AIR Music Technology (inMusic Brands) |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.