8.4Great
FM8 is Native Instruments' digital FM synthesizer with eight operators and a modern interface, the successor to FM7.
Plugin comparison
FM8 vs Syntronik 2
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
8.1Great
Syntronik 2 is IK Multimedia's virtual synthesizer collection using a hybrid sample-and-modeling engine, offered in CS, SE, full, and MAX editions.
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 | Syntronik 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.00 | $199.99 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| Formats | Standalone, VST, VST3, AU (macOS only), AAX | VST 2, VST 3, Audio Units (AU), AAX, Standalone, 64-bit |
| Synthesis | FM (frequency modulation) synthesis | — |
| Operators | 8 operators, freely combinable in algorithms | — |
| Presets | Over 1,200 presets | Over 5,500 (MAX); over 4,000 (full); 1,000 (SE); 100 (CS) |
| Effects | 12 built-in high-quality effects | 71 FX (MAX edition) |
| Platforms | Windows (64-bit) and macOS (64-bit) | — |
| Plugin formats | VST, VST3, AAX (Win); VST, VST3, AU, AAX (Mac) | — |
| Synths | — | Up to 33 synth models (54 instruments sampled); MAX edition includes all 33 |
| Sound content | — | Over 210 GB (MAX); 80 GB (full); 13 GB (SE); 2.4 GB (CS) |
| Synthesis engine | — | Hybrid sample and modeling synthesis |
| Other features | — | Arpeggiator/sequencer, multi-panel layering, FX rack, up to 400 automation lanes in DAW |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.