Eight Voice

Cherry Audio's Eight Voice is a meticulously engineered polyphonic synthesizer that recreates the Oberheim Eight Voice, a foundational instrument in analog synthesis history. The plugin features eight fully independent voice modules, each equipped with dual oscillators and routed through Mark Barton's circuit-correct emulation of the Oberheim state-variable filter. This architecture delivers the characteristic warmth and thickness that defined '70s and '80s polyphonic synthesis.

The interface modernizes the original's notoriously complex control layout without sacrificing sonic depth. Voice Link controls allow efficient parameter grouping across modules, while Focus buttons enable targeted interface enlargement for precise editing. The keyboard assignment system is genuinely flexible, supporting extensive mono/poly zoning and layering via two separate assign buses.

Sonically, Eight Voice excels at lush pad work, complex polyrhythmic textures, and the rich detuned unison sounds that made the original so prized. The filter response captures the Oberheim's particular coloration - smooth in the midrange, penetrating in the highs - while the modulation architecture supports both subtle harmonic movement and aggressive FM-style synthesis. An integrated eight-step sequencer and quality reverb and modulation delay effects round out the feature set.

Eight Voice suits producers and sound designers seeking authentic vintage polyphonic character without the maintenance requirements or astronomical cost of hardware. The preset library exceeds 330 sounds, providing solid starting points while the architecture rewards deep programming. At its price point, Eight Voice represents exceptional value for serious synthesis work, particularly for composers requiring the specific tonal qualities of early Oberheim instruments.