Collection: Modal Electronics

About Modal Electronics

Modal Electronics was founded in 2013. The current range runs on three digital engines: wavetable synthesis in the Argon8, extended virtual analog in the Cobalt8 and an experimental engine in the Carbon8. All three are 8-voice polyphonic. Each one responds to MPE controllers and has a 512-note real-time and step sequencer with animation lanes, plus a 32-step arpeggiator. The free MODALapp editor runs on macOS, Windows, iOS and Android, and loads in a DAW as an AU or VST3 plugin.

Argon8 Wavetable Synthesizers

Argon8 runs 32 wavetable oscillators, four per voice, and draws on 180 wavetables in 36 banks of morphable waveform sets. Thirty-two static modifiers, among them wave folders, waveshapers and de-rez, redraw any wavetable into a new shape. Eight morphable filter types include 2-pole state variable, 4-pole ladder and Sallen-Key designs. A 12-slot modulation matrix routes two audio-rate LFOs and three envelopes.

Cobalt8 Virtual Analog Synthesizers

Cobalt8 starts from classic analog waveforms. Each voice has two independent oscillator groups of up to four oscillators, and 40 algorithms such as sync, ring modulation and waveform morphing each get a pair of controls chosen for that algorithm. A monophonic bass or lead patch can play all 64 oscillators at once. More than 30 filter types follow, among them morphable 2-pole state variable filters and 4-pole ladder filters with drive.

Carbon8 Experimental Synthesizers

Carbon8 has two oscillators with 56 cores each: 18 high-resolution algorithms and 38 wavetables. The XCore engine adds oscillator modifiers such as phase distortion and wave-shaping. Its filter section holds 34 types, morphable and static, with drive and resonance controls. Three LFOs, three envelopes and 12 modulation slots shape each patch, and the Carbon8X puts the same engine behind 61 keys.

Keyboards and Desktop Modules

Every keyboard model uses a FATAR keybed with velocity and channel aftertouch, with 37 keys on the Argon8, Cobalt8 and Carbon8 and 61 keys on the X versions. Each has 29 endless encoders, 24 buttons and a 4-axis joystick in a steel and aluminum case. The Argon8M and Cobalt8M put the same engines in a desktop case and come with brackets for a 19-inch rack. All of them have MIDI in and out, USB MIDI, 3.5 mm sync and pedal inputs, and two units of the same model can be poly-chained for 16 voices.

Shop Modal Electronics at Blackout Audio

Modal covers each synth for 12 months, and registering it at modalelectronics.com within 60 days of purchase extends the warranty to three years. Orders over $199 ship free across Canada. For help choosing between the three engines, contact the Blackout Audio team.