Modal Electronics is proud to the 008, an eight-voice, 16-VCO, and 16-sub-oscillator pure analog poly-synthesizer. The Modal 008 comes complete with eight voices with 16 VCOs and 16 sub-oscillators and each voice provides two VCOs with two sub-oscillators. Each VCO is 100% analog, providing sawtooth, triangle, and square waveforms with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) and noise. Each can be blended to provide completely new, complex wave shapes. Additionally, a range of classic analog polysynth features, such as oscillator and filter FM (Frequency Modulation), provide more sonic firepower.
All of Modal’s synthesisers share the Operating System common to 002, allowing Modal to deliver a diverse range of instruments in less than a year. The 008 employs an entirely new analog voice engine employing quality components. The two-part multi-timbral (bi-timbral) design supports splits across the same Fatar TP/9 five-octave, velocity-sensitive key mechanism with aftertouch and also stacks to create complex sounds.
“Modal Electronics is, first and foremost, a synthesiser company, and, rather than being married to any one particular synthesis technology, we understand that synthesists want access to a wide range of sounds in their sonic palette. For many, the sound of pure analogue VCOs, VCFs, and VCAs hold a special place in their musical hearts — hence us taking the decision to take a radical new design approach to creating a new breed of analogue synthesis engine, married to an astonishing level of control provided by the OS, as already ably demonstrated in 002,” reveals Modal Electronics co-founder and Director Paul Maddox.
An exclusive, extensive modulation matrix system allows for a supply of modulation possibilities. Its flexible filter design combines various traditional modes, such as lowpass, bandpass, and high-pass, with additional modes of notch filters, phase filters, and combinations thereof — 16 different filter types in all. An additional filter overdrive enables the sound to be driven to be pushed into new realms. Fast (1ms) filter envelopes enable snappy-sounding sounds to be quickly created while the filter envelope is assignable to any parameter. Pushing the design envelope further still, two LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) with multiple wave shapes are both capable of reaching audio rate and also sync-able to MIDI.
008 employs a 4.3-inch, full-color, context-sensitive display and the onboard Sequencer supplies two tracks of 32 steps, each with up to 12 notes/parameters, providing polyphonic part playback. Performance-wise, an advanced Arpeggiator abounds with multiple modes. The 008 has Internet-connectivity for straightforward software updates, as well as additional features from Modal Cloud — coming later this summer. Similarly, 008 fully supports the Modal Web interface… use any HTML5-compatible web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, et al — on any platform that supports a browser — desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet — for full control and editing of 008’s functions via its Ethernet connection.
Modal’s 008 will be available this summer. No pricing has been announced.
Modal
