Modal Announces Cobalt8 – Eight Voice, 37 Key, Virtual Analog Synth

Modal Electronics has announced Cobalt8, a new 8-Voice, 37-key, virtual analog hardware synthesizer. The Cobalt8 features two oscillator groups with selectable algorithms, enabling multiple oscillator modulations, an all-new 4-pole morphable ladder filter with switchable configurations, a modulation engine, and more.

Modal Electronics Cobalt8

Modal Electronics Cobalt8 virtual analog synthesizer

Modal’s Cobalt8 features 64 high-resolution VA oscillators with extended drift — up to eight for each of its eight true polyphonic voices. The two independent and self-contained Osc (oscillator) groups include sine, pulse, triangle, and sawtooth waveforms alongside 34 algorithms allowing for complex analog synthesis techniques, built-in cross-modulation (sync, ring modulation, and more), PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), morphing between VA waves, bit crushing, and filtered noise, increasing creative options for new-generation synth sounds.

Cobalt8 contains an all-new 4-pole morphable ladder Filter with Cutoff (frequency), Res (resonance), and Morph controls. Cobalt8’s three dedicated envelope generators for filter (FEG), amplitude (AEG), and modulation (MEG) are all accessible independently or simultaneously, with negative (reverse) versions for the modulation and filter envelopes, enabling extensive control over dynamics and expression. Switchable envelope types provide greater options for tailoring them to suit specific sound purposes. The three — two polyphonic — audio-rate LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) can be routed to a multitude of destinations using the modulation matrix with eight assignable modulation slots and four additional fixed modulation routings with 12 modulation sources and 55 modulation destinations.

The integrated 512-note realtime/step sequencer (Seq) features four animation lanes: Anim1, Anim2, Anim3, and Amin4. Its polyphonic 64-note step mode (with eight notes per step) enables easy step input for note and animation values. Meanwhile, multiple sequencer trigger modes coupled with the onboard arpeggiator (Arp) — programmable up to 32 steps with rest capability (and up to 2,048 steps before repeating), as well as chord hold, inversions, transpose, sustain, and latch.

Cobalt8 is packaged within a road-ready steel and aluminum chassis and contains a FATAR TP/9S 37-note full-size key bed. The velocity-sensitive keys support aftertouch and claim to provide “smooth action.” Cobalt8 supports MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) for expressive creativity. Cobalt8’s 29 endless encoders (enabling realtime CC), 24 buttons, and a virtually lockable four-axis joystick (assignable to a wide range of modulation destinations) provide direct tactile control over all parameters for instant sound adjustments and changes.

Modal Cobalt8 Features:

  • Polyphony: True eight voice polyphonic
  • MPE: Supports MPE-compatible MIDI controllers, allowing you to apply polyphonic control and expression to individual notes
  • Oscillators: 64 high-resolution virtual-analogue oscillators, up to eight per voice; Two independent and self-contained oscillator groups with sine, pulse, triangle, sawtooth waveforms, 34 different algorithms including: complex analog synthesis techniques, built-in cross modulation (SYNC, RM, and many more), PWM, smooth morphing between VA waves, bit crushing, filtered noise. Plus: Extended Oscillator Drift
  • Filter: 4-Pole Morphable Ladder Filter with Resonance and four switchable configurations / Resonance and Balanced Filter Modes
  • Modulation: Three dedicated envelope generators for AMP, MOD and FILTER that can be accessed independently or all three simultaneously including negative (reverse) versions for MOD and FILTER ENVs / Three audio-rate LFO’s with tempo sync (two poly, one global) with seven different shapes / Eight assignable modulation slots and four additional fixed modulation routings for common assignments with 12 modulation sources and 55 modulation destinations
  • Sequencer and Arpeggiator: Polyphonic Real-time sequencer with 512 notes and four recordable/editable parameter animations (Delay FX, LFO’s, sequencer and arpeggiator can be either clocked internally or externally) / Polyphonic Step Sequencer with 64 steps, 8 notes per step, 4 lanes of Parameter-Lock style animation, Step Input mode, multiple playback modes including gate modes and rest function / Built-In programmable arpeggiator of 32 steps with rest capability with up to 2048 steps before repeating
  • Effects: Three independent and user-configurable stereo FX engines for Chorus, Phaser, Flanger (Pos), Flanger (Neg), Tremolo, LoFi, Rotary, Stereo Delay, Ping-Pong Delay, X-Over Delay and Reverb that can be arranged in any order
  • User Memory: 500 patch memories, all fully editable and ships with 300 factory programs / 100 sequencer presets that can be linked to any patch for quickly loading arrangements / 100 FX presets / 8 Quick Recall slots accessible from the panel for quickly loading your favorite patches
  • Controls and Performance: FATAR 37-key Keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch / 29 endless encoders, 24 buttons / 4-axis joystick that can be assigned to a huge range of modulation destinations and virtually ‘locked’ when desired / Multiple keyboard modes, Mono, Poly, Unison 2, unison 4, unison 8, Stack 2 and Stack 4 / Glide/Portamento with both legato and staccato modes / Chord Invert control to easily create chord inversions and variations
  • Inputs and Outputs: 6.35 mm / 1/4? TS dual-mono line outputs / 6.35 mm / 1/4? TRS headphone output / 3.5 mm / 1/8? TRS stereo audio input / MIDI DIN In and Out / 3.5 mm / 1/8? TS Analogue clock sync In and Out / Class compliant MIDI over USB connection / 6.35 mm / 1/4? TRS expression pedal input / 6.35 mm / 1/4? TS sustain pedal input
  • Enclosure and Display: Steel and aluminum enclosure with bamboo side panels / 1.54-inch large OLED display for instant visual feedback at all times of playing/editing
  • Editor Software: Free MODALapp software editor available for MacOS, Windows, iOS and Android. MODALapp can also be run within your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), with VST3 and AU versions available

Modal’s Cobalt8 three phenomenally powerful, independent, and user- configurable DSP-driven effects engines (FX1, FX2, and FX3), in-depth programming provided. Polish to suit with 11 available algorithms adding character and depth — namely, Chorus, Flanger (Pos), Flanger (Neg), LoFi, Ping-Pong Delay, Phaser, Reverb, Rotary, Stereo Delay, Tremolo, and X-Over Delay.

Out of the box, 300 of the total 500 patches are filled with factory creations with eight Quick Recall slots always accessible from the front panel. Performance enhancements continue with 100 sequences that can be linked to any patch for fast loading of arrangements alongside 100 customized effects configurations.

Modal Electronic Cobalt8 Synthesizer Rear View

The free MODALapp brings screen-based editing on a computer or mobile device to Cobalt8. Available as a standalone app for MacOS (10.10 or above), Windows (8 or above), iOS (12 or above), iPadOS (13 or above), and Android (6 or above), and also in VST3/AU macOS (10.10 or above) and VST3 Windows (8 or above) plug-in formats for keeping users in the flow while producing music with any compatible DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software, it is the perfect companion for synth enthusiasts looking to dive deep into all sound forming and performance parameters to create their own signature sounds, and to backup and manage patches and sequences.

Modal’s Cobalt8 will available sometime this month for £579.99 / €649.99 / $749.99.

Author: FutureMusic

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