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OTHER DISCUSSIONS => General Synthesis => Other Hardware/Software => Topic started by: jg666 on October 29, 2020, 08:27:04 AM

Title: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on October 29, 2020, 08:27:04 AM
Another new synth from Modal. At first I thought it was just a different coloured Argon8 but then saw the video

https://youtu.be/6rgr4iqofms

Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on October 29, 2020, 08:47:20 AM
Hot on the heels of the Andertons  video is a First Look video from Nick Batt

https://youtu.be/jgMvuYkYvz0



Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: briceunger on November 18, 2020, 05:54:37 PM
A really nice synth. Lovely sound and I'm told a really solidly built synth.
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on November 18, 2020, 11:17:05 PM
Nick Batt has now done a full review...

https://youtu.be/2j_4kBfVMOw
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: LoboLives on November 18, 2020, 11:42:44 PM
Modal always shocks me with their lack of bi timbrality. For digital synths it seems like a bit of an oversight.
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on November 18, 2020, 11:52:01 PM
Indeed. It does seem a shame when for perhaps not a lot more money they could have done that. I suppose the reasonably low selling price of this (and the Argon) are one of the key selling points though :)

Edit - Now if they could combine the Cobalt and the Argon into one synth that has the 2 different engines able to run together to produce a bi timbral synth then that would be very interesting
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: LPF83 on November 19, 2020, 07:27:38 AM
Indeed. It does seem a shame when for perhaps not a lot more money they could have done that. I suppose the reasonably low selling price of this (and the Argon) are one of the key selling points though :)

That's the key.  The module is under $500 -- so it is competing in territory like the Minilogue module.  Allowing more than monotimbral would increase likely increase complexity across the board... maybe only impacting price by a couple of hundred bucks but that might put it outside the projected sales sweet spot.
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: LPF83 on December 06, 2020, 09:55:35 AM
Nice comparison from Starsky Carr.  Much prefer the sound of the Minilogue XD personally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvZ8giaxaJc
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on December 06, 2020, 10:24:52 AM
Yes going on that demonstration, so do I.

I wish my first generation Minilogue sounded as good as the XD :)
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: LPF83 on December 06, 2020, 03:00:10 PM
Yes going on that demonstration, so do I.

I wish my first generation Minilogue sounded as good as the XD :)

I always thought the first gen sounded good.  I have to admit though, the sequencer on the XD is one reason I got one.
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on December 06, 2020, 03:15:05 PM
Yes going on that demonstration, so do I.

I wish my first generation Minilogue sounded as good as the XD :)

I always thought the first gen sounded good.  I have to admit though, the sequencer on the XD is one reason I got one.

It does sound good for certain types of sounds but really suffers when you turn up the resonance - the low end really suffers.

Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on September 20, 2023, 12:46:55 AM
Saldy it appears that Modal Electronics has filed for insolvency and Administrators called in.

I don't own any Modal gear but always followed them with interest so I hope that something can be done.

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/british-synth-company-modal-electronics-is-insolvent.html

Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: Shaw on September 20, 2023, 04:26:51 AM
Saldy it appears that Modal Electronics has filed for insolvency and Administrators called in.

I don't own any Modal gear but always followed them with interest so I hope that something can be done.

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/british-synth-company-modal-electronics-is-insolvent.html (https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/british-synth-company-modal-electronics-is-insolvent.html)

I’m surprised they’ve lasted this long.

It’s hard to take a company known for behemoth synths like the 002 and 008, and release the Argon and Cobalt.  You could hear the collective “Meh…” from Superbooth.  One you produce a synth at a certain a level of quality and capability, your customer base will expect you to maintain that level.  Anything less will be perceived as, well… less.
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on September 20, 2023, 04:33:08 AM
Saldy it appears that Modal Electronics has filed for insolvency and Administrators called in.

I don't own any Modal gear but always followed them with interest so I hope that something can be done.

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/british-synth-company-modal-electronics-is-insolvent.html (https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/british-synth-company-modal-electronics-is-insolvent.html)

I’m surprised they’ve lasted this long.

It’s hard to take a company known for behemoth synths like the 002 and 008, and release the Argon and Cobalt.  You could hear the collective “Meh…” from Superbooth.  One you produce a synth at a certain a level of quality and capability, your customer base will expect you to maintain that level.  Anything less will be perceived as, well… less.

Yes very true. I suppose also, when you are selling at their current price-points you have to sell in big numbers to balance the books and they obviously aren’t doing that. Probably a lot of people like myself who were tempted by the Argon and Cobalt but there just wasn’t that something special to make me buy it.
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on September 20, 2023, 09:05:10 AM
Modal have said that they are undergoing a restructuring and that all employees will remain with the company and all current synths will remain within their portfolio, with new ones to come.

Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: hoodoo_ray on September 20, 2023, 09:51:56 AM
Saldy it appears that Modal Electronics has filed for insolvency and Administrators called in.

I don't own any Modal gear but always followed them with interest so I hope that something can be done.

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/british-synth-company-modal-electronics-is-insolvent.html (https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/british-synth-company-modal-electronics-is-insolvent.html)

I’m surprised they’ve lasted this long.

It’s hard to take a company known for behemoth synths like the 002 and 008, and release the Argon and Cobalt.  You could hear the collective “Meh…” from Superbooth.  One you produce a synth at a certain a level of quality and capability, your customer base will expect you to maintain that level.  Anything less will be perceived as, well… less.

I think the Cobalt 8 is very high quality, and extremely capable
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: LoboLives on September 20, 2023, 02:05:43 PM
Saldy it appears that Modal Electronics has filed for insolvency and Administrators called in.

I don't own any Modal gear but always followed them with interest so I hope that something can be done.

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/british-synth-company-modal-electronics-is-insolvent.html (https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/british-synth-company-modal-electronics-is-insolvent.html)

I’m surprised they’ve lasted this long.

It’s hard to take a company known for behemoth synths like the 002 and 008, and release the Argon and Cobalt.  You could hear the collective “Meh…” from Superbooth.  One you produce a synth at a certain a level of quality and capability, your customer base will expect you to maintain that level.  Anything less will be perceived as, well… less.

I think it was also not a great idea to do a Wavetable synth or virtual analog synth around the time actually analog synths and more versatile Wavetable synths were coming to the market. Modal’s seem to lack a distinctive voice.

The Carbon 8 actually feels like something they should have brought right out of the gate given that Phase distortion and other synthesis forms weren’t being explored by other brands.
Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: jg666 on September 21, 2023, 08:42:47 AM
Sadly, in my post yesterday I spelled “sadly” wrong and it’s annoying me that I can’t edit it  ;D



Title: Re: Modal Cobalt 8
Post by: Shaw on September 21, 2023, 08:55:16 AM

I think it was also not a great idea to do a Wavetable synth or virtual analog synth around the time actually analog synths and more versatile Wavetable synths were coming to the market. Modal’s seem to lack a distinctive voice.


A much more precise way to express my summation... "Meh"  ;D