Modal Cobalt 8

[jg666]

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

[jg666]

Hot on the heels of the Andertons  video is a First Look video from Nick Batt

https://youtu.be/jgMvuYkYvz0

[briceunger]

A really nice synth. Lovely sound and I'm told a really solidly built synth.

[jg666]

Nick Batt has now done a full review...

https://youtu.be/2j_4kBfVMOw

[LoboLives]

Modal always shocks me with their lack of bi timbrality. For digital synths it seems like a bit of an oversight.

[jg666]

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

[LPF83]

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.

[LPF83]

Nice comparison from Starsky Carr.  Much prefer the sound of the Minilogue XD personally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvZ8giaxaJc

[jg666]

Yes going on that demonstration, so do I.

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

[LPF83]

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.

[jg666]

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.

[jg666]

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

[Shaw]

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

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.

[jg666]

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

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.

[jg666]

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.

[hoodoo_ray]

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

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

[LoboLives]

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

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.

[jg666]

Sadly, in my post yesterday I spelled “sadly” wrong and it’s annoying me that I can’t edit it 

[Shaw]

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"