ARGON8 by Modal Electronics | 8-Voice Wavetable Synthesiser with 37 keys and included software

8-Voice Wavetable Synthesiser with 37 keys

With it’s transparent and rich sound, an array of realtime controls, full MPE support, a straightforward, structured user interface and integrated performance tools, ARGON8 is a unique instrument, designed to deliver an unmatched sonic experience.  

ARGON8’s sophisticated wavetable engine generates thousands of different sonic combinations with its seamless waveform morphing feature. Explore evolving ambient textures, classic pads and modern chords, brutal bass’, dark drones and psychedelic noise textures – ARGON8 is a true sound designer’s playground. Process and cross modulate the waves using either the 32 static wavetable modifiers and unlock additional wavetable variations. With ARGON8, virtually every sound imagination comes to life. 

MODALapp

The free MODALapp brings the comfort of screen-based editing on your computer or mobile device. Available as a standalone app for macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS or Android systems and in VST3 and AU plug-in formats it is the perfect companion for synth enthusiasts looking to deep dive to all sound forming and performance parameters to create their own signature sounds, and to backup and manage patches and sequences.

Included software

Optional 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

Features

Polyphony

• True 8 voice polyphonic

Oscillators

• 32 high-resolution wavetable oscillators, 4 per voice
• 120 carefully crafted wavetables split into 24 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets Additional PWM bank and 3 noise/modulation banks accessible on Oscillator 2
• 32 static wavetable modifiers including, de-rez, wave folders, waveshapers, phase shapers and rectify can be applied to the 120 wavetables to give a mind-boggling array of permutations and new waveshapes.
• 8 types of oscillator modifier including Phase Mod (FM), Ring Mod, Amp Mod, Hard Sync and Windowed Sync
• Voice Drift and Width controls that help to create massive stereo soundscapes

Filter

• 2-pole state variable filters, 4 Filter types - ‘Standard’ filters are based on the resonant filter found in other Modal synthesisers and ‘Classic’ with a more rounded character and a softer resonance response

Modulation

• 3 dedicated envelope generators for AMP, MOD and FILTER that can be accessed independently or all three simultaneously including negative (reverse) versions
• 2 Audio rate LFO’s with tempo sync (one poly, one global). Polyphonic LFO can sync to frequency divisions
• 8 assignable modulation slots and 4 additional fixed modulation routings for common assignments with 11 modulation sources and 52 modulation destinations

Sequencer and Arpeggiator

• Realtime sequencer with 512 notes with polyphonic mode and four recordable/editable parameter animations (Delay FX, LFO’s, sequencer and arpeggiator can be either clocked internally or externally)
• Built-In sophisticated programmable arpeggiator of 32 steps with rest capability with up to 2048 steps before repeating

FX 

• Waveshaping distortion
• 3 incredibly powerful 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 favourite patches

Controls and Performance

• Premium 37-key Keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch 
• 28 endless encoders, 24 buttons
• Volume knob
• 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

Enclosure and Display

• Road-ready steel and aluminium enclosure 
• 1.54-inch large OLED display for instant visual feedback at all times of playing/editing

Inputs and Outputs

• 2 x unbalanced 6.3 mm (1/4”) TS outputs (L/R)
• Stereo 6.3 mm (1/4”) stereo headphone output 
• Stereo 3.5 mm (1/4”) input with ability to route incoming audio through the FX
• 6.3 mm (1/4”) sustain pedal jack
• 6.3 mm (1/4”) expression pedal jack
• 3.5 mm (1/4”) Analogue clock sync in and out (configured to the KORG / Teenage Engineering specification)
• MIDI DIN in and out
• Class-compliant MIDI over USB connection to host computer or tablet

Power

• Power: DC-9.0V - 1.5A centre-positive

Technical parameters