Modal Electronics Argon 8

feel very positive, though the pots
have plastic and not metal shafts,
which obviously has enabled Modal
to keep costs in check. It also
appears that the review model has a
slightly different look to others I’ve
seen and it has a darker front panel,
lacks the bamboo-style (or similar!)
ends and also has a smaller volume
knob. I hear this was a production
mistake; Modal are now shipping
bigger volume knobs out to
customers with smaller knobs
(ahem). Perhaps Modal have
changed the design slightly as
production has progressed.
The 37-note (three-octave) Fatar
TP9 keybed also feels great and has
aftertouch (which is often missing on
smaller keybeds) so it’s really great
to see it included here for adding
hands-free modulation to sounds
(along with the pedal control). I like
that Modal have kept the Argon
compact but it’d be great to have a
four- or fi ve-octave version with
expanded controls, bi-timbrality and
corresponding to that knob (ie fi lter
cutoff takes you to the fi lter part of
the OS). You can also easily scroll
through the main pages of the
operating system and access all the
deeper parameters using the knobs
each side of the display (which are
clickable continuous encoders),
though some cursor buttons and
arrows would have felt a bit more
direct and sometimes you fi nd
yourself having to do a lot of knob
turning, only for the parameters to
change slowly. Well, until I found you
can click and turn to scroll faster...
As mentioned before, due to the
compact nature of the synth, there
fewer shift functions. One for the
future, possibly?
Space at the (wave)table?
Programming sounds is largely
intuitive and fun and there’s a small
but clear OLED which updates you
with what’s going on at all times
(though it misses a moving
oscilloscope display as found on
Korg’s ‘-Logue’ instruments which
would have been great here,
particularly with the evolving
wavetables, as the shapes look ace!)
To edit sounds, simply hit a button or
turn a knob; the knob you are turning
will enter the area of editing
SEQUENCER AND ARPEGGIATOR
No modern synth should be without a decent sequencer and arpeggiator. The Argon 8
gives you both with a solid amount of control. Firstly, the real-time polyphonic sequencer
can hold up to 512 notes over 16 steps and also has four animation (modulation) lanes
into which you can record parameter tweaks to keep things engaging. You can also just
record modulation/knob tweak data in to use the sequencer as a mod source for evolving
sounds. Sequences can be independent or linked to a particular patch as needed (like the
MatrixBrute). There’s also a couple of cool features, including Sequence Loop (where you
highlight a particular area within a sequence to loop), or Sequence Hold, basically an
instant beat repeat effect.
Sequence steps are
handily shown by the
lights across the panel.
Finally, the 32-step
arpeggiator is fully
programmable and
transposable with plenty
of direction modes, time
divisions and swing. Both
the arp and sequencer
sync to MIDI and the arp
can accept external MIDI
input too. See also the
Modal app (Windows/Mac/
iOS/Android/VST/AU) for
editing sequence info if
you prefer.
THE ALTERNATIVES
Korg Wa ves tate
£699
The Wavestate takes
Korg’s wave-
sequencing concept
to new levels.
37-note compact
form factor much
like the Argon 8.
Classic wave-
sequencing,
modelled fi lters,
great effects and
sound shaping!
korg.com
Studiologic
Sledge 2.0 £799
Criminally
overlooked, the
eight-voice virtual
analogue Sledge is
now available in
all-black. Onboard is
a great Waldorf synth
engine with plenty of
power/versatility,
lovely effects and
user sample upload
options too.
studiologic-music.com
ASM Hydrasynth
Desktop £799
The Hydrasynth is a
truly innovative eight-
voice synth with poly
aftertouch, fi ve
LFOs, fi ve envelopes
and three wave-
morphing oscillators
per-voice. All killer.
ashunsound
machines.com
One of those synths that
feels like you could explore it
for many years
Reviews | Modal Electronics Argon 8
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