Modal Electronics Cobalt 8

I
very much enjoyed reviewing
the fi rst of Modal’s new synth
products – the Wavetable-
focused Argon 8 – especially
in these crazy times, it’s great
to see another UK synth
company go from strength to
strength and launch another range;
this time the very blue Cobalt series!
Modal’s latest synth features a 37-
key compact model (known simply as
the Cobalt 8), a 5-octave ‘X’ version
for the players out there, and a
module/desktop version, the Cobalt
M. In my review of the Argon 8, I said
ranges, Modal have sensibly chosen
to use the exact same high quality
(and nicely weighty) metal cases and
interface/layout for each product in
the Cobalt series, but beyond the
interfaces, the Argon and Cobalt are
nicely different machines. I’ll note
again here that the switchgear and
knobs all feel high quality, the OLED
screen displays all info to do with
your sounds clearly and generally, the
interface is easy enough to use. In
terms of expression, though, there are
no separate mod and pitch wheels;
we have the same lovely joystick as
found on the Argon-8, which helps
once again to keep the form-factor
compact. I’m a big fan of joysticks,
though one disadvantage is you can’t
leave mod on (as with a mod wheel),
while moving pitch independently –
potentially frustrating.
In sound engine terms, the Cobalt
is an eight-voice synth-based on what
modal call ‘extended virtual analogue’
synthesis. While the Cobalt can make
killer ‘bread and butter’ sounds (fat
basses, searing leads, warm pads
etc), it can go into altogether more
unusual territories when selecting
from the 34 algorithms (found in osc
groups 1 and 2; each containing 34
algorithms per-oscillator group). You’ll
fi nd types such as metal square, ring
mod tri, fractal saw and VA (bit)
crushed, just to give you an idea of
the more off-kilter shapes available.
The real beauty here is when you then
go and use the A1/B1 and A2/B2
knobs, which each govern unique
functions for the selected algorithm.
So, for example, parameters like
weight, sub, width and spread appear
via these controls to twist and expand
on the basic waves. Of course, these
can be modulated too and once you
direct an LFO or other mod source in
their direction, the algorithms start to
animate and morph, giving all sorts of
moving and almost wave sequenced-
like textures. You can really get in
among the cracks to extract altogether
other-worldy, sci-tronic vibes! The
fl exibility of these oscillators/
algorithms/engines is very forward-
thinking in implementation with a
good range of direct controls
available. Finally, (like the Argon 8)
you can freely mix between the two
available osc algorithms using the mix
control (modulatable via the joystick
or mod routes) and there’s a very
useful drift control which adds more
analogue vibe to the stable VA oscs.
Morphing is again central not only
to the algorithms onboard but also the
how nice it’d be to have a 4- or
5-octave version. Lo and behold, not
long after, the X and M versions
arrived – so it’s great to see the whole
range of sizes and form-factors
available at launch here too. For this
review, Modal sent us the standard
37-key version, but there is nothing
standard about this 37-key keyboard.
It’s a premium Fatar keybed with
full-size keys and aftertouch (not
normally found on smaller keybeds)
and it’s very satisfying to play.
To save on extra design cost (I
assume) and to unify the product
THE PROS & CONS
+
Sounds on the
money. Can be
polychained with
other Cobalts for up
to 16 voices. Plenty
of voice modes
Very solid build
quality throughout.
Largely intuitive
Audio input for
running external
audio into the effects
-
The effects, while
complementary,
don’t really have any
magic to them
Sometimes it feels
like there are a few
too many button
presses to access
some functionality
Filter knob is a fair
distance away from
the keyboard!
Modal Electronics Cobalt 8 | Reviews
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FMU367.rev_modal.indd 75 25/01/2021 08:32