Modal Electronics Argon8

Modal Electronics has poured its history of design innovation into the Argon8, a proudly digital 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer. Complex in character and massive in sound, Argon 8 is built on a 32-oscillator configuration, which can be played polyphonically, monophonically, in unison, or stacked. The Argon8 is dripping in processors — including de-rez, waveshaping distortion, a robust effects engine, morphable filters, and envelope generators — which can distort and mangle or inspire sublime ambient explorations. A built-in arpeggiator and 512-step sequencer let you generate intricate patterns to evoke classic 80s arp lines or future-facing programming. With a steel and aluminum chassis and bamboo end cheeks, the Argon8 is a durable, furniture-grade synth that looks beautiful in the studio and can withstand night after night of heavy gigging. It also offers ample connectivity to fit snugly into an existing multi-synth setup.

Richly textured character from 32 high-resolution oscillators
To realize its rich and harmonically complex character, Argon8’s 32 high-resolution oscillators respond to a pair of selectable waveshapes from 120 morphable wavetables. Additionally, oscillator two includes pulse-width modulation and noise generation to warble up a signal before it hits any other processor. At a minimum, each of the four voices contains four stacked oscillators, but, with optional mono, unison, and stack modes, Argon8 can create even denser soundscapes. You can also take advantage of its “spread” function to slight detune all of the oscillators for a textured, rippling chorus, or tune them to intervals to explode the synth’s polyphonic capabilities.

Massive soundscaping possibilities
Argon8 is a sound designer’s playground, featuring a vast selection of processors that includes de-rez, waveshaping distortion, and a user-configurable stereo effects engine with delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, and phaser. A 2-pole multi-type morphable filter, three dedicated envelope generators (for AMP, MOD, and FILTER), and two-audio rate LFOs, further expand Argon8’s soundscaping possibilities, and an incredibly powerful Mod Matrix lets users knit modulators together into unreal sonic tapestries. You can also drive Argon8’s many functions with an assignable and super-responsive 4-axis joystick. Chaotic, lush, or anything in between — Argon8 can do it all!

Program intricate sequences and dynamic arpeggiations
This already insanely feature-packed synth also boasts a 512-step sequencer with four recordable parameter animations and a programmable 32-step arpeggiator with rest capability. To capture your brilliant designs for perpetuity, Argon8 has 200 user patch memory slots, and you can upload and download patches with the free ModalApp, compatible with macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android devices, and instantiable in your DAW.

Beautiful and durable design for night after night of playing
Housed in a steel and aluminum chassis with bamboo end cheeks, the Argon8 isn’t just for the studio. It’s a road-ready beast built for even the most prolific touring musicians. It’s also a pleasure to play, sporting a semi-weighted 37-key FATAR keybed with velocity and aftertouch for a responsive, natural feel. Argon8 plays well with others, too, easily integrating into an existing multi-device setup, with numerous connectivity options: 5-pin DIM I/O, USB-MIDI, 1/4” stereo outs, 3.5mm stereo input, and analog clock sync I/O.

Tech Specs
Type: Keyboard Synthesizer
Sound Engine Type(s): Wavetable Synthesis
Analog/Digital: Digital
Number of Keys: 37
Type of Keys: Fatar TP9/S, Full-sized
Aftertouch: Yes
Other Controllers: 4-way Joystick (assignable)
Polyphony: 8-voice, Mono-timbral
Presets: 120 Wavetables: 24 Banks of 5 Morphable Waveforms ; 28 Static Wavetable Processors, 300 Factory Programs, 200 User Patches
Oscillators: 32 x Wavetable Oscillators, 8 x Oscillator Modifiers
LFO: 2 x Audio-rate LFO with Tempo Sync
Filter: 2-pole Morphing Resonant Filter: Lowpass, Bandpass, Highpass
Envelope Generator: 3 x ADSR (Amp, Mod, Filter)
Effects Types: Waveshaping Distortion, 3 x Stereo FX Engines: Delay, Reverb, Phaser, Chorus
Arpeggiator: 32-step, Up to 2048 Steps before Repeat
Sequencer: Realtime 512-step Sequencer, Input Quantize, 100 Sequencer Presets
Audio Inputs: 1 x 1/8″ TRS (audio stereo)
Audio Outputs: 2 x 1/4″ (L/mono, R)
Headphones: 1 x 1/4″
USB: 1 x Type B
MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4″ (expression), 1 x 1/4″ (sustain)
Other I/O: Sync in, Sync out
Software: Modal app (VST3, AU)
OS Requirements – Mac: OS X 10.10 or later, iOS 9 or later
OS Requirements – PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later, Android 6 or later
Power Supply: 9V DC power supply (included)
Height: 4″
Width: 22″
Depth: 11.75″