Modal Electronics Releases ARGON8 Firmware v3

Modal Quick Dive – ARGON8 Firmware v3 video upload by Modal Electronics



ARGON8 – Factory Bank v3 Patches

"Completing the ARGON8 v3 Firmware Update, the new factory Patch Preset Sounds take huge advantage of the new Vintage and Oscillator Freerun features, the new filters and the exciting new Effects algorithms."

And the press release:

Modal Electronics ARGON8 Firmware v3 supercharges popular Wavetable Synthesisers

– Empowering music producers, musicians and sound designers' creativity with four new filter types, 15 brand new effects and a wealth of workflow enhancements and improvements –

Bristol, UK - 9 September 2022. Modal Electronics, a leading global synthesiser manufacturer, has just released an all-new firmware update for their critically-acclaimed feature-packed ARGON-Series synthesisers. Never content with a static approach to product development, ARGON-Series firmware v3 redefines the sound and functionality of Modal Electronics’ advanced Wavetable synths and adds a raft of new forward-thinking features that guarantee to supercharge users’ creative output like never before.

New in Firmware v3
The brand-new Vintage parameter helps to alter the organic fabric of the wavetable textures by emulating the behaviour of vintage synths’ technical imperfections, where certain tuning and other variations were introduced into the sound generation. Oscillator Free Run is another new feature known from analogue synthesisers and, when activated, adds to the sonic flexibility of ARGON8. ‘Classic’ Synth sounds are so much more alive with the vintage and free run parameters ensuring every key press is slightly different than the one before.

Firmware v3 adds four new filter types, incl. 4-Pole Ladder Filter, a 1-Pole Ladder Hybrid, a resonant Phaser Ladder Filter and a new 2-Pole Sallen-Key Filter. All new filters come with Pre-Filter drive, and the integrated polesweeping allows seamless morphing through the audio spectrum. The Ladder filter unlocks even more classic synth tones as well as expanding ARGONs experimental capabilities with the more complex filter outputs and the Sallen-Key filter brings a whole new level and character to gnarly, driven sounds, especially when paired with the Drive FX.

Additionally, ARGON8 Firmware v3 includes 15 new powerful effects. Harnessing our flexible processing distribution system, some of the new additions harnessing the power of two effects slots for more sonic power and depth. The V2 Reverb is great for adding a little bit of space to a sound, huge near-infinite reverbs and everything in-between. The new Chorus v2 was brought from our successful COBALT5S and COBALT8 synths and injects vintage Chorus tones to ARGON8. Creative sound gourmets will also enjoy the new Phaser v2, Compressor, Three-Band EQ, Unisoniser, Utility and additional Drive effects, giving enough options to give custom patch creations a final, production-ready touch

With the new firmware, the programmable Arpeggiator receives new Arp Directions to inspire musicians and producers. Firmware v3 also improves the capabilities of the OLED display, the Audio In quality, the gain staging of the audio output and much more. For a full list of new Features and Improvements, we recommend the Release Notes, available on the product’s web page.

Finally, Firmware v3 launches with the addition of a dedicated new bank of 100 new factory presets to showcase Firmware v3 in action.

Firmware v3 is available as a free update via our MODALapp software.

Modal Electronics Introduces New 5 Octave Argon8X & Argon8M Desktop Synths

via Modal Electronics

Introducing ARGON8M and ARGON8X Polyphonic Synthesisers

Modal Electronics are proud to announce the latest products in its line of innovative Machines For Musicians - the Modal ARGON8M and ARGON8X synthesisers. ARGON8M and ARGON8X join the growing Modal Electronics family of SKULPTsynthesiser, CRAFTsynth 2.0, and the original ARGON8 (37 key version).

Based around its revolutionary new wavetable synthesiser engine, ARGON8 products derive much of their heritage and DNA from the highly acclaimed Modal 002.

The Modal 002, first introduced in June 2014 at $4,495, is still used and loved by top artists, film and television producers across the globe.

The two new models are welcome extensions to the line, allowing consumers two new exciting options:

1) ARGON8M - A compact desktop module version that can also be mounted into a 19" 3U rack with the included end cheeks, for those players with limited space.

2) ARGON8X - An elongated 61 key version using the same FATAR TP/9S mechanism with aftertouch, for those players who want an extended octave range.

Both models share an identical sound engine as the original ARGON8 (37 key version), with 8 voices of true polyphonic flexibility (8 independent signal paths comprising oscillators, filter, envelopes and modulation).
Modal are also excited to also announce the development of ARGON8 Polychaining, which will enable any two ARGON8’s to be in a master/slave configuration over DIN MIDI giving the user 16 note polyphony and the ability to control two ARGON8's from one. Estimated to be introduced in a software update c. March / April.

ARGON family members bring eight voices of true polyphony in professional quality packages with features previously never seen at these price points.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Soundsauca Modal Argon8 & Cobalt8 Soundsets

Modal Argon8 Presets - Daydrifta sound set demonstration by Soundsauca
video by Soundsauca

"Riding the wave of excitement surrounding the recent Modal Electronics Cobalt8 announcement. Soundsauca did what any dedicated but uninformed synth nut would do, create a bank for last year's hot potato! - and a fine one at that. Unfashionably late but dedicated to the synth party! Daydrifta is a 64 preset collection for the Modal Electronics Argon8.

The bank is available here: https://www.soundsauca.com/sounds/mod...​

Daydrifta is my offering to the gaseous synth god of Argon. An intricate and beautiful sounding synth, the Argon8 delivers shimmering sonics and glassy undulations in abundance.

Whilst the Argon8 is known as a majestic synth for ambient based genres, I also probed it's other side to see where it leads. And I found plenty! Crunchy crashes, kicks, analog renditions, tortured leads and arps and some wubs to keep those Cobalt cravings at bay!

But it's clear what the Argon does best and hopefully this sound set won't disappoint.

Nobility
As a bonus to all you Argon owners there will be an extra 36 sounds in the bank, rounding things out to 100."

Modal Cobalt8 Presets - Baltica sound set demonstration by Soundsauca
video by Soundsauca

"Baltica for the Modal Electronics Cobalt8 serves up an extended concoction of analog entwined pads, retro leads, old school stabs and ethereal effects. 100 patches are included (65 in the video and 35 more).

The bank is available for free either from:
– https://www.modalelectronics.com​
– https://www.soundsauca.com/sounds/mod...​"

Modal Electronics Introduces New 8-Voice Extended Virtual-Analogue Synthesiser

And the blue synth is revealed. Meet Model Electronics new Cobalt 8. Priced at $749.99 USD, £579.99 GBP, and €649.99 Euro. See the dealers on the right for availibility.

Playlist:
1. Modal COBALT8 Intro Video
2. COBALT8 Overview
3. COBALT8 Preset Sound Demos

User demos:



Playlist:
1. Modal Cobalt 8 Sound Demo (no talking) - Limbic Bits
2. Modal Electronics Cobalt 8 Sound Demo (no talking) - Bonedo Synthesizers
3. COBALT8 review & comparison with Argon8 // Which synthesizer is right for you?! - BoBeats
4. Cobalt8 Modal Electronics - 1st Look - sonicstate


And the press release (hi-res pics below):

"Modal Electronics creatively kickstarts new synthesiser series with COBALT8

– 8-Voice Extended Virtual-Analogue Synthesiser –

Bristol, UK: leading British synthesiser manufacturer Modal Electronics is proud to announce availability of COBALT8 — an immensely powerful, eight-voice extended VA (Virtual-Analogue) synthesiser that brings traditional and entirely new analogue-style sound textures to modern music creation and production as an innovative, sophisticated synthesis concept comprising two oscillator groups with selectable algorithms in self-contained elements enabling multiple oscillator modulations, an all-new 4-pole morphable ladder filter with switchable configurations, an unparalleled modulation engine, and much more besides, extending far beyond the limits of its analogue forefathers — as of October 29…

Creatively kickstarting a new synthesiser series by building on the tradition of warm and punchy analogue-style synth sounds seeded by bygone legendary synthesisers, COBALT8 creatively unlocks the full potential of analogue waveforms with up to 64 high-resolution VA oscillators with extended drift — up to eight for each of its eight true polyphonic voices. The two independent and self-contained Osc (oscillator) groups include sine, pulse, triangle, and sawtooth waveforms alongside 34 unique algorithms allowing for complex analogue synthesis techniques, built-in cross-modulation (sync, ring modulation, and more), PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), smooth morphing between VA waves, bit crushing, and filtered noise — unlike any other VA synthesiser before it, increasing creative options for new-generation synth sounds. Speaking of which, Algorithm1 and Algorithm2 each have an associated simple-to- use pair of controls — A1 and B1, A2 and B2 — chosen to suit the particular algorithm or character, providing musicians with the power of traditionally complex oscillator modulations or processes spontaneously.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Modal Releases ARGON8 Firmware v2.0

The press release:

"Modal Electronics releases ARGON8 Firmware v2.0

– New features and improvements to increase the creative potential for sound designers and musicians –

Bristol, UK – 20th May 2020 Modal Electronics, one of the leading boutique synthesiser manufacturers, releases Firmware 2.0 for its ARGON8 series. This significant update includes a vast amount of feature upgrades and many improvements, based on suggestions Modal received by its ARGON8 user community.

Firmware v2.0 for ARGON8 delivers an improved overall Audio Output staging and advanced dynamics options. A new Gain Boost setting applies to all patches. It increases the average output level while expanding the range of the Patch Gain control helps to boost even the quietest patches without introducing unwanted noise.

Long pads, drones and snappier percussion are now even easier to dial in with seven new envelope modes & three new curves (including the much lusted after Long variations for those exploring ambient territory).

A brand-new polyphonic 64 step sequencer mode has been integrated into the 512 note real-time sequencer. It provides an eight note-per-step sequencer, to allow full step-by-step control of melodies and pattern ideas. It also features several Step Modes to unlock significant flexibility to trigger sequences in different ways suiting various setups and performance situations.

With Firmware v2.0, ARGON8 introduces support of the MPE standard. Musicians and sound designers with compatible controller hardware can now enjoy polyphonic expression to design unparalleled sonic textures using ARGON8’s acclaimed wavetable synth engine.

Modal adds a staggering new performance feature in the shape of Chord Inversions to ARGON8 – an intuitive and experimental way to deploy chord inversions and variations in real-time, enabling a huge array of options to explore and greatly simplify complex chord voicings to both seasoned keys players and novices.

Alongside this milestone firmware release, Modal also releases an update for MODALapp, a free editor software available for macOS and Windows computers, as well as iOS, iPadOS and Android mobile devices. To edit and control ARGON8 models directly within a DAW application, AU and VST3 versions will be available, too.

Additionally, Modal releases a dedicated sound set. These new patches showcase many of the new firmware features. Available from Modal’s website as SysEx file, they deliver a perfect starting point for creative musical adventures with ARGON8.

The ARGON8, ARGON8X and ARGON8M models are available through selected retailers worldwide, and the MODALapp is required to install the firmware update."

Knobcon 2019: Modal Argon8 Walkthrough & Sounds

Published on Sep 12, 2019 sonicstate

"After the last couple of weeks being big in terms of digital poly synth action, Modal came down to the studio and gave us a run down of the new Argon8 poly synth. There were still a few questions we were unable to get into that video so Jim caught up with Jackson to check out the instrument and ask those questions!"

Knobcon 2019: Modal Electronics Argon8 Sounds Only Demo

Published on Sep 12, 2019 sonicstate

"Our resident reporter Jim (Earmonkey Music) was able to grab some time with the Modal Electronics Argon8 to really get down to the nitty gritty and check out some of the sounds it can make."

Modal Electronics Argon8 Polyphonic Wavetable Synthesizer

Published on Mar 30, 2020 Perfect Circuit

"Modal's Argon8 is an expressive polyphonic synthesizer that brings wavetable synthesis to a new generation of users. Capable of the cold, nostalgic tones of classic wavetable synths as well as distinctly futuristic timbres, the Argon8 provides an impressive punch for the price.

Argon8's wavetables are were carefully sculpted to provide access to a wide variety of sounds from classic analog-style techniques to esoteric, algorithmically-generated, glitchy sounds. With four oscillators per voice, extensive wave shaping and audio modulation options, a morphing resonant filter, and three stereo effect engines, Argon8 will do everything from smooth, slippery bass lines to crackling atmospheric textures.

All this combined with an eight-slot modulation matrix, velocity and aftertouch-capable keybed, and 512-note sequencer makes the Argon8 an uncommonly flexible tool for exploring the timbral universe of wavetable synthesis."

https://www.perfectcircuit.com/modal-electronics

Modal Quick Dive – ARGON8 Firmware v2.6 – New Wavetables

video upload by Modal Electronics

"Just when you thought the ARGON-Series couldn’t get any more feature-packed, Modal Electronics announce Firmware v2.6, empowering users with 12 new Wavetable Banks, 60 new Waveforms and a host of must-have workflow enhancements. Here, we are demonstrating the new sonic powers we injected into the ARGON8 wavetable engine."

And the press release:

– MODAL ELECTRONICS’ ARGON-SERIES V2.6 FIRMWARE UPDATE GUARANTEES TO TURBOCHARGE THE CREATIVE OUTPUT FOR MUSICIANS, PRODUCERS AND PERFORMERS LIKE NEVER BEFORE –

Bristol, UK - 24th February 2022 - Modal Electronics, a leading global synthesiser manufacturer, has just announced an all-new firmware update for their critically-acclaimed feature-packed ARGON-Series synthesisers. Never content with a static approach to product development - and directly responding to the needs of their global user community - Modal Electronics’ ARGON-Series firmware v2.6 adds a raft of new forward-thinking features that guarantee to supercharge user’s creative output like never before.

New in Firmware v2.6
Firmware v2.6 adds 12 new Wavetable Banks containing 60 all-new Waveforms. Now, producers, performers and sound designers can experience immediate access to two independent wave-groups each containing 180 carefully crafted wavetables split into 36 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets; there's even an additional PWM bank and three noise/modulation banks accessible on wave-group 2. In addition, users can now effortlessly link OSC2 tuning to be linked to OSC1 frequency via a handy OSC2 Tune Mode control. Fuse all of this with 32 static wavetable modifiers, including, de-rez, wave folders, waveshapers, phase shapers and rectify, all of which can be applied to the 180 wavetables - not to mention eight types of oscillator modifier - and the sonic possibilities are virtually limitless.

Introducing Modal Argon8 - 8 voice polyphonic wavetable synthesiser

Published on Dec 4, 2019 Modal Electronics

Modal Electronics official intro video. You can find additional posts featuring the Modal Argon8 here.

"Modal Argon8 is an 8-voice polyphonic wavetable synthesiser.

It features four digital oscillators per voice split into two controllable wavetables with one innovative offline wave modifier available per wavetable with 28 different options to redraw each wavetables and one modulatable oscillator modifier available per patch with 8 modifier types to choose from.

There are 4 flexible multi-mode filters and 3 dedicated flexible envelope generators for AMP, MOD and FILTER that can be accessed independently or all three simultaneously on board.


Argon8 also boasts a hugely powerful “Mod Matrix” with eight assignable slots and four additional fixed routes, 11 mod sources and 52 destinations.

The 4-axis joystick can be assigned to a huge range of modulation destinations and can be ‘locked’ in place when desired.

There are two Audio rate LFO’s with tempo sync (one poly, one global). Polyphonic LFO can sync to frequency divisions.

Argon8 has 12 on board FX; a waveshaping distortion that is followed by three incredibly powerful, independent and user configurable stereo FX engines that can create sophisticated Delays, lush Reverbs, Flanging, Phasing, and Rich Choruses to name a few.

The hardware has been manufactured with high-quality components: a powder coated black steel case, anodised aluminium top panel, endless encoders and a super bright white on black OLED screen.

Among the many connections, Modal Argon8 features a USB port to connect your synth to the MODALapp user interface on a computer tablet or phone. This can be used for preset design and management as well as updating the firmware on your Argon8."

Modal Argon8 - "Spectrum" 50 presets

Published on Apr 16, 2020 LFOstore

"#Modal Argon8#Modal Electronics#Argon8Presets

Buy: https://sellfy.com/p/dt1d2n/

Lfo.store presents a series of banks for Modal Electronics synthesizers.

The series will cover such synthesizers: Argon8, Sculpt, CRAFTsynth 2.0.

The first bank in the series is dedicated to the current flagship among wavetable synthesizers from Modal Electronics, the Argon8 synthesizer.

The bank features massive basses, punch leads, soft plucks, flowing pads, and warm keys.

Every patch of our soundset is musical & can be immediately used in your tracks & production.

Enjoy and may the music come with you!"

Modal Electronics Argon8 Factory Patch Bank Demos

Published on Nov 22, 2019

"Sound demos of some of the presets available in the Modal Electronics Argon8 Factory Patch Banks.

Modal Argon8 is an 8 voice polyphonic wavetable synthesiser. It features 120 crafted wavetables split into 24 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets, 32 oscillators in total (4 per voice) and a huge range of wavetable and oscillator modifiers.

Beyond the oscillators there is a multi-mode filter, 3 envelope generators, 2 audio-rate LFOs, 3 powerful independent and user configurable stereo FX engines, a real-time sequencer, a programmable arpeggiator and an extensive modulation matrix."

Modal Electronics ARGON8 - Sounds, Patches and Presets | Synth Demo

Published on May 8, 2020 synth4ever

"Modal Electronics ARGON8 digital wavetable synth demo, featuring various sounds, patches and presets (no talking). This Modal Argon8 synthesizer demo showcases the Argon 8's varied sound palette including ambient pads, arpeggiator, leads, basses, distortion, and more."

SoundsDivine 'Pure & Simple' - Modal Electronics Argon8

SoundsDivine111

"Preview of the presets from the 'Pure & Simple' soundset for Modal Electronics Argon8 synthesizer.
For more information, please follow the link below:
https://www.soundsdivine.com/product/...

#modal #argon8 #presets

00:00 Intro
00:10 Preset Demos"

Modal ARGON8

video uploads by Modal Electronics DACH

"Der ARGON8 von Modal Electronics ist ein 8-stimmiger Wavetable-Synthesiser mit 32 Oszillatoren, 180 handverlesenen Wavetables und 8 verschiedenen, morphbaren Filtertypen. Er ist wahlweise mit 37 oder 61 Tasten (mit Aftertouch) sowie als platzsparendes Desktop-/Rack-Modul erhältlich.

ARGON8 ermöglicht die Verwendung von bis zu 4 Effekten gleichzeitig (3 hochwertige Multi-Effekt-Prozessoren + Distortion) und unterstützt außerdem MPE für besonders expressive Performances."

Playlist at the time of this post:
Modal ARGON8 - Der Wavetable-Synthesiser einer neuen Generation
Nodal ARGON8 Kickstart #1: Overview
Modal ARGON8 Kickstart #2: Oscillators
Modal ARGON 8 Kickstart #3: Effects

Modal Electronics Argon8 (Sounds Only)

Published on Jan 24, 2020 VCO USA

"A few custom patches from the Modal Electronics Argon8. These patches will be available for download before too long. We are working very hard at a full patch bank for the Argon8 / 8X and 8D"

New Modal Electronics Argon8 8 Voice Polyphonic Wavetable Synthesiser

Published on Sep 6, 2019 sonicstate

Looks like a Synton Syrinx meshed with a KOG Minilogue.

See it at Knobcon in Chicago this weekend!

"The ARGON8 is an 8 voice digital Polysynth with a three octave full size Fatar keybed (with aftertouch),120 high resolution wavetables (from 002 as well) 4 oscillators per voice, 28 wavetable processors including de-rez, phase shapers and rectify.

We had a look at the pre-production prototype - presets have not been created yet and the final look will be tweaked, with Jackson (we're fortunate in that Modal are just down the road). The ARGON8 will be on show at Knobcon this weekend if you are going - we'll have a reporter there so hope to get another look.

Final pricing is TBC, but Modal tell us that it will be competitive certainly sub $1000 - as soon as we know we'll tell you. Modal are also confident that the ARGON8 will be shipping well before Christmas worldwide."

Priced at $699 / £579 / €649

Specs:

Polyphony
True 8 voice polyphonic

Mono-timbral

Oscillators
120 carefully crafted wavetables split into 24 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets, covering virtual analogue classics through to cutting edge EDM and many from the original Modal 002 as well as a whole range of mathematically generated tables. Additional PWM bank and 4 noise/modulation banks accessible on Oscillator 2

CLICK FOR MORE »

Modal Electronics Argon8 Factory Patch Bank Demos Firmware V3

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Nicolas Melis

"Modal Electronics Argon8 Factory Patch Bank Demos Firmware v3
Favorite presets

This one is for sale : https://reverb.com/item/62314260-moda...

0:00 - 0:19. 00 phat phaze
0:20 - 0:49. 24 analog rev3
0:50 - 1:10. 70 caverns
1:11 - 1:36. 16 wehvexplosiv3
1:37 - 2:04. 55 rhythmo pad
2:05 - 2:36. 65 dancer n phaser
2:37 - 3:34 02 zimmersound
3:35 - 4:07. 19 chemical symphon
4:08 - 4:43. 13 voice june
4:44 - 5:11. 41 phase skiper"

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

Just Sounds: Modal Electronics ARGON8 Wavetable Synth

Published on Feb 6, 2020 Noisegate

"So what does the Modal Electronics ARGON8 Wavetable Synth sound like?
Here is our "Just Sounds" Video that reveals just some of what this new synth is capable of.."

Modal Electronics Argon8 w/ Original Box

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Modal Electronics Argon8 synthesizer- as new- in box with power supply. Clear plastic still on display. V2.6 software. Wait until you hear what V3.2 does... Astonishing synth. The updates they have done for this synth are remarkable- and they keep on coming."

CLICK FOR MORE »

MODAL ELECTRONICS ARGON8 Demo & Review by musictrackjp

musictrackjp

"MODAL ELECTRONICS ARGON8 / ARGON8M Demo & Review.
DEMO by Katsunori UJIIE.

English sub-titles will soon ......
English sub-titles available. Click [CC] and choose English from the Settings menu."