Modal Cobalt8M, The Poly VA Synth For Space Savers & Cobalt8X For Players

November 17, 2020 Synth Anatomy Hardware, News, Synthesizers 0

Modal Electronics expands the Cobalt8 analog modeling Synthesizer family with the Cobalt8M, a new desktop version, and a 61-key version for players named Cobalt8X.

At the end of October, I reported on the Cobalt8, the new virtual analog synthesizer from Modal Electronics. Now there is news from Modal again, but one that was foreseeable. The British company expanded the Cobalt8 with two new models. Now the Cobalt8 power is also available for space savers as the Cobalt8M and for keyboard players with 61 keys as the Cobalt8X.

Both new versions use the same innovative analog modeling technology as the first Cobalt8. Only the form factor and the price change. Not to forget, the Cobalt8M can also be used to poly chain the Cobalt8 or 8X to 16 Voices with impressive 128 oscillators.

Modal Cobalt8M & Cobalt8X

The Cobalt8 series is based on a virtual analog or analog modeling engine. Instead of offering the user the well-known analog-style waveforms, Modal gives its customers 34 unique algorithms with which they can do sonic experiments. But since I have already reported in October in-depth about the engine, here is everything at a glance, and there no differences.

true 8 voice polyphonic
analog-modeling engine
MPE support
64 high-resolution virtual-analog oscillators, up to 8 per voice
two independent & self-contained oscillator groups with 34 different oscillators + oscillator drift
4-pole morphable ladder filter with resonance and four switchable configurations
three envelope generators for the amp, mod, & filter addressable independently or all three simultaneously including negative (reverse) versions for mod and filter envs.
three audio-rate LFOs with tempo sync (two poly, one global), with seven different shapes
modulation matrix with 8 slots and 12 modulation sources & 55 destinations

Poly Sequencer, FX…

polyphonic real-time sequencer with 512 notes, poly step sequencer up to 64 steps (8 notes per step) & four-parameter animations
three FX slots with chorus, phaser, flanger (pos), flanger (neg), tremolo, lofi, rotary, stereo delay, ping-pong delay, X-over delay, and reverb.
500 patch memories, 100 sequencer presets, 100 FX presets
premium FATAR 61-key keyboard with velocity & channel aftertouch
29 endless encoders, 24 buttons
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
Chord Invert control to easily create chord inversions and variations
6.35 mm / 1/4″ TS dual-mono line outputs, TRS headphone output, 3.5 mm / 1/8″ TRS stereo audio input
MIDI DIN In and Out,
3.5 mm / 1/8″ TS Analogue clock sync In and Out
class-compliant MIDI over USB connection
expression pedal and sustain pedal inputs on 6.35 mm / 1/4″

All in all, I’m very happy to see that both are also available in the other two forms. The regular Cobalt8 is currently still in extensive testing. In the meantime, here is my first look and a test of the oscillator algorithms.