Modal Electronics is back as a synth brand under a new ownership structure with the company and manufacturer Alltronics Holding Ltd from Hong Kong.
After the first Carbon8 appeared in the wild without an official release, Modal Electronics has published a company update on its Facebook page. As you can read, the Carbon 8 Synthesizer is now in production. I hope to see the synth soon also at retailers in Europe.
They also share the info that they are currently only a team of three instead of 15 as they used to be. This is definitely different from the old Modal times. They will certainly take small steps forward again, and I hope the team will grow again in the future.
Furthermore, they confirm my criticism of the broken website, which refers to other “scammy” websites, especially those that search for Modal on Google.
As you can read from the statement, these are not easy months for the new Modal Electronics company. Restarting production, releasing a new product, making new business relationships, restoring the online presence, and all this with a super small team—that’s tough and a lot work.
I wish Modal all the best and hope to see them back in the market soon with full energy. I think that will still take some time.
Statement
Over the past few weeks, we’ve received a lot of messages asking about our progress, and instead of responding to each one individually, we’d love to share a brief update with you all!The Modal team has been juggling multiple challenges at once. After the recent acquisition, we transitioned to a much smaller team to manage operations—what once was a group of 15 is now just 3 dedicated individuals!
Our primary focus has been getting our product manufacturing back on track and creating a solid development plan, all while ensuring our wonderful Modal customers receive ongoing support. We’ve also made some difficult choices to breathe new life into the brand, keeping Modal’s core values and vision in mind. We’re excited to share that we’ve completed the CARBON8 development and kicked off production of this eagerly awaited synthesizer.
With the help of our new parent company, Alltronics, we’ve also discovered a few unexpected hurdles. Unfortunately, our website was compromised by malware, and the IT team is hard at work sorting through the issues to clean everything up.We are also reorganizing the digital infrastructure for our brand accounts, which are crucial for distributing important components like MODALapp. It’s a bit challenging since the previous owner and administrative staff haven’t provided us with full access to these digital spaces, but we’re making progress!As you can see, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes! While we juggle production, shipments, product development, and keeping everything flowing, we could surely use a few extra hours in our day to tackle all our responsibilities.If we could resolve everything with a snap of our fingers, we would! But we know that after such a challenging restructuring process, patience, dedication, and passion will guide us in reinventing how Modal operates moving forward.We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support from our Modal customers and friends. Thank you so much for being part of this journey! A special shoutout to James Dyson, whose wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration mean the world to us. He not only organizes our user groups on Facebook but also helps with Beta tests, offers sound design help, and answers many technical questions in the community.The Modal team has a bright vision for our brand! We’re working hard on new products, and we’re expanding our distribution network so Modal can continue to lead in music production with innovative synthesizers and music creation tools.
Article From May 1, 2024
Last September, we reported on the insolvency of the British Synthesizer company Modal Electronics. Since then, things have been quiet.
There was a sign of life at NAMM 2024, but then things got quiet again, and now they are officially back. But not alone!
Modal Electronics Is Back
Modal Electronics sent out a press release today. This tells us that they have entered into a joint venture with Alltronics Holding Ltd from Hong Kong.
According to the release, it happened an ownership transformation. That was probably the only way Modal could survive after not having the funds to survive. But who is the partner?
“Alltronics Holding Ltd is a manufacturer of premium consumer and music technology products”, says the press release.
According to the Alltronics website, the company has a factory in Shenzhen called Shenzhen Allcomm Electronic Company Limited (“Allcomm”). Interesting! That makes the whole thing much easier for them. Alltronics also made all the Modal synths in the past. So it could be a good match.
It is not clear what the business structure looks like. It will be exciting to see how much the portfolio will change in the future with the new owner. Maybe we will see more affordable instruments on the market. Now that they have the infrastructure to manufacture, that would be possible.
Press Release
Hong Kong, 1st May 2024 – Modal Electronics, a leading brand of electronic music instruments and technology today announces the successful completion of its strategic restructuring, initiated in September 2023.
The completed restructuring marks a major milestone for Modal Electronics, as the brand can now focus on developing an ambitious plan for the next generation of music instruments and technology. Modal Electronics is ready to deliver exciting instruments and music creation tools for every music producer, performing musicians and synth aficionado.
Modal Electronics’ ownership transformation is the result of a strategic collaboration between Alltronics Holding Ltd and the company’s leadership team. This collaboration has resulted in a strong financial foundation and a clear vision for the company’s future.
Alltronics Holding Ltd is a manufacturer of premium consumer and music technology products and understood the opportunity to support the brands’ goals with their expertise in product development and manufacturing.
With this new structure, Modal Electronics can focus on creating innovative products that will push the boundaries of music creation and performance. The company has already built a strong reputation with its existing ARGON and COBALT product lines, but with the new investments and resources, it can now realize even more ambitious plans, using the latest technologies and collaborating with industry-leading experts. This will result in products that are not only advanced, but also easy to use and adaptable to the individual needs of musicians and music producers.
Eric Lam, CEO of Alltronics Holding Ltd comments: “The strategic collaboration between Alltronics and Modal signifies a significant milestone for both companies and holds immense promise for the future.
By combining the expertise and resources of Modal Electronics and Alltronics, we are poised to deliver a new level of excellence in the products and services we offer. This partnership will enable us to leverage our respective strengths, ranging from Modal’s cutting-edge technology and innovation in synthesiser music instruments enabling us to develop and bring to market even more advanced and groundbreaking products, catering to the evolving needs and aspirations of our valued customers.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our customers, partners, and employees for their unwavering support and dedication. It is through your trust and collaboration that we have reached this pivotal moment. I am confident that this joint venture will lead to remarkable achievements, opening up new horizons and propelling Modal Electronics to greater heights.”
Since 2013, Modal Electronics has cemented itself at the leading edge of forward-thinking synthesiser technology. Fusing sophisticated analogue and digital circuitry with an innovative approach to synthesiser design, Modal Electronics’ current portfolio is regarded as the pinnacle for users seeking modern synth-centric tools engineered for the forward-thinking creative. Whether it’s the Wavetable-fuelled ARGON-Series, the Beyond Analogue COBALT-Series or the ‘go-anywhere’ CREATOR-Series, users are empowered with unparalleled creative possibilities and the convenience of a 1:1 standalone app- and plugin-based control courtesy of MODALapp.
First Impression
Modal Electronics is on again. That is very positive. The website and downloads are also active again. As the German distributor confirmed to me, Modal will also be at Superbooth 24. I’m pretty sure with the Carbon8 Synthesizer.
It will be exciting to see what happens next. We will see. Good luck in the future and hope it is better than before.
More information here: Modal Electronics
Did they got screwed with Brexit or? Personally I never liked the feel of their synths. If they redesign it I might consider it in the future.
it was more related to wrong business decisions
I love my Cobalt5s and have been hoping Modal could be saved, I think their Cobalt and Argon range was well made and wish them every success in the future
Cobalt 5s is a hidden gem bargain. Love mine…and really love the patch randomizer.
As a convinced and satisfied user of the Cobalt 8M, I must say that I am very pleased with this news. Of course, the new owner was and is probably also the manufacturer of the synthesiser and there is probably also a bit of an attempt to salvage his outstanding claims. But, hey, it happens everywhere in business. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the company. Modal has built extremely good synthesisers so far.
That’s good to hear. I guess? Modal has been making some killer stuff… Maybe, we could get an affordable and redesigned 001 or 002? The 003?
Also, I feel like Modal could make a killer groovebox. It’ll be interesting to see what happens now. Can’t wait to hear more of the Carbon 8!
Aawe that’s brilliant, hopefully they’ll bounce through the new successes hoops of new and future shinning developments
Pity EMU didn’t jump ship in 2003
I nearly bought the Carbon8, but plumped for the Novation Summit in the end.
By the time I had Modal had announced the update with the free running Oscs and warmer filter types, it was really starting to sound a lot more like an actual analogue.
Great value for money.
Not sure that Alltronics Holdings are a good fit though.
Interesting that they’ve pulled the Carbon completely off their website and basically any online presence. I was pretty sure before they pulled their website, the Carbon was listed. It would be great to see that one come up again, but we’ll see.
So happy about this. I LOVE my Cobalt 8X. I think it’s the only synth I’d never sell. Never expected a VA to be so good, I did originally only buy it for the keybed 🙂 Every time I see another new expensive analog poly and get the GAS for that sound, I find I can build it exactly on the Cobalt. Plus, with 64 oscillators, it can go into crazy territories that real analog just couldn’t go. Long may they continue.
Awesome! Very happy they will continue 😀
This should be good news for existing customers. However, I feel the new company would serve their own interests if they invested time and resources on those customers. I’m not interested in their products unless I feel confident that they are taking care of customers who were left without support during their struggles.
I would suspect the Modal part of the partnership will be very small relating to development.
Does anyone know how or where to reach out to Modal for support? I’ve try emailing them thru both their support and info lines as well as calling them.
Give them a bit more time. New company structure, etc.
Today the modal electronics site is down. That’s not really a good hint, anyway…
the company is back in business. Since the new website launch in May, it was always in beta and not finished. It always flaws in it. They are currently working on the website: new company structure… They are also ramping up production again, etc. Changing a company from A to B is not an easy step.
Either their website has been hacked or they just “forgot” that they had to maintain it.
Their website has been hacked many months ago and certainly not a good sign for the future of Modal. Alltronics Holdings doesn’t exactly make a good impression either.
Sad to see.
So…two bean counters and a bug fixer. Yeah that sounds reassuring 😉
Being serious, the Carbon8 got some digital loveliness going on.
Good luck Modal. The Carbon 8 sounds damn great and has an inspiring look.