NAMM 2025: Modal Electronics Carbon8M is a desktop/19” 3U rack format version of its latest Carbon8 digital Synthesizer.
Modal Electronics released the Carbon8 Synthesizer in early November 2024. It was the first release since the Chinese company Alltronics took over. Since then, the Carbon8 has also been available at retailers.
At NAMM 2025, Modal Electronics unveils the anticipated Carbon8M, a desktop version of ita latest digital Synthesizer.
Modal Electronics Carbon8M
Carbon8M is a compact desktop/19” 3U rack-format version of the Carbon8 digital Synthesizer. As with previous Modal Electronics, the desktop offers the same features as the regular version, except for the keyboard.
Modal Electronics Carbon8M and Carbon8 share the same newly developed sound engine, which features two oscillators powered by 56 digital core waveforms, various real-time algorithms, and wavetables.
The unique contour control lets you precisely set tonal sweet spots, while the powerful XCore engine creates dynamic sound variations with sophisticated oscillator modifiers.
The Carbon8M then hosts 34 different filter types with classic cutoff and resonance controls and morphing capabilities. These include various morphable filters, state variables, dual lowpass/bandpass, ladder-adjustable phasers, and static ones.
The modulation section offers three versatile multi-wave LFOs, three envelope generators (pitch, filter, and amp), and a modulation matrix with twelve destinations.
Like the keyboard version, it also includes the 512-step polyphonic step sequencer with real-time/step programming and a flexible multi-mode arpeggiator.
With three FX slots and 26 digital effect algorithms – including reverbs, delays, modulation effects, compressors and EQs – the synthesizer offers versatile tools for sound refinement
To get most of the panel features into the desktop version, the Modal Electronics Carbon8M has a slightly modified layout, which we already know from the other Modal desktop synths. It has 13 buttons, 13 encoders, nine switches, and a 4-way mappable X/Y joystick for real-time sound manipulation.
MPE support is also onboard, opening up expressive playability with a compatible keyboard controller. Carbon8M ships with 500 patches, 300 of which were created by professional sound designers.
Eight quick recall slots provide quick access to favorite patches, while 100 sequences and 100 customizable effect setups ensure a smooth workflow.
Connectivity
On the backside, you can find two unbalanced 6.3 mm TS audio outputs, a stereo headphone output, a stereo audio input for signal processing, connections for expression and sustain pedals, and analog clock sync inputs and outputs.
A 5-pin MIDI interface with in/out ports and a USB/MIDI connection ensure seamless integration into any setup. Unfortunately, it still does not have a USB host port.
Lastly, it comes with the free MODALapp software with librarian and editor functionality for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android with VST3/AU plugin support that
First Impression
It’s good to see that Modal Electronics is alive and producing synths again. The Carbon8M was in the air, and it was only a matter of time before the release. It’s a shame that the latest Modal desktop synth still doesn’t have a USB host, which would add more value to the synth.
Modal Electronics Carbon8M will be available in June 2025 for 849€.
More information here: Modal Electronics
THAT Disturbing trend with NO MIDI THRU continues! sabotaging our live rigs…