The Modal Electronics ARGON8M is a monotimbral 8-voice polyphonic wavetable synthesizer module with a true 8-voice architecture that combines the best elements of the 00, Craft, and Skulpt series instruments into a powerful, yet affordable synth with professional features well suited for musicians, producers, sound designers, and more.
The 120 carefully crafted wavetables are split into 24 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets, covering classic virtual analog waveforms through modern waveforms suitable for EDM. Many of the original Modal 002 waveforms are included as well as a whole range of mathematically generated tables. There are 32 static wavetable processors including de-rez, wave folders, wave shapers, phase shapers, and rectify that can be applied to any of the 120 wavetables for a remarkable array of permutations and new wave shapes.
The two-pole morphing resonant filter offers low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass. The powerful Mod Matrix has eight assignable slots with four fixed routes, 11 mod sources, and 52 destinations. What s more, there s a fully assignable 4-axis joystick that can be assigned to a huge range of modulation destinations and virtually locked when desired. The ARGON8M rounds out its modulation with three dedicated envelope generators for Amp, Filter, and Mod that can be addressed independently or simultaneously including negative (reverse) versions, as well as two audio rate LFOs with tempo sync (one poly, one global). Polyphonic LFO can sync to frequency divisions.
The integrated 1.5 OLED display provides visual feedback of playing and editing at all times. There are multiple keyboard modes including Mono, Poly, Unison 2, Unison, 4, Unison 8, Stack 2, and Stack 4, plus glide/portamento with both legato and staccato modes.
The built-in programmable arpeggiator of 32 steps with rest capability with up to 2048 steps before repeating, making for highly customizable pattern generation. The real-time sequencer can record up to 512 steps with input quantize and features four recordable / editable parameter animations. What s more, all time-based effects, LFO s, sequencer, and arpeggiator can be clocked internally or externally.
The rear panel offers a pair of 1/4 main outputs, a dedicated 1/4 headphone output, and two 1/4 controller inputs for expression and sustain. Additionally, there is a 3.5mm stereo input for effects processing of external signals, plus two 3.5mm analog sync I/Os for connecting to other hardware gear. The ARGON8M features several onboard effects including delays, reverbs, choruses, flangers, and phasers. A free software editor is available for download and is compatible with macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, as well as VST3 and Audio Units. The ARGON8X includes a power cord.
Key Features
- True 8-voice polyphony, mono-timbral
- 120 wavetables split into 24-banks of 5 morphable waveforms sets
- Waveforms offered include virtual analog classic, modern EDM, and several from the original Modal 002, plus a wide range of mathematically generated tables, PWM bank four noise/modulation banks accessible on oscillator 2
- 32 static wavetable processors including de-rez, wave folders, wave shapers, phase shapers, and rectify that can be applied to the 120 static wavetables
- 32 high-resolution wavetables oscillators, 4 per voice, with 8 types of oscillator modifiers
- Voice Drift and Width controls help to create massive stereo soundscapes
- 500 patch memories, all fully editable and ships with 300 factory programs and 200 user patch spaces
- 100 sequencer presets and 100 FX presets
- Quick Recalls accessible from the panel for quickly loading your favorite 4 patches
- FM, ring modulator, PWM
- Four fixed modulation slots plus eight assignable with 11 mod sources and 52 destinations
- Mod assignable 4-axis joystick with lock
- Three dedicated envelope generators for filter, amplitude, and modulation
- Two audio rate LFOs, one global and one polyphonic (Poly LFO can sync to frequency divisions)
- 2-pole resonant VCF, which can be morphed from low-pass, through band-pass, to high-pass
- Monophonic, duophonic, and polyphonic modes available
- Unison/stack options to detune the oscillators for a huge sound
- Waveshaping distortion FX
- MIDI clock sync for LFOs and delay
- Fully programmable arpeggiator with division, direction, octave, swing, and sustain controls
- Sequencer with real-time polyphonic note input
- Real time sequencer with 512 steps. Includes input quantize and four animation tracks for recording knob movements, etc.
- 100 sequencer presets and 100 FX presets
- 26 front-panel encoders with shift mode for further access to functions
- Front panel transmits MIDI CC s, enabling control of external software and hardware
- MIDI I/O with 5-pin DIN sockets
- Class-compliant MIDI over USB
- Analog clock sync I/O on 3.5mm sockets
- Dedicated headphone output
- Master output on 2 x 1/4
- Powered by 9 VDC power supply
- MODALapp editor (free download available separately) provides complete visual access and control to all ARGON8M s features-Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
Modal Electronics ARGON8M Specs
Polyphony | True 8-Voice Polyphonic Mono-Timbral |
Oscillators | 120 Carefully Crafted Wavetables Split into 24 Banks of 5 Morphable Waveform Sets, Covering Virtual Analog Classics, Modern 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 32 Static Wavetable Processors including De-Rez, Wave Folders, Wave Shapers, Phase Shapers and Rectify that Can Be Applied to the 120 Wavetables to Give a Wide Array of Permutations and New Waveshapes 32 High Resolution Wavetable Oscillators, 4 per Voice, with 8 Types of Oscillator Modifiers Including: Phase Mod (FM), Ring Mod, Amp Mod, Hard Sync, and Windowed Sync Voice Drift and Width Controls that Help to Create Massive Stereo Soundscapes |
Keyboard Modes | OLED Display: 1.5" / 3.9 cm (Provides Instant Visual Feedback to the User at All Times of Playing/Editing) Multiple Keyboard Modes: Mono, Poly, Unison 2, Unison 4, Unison 8, Stack 2, and Stack 4 Inbuilt Sophisticated Programmable Arpeggiator of 32 Steps with Rest Capability with up to 2048 Steps before Repeating Glide/Portamento with Both Legato and Staccato Modes |
Filter | Two-Pole Morphing Resonant Filter Filter can be Morphed from Low-Pass, through Band-Pass, to High-Pass |
Modulation | Powerful Mod Matrix with Eight Assignable Slots with Four Additional Fixed Routes, 11 Mod Sources and 52 Destinations A 4-Axis Joystick that can Be Assigned to a Wide Range of Modulation Destinations and Virtually Locked when Desired Three Dedicated Envelope Generators for Amp, Mod, and Filter that can be Accessed Independently or Used (All Three) Simultaneously including Negative (Reverse) Versions Two Audio Rate LFO`s with Tempo Sync (One Poly, One Global). Polyphonic LFO can Sync to Frequency Divisions |
FX | Waveshaping Distortion Three Powerful Independent and User Configurable Stereo FX Engines FX: Chorus, Phaser, Flanger (Positive or Negative), Lo-fi, Tremolo, Rotary, 3 Delay types (Stereo, Ping-Pong, Crossover) and Reverb |
Sequencer | Real-Time Sequencer with 512 Steps with Input Quantize and Four Recordable / Editable Parameter Animations Delay FX, LFO`s Sequencer, and Arpeggio can be Either Clocked Internally or Externally 100 Sequencer Presets can be Linked to any Patch for Quickly Loading Arrangements |
Storage | 500 Patch Memories, all Fully Editable and Ships with 300 Factory Programs and 200 User Patch Spaces Patch Upload and Download Through the Free MODALapp 100 Sequencer Presets and 100 FX Presets Quick Recalls Accessible from the Panel for Quickly Loading 8 your Favorite Patches |
Connectivity | Analog Clock Sync In and Out: 1/8" / 3.5 mm (Configured to the KORG / Teenage Engineering Specification) MIDI In and Out: 2 x 5-Pin DIN Stereo Audio Outs: 2 x 1/4" / 6.35 mm Headphones: 1 x 1/4" / 6.35mm External Control: 1 x 1/4" / 6.35 mm Sustain Control: 1 x 1/4"/ 6.35 mm Stereo Audio Input: 1/8" / 3.5 mm for Route Incoming Audio through the FX Sync In: 1/8" / 3.5 mm Sync Out: 1/8" / 3.5 mm USB: USB Type-B (Class Compliant MIDI Provided Over USB Connection to Host Computer or Tablet) Software Editor Available for macOS, Windows, iOS, Android with VST3 and AU Compatibility. MODALapp can be run within your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) |
Material of Construction | Road-Ready Steel and Aluminum Chassis |
Form Factor | Desktop or Rack Mount (3 RU, 19" Rack) |
Power | 9 VDC, 1.5 A |
Dimensions | 15.1 x 5.0 x 3.1" / 38.4 x 12.7.x 8.0 cm |
Weight | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
Packaging Info
Package Weight | 4.9 lb |
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 17.5 x 7.9 x 4.6" |
In the Box
- Modal Electronics ARGON8M Polyphonic Wavetable Synthesizer Module
- Power Supply
- 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty
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