Go beyond analog synth technology with the Modal Electronics COBALT8, a powerful 8-voice hardware synth with 37 full-sized keys. This synth gives you access to vintage-style analog-inspired tone, combined with a host of flexible options. Use it for sound design and tone generation in the studio, and bring it with you to gigs for an awesome sound onstage.
With two banks of oscillators, the synth offers 34 algorithms built right in, so you can construct intricate tones without the need of a computer. A comprehensive and fully routable modulation matrix with LFOs and multiple envelope controls let you shape sound in esoteric ways. Mangle things further with the step sequencer and built-in arpeggiator. Route sound however you wish with a bevy of I/O options. Want to engage aftertouch or utilize an MPE controller? The Cobalt8 has you covered. The COBALT8 ships with an included power supply.
What's New with v2.0 Firmware
Added 14 new FX including a new reverb algorithm:
- Reverb V2
- Phaser V2
- Unisoniser
- Compressor
- Three Band EQ
- Mono Drive (Hard Clip)
- Mono Drive (Soft Clip)
- Mono Drive (Rectify)
- Mono Drive (Fold)
- Stereo Drive (Hard Clip)
- Stereo Drive (Soft Clip)
- Stereo Drive (Rectify)
- Stereo Drive (Fold)
- Utility
27 New Filter Types: 2 morphable, 25 nonmorphable where the Morph parameter instead becomes Drive:
- State Variable Filter with BP
- State Variable Filter with Notch
- 4-Pole Low-Pass Ladder (with drive)
- 3-Pole Low-Pass Ladder (with drive)
- 2-Pole Low-Pass Ladder (with drive)
- 1-Pole Low-Pass Ladder (with drive)
- 4-Pole High-Pass Ladder (with drive)
- 3-Pole High-Pass Ladder (with drive)
- 2-Pole High-Pass Ladder (with drive)
- 1-Pole High-Pass Ladder (with drive)
- 4-Pole Band-Pass Ladder (12 dB Lp /12 dB Hp) (with drive)
- 2-Pole Band-Pass Ladder (6 dB Lp / 6 dB Hp) (with drive)
- 3-Pole Band-Pass Ladder (6 dB Lp / 12 dB Hp) (with drive)
- 3-Pole Band-Pass Ladder (12 dB Lp / 6 dB Hp) (with drive)
- 4-Pole Band-Pass Ladder (6 dB Lp / 18 dB Hp) (with drive)
- 4-Pole Band-Pass Ladder (18 dB Lp / 6 dB Hp) (with drive)
- Notch Ladder (with drive)
- Notch Ladder Alt (with drive)
- Low-Pass Ladder with Notch (with drive)
- Low-Pass Ladder with Notch Alt (with drive) – notch closes with resonance
- Low-Pass Ladder with Notch and Resonance (with drive)
- Band-Pass Ladder with Notch (with drive) – notch closes with resonance
- Band-Pass Ladder with Notch and Resonance (with drive)
- Phaser Ladder (with drive)
- High-Pass Ladder with Notch (with drive) – notch closes with resonance
- High-Pass Ladder with Notch and Resonance (with drive)
- Resonant Filter (with drive)
Vintage Parameter
- Emulating the behavior of vintage synths by introducing variation between the voices
Osc Free Run
- Emulating the behavior of analogue oscillators by allowing them to run freely
7 new arpeggiator directions:
- Chord
- Pendulum 2 – Repeats the last note when reversing direction
- N-Pendulum 2 – Pendulum 2 in note number order
- Reverse Pendulum – A reverse version of Pendulum
- N-Reverse Pendulum – A reverse version of N-Pendulum
- Reverse Pendulum 2 – A reverse version of Pendulum 2
- N-Reverse Pendulum 2 – A reverse version of N-Pendulum 2
- Added Cutoff Scaling patch parameter for improved filter cutoff behavior with the following modes:
- Legacy – The existing cutoff control scaling curve and note-to-cutoff tracking behaviour
- Relative – A new cutoff control scaling curve that is more balanced and changes the note-to-cutoff tracking to behave more closely to analogue synths. In this mode note-to-cutoff tracks best when the cutoff control is at 0.
- Bipolar – The same cutoff control scaling curve as the Relative mode, except in this mode note-to-cutoff tracks best when the cutoff control is at 64.
Improvements:
- Improved internal gain staging for increased output volume in most cases
- Improved the screen’s filter graph / parameter pages in the following ways:
- Improved the graph to be a more accurate representation of the filter
- The Type parameter page now displays both the graph and text value
- Improved Audio In sound quality
Analog Tones or Forward Timbres
Two independent oscillator groups with up to four oscillators each generate powerful virtual-analog tones and 34 complex algorithms such as Sync, Ring Modulation, Waveform Morphing, and many more.
Each algorithm has a pair of controls selected to suit the particular algorithm or character, providing you with the power of complex oscillator modulations in a spontaneous and immediately accessible way.
Morphable Ladder Filter for Interesting Textures
COBALT8's newly designed self-oscillating 4-pole morphable ladder filter with resonance adds warmth and bite to the signal. Switch between four different filter modes, get creative with the notch filter, and form unusual synth textures with the phaser. Two different filter characteristics allow you to go from subtle to raw.
Modulation Galore
There are 3 flexible audio-rate LFOs (2 x polyphonic) can be routed to a massive amount of destinations using the modulation matrix. They can also sync to internal or external tempi. Three dedicated envelopes for the filter, amplitude, and modulation allow excessive control over dynamics and expression. Switchable envelope types provide greater options, so you can tailor each of the 3 envelopes for specific purposes.
Modulation Matrix
COBALT8's sophisticated 12-slot modulation matrix supports easy assignments of complex modulation routing to keep the sound evolving. Four common modulation routings are preset to free up space for your original ideas.
Real-Time Step Sequencer
The integrated 512-note real-time step sequencer invite you to generate complex melodic patterns. The polyphonic 64-note step-sequencer mode enables easy step input for note and animation values. You'll find multiple sequencer trigger modes, an onboard arpeggiator (programmable up to 32 steps), and performance features such as Chord Hold, Inversions, Transpose, and Sustain Latch.
Rugged Housing and Realistic Feel
Professional keyboard players will love COBALT8's rugged steel and aluminium chassis as well as the premium FATAR 37-note full-size keybed. The keys deliver smooth action, allowing you to express powerful performances, and the keys support channel aftertouch.
Knobs, Buttons, and More
For direct access of the parameters, COBALT8 features 29 endless knobs, 24 buttons, and an X/Y joystick for pitch changes or modulation, and MPE support, which offers new ways to express yourself creatively—for sophisticated performances.
Onboard FX
Reshape your sounds completely with the onboard stereo effects engine. COBALT8 comes with a 3-slot FX engine with in-depth FX programming. To polish the sound, a total of 11 FX algorithms add character and depth, including chorus, phaser, flanger (positive), flanger (negative), tremolo, lo-fi, rotary, stereo delay, ping-pong delay, X-over delay, and reverb.
Physical Routing for Stage and Studio
Set to be played in any synth environment, COBALT8 comes with all physical connections required. Control the synth using USB, and monitor with headphones or the dedicated line outputs. Sync with external gear using the full-size MIDI I/O or 3.5mm Sync I/O, and take control of your sound using the built-in Sustain and Expression inputs. By poly-chaining any two COBALT8 devices, the amount of voices is easily doubled to 16 voices and 128 oscillators.
Store Patches
There is plenty of room to store patches, effects, and sequence creations. Out of the box, 300 of the total 500 patches are filled with factory patch banks, carefully programmed by some of the most accomplished sound designers of the world. One-hundred customized effects configurations and sequences can be stored and applied to any sound while performing.
MPE Support
Bring performance to a new level with MPE support