ARGON8 is a modern wavetable synth for music performers, producers and sound designers. With its transparent and rich sound, an array of realtime controls, MPE support, a clear structured user interface and integrated performance tools, ARGON8 is a unique instrument, designed to deliver an unmatched sonic experience.
A premium 37-note keyboard with aftertouch is the perfect playground for demanding artists. The rugged aluminium chassis and professional I/Os allow ARGON8 to be integrated into every studio and live setup. MODALapp gives easy access to all ARGON8 functions and runs on macOS/Windows/iOS/iPadOS and Android devices and is also available in AU/VST3 plug-in formats as MODALplugin.
Perform with unique wavetable sounds, ranging from lush pads, soaring leads, moving soundscapes and earth shuttering basses
Create and save your own signature sonic textures with morphable waveforms, analogue-style morphable filter, an immersive modulation matrix and flexible digital effects
Bring performance to a new level with MPE support, the integrated 512-note Realtime/Step Sequencer, 32-step programmable Arpeggiator and hugely powerful Animation Lanes
Express yourself with the class-leading 37-note key bed with aftertouch, built into a road-ready aluminium enclosure
Integrate ARGON8 into your production and live performances with the full-size MIDI connections and the 3.5mm Sync Ins and Outs
Access all synthesiser functions and update ARGON8 via the free MODALapp, available on macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android and AU/VST3
New Argon 8 Firmware 9/9/22
Modal Electronics introduces a new V3 firmware update that takes the Argon 8 wavetable synth line to the next level, promising to entice musicians and sound designers with an even more organic and exciting experience.
This new Argon 8 V3 milestone firmware update unlocks the potential of the Argon 8 with many exciting features, including:
- Oscillator free run
- Vintage circuit modeling
- 4 exciting new filter types: a 24-pole Ladder, a morphing ladder hybrid, a ladder with Phaser and a Sallen-Key filter, all with pre-filter drive
- 15 new FX including a new Chorus and a new Reverb algorithm
- 100 brand new presets
- 7 new Arpeggiator modes
Polyphony
True 8 voice polyphonic
MPE
Supports MPE-compatible MIDI controllers, allowing you to apply polyphonic control and expression to individual notes
Oscillators
32 high-resolution wavetable oscillators, 4 per voice
120 carefully crafted wavetables split into 24 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets Additional PWM bank and 3 noise/modulation banks accessible on Oscillator 2
32 static wavetable modifiers including, de-rez, wave folders, waveshapers, phase shapers and rectify can be applied to the 120 wavetables to give a mind-boggling array of permutations and new waveshapes.
8 types of oscillator modifier 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
Filter
2-pole state variable filters, 4 Filter types – ‘Standard’ filters are based on the resonant filter found in other Modal synthesisers and ‘Classic’ with a more rounded character and a softer resonance response.
Modulation
3 dedicated envelope generators for AMP, MOD and FILTER that can be accessed independently or all three simultaneously including negative (reverse) versions and multiple envelope curve options
2 Audio rate LFO’s with tempo sync (one poly, one global). Polyphonic LFO can sync to frequency divisions
8 assignable modulation slots and 4 additional fixed modulation routings for common assignments with 11 modulation sources and 52 modulation destinations
Sequencer and Arpeggiator
Polyphonic Real-time sequencer with 512 notes and four recordable/editable parameter animations (Delay FX, LFO’s, sequencer and arpeggiator can be either clocked internally or externally)
Polyphonic Step Sequencer with 64 steps, 8 notes per step, 4 lanes of Parameter-Lock style animation, Step Input mode, multiple playback modes including gate modes and rest function
Built-In sophisticated programmable arpeggiator of 32 steps with rest capability with up to 2048 steps before repeating
FX
Waveshaping distortion
3 incredibly powerful independent and user-configurable stereo FX engines for Chorus, Phaser, Flanger (Pos), Flanger (Neg), Tremolo, LoFi, Rotary, Stereo Delay, Ping-Pong Delay, X-Over Delay and Reverb that can be arranged in any order
User Memory
500 patch memories, all fully editable and ships with 300 factory programs
100 sequencer presets that can be linked to any patch for quickly loading arrangements
100 FX presets
8 Quick Recall slots accessible from the panel for quickly loading your favourite patches
Controls and Performance
Premium FATAR 37-key Keyboard with velocity and 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
Inputs and Outputs
6.35 mm / 1/4″ TS dual-mono line outputs
6.35 mm / 1/4″ 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
6.35 mm / 1/4″ TRS expression pedal input
6.35 mm / 1/4″ TS sustain pedal input
Enclosure and Display
Road-ready steel and aluminium enclosure with economical stained bamboo end cheeks
1.54-inch large OLED display for instant visual feedback at all times of playing/editing
Power
Power: DC-9.0V – 1.5A centre-positive
General
Dimensions (L x W x H): 555 x 300 x 100 mm / 21.9″ x 11.8″ x 4″
Weight: 5.60 kg / 12.4 lbs