Proudly Digital Polyphonic Synth from Modal Electronics
Modal Electronics has poured its history of design innovation into the Argon8, a proudly digital 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer. Complex in character and massive in sound, Argon 8 is built on a 32-oscillator configuration, which can be played polyphonically, monophonically, in unison, or stacked. The Argon8 is dripping in processors — including de-rez, waveshaping distortion, a robust effects engine, morphable filters, and envelope generators — which can distort and mangle or inspire sublime ambient explorations. A built-in arpeggiator and 512-step sequencer let you generate intricate patterns to evoke classic 80s arp lines or future-facing programming. With a steel and aluminum chassis and bamboo end cheeks, the Argon8 is a durable, furniture-grade synth that looks beautiful in the studio and can withstand night after night of heavy gigging. It also offers ample connectivity to fit snugly into an existing multi-synth setup. Sweetwater’s synth enthusiasts are impressed by Argon8’s seemingly endless functionality, which makes it an ideal tool for intrepid sound designers.
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Richly textured character from 32 high-resolution oscillators
To realize its rich and harmonically complex character, Argon8’s 32 high-resolution oscillators respond to a pair of selectable waveshapes from 120 morphable wavetables. Additionally, oscillator two includes pulse-width modulation and noise generation to warble up a signal before it hits any other processor. At a minimum, each of the four voices contains four stacked oscillators, but, with optional mono, unison, and stack modes, Argon8 can create even denser soundscapes. You can also take advantage of its “spread” function to slight detune all of the oscillators for a textured, rippling chorus, or tune them to intervals to explode the synth’s polyphonic capabilities.
Massive soundscaping possibilities
Argon8 is a sound designer’s playground, featuring a vast selection of processors that includes de-rez, waveshaping distortion, and a user-configurable stereo effects engine with delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, and phaser. A 2-pole multi-type morphable filter, three dedicated envelope generators (for AMP, MOD, and FILTER), and two-audio rate LFOs, further expand Argon8’s soundscaping possibilities, and an incredibly powerful Mod Matrix lets users knit modulators together into unreal sonic tapestries. You can also drive Argon8’s many functions with an assignable and super-responsive 4-axis joystick. Chaotic, lush, or anything in between — Argon8 can do it all!
Program intricate sequences and dynamic arpeggiations
This already insanely feature-packed synth also boasts a 512-step sequencer with four recordable parameter animations and a programmable 32-step arpeggiator with rest capability. To capture your brilliant designs for perpetuity, Argon8 has 200 user patch memory slots, and you can upload and download patches with the free ModalApp, compatible with macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android devices, and instantiable in your DAW.
Beautiful and durable design for night after night of playing
Housed in a steel and aluminum chassis with bamboo end cheeks, the Argon8 isn’t just for the studio. It’s a road-ready beast built for even the most prolific touring musicians. It’s also a pleasure to play, sporting a semi-weighted 37-key FATAR keybed with velocity and aftertouch for a responsive, natural feel. Argon8 plays well with others, too, easily integrating into an existing multi-device setup, with numerous connectivity options: 5-pin DIM I/O, USB-MIDI, 1/4” stereo outs, 3.5mm stereo input, and analog clock sync I/O.
Modal Electronics Argon8 37-Key Polyphonic Wavetable Synthesizer Features:
- 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer with 32 oscillators and 120 morphable wavetables
- Operate in poly, mono, unison, and stacked modes
- Detune each oscillator for chorusing effect or tune to intervals for massive polyphony
- Loads of processing options, including de-rez, waveshaping distortion, delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, and phaser
- 2-pole morphable filter, three dedicated envelope generators (AMP, MOD, FILTER), and two audio-rate LFOs
- Eight-slot Mod Matrix for expansive routing
- Assignable and super-responsive 4-axis joystick
- 512-step sequencer and programmable 32-step arpeggiator with rests
- 500 memory slots, with 300 factory presets and 200 user preset spaces
- Optional software editor compatible with any macOS, iOS, Windows, or Android Device
- Housed in a steel and aluminum chassis with bamboo end cheeks
- FATAR keybed, with 37 full-sized, semi-weighted keys featuring velocity and aftertouch
- Midi routing via 5-pin DIN I/O or USB-MIDI
- 1/4” stereo outputs, 3.5mm stereo input, and analog clock sync I/O
