Modal Electronics Argon8

8 voice wavetable synthesiser

Leaning on the heritage of our legendary OO series synthesisers, ARGON8 is a modern wavetable synth for music performers, producers and sound designers. With it’s 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

A Universe of Waves

ARGON8’s sophisticated wavetable engine generates thousands of different sonic combinations with its seamless waveform morphing feature. Explore ambient evolving textures, classic pads and modern chords, brutal basses, dark drones and psychedelic noise textures – ARGON8 is a true sound designer’s playground. Process and cross modulate the waves using either the 32 static wavetable modifiers and unlock additional wavetable variations. With ARGON8 virtually every sound imagination comes to life. 

Synth Extravaganza

Four morphable filter types deliver contemporary and classic options to shape sounds. Two flexible audio rate (1x polyphonic) LFOs can be routed to a huge amount of destinations using the modulation matrix and sync to internal or external tempo. Three dedicated envelopes for the filter, amp and modulation provide excessive control over dynamics and expression. ARGON8’s sophisticated 12-slot modulation matrix supports easy assignments of complex modulation routes to keep the sound evolving. 4 common modulation routings are pre-set here to free up space for more interesting ideas.

On the Move

Bring performance to a new level with the integrated 512-note Realtime / Step Sequencer with 4 powerful Animation Lanes, that instils massive and complex transitions to the sound in a way that LFOs and Envelopes simply won’t provide. The polyphonic 64-note step sequencer mode enables easy step input for note and animation values to create exciting melodic patterns.  

Multiple sequencer trigger modes coupled with the powerful onboard arpeggiator (programmable up to 32 steps) and performance features such as Chord hold, Inversions, Transpose, Sustain Latch and the Joystick turn ARGON8 a performers and players dream.

Feel the Sound

ARGON8s professional approach to serious artists finds perfect expression in the rugged steel and aluminium chassis and the premium FATAR TP/9S 37-note full-size key bed. The keys support channel aftertouch and deliver smooth action to express powerful playing performances. For direct access of the parameters, ARGON8 features 29 endless knobs, 24 buttons and an X/Y joystick for pitch and modulation. 

Your Own FX

Reshape your sounds completely with the on-board stereo effects engine. ARGON8’s 3-slot FX engine enables in-depth programming and can combine up to 12 FX algorithms to add character and depth to your sound, including Distortion (waveshaping overdrive) Chorus, Phaser, Flanger (Pos), Flanger (Neg), Tremolo, LoFi, Rotary, Stereo Delay, Ping-Pong Delay, X-Over Delay and Reverb.

Connections for any Environment

With a comprehensive set of connections, ARGON8 feels home in every environment. Control the synth using USB, monitor with headphones or using the dedicated line outputs, sync with external gear using the full-size MIDI in and out or the 3.5 mm Sync in or outputs and take control of your sound using the built-in Sustain and Expression inputs. Expanding the sound of ARGON8 is possible by polychaining any two ARGON8 units for 16 voices and 64 oscillators.

Free MODALapp for immersive sound programming sessions

The free MODALapp brings the comfort of screen-based editing on your computer or mobile device. Available as a standalone app for macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS or Android systems and in VST3 and AU plug-in formats it is the perfect companion for synth enthusiasts looking to deep dive to all sound forming and performance parameters to create their own signature sounds, and to backup and manage patches and sequences.  

Specification:

• 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

Editor Software: Free MODALapp software editor available for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android, MODALapp can also be run within your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), with VST3 and AU versions available

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