Modal Electronics ARGON8M 8-Voice Desktop/Rack Wavetable Synthesizer
Leaning on the heritage of ourlegendary OO series synthesisers, ARGON8M is a modern wavetable synth for musicperformers, producers and sound designers. With it’s transparent and richsound, an array of realtime controls, MPE support, a clear structured userinterface and integrated performance tools, ARGON8M is a unique instrument,designed to deliver an unmatched sonic experience.
The sleek desktop/rackmountaluminium enclosure design fits on every table or in every rack. MODALapp giveseasy access to all AGRON8M functions and runs on macOS/Windows/iOS/iPadOS andAndroid devices and is also available in AU/VST3 plug-in formats asMODALplugin.
A Universe of Waves
ARGON8M’s sophisticated wavetablesynth engine generates thousands of different sonic combinations with itsseamless waveform morphing feature. Explore ambient evolving textures, classicpads and modern chords, brutal basses, dark drones and psychedelic noisetextures – ARGON8M is a true sound designer’s playground. Process and crossmodulate the waves using either the 32 static wavetable modifiers and unlockadditional wavetable variations. The Vintage and Oscillator Free Run parametersallow to alter the organic fabric of the wavetable textures by emulating thebehaviour of vintage synths’ behaviours, and let digital wavetable patchessound more analogue than ever. With ARGON8M, virtually every sound imaginationcomes to life.
Synth Extravaganza
Eight morphable filter typesdeliver contemporary and classic options to shape your sounds in everydirection. With multiple 2-Pole and 4-Pole filters available, drastic or subtlechanges in the sonic wavetable content is at your fingertips. Two flexibleaudio-rate (1x polyphonic) LFOs can be routed to a huge number of destinationsusing the modulation matrix and sync to internal or external tempo. Threededicated envelopes for the filter, amp and modulation provide excessivecontrol over dynamics and expression. A sophisticated 12-slot modulation matrixsupports easy assignments of complex modulation routes to keep the soundevolving. 4 common modulation routings are pre-set here to free up space formore interesting ideas.
On the Move
Bring performance to a new levelwith the integrated 512-note Realtime / Step Sequencer with 4 powerfulAnimation Lanes, that instils massive and complex transitions to the sound in away that LFOs and Envelopes simply won’t provide. The polyphonic 64-note stepsequencer mode enables easy step input for note and animation values to createexciting melodic patterns.
Multiple sequencer trigger modescoupled with the powerful onboard arpeggiator (programmable up to 32 steps) andperformance features such as Chord hold, Inversions, Transpose, Sustain Latchand the Joystick turn the ARGON8 wavetable synth a performers and playersdream.
Feel the Sound
ARGON8M’s professional approach toserious artists finds perfect expression in the rugged steel and aluminiumchassis. The desktop design fits on every producer’s table. Included rackmountshelp to mount ARGON8M into a live or studio rack. For direct access of theparameters, ARGON8M features 13 switched encoders, 13 encoders, 9 buttons, andan X/Y joystick for pitch and modulation.
Your Own FX
Reshape your sounds completelywith the onboard stereo effects engine. ARGON8M’s 3-slot FX engine enablesin-depth programming and can combine up to 27 FX algorithms to add characterand depth to your sound, including Distortion (waveshaping overdrive), Drive,multiple Chorus and Phaser variants, Flanger (Pos), Flanger (Neg), Tremolo,LoFi, Rotary, Stereo Delay, Ping-Pong Delay, X-Over Delay and multiple denseand spacious Reverbs.
Connections for any Environment
With a comprehensive set ofconnections, ARGON8M feels home in every environment. Control the synth usingUSB, monitor with headphones or using the dedicated line outputs, sync withexternal gear using the full-size MIDI in and out or the 3.5 mm Sync in oroutputs and take control of your sound using the built-in Sustain andExpression inputs. Expanding the sound of ARGON8M is possible by polychainingany two ARGON8 units for 16 voices and 64 oscillators.
Key Features
- Perform with unique wavetablesounds, ranging from lush pads, soaring leads, moving soundscapes and earth shutteringbasses
- Create and save your own signaturesonic textures with morphable waveforms, analogue-style morphable filter, animmersive modulation matrix and flexible digital effects
- Bring performance to a new levelwith MPE support, the integrated 512-note Realtime/Step Sequencer, 32-stepprogrammable Arpeggiator and hugely powerful Animation Lanes
- Use the included rack brackets tomount ARGON8M into a 19” rack or use the synth on your producer desktop thanksto it sleek tabletop design
- Integrate the ARGON8 wavetablesynth into your production and live performances with the full-size MIDIconnections and the 3.5mm Sync Ins and Outs
- Access all synthesiser functionsand update ARGON8 via the free MODALapp, available on macOS, Windows, iOS,iPadOS, Android and AU/VST3
Technical Specifications
Polyphony
True 8 voice polyphonic
MPE
Supports MPE-compatible MIDIcontrollers, allowing you to apply polyphonic control and expression toindividual notes
Oscillators
32 high-resolution wavetableoscillators, 4 per voice
180 carefully crafted wavetablessplit into 36 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets Additional PWM bank and 3noise/modulation banks accessible on Oscillator 2
32 static wavetable modifiersincluding, de-rez, wave folders, waveshapers, phase shapers and rectify can beapplied to the 180 wavetables to give a mind-boggling array of permutations andnew waveshapes.
8 types of oscillator modifierincluding Phase Mod (FM), Ring Mod, Amp Mod, Hard Sync and Windowed Sync
Voice Drift and Width controlsthat help to create massive stereo soundscapes
Vintage Parameter and OscillatorFree Run to emulate the behaviours of vintage analogue synths
Filter
Eight Filter types
Two ‘Standard’ filters are 2-polestate variable filters, based on the resonant filter found in other Modalsynthesisers, morphing through: LP> BP> HP or LP> Notch> HP
Two ‘Classic’ 2-Pole statevariable with a more rounded character and a softer resonance response,morphing through: LP> BP> HP
‘Ladder’ – 4 pole resonant ladderfilter with pre-filter drive, morphing through: LP> BP> HP
‘Ladder Hybrid’ – 1 pole resonantladder filter with pre-filter drive, morphing through: LP + Notch> Notch> HP + Notch
‘Ladder Phaser’ – Resonant ladderfilter with pre-filter drive, morphing through: Notch> Phaser
‘Sallen-Key’ – 2 pole resonantSallen-Key Filter with pre-filter drive, morphing through: LP> BP
Modulation
3 dedicated envelope generatorsfor AMP, MOD and FILTER that can be accessed independently or all threesimultaneously including negative (reverse) versions and multiple envelopecurve options
2 Audio rate LFO’s with tempo sync(one poly, one global). Polyphonic LFO can sync to frequency divisions
8 assignable modulation slots and4 additional fixed modulation routings for common assignments with 11modulation sources and 52 modulation destinations
Sequencer and Arpeggiator
Polyphonic Real-time sequencerwith 512 notes and four recordable/editable parameter animations (Delay FX,LFO’s, sequencer and arpeggiator can be either clocked internally orexternally)
Polyphonic Step Sequencer with 64steps, 8 notes per step, 4 lanes of Parameter-Lock style animation, Step Inputmode, multiple playback modes including gate modes and rest function
Built-In sophisticatedprogrammable arpeggiator of 32 steps with rest capability with up to 2048 stepsbefore repeating, multiple Arpeggiator direction modes
FX
Waveshaping distortion
Three incredibly powerfulindependent and user-configurable stereo FX engines for 26 Effects algorithms,incl. Drive, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Tremolo, LoFi, Rotary, Stereo Delay,Ping-Pong Delay, X-Over Delay and Reverb.
User Memory
500 patch memories, all fullyeditable and ships with 300 factory programs
100 sequencer presets that can belinked to any patch for quickly loading arrangements
100 FX presets
8 Quick Recall slots accessiblefrom the panel for quickly loading your favourite patches
Controls and Performance
13 switched encoders, 13 encoders,9 buttons
4-axis joystick that can beassigned to a huge range of modulation destinations and virtually ‘locked’ whendesired
Multiple voice modes, Mono, Poly,Unison 2, unison 4, unison 8, Stack 2 and Stack 4
Glide/Portamento with both legatoand staccato modes
Chord Invert control to easilycreate chord inversions and variation
Inputs and Outputs
6.35 mm / 1/4” TS dual-mono lineoutputs
6.35 mm / 1/4” TRS headphoneoutput
3.5 mm / 1/8” TRS stereo audioinput
MIDI DIN In and Out
3.5 mm / 1/8” TS Analogue clocksync In and Out
Class compliant MIDI over USBconnection
6.35 mm / 1/4” TRS expressionpedal input
6.35 mm / 1/4” TS sustain pedalinput
Enclosure and Display
Tabletop-style enclosure, bracketsfor 19” 3U rackmount included (requires 1U free space above or right-angledconnectors)
1.54-inch large OLED display forinstant visual feedback at all times of playing/editing
Power
Power: DC-9.0V – 1.5Acentre-positive
Editor Software
Free MODALapp software editoravailable for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android
MODALapp can also be run withinyour Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), with VST3 and AU versions available
General
Dimensions (L x W x H): 384 x 127x 81 mm / 15.1” x 5” x 3.2”
Weight: 2.1 kg / 4.6 lbs
