Modal Electronics ARGON8X 61-Keys 8-Voice Wavetable Synthesizer

Leaning on the heritage of our legendary OO series synthesisers, ARGON8X is a modern wavetable synth for music performers, producers and sound designers. With it’s transparent and rich sound, an array of realtime controls, full MPE support, a clear structured user interface and integrated performance tools, ARGON8X is a unique instrument, designed to deliver an unmatched sonic experience.

A premium 61-note keyboard with aftertouch is the perfect playground for demanding artists. The rugged aluminium chassis and professional I/Os allow ARGON8X to be integrated into every studio and live setup. MODALapp gives easy access to all ARGON8X functions and runs on MacOS/Windows/iOS/iPadOS and Android devices and is also available in AU/VST3 plug-in formats as MODALplugin.

A Universe of Waves
ARGON8X’s sophisticated wavetable synth 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 - ARGON8X 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. The Vintage and Oscillator Free Run parameters allow to alter the organic fabric of the wavetable textures by emulating the behaviour of vintage synths’ behaviours, and let digital wavetable patches sound more analogue than ever. With ARGON8X, virtually every sound imagination comes to life.

Synth Extravaganza
Eight morphable filter types deliver contemporary and classic options to shape your sounds in every direction. With multiple 2-Pole and 4-Pole filters available, drastic or subtle changes in the sonic wavetable content is at your fingertips. Two flexible audio-rate (1x polyphonic) LFOs can be routed to a huge number 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. A 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 ARGON8X 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 61-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, ARGON8X features 29 endless knobs, 24 buttons and an X/Y joystick for pitch and modulation.

Your Own FX
Reshape your sounds completely with the onboard stereo effects engine. ARGON8X’s 3-slot FX engine enables in-depth programming and can combine up to 27 FX algorithms to add character and 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 dense and spacious Reverbs.

Connections for any Environment
With a comprehensive set of connections, ARGON8X 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 ARGON8X is possible by polychaining any two ARGON8 units for 16 voices and 64 oscillators.

Key Features

• 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 61-note key bed with aftertouch, built into a road-ready aluminium enclosure
• Integrate ARGON8X 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 ARGON8X 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 MIDI controllers, allowing you to apply polyphonic control and expression to individual notes
Oscillators
32 high-resolution wavetable oscillators, 4 per voice
180 carefully crafted wavetables split into 36 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 180 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
Vintage Parameter and Oscillator Free Run to emulate the behaviours of vintage analogue synths
Filter
Eight Filter types
Two ‘Standard’ filters are 2-pole state variable filters, based on the resonant filter found in other Modal synthesisers, morphing through: LP > BP > HP or LP > Notch > HP
Two ‘Classic’ 2-Pole state variable with a more rounded character and a softer resonance response, morphing through: LP > BP > HP
‘Ladder’ - 4 pole resonant ladder filter with pre-filter drive, morphing through: LP > BP > HP
‘Ladder Hybrid’ - 1 pole resonant ladder filter with pre-filter drive, morphing through: LP + Notch > Notch > HP + Notch
‘Ladder Phaser’ - Resonant ladder filter with pre-filter drive, morphing through: Notch > Phaser
‘Sallen-Key’ - 2 pole resonant Sallen-Key Filter with pre-filter drive, morphing through: LP > BP
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, multiple Arpeggiator direction modes
FX
Waveshaping distortion
Three incredibly powerful independent 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 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 61-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): 885 x 300 x 100 mm / 34.8” x 11.8” x 4”
Weight: 9 kg / 19.9 lbs