Modal Electronics CARBON8 8-Voice 37 Key Experimental Digital Synthesizer

The Modal Electronics CARBON8 is a powerful, performance-focused digital polyphonic synthesizer designed for modern musicians, producers, and sound designers who demand expressive control and deep sound-shaping capabilities. Built around Modal’s advanced digital synthesis engine, CARBON8 delivers true 8-voice polyphony with exceptionally high-resolution oscillators, allowing every note to retain clarity, depth, and dynamic character across the entire keyboard. Whether used on stage or in the studio, CARBON8 offers a refined balance of hands-on control, advanced modulation, and cutting-edge sonic flexibility.

At the heart of CARBON8 are two independent digital oscillators per voice, each packed with 56 complex Digital Core Waveforms, including a wide range of digital algorithms and sophisticated wavetables. Enhanced with XCore Modifiers such as Wave Shape, Wave Fold, and Phase Distortion, the sound engine can move effortlessly from classic warmth to aggressive, futuristic textures. Extended Oscillator Drift and Vintage parameters add organic movement and subtle imperfections, making CARBON8 equally capable of pristine digital tones and rich, analog-inspired sounds.

Designed for expressive performance, CARBON8 supports MPE-compatible MIDI controllers, enabling polyphonic control and expression on a per-note basis. A premium FATAR 37-key keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch ensures responsive playability, while the assignable 4-axis joystick opens up intuitive real-time modulation possibilities. Combined with an advanced modulation matrix, multiple filter types, onboard sequencing, arpeggiation, and three fully configurable stereo FX engines, CARBON8 stands out as a versatile centerpiece for any electronic music setup.

Key Features

• True 8-voice polyphonic digital synthesizer
• MPE support for advanced polyphonic expression
• Dual high-resolution digital oscillators per voice
• Extensive modulation, sequencing, and arpeggiation capabilities
• Premium FATAR 37-key keyboard with aftertouch
• Three independent stereo FX engines with 26 algorithms
• Road-ready steel and aluminum enclosure with bamboo end cheeks

Technical Specifications

Polyphony: True 8 voice polyphonic

MPE: Supports MPE-compatible MIDI controllers, allowing polyphonic control and expression on individual notes

Oscillators: Two independent high-resolution digital oscillators
56 complex Digital Core Waveforms per oscillator, including 18 Digital Algorithms and 38 sophisticated Wavetables
Advanced XCore Modifiers including Wave Shape, Wave Fold, Phase Distortion, and others
Extended Oscillator Drift
Vintage Parameter

Filter: 34 resonant filter types including morphable and static filters
Cutoff Scaling with two distinctive modes

Modulation: Three dedicated envelope generators for AMP, MOD, and FILTER, accessible independently or simultaneously, including negative (reverse) versions for MOD and FILTER
Three audio-rate LFOs with tempo sync (two polyphonic, one global) featuring over 15 shapes
Eight assignable modulation slots plus four fixed modulation routings, with 12 modulation sources and 55 destinations

Sequencer and Arpeggiator: Polyphonic real-time sequencer with 512 notes and four recordable/editable parameter animations
Polyphonic step sequencer with 64 steps, 8 notes per step, four lanes of parameter-lock style animation, step input mode, multiple playback and gate modes, and rest functionality
Programmable polyphonic arpeggiator with 32 steps, rest capability, and up to 2048 steps before repeating

FX: Three independent, user-configurable stereo FX engines with 26 effect algorithms, including Drive, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Tremolo, LoFi, Rotary, Stereo Delay, Ping-Pong Delay, X-Over Delay, and Reverb

User Memory: 500 fully editable patch memories with 300 factory programs
100 sequencer presets linkable to any patch
100 FX presets
8 Quick Recall slots accessible directly from the front panel

Controls and Performance: Premium FATAR 37-key keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch
29 endless encoders and 24 buttons
Assignable 4-axis joystick with lock function
Keyboard modes: Mono, Poly, Unison 2, Unison 4, Unison 8, Stack 2, Stack 4
Glide/Portamento with legato and staccato modes
Chord Invert control for creating chord inversions and variations

Inputs and Outputs: Dual 1/4" TS mono line outputs
1/4" TRS headphone output
1/8" TRS stereo audio input
MIDI DIN In and Out
1/8" TS analog clock sync In and Out
Class-compliant MIDI over USB
1/4" TRS expression pedal input
1/4" TS sustain pedal input

Enclosure and Display: Steel and aluminum enclosure with stained bamboo end cheeks
1.54-inch OLED display

Power: DC 9V, 1.5A, center-positive

Editor Software: Free MODALapp editor for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android
VST3 and AU versions available for DAW integration

Dimensions: 21.9" x 11.8" x 4" (L x W x H)
Weight: 12.4 lbs

What’s Included

• Modal Electronics CARBON8 Synthesizer
• Power Supply
• User Documentation