The Modal Electronics Argon8 is an 8-voice polyphonic wavetable synthesizer with a 37-key FATAR TP/9S keybed, built for players, producers and sound designers who want deep sound shaping in a compact keyboard. Each voice runs four wavetable oscillators drawn from 180 morphing wavetables, and the keys respond to velocity and channel aftertouch. A 512-note sequencer, a 32-step arpeggiator and MPE support cover performance, and the free MODALapp editor opens every parameter on a computer, tablet or phone, or inside your DAW as a plugin.

Wavetables and Filters

The 180 wavetables sit in 36 banks of five waveforms that morph from one to the next. Oscillator 2 adds a PWM bank and three noise and modulation banks, and 32 modifiers such as de-rez, wave folding, phase shaping and rectify reshape any table. Eight morphing filter types follow, from 2-pole state variable designs to a 4-pole ladder with drive and a Sallen-Key filter. The Vintage and Oscillator Free Run controls emulate the behavior of older analog synths.

Sequencer and Performance

The real-time sequencer records up to 512 notes with four lanes of parameter animation, and step mode holds 64 steps with up to eight notes each. The arpeggiator runs patterns of up to 32 steps with rests. On the panel, 29 endless encoders, 24 buttons and a four-axis joystick give direct access to the engine, and two Argon8 units can be poly-chained for 16 voices.

Features

• 8-voice polyphony with 4 wavetable oscillators per voice
• 180 wavetables in 36 banks of 5 morphing waveforms, plus a PWM bank and 3 noise and modulation banks on oscillator 2
• 32 wavetable modifiers, including de-rez, wave folding, waveshaping, phase shaping and rectify
• 8 oscillator modifier types, including FM, ring mod, amp mod, hard sync and windowed sync
• Voice Drift, Width, Vintage and Oscillator Free Run controls
• 8 morphing filter types: standard and classic state variable, ladder, ladder hybrid, ladder phaser and Sallen-Key
• 3 envelopes and 2 audio-rate LFOs (one polyphonic, one global) with tempo sync
• 12-slot modulation matrix (8 assignable, 4 fixed) with 12 sources and 55 destinations
• 512-note real-time sequencer, 64-step polyphonic step sequencer and 32-step arpeggiator
• Waveshaping distortion plus 3 stereo effects slots with 26 algorithms, including drive, chorus, phaser, flanger, rotary, delays and reverb
• MPE support for compatible controllers
• Poly-chain two units for 16 voices and 64 oscillators
• Free MODALapp editor and plugin

Specifications

• Polyphony: 8 voices
• Oscillators: 32 wavetable oscillators, 4 per voice
• Wavetables: 180 in 36 banks, plus PWM and noise banks
• Filter: 8 morphing types, including state variable, ladder and Sallen-Key
• Modulation: 3 envelopes, 2 LFOs, 8 assignable and 4 fixed routings, 12 sources, 55 destinations
• Sequencer: 512-note real-time sequencer and 64-step polyphonic step sequencer, 8 notes per step, 4 animation lanes
• Arpeggiator: Programmable up to 32 steps with rests
• Effects: Waveshaping distortion plus 3 stereo slots with 26 algorithms
• Memory: 500 patches (300 factory), 100 sequencer presets, 100 effects presets, 8 Quick Recall slots
• Keyboard: FATAR TP/9S, 37 full-size keys with velocity and channel aftertouch
• Controls: 29 endless encoders, 24 buttons, 4-axis joystick
• Voice modes: Mono, Poly, Unison 2, 4 and 8, Stack 2 and 4, with legato or staccato glide
• Display: 1.54-inch OLED
• Audio: 1/4-inch TS left and right line outputs, 1/4-inch TRS headphone output, 3.5 mm TRS stereo audio input
• MIDI and sync: 5-pin MIDI In and Out, class-compliant USB MIDI, 3.5 mm analog clock sync in and out
• Pedals: 1/4-inch TRS expression input, 1/4-inch TS sustain input
• Power: 9 V DC, 1.5 A, center positive
• Enclosure: Steel and aluminum
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 555 x 300 x 100 mm (21.9 x 11.8 x 4 in)
• Weight: 5.6 kg (12.4 lb)
• Editor: Free MODALapp for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android, plus VST3 and AU plugin
• Warranty: 3 years from Modal once registered, for units bought after May 8, 2025