The Modal Electronics Argon8M puts Modal's 8-voice wavetable engine in a desktop module that also mounts in a 19-inch rack with the included brackets. It suits producers who already own a controller keyboard and want the Argon8 sound without another set of keys. Each voice runs four wavetable oscillators from 180 morphing wavetables, MPE controllers are supported, and the free MODALapp editor opens every parameter on a computer, mobile device or inside your DAW.

Wavetables and Filters

The wavetables sit in 36 banks of five waveforms that morph from one to the next, with a PWM bank and three noise and modulation banks on oscillator 2. Thirty-two modifiers and eight oscillator modifier types, including FM, ring mod and hard sync, reshape the tables, and eight morphing filter types range from 2-pole state variable to a 4-pole ladder with drive and a Sallen-Key filter. The envelopes offer negative versions and several curve options.

Desktop or Rack

The tabletop enclosure carries 13 switched encoders, 13 encoders, nine buttons and a four-axis joystick for pitch and modulation. For rack use, the brackets fit a 3U space and need 1U free above or right-angle connectors. Full-size MIDI, USB MIDI and 3.5 mm clock sync connect it to the rest of a setup, and two Argon8 units poly-chain 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 with curve options and 2 audio-rate LFOs (one polyphonic, one global) with tempo sync
• 12-slot modulation matrix (8 assignable, 4 fixed) with 11 sources and 52 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, 11 sources, 52 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
• Controls: 13 switched encoders, 13 encoders, 9 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
• Mounting: Tabletop enclosure; 19-inch 3U rack brackets included (needs 1U free above, or right-angle connectors)
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 384 x 127 x 81 mm (15.1 x 5 x 3.2 in)
• Weight: 2.1 kg (4.6 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