Modal Argon8X Wavetable Synth (61 Keys)

Manufacturer's description

Leaning on the heritage of our legendary Modal 00 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.

• 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 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

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 the ARGON8X wavetable synth a performers and players dream.

Feel the Sound

ARGON8X's 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.

Polish your Sounds with Effects

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 ARGON8X units for 16 voices and 64 oscillators.

Access all Areas

There is plenty of room to store patches, effects and sequence creations. Out of the box, 300 of the total 500 patches are filled with factory patch banks, carefully programmed by some of the most accomplished sound designers in the world. One hundred customised effects configurations and sequences can be stored as well to be applied to any sound while performing.

Enjoy Peace of Mind with Our Extended 3-Year Warranty

At Modal, we stand behind the quality and reliability of our products. That’s why we’re proud to offer an extended 3-Year Warranty on all products purchased after May 8th, 2025—at no extra cost. Simply register your product at modalelectronics.com/register-product to activate your coverage. It’s our way of showing confidence in our craftsmanship and commitment to your long-term satisfaction.

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

• Three dedicated envelope generators for AMP, MOD and FILTER that can be accessed independently or all three simultaneously, including negative (reverse) versions for MOD and FILTER ENVs
• Two audio-rate LFOs with tempo sync (one poly, one global), Polyphonic LFO can be sync to frequency divisions
• Eight assignable modulation slots and four additional fixed modulation routings for common assignments with 12 modulation sources and 55 modulation destinations

Sequencer and Arpeggiator

• Polyphonic Real-time sequencer with 512 notes and four recordable/editable parameter animations (Delay FX, LFOs, 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 functionality
• Built-In sophisticated programmable arpeggiator of 32 steps with rest capability with up to 2048 steps before repeating

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
• Supports MPE-compatible MIDI controllers, allowing you to apply polyphonic control and expression to individual notes

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

• Dimensions: 885 x 300 x 100 mm
• Weight: 9kg