Modal COBALT8 8 voice polyphonic extended virtual-analogue synthesiser User Manual OS Version - 1.
Important Safety Information WARNING – AS WITH ALL ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, care and general precautions must be observed in order to operate this equipment safely. If you are unsure how to operate this apparatus in a safe manner, please seek appropriate advice on its safe use.
Index 00. Introduction Specification 6 8 01. Getting Started Basic Functions UI Combinations Screen Map 12 12 16 20 02. Connections 22 03. Synthesis Engine Oscillators Algorithms Filter Envelopes LFOs Arpeggiator Sequencer FX Modulation Keyboard/Voice Joystick + Audio Input Audio Output + Gain Settings 24 26 27 30 32 34 36 37 38 44 46 50 52 53 54 04. MIDI MIDI Implementation Chart MPE Polychain 60 64 66 68 05. Update 70 06.
00 Introduction Modal COBALT8 is an eight voice polyphonic extended virtual-analogue synthesiser. It features two independent oscillator groups, each containing 34 different algorithms. There is a Mix control between the oscillator groups and an extended Oscillator Drift control for creating huge super-sounds.
Specification Specification Polyphony Sequencer and Arpeggiator • • Polyphonic Real-time and Step sequencer with 512 notes and four recordable/editable parameter animations (Delay FX, LFO’s, sequencer and arpeggiator can be either clocked internally or externally) • Step Sequencer holds up to 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 s
Specification 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 B 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.
01 Getting Started Basic Functions Powering on Connect the power lead to your COBALT8 then connect the outputs of the COBALT8 to your mixer, or if you prefer, connect your headphones. Optionally connect a USB cable from your computer or tablet device to the COBALT8 for MODALapp communication. Then power on. You will see a loading animation on the screen. When the synth has loaded it will change to show the main patch page.
Basic Functions Basic Functions Secondary functions Randomise Preset COBALT8 is a comprehensive and fully featured synthesiser despite its small size. Therefore there are a number of user interface combinations that are required to access some of the deeper functions of the synth. Either when in ’Shift’ mode or while momentarily holding ‘Shift’ press and hold the ‘Rand’ button, a confirmation message will appear on-screen however the preset will not be overwritten until saved.
UI Combinations UI Combinations Quick Recalls Arp COBALT8 has 8 Quick Recall slots for quickly loading presets.
UI Combinations FX • Press FX1 / FX2 / FX3 button repeatedly to change the FX type of the slot • Hold FX1 / FX2 / FX3 button to reset the FX type of the slot to ‘None’ • Turn the ‘B’ encoder into the negative range for the slot with a Delay FX assigned to access synced delay times • Press FX1 + FX2 + FX3 to jump to the ‘FX Preset Load’ parameter Global Settings • When the screen is displaying the ‘Reset’ option, press the ‘Edit’ switch and follow the confirm instructions to reset all global settin
Screen Map Patch Preset Load Patch Save Patch Init Patch Randomise Patch Linked Sequence Keyboard / Voice Voice Mode Glide Octave Transpose Chord Latch Voice Width Sustain Velo Assign Velo Depth AftT Assign AftT Depth Note Assign Note Depth Expr Assign Expr Depth Chord Invert Osc1 Algorithm Param A Param B Tune Fine Osc2 Algorithm Param A Param B Tune Fine Osc (General) Mix Drift 20 Screen Map Filter Cutoff Reso Morph Type Filter EG Amount / Depth Attack Decay Sustain Release Type Amp EG Amount / Depth
02 Connections Audio In Audio Input on 1/8” stereo/TRS jack. Expression Pedal over standard 1/4” stereo/TRS jack from an external expression source. COBALT8 works best with expression pedals that use the TRS polarity and have a resistance of 10k or above. However COBALT8 has a software configuration option for providing basic compatibility with RTS polarity pedals as well as for improving the compatibility with different resistances.
03 Synthesis engine 24 25
Oscillators Algorithms COBALT8 features two independent oscillator groups, each containing 34 different algorithms. There is a Mix control between the oscillator groups and an extended Oscillator Drift control for creating huge super-sounds. The available algorithms on COBALT8 include a variety of complex analogue synthesis techniques, built in cross-modulation (SYNC, RM, and many more), PWM, smooth Morphing between VA waves, bit crushing and filtered noise.
Algorithms Algorithms • Fractal Saw: Complex sync with un-quantised control over ratio (A) and and an asymmetry control (B) that allows every second cycle of the wave to have a different sync ratio to the first • Ring Mod Square: Ring mod applied to two square waves, with quantised ratio control (A) that snaps through a series of useful ratios, and a fine control (B), which cross-fades between these ratios allowing precise control across the whole range • Fractal Square: Complex sync with un-quantise
Filter COBALT8 has a 4-pole morphable ladder filter, with switchable configurations • Cutoff: This parameter controls the filter cutoff frequency. This affects the cutoff frequency of the filter, from 0Hz up to 22kHz. • Reso: This parameter controls the amount of resonance of the filter. • Morph: This encoder changes the frequency response of the filter. See below for how this control morphs each of the different filter types.
Envelopes Envelopes COBALT8 provides 3 separate 4-stage Envelope Generators (i.e. envelopes), one for the filter (FILT-EG), one for the amplifier (AMP-EG) and one for modulations (MOD-EG). With negative amounts (FILT-EG and MOD-EG) only the attack, decay and sustain levels are inverted, the release phase will still tend to 0. • The envelope generator represented on the encoders can be selected using the 3 dedicated buttons to the right of the envelope depth encoder.
LFOs Arpeggiator COBALT8 features three individual low frequency oscillators. LFO1 is global and LFO2 and LFO3 are polyphonic. COBALT8 features an intuitive programmable arpeggiator. The speed of the arpeggiator is controlled by the current clock which can either be received from the sync in port, external MIDI or from the internal clock in COBALT8.
Sequencer COBALT8 has an extremely powerful sequencer on board, that can be configured in either real-time or step modes. Both modes feature four recordable / editable parameter animation lanes, allowing you to add parameter motion to your sequences over time. Sequencer • NOTE: Most screen only sequencer parameters can be found on the Seq page of the screen menu. To navigate to this, Scroll the Page/Param left screen encoder in Page mode to the Seq page.
Sequencer Sequencer Step Mode Overdub The step sequencer is a 64-step, 8 note-per-step sequencer giving you full step-by-step control of your melodies and ideas. It also features a number of Step Modes that add powerful flexibility to deploy your sequences in a variety of setups and situations. Entering notes into the step sequencer can be achieved in three ways: Step Input Mode • Accessed when the sequencer is not playing, but is recording.
Sequencer Gate Thru - The same as ‘Gate’ but all MIDI notes are sent to the voices. Great for re-harmonising a sequence - record chords into the sequence, then play it back using a single finger to add a bassline. Also useful for polyrhythms e.g. programming a 7-step sequence, then playing a 3 note arpeggio alongside. Tip: Try gate triggered animation sequences - mute or clear the note lane and play notes to hear just the animation changes.
FX FX COBALT8 features 3 incredibly powerful independent and user configurable stereo FX engines. The FX types are: Chorus, Phaser, Flanger (Pos), Flanger (Neg), Tremolo, LoFi, Rotary, Stereo Delay, Ping-Pong Delay, X-Over Delay and Reverb and can be rearranged in any order in series. 1>2>3. Any effect can go in any slot, but you may only use 1 type of each effect per preset. • FX Level: This encoder allows us to control the FX level amount within this patch.
Modulation COBALT8 has a comprehensive Modulation Matrix with 12 Modulation Sources and 55 Modulation destinations. These Mod slots can be used to assign a combination of modulation sources to destinations, 8 modulation sources can be assigned to a single destination, or any other combination thereof. There are also 4 preassigned slots for common modulation routings. These preassigned modulations are: Modulation • Velo: Pressing this button enters and exits the assign mode for velocity.
Modulation Modulation Valid combinations are listed here: Parameter LFO1 LFO2 LFO3 EG NOTE VELO EXPR AFTT X+ X- Y+ Y- Parameter LFO1 LFO2 LFO3 EG NOTE VELO X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X FX-1 E X X X X X FX-1 F X X X X X FX-2 A X X X X X FX-2 B X X X X X FX-2 C X X X X X FX-2 D X X X X X FX-2 E X X X X X FX-2 F X X X X X Reso FX-3 A X X X X X Morpth FX-3 B X X X X X Osc1 A MEG Release X Osc
Keyboard/Voice Keyboard/Voice • • Oct -/+: These buttons control the key range available along the keyboard. Tip: You can use this while holding notes to access unavailable notes. Particularly handy when used in conjunction with Sustain and Chord mode. • Transpose: Holding this button enters Transpose mode. Here you can directly transpose the pitch of both oscillators using the keyboard. C2 (directly beneath the Transpose button) is the default position.
Joystick + Audio Input Audio Output + Gain Joystick The Gain Boost setting applies to all patches and increases the average output level. The joystick can be assigned to multiple destinations in any of the X or Y directions. The Joystick position can be locked or unlocked using the Velo + XYLock button combination. This locks the joystick at whatever value it was held at while the buttons were depressed.
Settings General • • Clock Source: Sets the clock source for the COBALT8 with the following available options: Internal, MIDI, Sync-In, Auto. If ‘Auto’ is selected then the COBALT8 will automatically use any detected clock source (prioritising Sync-In over MIDI) else it will use the internal clock. Please note that if ‘MIDI’ or ‘Sync-In’ is selected whilst there is no MIDI or Sync-In clock present then clocked-synced functions (sequencer, arpeggiator, delay FX, LFOs) may not work correctly or at all.
Settings Settings Keyboard Joystick • Local: Enables / disables the internal keyboard’s connection with the internal sound engine. If you are using COBALT8 with an external sequencer you may need to set the Local setting to ‘Off’ to eliminate the double-triggering of notes caused by MIDI loops / echoes. • Mod Wheel Out: Enables / disables the joystick Y+ axis from transmitting MIDI Modulation Wheel messages (MIDI CC 1) to MIDI-out.
Settings Settings Screen Expression Pedal • Brightness: Sets the brightness / contrast of the COBALT8 screen. • • Switch: Sets the screen ‘Page Switch’ / ‘Context Sensitivity’ mode to determine how the screen responds to certain panel control interactions and MIDI-in messages. There are three main Page Switch modes - Regular, Smart, Off; and the first two modes contain three sub modes - All, Panel, MIDI.
04 MIDI MIDI COBALT8 is a fully class-compliant USB-MIDI device, meaning you can plug it into your computer, no drivers required, and gain access to a huge array of extra features. Simply plug in COBALT8 synthesiser to a USB port and it will show up as a MIDI input and output device in any software that supports external MIDI devices. On macOS, COBALT8 will show up in ‘Midi Studio’, found in Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
MIDI MIDI MIDI Channel Program Change On COBALT8 the MIDI channel can be set in the on-screen settings, or with the MODALapp. Sending a bank change (0-4) followed by a program change (0-99) to COBALT8 will load the relevant preset. You can also change additional MIDI settings in the on-screen settings pages or in the settings tab of MODALapp. MIDI Output COBALT8 can sequence your DAW or any device that can send MIDI notes over USB, MIDI or CV clock using the keyboard, sequencer or the arpeggiator.
MIDI CC Implemention Chart CC Function CC Function CC Function CC Function 0 Bank Change 32 FEG Amount 64 Sustain Pedal 96 Chord Mode 1 Mod Wheel 33 Morph 65 - 97 - 2 - 34 Cutoff 66 - 98 - 3 LFO3 Rate 35 Resonance 67 Seq Length 99 - 4 - 36 LFO1 Rate 68 Seq Mute 100 ModSlot 1 Source 5 Glide 37 LFO1 Depth 69 Seq Clear 101 ModSlot 2 Source 6 - 38 - 70 Seq Hold 102 ModSlot 3 Source 7 Main Volume 39 LFO1 Shape 71 Seq Loop 103 ModSlot 4 Sourc
MPE MPE MIDI Polyphonic Expression (or MPE) is a method of using MIDI to enable expressive electronic musical instruments to control multiple dimensions of sound polyphonically. In MIDI, channelwide messages (such as pitch bend, CCs, and channel aftertouch) are applied to all notes being played on a single channel; therefore, in MPE each note is assigned its own channel so that those messages can be applied to each note individually.
Polychain You can connect any 2 COBALT8 models together to give 16 voices using polychain. First, connect the desired master COBALT8 DIN MIDI Out to your desired slave COBALT8 DIN MIDI In. On the master COBALT8 navigate to ‘Settings (General) > Polychain Master’ and turn this on. The slave device should now be showing all voice mode LEDs lit and ‘Polychain Slave’ onscreen. When In Polychain mode, the slave COBALT8 panel is disabled along with the keyboard.
05 Update Update The firmware on COBALT8 can be updated remotely. This means that you will be able to update your COBALT8 to the latest version each time an update is released. You can update COBALT8 using the MODALapp. MODALapp is available for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. To find the app on your platform, visit www.modalelectronics.com/modalapp DO NOT run any other MIDI software that could be sending messages to COBALT8 during the update process.
06 MODALapp MODALapp MODALapp adds visual feedback for COBALT8 (and other Modal devices) and access to a handful of extra settings outlined above. All parameters are accessible from a single interface split into 3 tabs.
Getting Started Main Editor Connecting devices This is the main section for patch design / editing. You will find keyboard/voice, oscillator, filter, and envelopes here. MODALapp can be attached to an iPad using a Camera Connection kit, or an Android device using a USB OTG (On-the-go) adapter. The currently selected preset is shown at the top. There are also options for previous or next preset, init preset and randomise. MODALapp can only be connected via USB MIDI and not by MIDI DIN.
Preset Manager + Modulation Tab Preset Manager + Modulation Tab In the Preset Manager Tab there are options to curate, move, backup or import presets. There are 100 presets per bank that can be viewed by scrolling in the preset list. You may also right click on a bank to expose exporting and importing options of the entire bank (as individual .syx files) Presets can loaded with a double click and they can be renamed with two slow clicks.
Sequencer Tab Sequencer Tab In the Sequencer Tab you can choose sequence type, load, initialise and save any of the Seq presets as well access the live sequence controls such as Length, Hold, Loop and Quantise. Edit Mode: To edit notes, ensure the draw button on the top bar is highlighted. When in Step Seq you can also scroll through steps displayed in groups of 16. It’s a lot like you’d expect from any old piano roll, clicking on an untoggled note or dragging over some toggled ones will select them.
FX, Keyboard + Settings Tab In the FX Tab you can load, initialise and save any of the FX presets as well edit any of the global FX parameters such as Level and Distortion. The FX preset selection box on the left will display that no preset is loaded if an fx parameter is altered in any way, e.g. changing an fx parameter on COBALT8 or loading a patch. Also, on this page you will find the external Audio In parameter that controls the amount of Audio In signal sent through the 3 stereo FX engines.
Warranty Information Warranty Information Warranty Statement What is meant by a Manufacturing Defect? • The Modal warranty period for any product purchased is 12 months from the date of the original purchase. • We define this as a defect in the performance or specification of the product as described and published by Modal. • The warranty is not transferable to a second user.
