Test: Modal Electronics Cobalt8

Cobalt8 is a virtual analog synthesizer that looks confusingly similar to Argon8 due to the same high-quality hardware and controls, but has a different focus. In Cobalt8, much of the processing power goes into emulating an analog multimode filter, yet the two oscillator groups still show great flexibility with a choice of 34 algorithms and up to four oscillators each. In addition, there is a polyphonic step sequencer, modulatable effects, app control and morphing.

Robust and Chic

Externally, Argon8 and Cobalt8 are like two peas in a pod. Cobalt8 is housed in the same robust and heavy-duty casing, which is mainly made of thick steel and aluminum and differs only by the eponymous cobalt blue paint. This makes this compact synthesizer not only feel very high-quality, but it also makes it look really chic.

Very Good Keyboard

Fortunately, no expense was spared on the keyboard as the interface between sound production and the musician. The 37-key keyboard is a FATAR TP9/S with full-size keys, which supports velocity and aftertouch and provides above-average feel. Since the modulation wheel and pitch bender were omitted in favor of a joystick, the width of this synthesizer could be limited to the default of the keyboard. At about 55 x 10 x 30