Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Modal products, technology and the sound. I've been a champion of Modal for years. But a large amount of what came out of Christian's mouth about how they ended up where they are, is an absolute lie, or disingenuous at best. I'm surprised actually that the new owners have kept him on. And the reason they're looking for collaboration from engineers and developers, is that all of their engineering staff quit last year, when they stopped getting paid. All that said, I have high hopes for the future of Modal, and look forward to their new products.
When Modal made their first debut, the 001, 002 and 008 were the only synths that I liked hearing. IMO, those 3 had an innovative set of sounds that I can imagine hearing on a lot of records. Wish they'd bring them back updated for a new era.
I bought a Cobalt 8 earlier this year when the company's future was uncertain, but I loved it so much I had to have it. My rationale was that a company that could produce a synth of such a high standard were unlikely to let themselves go down without a fight, I'm very excited to hear that they've come out intact. I think I'll buy an Argon 8 to celebrate and to further embed my support of the Modalverse.
Nice to see that there is a road for Modal. Sounds promising with the experience they have now onboard. Christian… for the next Synth I need something pretty wild 😛 All goes, from wild distorted artifacts to crazy blipp bloop randomness. Damn, I can not write a comment without an Idea for a Modal synth 😂 What I wanna say, I am very thankful to Modal. The Argon and Cobalt brought me back to making music.
Glad to know there is a future. I took a chance and finally bought both a Cobalt 8 and Argon 8 two weeks ago. Happily, the app and update process worked again so I now have the latest OS for each and downloaded all patches for each too. I am loving the sounds and the features on each. I didn't know the past other than Modal made some amazing synths and hope it all gets sorted out. Too many of the major manufacturers (R, Y, K) are just repackaging old operating systems or another B word manufacturer copying legacy products. Modal is a bright spot - keep shining.
Proud and mostly happy to own and compose with Argon and Cobalt! Happy to know some good news about Modal. Thanks for the interview! Cheers from Belgium .
Thankyou for giving this Team some airtime. It was great to see them at the show and very visible. All the demos of the carbon previously showed it doing very aggressive hard edged sounds ala argon. It was revealing to see it doing dreamy like cobalt. Looked very versatile, plugged into the modal app no problems and had that very wide modal sound. Liked the dreamy cobalt sound so much I bought a 5S which feels like a steal at its price point. Doesn't come across in the vids but the build quality is exceptional.
👏🏻 Thank you so much for clearing this up. I really liked Modal for awhile now. So I’m guessing it’s a Chinese manufacturer that bought them. Which is fine but kind of bummed a bit that it’s not still a UK outfit. But yeah, kind of the Marshall thing. I really ike that they want to collab. Thanks so much for this interview Nick. ❤
in this process of redesign, perhaps change the encoders and the pitch mod "wand". Wouldnt hurt to simplify the design layout also? Good luck in the re-introduction and all the best for the future!
encoders seem fine to me and the joystick x/y imo is far better than the trad separated pitch and mod wheel. you only need the joystick to bend and at the same time get the modulation from the y axis whereas mod and pitch wheel are difficult to use with one hand.
They don't name the new owners. That's a bit strange. Seems evasive to me. And the guy on the right is classic private equity turnaround angel, he could just as easily use exactly the same words at a trade convention for food production or aeronautics or household goods or, or, well, anything.... But TBH as long as Modal are back in business then all good, they make great products. Best of luck to them.
They should update their presets so that they are utilising their effects updates in the latest firmware. It's like the synths are stuck on version 1 but it can do so much more. Had to tweak all presets on the Cobalt to use v2 effects (that chorus v2 is super sweet), use free running oscillators, use the balanced LP for more fatness and the ping pong delay for more stereo width. Before it was kind of meh. Now it's a completely different synth to me.
Thanks for doing this Nick. I'm a modal fan and purchased their carbon 8x and 5s. I was looking for the Carbon 8 video from this year's superbooth and subsequent Sonictalk discussion, but worth waiting for and good news to the chaps for assest integrity and solvency.
Interesting!... ( Glad they mentioned that they will continue to support their older products... Hopefully that will mean regular free updates for both the Synths & app... ) ~ On the topic of looking to new innovators, have they considered working with universities or colleges?... ~ ( I'm sure some bright audio design students etc... Would love the opportunity to work alongside an established company with their own set of fresh ideas to realise... ) ~ Or maybe running young designer competition's to win contracts with Modal might be a way forward etc...
About Now, about the big picture. I like it depends of structure, communication, production. I trust the approch, I'd like to share more with them. GO Modal !
The Skulpt was quite good an affordable. Even the Craft 2...and the Cobalts 5s. Ok you might not want to chase the lower end...but affordable synths are appreciated. How about a mini keyboard for the Skulpt with pitch and mod with a basic sequencer built in that you can slot the Skulpt into. Just an idea....anyway Modal make nice looking synths for sure.
Very, Very, Very luck in the new structure and survival of such an amazing product quality and service until the moment of bankruptcy that is Modal, I love my Cobalt 5S, and I have hopes for a Carbon 5S in the future. (NAMM 2025 or Superbooth 2025 may be
5S owner here too and was thinking the same about a 5S with Wavetable Algorithms, like the ARGON8! I love the more compact form factor because I only have a small studio where for the most part I have VST Synths & and MIDI Controller keyboard.
The guy on the left comes across as arrogant and guarded. People have invested in these products and deserve meaningful updates as opposed to this. This feels disrespectful to their loyal customers.
what an odd comment. I found this interview reassuring, indicating that people with a firm sense of what it takes to keep the lights on are making appropriate choices.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Modal products, technology and the sound. I've been a champion of Modal for years. But a large amount of what came out of Christian's mouth about how they ended up where they are, is an absolute lie, or disingenuous at best. I'm surprised actually that the new owners have kept him on. And the reason they're looking for collaboration from engineers and developers, is that all of their engineering staff quit last year, when they stopped getting paid.
All that said, I have high hopes for the future of Modal, and look forward to their new products.
Yeah. And it's pretty uncomfortable talking about this I'm sure. That said it is good to see synth companies survive and carry on. Need more of them.
When Modal made their first debut, the 001, 002 and 008 were the only synths that I liked hearing. IMO, those 3 had an innovative set of sounds that I can imagine hearing on a lot of records. Wish they'd bring them back updated for a new era.
You can always tell when people are being very careful with their words
I bought a Cobalt 8 earlier this year when the company's future was uncertain, but I loved it so much I had to have it. My rationale was that a company that could produce a synth of such a high standard were unlikely to let themselves go down without a fight, I'm very excited to hear that they've come out intact. I think I'll buy an Argon 8 to celebrate and to further embed my support of the Modalverse.
The Cobalt8 is an amazing sounding machine.
Nice to see that there is a road for Modal. Sounds promising with the experience they have now onboard. Christian… for the next Synth I need something pretty wild 😛 All goes, from wild distorted artifacts to crazy blipp bloop randomness. Damn, I can not write a comment without an Idea for a Modal synth 😂
What I wanna say, I am very thankful to Modal. The Argon and Cobalt brought me back to making music.
Glad to know there is a future. I took a chance and finally bought both a Cobalt 8 and Argon 8 two weeks ago. Happily, the app and update process worked again so I now have the latest OS for each and downloaded all patches for each too. I am loving the sounds and the features on each. I didn't know the past other than Modal made some amazing synths and hope it all gets sorted out. Too many of the major manufacturers (R, Y, K) are just repackaging old operating systems or another B word manufacturer copying legacy products. Modal is a bright spot - keep shining.
They are both nice machines. looking forward to see what the first new release is
Great news! Looking forward to new, exciting synths from Modal!
Hopefully windcontroller friendly!
Proud and mostly happy to own and compose with Argon and Cobalt! Happy to know some good news about Modal. Thanks for the interview! Cheers from Belgium .
Thankyou for giving this Team some airtime. It was great to see them at the show and very visible. All the demos of the carbon previously showed it doing very aggressive hard edged sounds ala argon. It was revealing to see it doing dreamy like cobalt. Looked very versatile, plugged into the modal app no problems and had that very wide modal sound. Liked the dreamy cobalt sound so much I bought a 5S which feels like a steal at its price point. Doesn't come across in the vids but the build quality is exceptional.
S5 is one of the best VA synths in its price point. £ for £ it is better than its analogue equivelents.
Great news, as I have an Argon 8 M and was looking at the Carbon 8.
👏🏻 Thank you so much for clearing this up. I really liked Modal for awhile now. So I’m guessing it’s a Chinese manufacturer that bought them. Which is fine but kind of bummed a bit that it’s not still a UK outfit. But yeah, kind of the Marshall thing. I really ike that they want to collab. Thanks so much for this interview Nick. ❤
It’s an HK company
in this process of redesign, perhaps change the encoders and the pitch mod "wand". Wouldnt hurt to simplify the design layout also? Good luck in the re-introduction and all the best for the future!
encoders seem fine to me and the joystick x/y imo is far better than the trad separated pitch and mod wheel. you only need the joystick to bend and at the same time get the modulation from the y axis whereas mod and pitch wheel are difficult to use with one hand.
They don't name the new owners. That's a bit strange. Seems evasive to me. And the guy on the right is classic private equity turnaround angel, he could just as easily use exactly the same words at a trade convention for food production or aeronautics or household goods or, or, well, anything.... But TBH as long as Modal are back in business then all good, they make great products. Best of luck to them.
There was a press release with all the details, few would recognise the name so probably just didn’t feel relevant
The new owner is a company from Hong Kong. I think it's really good for synth market.
It was great meeting the modal guys and great that there’s a Scotsman involved with Midal
The new Modal Battered Mars Bars coming soon Marc? :) glad you had fun Bud
@@JDSoundsets Fish Supper with Irn Bru.
@@hakonsoreide I'd go with that haha
Wow I never knew any of this.Thanks.I was too busy messing around with their great synths.
Great news! Good luck with your plans!
They should update their presets so that they are utilising their effects updates in the latest firmware. It's like the synths are stuck on version 1 but it can do so much more. Had to tweak all presets on the Cobalt to use v2 effects (that chorus v2 is super sweet), use free running oscillators, use the balanced LP for more fatness and the ping pong delay for more stereo width. Before it was kind of meh. Now it's a completely different synth to me.
The wind controller community loves you guys!
Thanks for doing this Nick. I'm a modal fan and purchased their carbon 8x and 5s. I was looking for the Carbon 8 video from this year's superbooth and subsequent Sonictalk discussion, but worth waiting for and good news to the chaps for assest integrity and solvency.
Interesting!... ( Glad they mentioned that they will continue to support their older products... Hopefully that will mean regular free updates for both the Synths & app... ) ~
On the topic of looking to new innovators, have they considered working with universities or colleges?... ~ ( I'm sure some bright audio design students etc... Would love the opportunity to work alongside an established company with their own set of fresh ideas to realise... ) ~
Or maybe running young designer competition's to win contracts with Modal might be a way forward etc...
About Now, about the big picture. I like it depends of structure, communication, production. I trust the approch, I'd like to share more with them. GO Modal !
Really looking forward to the Carbon 8, glad to hear it should be showing up this fall-ish
The Skulpt was quite good an affordable. Even the Craft 2...and the Cobalts 5s. Ok you might not want to chase the lower end...but affordable synths are appreciated. How about a mini keyboard for the Skulpt with pitch and mod with a basic sequencer built in that you can slot the Skulpt into. Just an idea....anyway Modal make nice looking synths for sure.
Modal should sort out their website domain in the interim. Seems to have been taken over by malware.
Very, Very, Very luck in the new structure and survival of such an amazing product quality and service until the moment of bankruptcy that is Modal, I love my Cobalt 5S, and I have hopes for a Carbon 5S in the future. (NAMM 2025 or Superbooth 2025 may be
5S owner here too and was thinking the same about a 5S with Wavetable Algorithms, like the ARGON8! I love the more compact form factor because I only have a small studio where for the most part I have VST Synths & and MIDI Controller keyboard.
Should have been bought by Music Tribe.
I'm going to start a Gofundme to buy Nick a tripod
You can try, but I aint carrying one around all day 😁
sounds all pretty normal company shifting stuff. of course witchhunters hear other things
That marketing and communications guy doesn’t inspire confidence … yeuch … the other guy … more so …
The guy on the left comes across as arrogant and guarded. People have invested in these products and deserve meaningful updates as opposed to this. This feels disrespectful to their loyal customers.
what an odd comment. I found this interview reassuring, indicating that people with a firm sense of what it takes to keep the lights on are making appropriate choices.
Nah...