Modal COBALT8 User Manual

QUICK START
GUIDE
Modal COBALT8 is an 8 voice polyphonic extended virtual-analogue synthesiser. It
features 2 independant oscillator groups, each containing 34 different algorithms.
Beyond the oscillators there is a 4-pole morphable ladder filter with switchable
configurations, 3 envelope generators, 3 LFOs, 3 powerful independent and user
configurable stereo FX engines, a real-time sequencer, a programmable arpeggiator and
an extensive modulation matrix.
Shift functions - parameters in light blue can be accessed by entering ‘Shift’ mode using
the button to the right of the screen with a light blue ring. Shift can be momentary by
holding the button and changing a parameter or latched by pressing the shift button.
Alt functions - parameters in light grey can be accessed by holding the button with the
light grey ring in the same section (Velo or Arp). ‘Alt’ mode is always momentary and
you will exit ‘Alt’ mode on release of the button.
Connections
Headphones - 1/4” stereo jack socket
Right - Audio Out for right stereo channel. 1/4” unbalance TS jack socket
Left/Mono - Audio Out for left stereo channel. If there is no cable plugged into Right
socket then summed to Mono. 1/4” unbalance TS jack socket
Expression - user configurable pedal input, 1/4” TRS jack socket
Sustain - works with any standard, open momentary foot switch, 1/4” TS jack socket
Audio In - stereo audio input, to process your audio source with COBALT8’s FX engines,
3.5mm TRS jack socket
Sync In - analogue clock in. 3.3v, rising edge, 1 pulse per 16th note signal, 3.5mm TS
jack socket
Sync Out - analogue clock out, same configuration as clock in, 3.5mm TS jack socket
MIDI Out - used to control other MIDI hardware, 5-pin DIN MIDI socket
MIDI In - used to be controlled from other MIDI hardware, 5-pin DIN MIDI socket
USB MIDI - MIDI in/out to a USB MIDI host, connect COBALT8 to a laptop/tablet/mobile
device for the optional software editor, MODALapp, full size USB-B socket
Power - 9.0V, 1.5A, centre-positive barrel power supply
Screen Navigation
The two switched-encoders either side of the
screen are used for screen navigation and control:
Page/Param - When this encoder is in ‘Page’
mode it cycles through the parameter pages (e.g.
Osc1, Osc2, Filter); when it’s in ‘Param’ mode it
cycles through the parameters on that page. Use
the switch to toggle between the two modes, the
mode is displayed on the screen with a line at top
for ‘Page’ mode and at the bottom for ‘Param’
mode.
Preset/Edit/Bank - This encoder/switch is used
to adjust the value or ‘trigger’ the currently
displayed parameter. When on the ‘Load Patch’
parameter when the panel is in ‘Shift’ mode this
encoder is used to select the patch bank number.
Presets
Patch/Seq - this button is primarily used to switch
the screen to either the ‘Load Patch’ or ‘Load
Seq’ param for loading patches or sequences,
however this button also puts the panel into
either ‘Patch’ mode or ‘Seq’ mode. This changes
the ‘Save’ and ‘Init’ buttons to either effect
Patch preset management in ‘Patch’ mode or
Sequencer preset management in ‘Seq’ mode.
‘Init / Rand’ - this button/function only responds
on a button hold.
COBALT8 can have a large dynamic range so
there is a Patch Gain control that can be used to
equalise patch volumes. Hold the ‘Patch’ button
and turn the ‘Volume’ encoder to control the
‘Patch Gain’ parameter.

Modal COBALT8 Specifications

General

Polyphony	8 voices
Oscillators	2 per voice
Type	Virtual Analog
Filter	Morphable 4-pole ladder filter
Effects	Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Phaser
Envelopes	3 (Amp, Mod, Filter)
Keyboard	37-key keybed with aftertouch
Connectivity	MIDI In/Out
USB	USB MIDI
Weight	5.6 kg

Summary

Screen Navigation

Page/Param Encoder

Cycles through parameter pages or parameters on a page. Use switch to toggle modes.

Preset/Edit/Bank Encoder

Adjusts parameter values or triggers actions. Used for patch bank selection in Shift mode.

Presets

Patch/Seq Button

Switches to Load Patch/Seq screens and sets mode for Save/Init buttons.

Init / Rand Button

This button/function only responds when the button is held.

Patch Gain Control

Used to equalize patch volumes by holding 'Patch' and turning 'Volume' encoder.

Connections

Audio Outputs

1/4" jack sockets for stereo or mono summed right/left audio output.

Pedal Inputs

1/4" jack sockets for expression pedal and momentary sustain footswitch.

Audio Input

3.5mm TRS jack for processing external audio through FX engines.

Sync I/O

3.5mm TS jack sockets for analogue clock in/out signals.

MIDI Connections

5-pin DIN MIDI In/Out sockets for controlling or being controlled by other hardware.

USB MIDI

USB-B socket for MIDI in/out to a USB MIDI host, connecting to software editors.

Power Input

Center-positive barrel power supply input (9.0V, 1.5A).

Preset Saving

Slot Selection and Naming

Select preset bank/number to save into, and use encoder to name the preset character by character.

Panel Shortcuts for Naming

Shortcuts for switching character types (lowercase, uppercase, numbers, symbols) and editing.

Quick Recalls

Assigning Quick Recalls

Hold 'Patch' and one of the eight bottom-left buttons to assign the current patch.

Loading Quick Recalls

Hold 'Patch' and press one of the eight bottom-left buttons to load the patch.

Filter Control

Filter Type

Hold the 'Patch' button and turn the 'Cutoff' encoder to control the Filter Type parameter.

Envelope Control

Simultaneous ADSR Adjustment

Hold any EG button for one second, then turn ADSR encoders to adjust all envelopes simultaneously.

MEG Latching

Press the MEG button when MEG is already selected to latch MEG assign.

Sequencer Control

Clearing Notes and Lanes

Hold 'Mute' to clear sequencer notes; hold Anim buttons to clear animation lanes.

Setting Linked Sequence Value

When 'Linked Sequence' is displayed, hold 'Edit' to set value to currently loaded sequence.

Arpeggiator Control

Pattern Input

Hold 'Arp' and press keys to add pattern notes, or press 'Rest' to add a rest.

Arp Gate Control

Hold 'Patch' and turn the 'Division' encoder to control Arp Gate.

LFO Control

Synced Rates

Turn 'Rate' encoders into the negative range to access synced rates.

Accessing LFO3 Parameters

Enter 'Shift' mode and press the LFO2/LFO3 button to access LFO3 parameters.

Keyboard and Voice Modes

Unison and Stack Modes

Press 'Unison' or 'Stack' repeatedly to cycle through different modes.

Chord Mode

Hold a chord on the keyboard and press 'Chord' to set the chord mode.

Transpose Function

Hold 'Transpose' and press a key to transpose all notes; no interaction resets transpose.

Modulation Matrix

Assigning Mod Slots

Hold or latch a Mod source button, then set depth by turning a destination parameter.

Global Depth

Use Mod source button + 'Depth' encoder to set global depth for that mod source.

Viewing Mod Slot Settings

Press ModSlot repeatedly to cycle through and view all mod slot settings on the screen.

Clearing Mod Slot Assignment

When viewing a mod slot 'Depth' parameter, hold 'Edit' to clear the assignment.

Assigning Global Frequency

Use fine tune controls ('Tune1' for Osc1, 'Tune2' for Osc2) to assign global frequency.

FX Control

Changing FX Type

Press FX1/FX2/FX3 buttons repeatedly to change the FX type of the slot.

Resetting FX Type

Hold FX1/FX2/FX3 buttons to reset the FX type of the slot to 'None'.

Synced Delay Times

Turn the 'B' encoder into negative range with Delay FX to access synced delay times.

FX Preset Load

Press FX1 + FX2 + FX3 buttons to jump to the 'FX Preset Load' parameter.