Modal Electronics Carbon8M

Modal Electronics CARBON8M - 8 Voice Experimental Synthesizer Module 

CARBON8M introduces radical new ways to create, experiment with and perform next-generation synth sounds. CARBON8M’s sound engine, twice as complex as in our acclaimed ARGON8 and COBALT8 series, embeds complex waveform algorithms and wavetables into an 8-voice superior synth engine with outstanding filter technology and exciting LFO capabilities. 

Modal CARBON8M provides two Oscillators with 56 Cores each. They generate a series of unique high-resolution algorithms or wavetables for exceptional sounds that range from aggressive and bold to ear-pleasing soft and lush tones. Each patch can contain a combination of any two algorithms or wavetables. Only one parameter is required to contour sonic sweet spots for further sound explorations and shaping. 

The XCore provides a wide range of exciting and sophisticated Oscillator Modifiers, such as Phase Distortion, Wavefolding and Wave-Shaping, allow sculpting characterful sound variations for new, innovative synth sounds to be dialled in to taste.

The massive filter section of CARBON8M contains a wide selection of 34 different filter types. The available collection includes reminiscences of vintage filter models and modern Modal filter adaptations to carve or boost the crucial frequencies in your patch. Some models also offer drive and morph parameters to rough up the spectral spectrum or mangle sound in the most peculiar and spectacular ways.

Three LFOs with variable pulses width LFOs, variable slope triangles, dual rate ramps, and more highlight CARBON8Ms’ modulation section. Three Envelope Generators allow detailed editing to modulate pitch, filter and amp. Twelve modulation routes offer various ways to mangle the audio shapes and outputs.  

The integrated 512-note Realtime / Step Sequencer with four powerful Animation Lanes invites you to compose massive and complex melodic patterns. The polyphonic step sequencer mode enables easy step input for note and animation values. Multiple sequencer trigger modes coupled with the powerful onboard arpeggiator (programmable up to 32 steps) and features such as Chord Hold, Inversions, Transpose, Sustain Latch unleash powerful moving patterns for live and studio performances.

CARBON8M’s rugged steel and aluminium enclosure underlines the synth’s professional approach. The desktop design fits on every producer's table, and Included brackets help to mount CARBON8M into a live or studio rack. For direct access of the parameters, CARBON8M features 13 switched encoders, 13 encoders, 9 buttons and an X/Y joystick for pitch or modulation. MPE support offers new ways of creative expression for sophisticated performers.  

Bring your sounds to perfection with the onboard stereo effects engine. CARBON8M comes with a 3-slot FX engine with in-depth FX programming. To round up your synth tone creations, 26 studio-grade FX algorithms add character and depth, including rich Reverbs, warm Chorus effects, swirling Phasers and Flangers, Tremolo, LoFi, Rotary, wide Delays, Equaliser, Compressor and more.

CARBON8M has all the physical connections required to embed the instrument in any studio, production or live performance environment. Control the synth using USB, monitor with headphones or dedicated line outputs, sync with external gear using the full-size MIDI In and Out or the 3.5 mm Sync I/Os, and take control of your sound using the built-in Sustain and Expression inputs. By poly-chaining any two CARBON8M devices, the number of voices is easily doubled to 16.

There is plenty of room to store patch, 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.  CARBON8M features another 100 memory locations for customised effects configurations and sequences for repurposing them in sound design or for later performances.

Our Modal Patch library hosts hundreds of sound banks and individual sounds, from classic synth tones from the past to new contemporary textures. All sound banks in our library are free and easily imported through our free MODALapp.

The free MODALapp brings the comfort of screen-based editing on your computer or mobile device. Available as a standalone app for macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS or Android systems and in VST3 and AU plug-in formats, it is the perfect companion for synth enthusiasts looking to deep dive into all sound forming and performance parameters to create their signature sounds and to backup and manage patches and sequences.  

Specifications:

Polyphony :

True 8 voice polyphonic

Oscillators:

Two independent high-resolution digital oscillators 

56 complex Digital Core Waveforms per oscillator, incl. 18 Digital Algorithms and 38 sophisticated Wavetables 
Advanced XCore Modifiers, incl. Wave Shape, Wave Fold, Phase Distortion, and others
Extended Oscillator Drift
Vintage Parameter

Filter

34 resonant Filter types including morphable and static filters 
Cutoff Scaling with two distinctive modes  

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
Three audio-rate LFOs with tempo sync (two poly, one global) with over 15 different shapes 
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

Three 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

13 switched encoders, 13 encoders, and 9 buttons
Four-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

Enclosure and Display

Desktop-style steel and aluminium enclosure 
Mounting brackets for 19” racks included 
1.54-inch large OLED display for instant visual feedback at all times of playing/editing

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

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

General

Dimensions (L x W x H): 47 x 42 x 27cm (18.5 x 16.5 x 10.6 inches)
Weight: 2.1 kg (4.63 lbs)