Modal Electronics have announced the release of a firmware update for their Cobalt 8 series of virtual analogue synthesizers, adding a wide variety of new features that aim to inspire the creativity of musicians, producers and sound designers.
Vintage Emulation
Additional vintage and classic synth capabilities have been added courtesy of a new Vintage parameter and Oscillator Free Run feature. The Vintage setting alters the device’s virtual analogue algorithms, emulating the technical imperfections exhibited by vintage synths such as tuning variations, whilst engaging the Oscillator Free Run functionality ensures that each key press is slightly different to the last.
Filters
The update also introduces a total of 27 new filter types, including 2-Pole Variable State Filters a variety of Low, Band and High-Pass Ladder Filters with Drive parameters, and combinations of traditional filter types with Notch characteristics. Modal say that the new filters help to unlock even more classic tones and expand Cobalt 8’s experimental capabilities, with the complex filter outputs allowing the creation of sounds that no one could imagine before. For all of the new filter types equipped with the Drive parameter, the Morph control allows the amount of filter drive to be adjusted to taste.
A new Cutoff Scaling patch parameter offers improved filter cutoff behaviour and provides three distinct modes to increase the instrument’s creative performance and sound design abilities. Note-to-Cutoff Scaling is now able to track with full accuracy in one of two new modes: Relative, and Bipolar. These modes can be tailored to match the users preference on a per-patch basis, and a Legacy mode retains the original Note-to-Cutoff behaviour.
Effects
14 new effects are also included in the update, with some of the new additions utilising two of the instruments effects slots to deliver more sonic power and depth. A versatile new Reverb v2 offers everything from small spaces to near-infinite reverbs, and is joined by other newcomers such as Phaser v2, Compressor, Three-Band EQ, Unisoniser, Utility, and additional Drive effects.
Take a look at the video below for an overview of the new features.
Other Improvements
The update also adds new Arp Directions to the instruments programmable arpeggiator as well as making improvements to the capabilities of the OLED display, Audio In quality, audio output gain staging, and much more. A full list of the new features and improvements can be found in the release notes document on the Cobalt 8 product page on Modal Audio’s website.
Availability
Cobalt 8 Firmware v2 is available now as a free update via the company’s MODALapp software.
