Modal Electronics Cobalt5S Portable Extended Virtual Analog Synthesizer (DEC23) (Hollywood, CA)

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COBALT5S 5-Voice Extended Virtual Analogue Synthesizer 

Founded on Modal Electronics’ next-generation COBALT synth architecture and housed in an ultra-portable go-anywhere footprint, the USB-powered COBALT5S is made-to-move and ready to spark your creativity wherever, and whenever inspiration strikes. Whether it’s a singularly authentic replication of classic analog sounds, or the most contemporary leading-edge texture, COBALT5S’ extended virtual analog sound engine delivers on all counts. 

COBALT5S takes inspiration from the iconic sound of its analog forebearers, transcending any and all limitations to take a leading-edge synth architecture truly mobile - from sultry basslines, to expansive, mutating pads and everywhere in between, COBALT5S is not just modeling run-of-the-mill analog sounds, this is Beyond Analogue, Anywhere.

Create Without Limitation 

Featuring five true polyphonic voices, two independent algorithm groups and up to 8 oscillators per voice, musicians, sound designers and producers are armed with a nefarious palette of sound that’s primed for any application imaginable. Fuse this with 40 complex algorithms, including Sync, Ring Modulation, Waveform Morphing, plus many more, and it’s easy to see why COBALT5S empowers creators with liberated sound sculpting capability without limitation.

Earcandy

Featuring the same self-oscillating 4-Pole Morphable Ladder Filter from the COBALT8, COBALT5S guarantees to texture your sound with all the bite and warmth your performance demands. Four separate filter modes fuse with mainstay controls for Cutoff and Resonance, alongside a Morph parameter to musically manipulate the frequency response of the filter for a truly immersive experience. From the sublime to the experimental and everywhere in between, crafting the perfect timbre is limited only by your imagination.

Sound Shaping, Simplified! 

Everything you demand to craft the perfect sound in meticulous detail is right at your fingertips with COBALT5S. Three envelopes complete with selectable types take command of the filter, amp or modulation destinations, empowering you with unrestricted options when it comes to fine-tuning your sound. One Polyphonic LFO and one Global LFO provide extended power to control a plethora of modulation sources, selected via a sophisticated 8-slot modulation matrix. Whether it’s an otherworldly evolving soundscape, rhythmic pads or a searing lead, realizing your creative vision has never been this easy!

Your Performance, Supercharged! 

Get wild with the integrated 512-note realtime/step-sequencer, complete with 4 animation lanes. Fuse this with a built-in programmable 32-step advanced arpeggiator and you start to scratch the surface of the performance capability COBALT5S heralds for the modern creator. Top this off with MPE support for next generation creative expression via a compatible MPE controller, and COBALT5S is primed for any performance, production or sound design scenario imaginable.

Made to Move

When we say this is Beyond Analogue Anywhere, we mean it. Taking the legendary build quality synonymous with Modal Electronics’ synthesizer roster and outfitting this with a 37-note compact keybed with aftertouch, COBALT5S is primed for your creative exploits wherever and wherever creativity strikes. Plus, with a USB powered specification, powering the COBALT5S from your Mac/PC or portable power brick couldn’t be any simpler. 

Control, Evolved 

Take complete command and craft your signature sound with ease courtesy of 16 switched encoders. For complete expressive capability, COBALT5S’ X/Y/Z touchpad provides ultimate 5-axis control over pitch bend, mod wheel and/or any user-selected modulation assignment. Two independent stereo effect engines, including delay and chorus, inject depth and character into your patches, allowing you to create polished synth textures.  Rounding-out this tactile, performance-centric control assortment is a radiant monochrome OLED display that relays all key information you demand in razor sharp resolution.

Hook-up Flexibility 

Integrating COBALT5S into your existing setup couldn’t be simpler. Connect to PA systems, stage boxes, mixing desks and more with dual ¼-inch line out jacks; practice in private thanks to a ¼-inch stereo headphone output; add some genuine piano-style sustain to your performance with a ¼-inch sustain pedal input; connect to all your MIDI peripherals thanks to full-size MIDI ins and outs, as well as MIDI over USB capability; finally, keep everything on point with COBALT5S’ Clock sync In and Out. Whatever your next performance demands, COBALT5S guarantees to assimilate with ease.

Free MODALapp for immersive sound programming sessions

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 to all sound editing and performance parameters. Creating your own signature sound, backing-up your library and managing your patches & sequences couldn’t be simpler.

Polyphony: True 5 voice polyphonic

MPE: Supports MPE-compatible MIDI controllers, allowing you to apply polyphonic control and expression to individual notes

Oscillators: 40 high-resolution virtual-analog oscillators, up to 8 per voice

Two independent and self-contained oscillator groups with sine, pulse, triangle, sawtooth waveforms plus 40 different algorithms including: complex analog synthesis techniques, built-in cross modulation (SYNC, RM, and many more), PWM, smooth morphing between VA waves, bit crushing and filtered noise.

Extended Oscillator Drift

Algorithms (Retractable menu)

Filter: 4-Pole Morphable Ladder Filter with Resonance and four switchable configurations

Resonance and Balanced Filter 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

Two audio-rate LFO’s with tempo sync (one poly, one global) with seven different shapes

Eight assignable modulation slots and four additional fixed modulation routings for common assignments with 11 modulation sources and 41 modulation destinations

Sequencer and Arpeggiator: Polyphonic realtime sequencer with 512 notes and four recordable/editable parameter animations (Delay FX, LFO’s, sequencer and arpeggiator can be either clocked internally or externally)

Polyphonic Step Sequencer with 64 steps, 5 notes per step, 4 lanes of Parameter-Lock style animation, Step Input mode, multiple playback modes including gate modes and rest function

Built-In sophisticated programmable arpeggiator of 32 steps with rest capability and up to 2048 steps before repeating

FX: Two incredibly powerful independent and user-configurable stereo FX engines for Chorus and Stereo Delay

User Memory: 300 patch memories, all fully editable; ships with 200 factory programs, 100 sequencer presets that can be linked to any patch for quickly loading arrangements

4 Quick Recall slots accessible from the panel for quickly loading your favourite patches

Controls and Performance : Premium 37 compact-key keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch 

16 switched encoders support realtime CC message transmissions to other MIDI devices or DAWs 

Five-axis X/Y/Z pressure-sensitive keypad for pitch bend, mod wheel and/or modulation assignments

Multiple keyboard modes, Mono, Poly, Stack 2, Unison 2, Unison

4 Glide/Portamento with both legato and staccato modes

Inputs and Outputs: 6.35 mm / 1/4? TS line outputs, 6.35 mm / 1/4? TRS headphone output

MIDI DIN In and Out

3.5 mm / 1/8? TS Analog clock sync In and Out

Class compliant MIDI over USB connection

6.35 mm / 1/4? TS sustain pedal input

Enclosure: Durable polycarbonate enclosure 

Display: 1 large monochrome OLED display for instant visual feedback at all times of playing/editing

Power: Power: DC-9.0V – 1.5A centre-positive or USB-bus powered 

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