From accurate, analog recreations to delightful digital machines and hybrid hardware units that push the sonic boundaries, 2020 has seen some excellent new hardware synths released.
Modal's COBALT8 range of synths bring traditional and entirely new analogue-style sound textures to modern music creation and production as an innovative, sophisticated synthesis concept.
Following the release of the Argon8 synthesiser, Modal Electronics have added a compact desktop module and a 61 key version, both with the same sound engine and 8 voice polyphony as the original.
Modal's new CRAFTsynth 2.0 brings a totally new design and an infinite world of sonic possibility in an almost unbelievably compact package. Hollin Jones took it on the road.
This is a synthesizer we have been very excited about for a number of weeks. Modal's Argon8 brings the wavetable goodness of the $5,000 008 to a smaller device at a much more affordable price.
4 true polyphonic voices of synthesis, a stack of I/O and one of the most portable yet huge-sounding synths we've ever tested. Could Modal's SKULPT be too good to be true?
This massively redesigned and upgraded miniature hardware synth certainly packs a punch, and you can get your early bird special order in now. Here's the lowdown.
Bristol-based synth makers, Modal Electronics, have reinvented the CRAFTsynth with V2.0 which looks sleeker and more aesthetically pleasing. It sounds pretty great too, especially for the price.
Following on from a hugely successful crowd-funding campaign (almost 300% funded!) Modal's new 32-oscillator portable poly powerhouse synth is available to pre-order.
Here's a list of our five favorite drum machines of 2018 so far, from super portable to heavy hitters. Behringer, Arturia, Roland, Modal... which one will you choose?
Modal's CRAFTrhythm is a hands-on, tweakable self-build drum machine that has more features than you might have expected. Hollin Jones puts it all together for you.
Less than 24 hours since launch the Modal Electronics Skulpt, 4-voice polyphonic synthesizer for under $300 is closing in on being 150% funded. It's not surprising when you listen to the sound demos!
Well, well, well. Modal Electronics have unveiled a rather stunning 4-voice, 32-oscillator polyphonic virtual analog synthesizer expected to retail for less than $300 USD! It sounds lovely too.
Just about the only thing we might know about the soon to be announced Modal machine is its name. Skulpt will be revealed on Friday 6th July 2018. An exciting synth summer continues.
What if you could build your own synthesizer for under $100 with no need for any soldering? It's not too good to be true - it exists, and it's called the Modal Craft.
Modal's new flagship synthesizers look incredible and sound just as good. There's now even an option to add a digital I/O card to make the ultimate setup.
We broke the news about the exciting and cute new self-assembly, portable, affordable, monophonic CRAFTsynth synthesizer from Modal Electronics on Friday. Now you can hear it in action.
With a price of just £79, the new Modal Electronics CraftSynth has impressive spec, and apparently makes it very easy to assemble without soldering or specialist knowledge. Here's all the details.