Modal Carbon8
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
Modal
Carbon8
Product Info
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The Carbon8 is a fascinating, sound-design-focused synth. It's perfect for electronic musicians, experimental sound designers, and anyone who wants to escape the usual sounds. Be prepared to dive deep into its modulation possibilities - it’s a serious instrument for crafting unique sonic landscapes.
Product Description
- Modal Carbon8
- Digital Synthesizer
- 8-Voice polyphonic
- Touch-sensitive FATAR keyboard with 37 keys and channel aftertouch
- 2 Independent digital oscillators with 56 complex digital core waveforms per oscillator
- With 18 digital algorithms and 38 wavetables
- Extended XCore modifiers
- incl. wave shape
- wave fold
- phase distortion
- Extended oscillator drift
- Vintage parameter
- 34 Resonant filter types
- including morphable and static filters
- Cut-off scaling with 2 different modes
- 3 Dedicated envelope generators for AMP
- MOD and FILTER
- 3 Audio rate LFOs with tempo synchronisation (2 poly
- one global) with over 15 different shapes
- 8 Assignable modulation slots and 4 additional fixed modulation routings for frequent assignments with 12 modulation sources and 55 modulation destinations
- Polyphonic real-time sequencer with 512 notes and 4 recordable/editable parameter animations
- Polyphonic step sequencer with 64 steps
- 8 notes per step and 4 tracks for parameter automation
- Internal programmable arpeggiator with 32 steps with pause option
- 3 Independent and configurable stereo effect processors with a total of 26 effects
- 500 Sounds
- fully editable
- 300 Factory sounds
- 100 Sequencer presets that can be linked to any sound
- 100 Effect presets
- 8 Quick recall memory
- 29 endless encoders
- 24 Buttons
- 4-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 legato and staccato mode
- Chord invert control
- controllable via MODALapp
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 555 x 300 x 100 mm
- Weight: 5.6 kg
- *Connections: *
- 2 Line outputs: 6.3 mm jack
- Stereo headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
- Stereo line input: 3.5 mm mini jack
- MIDI input and output
- Analogue sync input and output: 3.5 mm mini jack
- USB MIDI
- Input for volume and expression pedal: 6.3 mm jack
- Input for sustain pedal: 6.3 mm jack
PROS
- • Excellent FATAR keybed delivers expressive touch sensitivity.
- • Unique digital core waveforms create truly novel sounds.
- • Flexible modulation matrix unlocks complex, evolving textures.
- • Resonant filters offer a wide palette of tonal possibilities.
CONS
- • 37 keys limit performance for complex, layered pieces.
- • Workflow can be initially daunting due to extensive modulation options.
- • Limited immediate preset recall compared to some competitors.
Product Video
Key Features
Keys
37
Key Type
Touch-sensitive FATAR
Synthesis Type
Digital, Wavetable, Algorithmic
Polyphony
8-Voice
Effects
Built-in effects engine with reverb, delay, chorus, etc. (specific algorithms not detailed)
Connections
Stereo Outputs, MIDI In/Out/Thru, USB, Sustain Pedal Input
Weight
Approximately 12 lbs (estimated based on similar Modal instruments)
Similar Products
Casio AP-750 WE
General Digital Pianos
$2,144
Digital Piano, 88 Weighted keys with hammer action (Smart Hybrid Hammer Action, hybrid material made...
Vostok Instruments Path
Mixer, Attenuator Modules
$153
Eurorack Module, Analogue morphing router, Interpolating 4-channel signal router for audio and...
Manuel Rodriguez Superior Anniversario 120 J-SB
4/4 Size Classical Guitars
$1,099
Classical Guitar, Special model for the anniversary of Guitarras...
NANO Modules ST-OUT
Interface Modules
$149
Eurorack Module, Stereo output module for Eurorack systems, Switchable drive level (soft / hard),...
Ibanez GRG320FA-TVT
ST Style Guitars
$439
Electric Guitar, Body: Poplar, Top: Basswood with Art Grain in flamed maple look, Bolt-on neck:...
Frequently Asked Questions
Modal's wave folding implementation is quite aggressive and characterful, leaning towards a gritty, distorted sound rather than subtle harmonic enhancement.
While it emulates certain aspects, its digital nature and unique synthesis architecture mean it won't perfectly replicate analog sounds; it's a different beast entirely.
The modulation matrix is highly flexible, but the sheer number of options can be overwhelming initially, requiring a dedicated learning curve to master its full potential.
