Modal Electronics CARBON8 8-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer

Full Description

Revolutionary sound engine with endless flexibility

At the heart of CARBON8 lies a powerful sound engine featuring two oscillators with 56 cores each. These oscillators can generate 18 unique high-resolution algorithms or 38 wavetables, offering an incredible range of sound design options. Musicians can blend traditional analog-like textures with new digital innovations to create everything from lush string pads to aggressive leads. The oscillator architecture allows real-time modulation and shaping, giving performers immediate control over their sound’s timbral character and tonal dynamics. This flexibility makes CARBON8 ideal for any musical style, from cinematic scoring to contemporary electronic music.

Deep modulation and evolving movement

CARBON8 includes three high-resolution LFOs and three fully independent envelope generators, each offering detailed control for complex sound movement. LFO shapes include variable pulse width, triangle waves, and dual-rate ramps, giving a wide range of rhythmic and harmonic modulation capabilities. The envelopes for AMP, MOD, and FILTER are highly customizable, allowing precision control over attack, decay, sustain, and release phases. With 12 flexible modulation slots and additional fixed routings, CARBON8 empowers users to create evolving textures, shifting dynamics, and animated sequences that keep sounds vibrant and alive.

Filter versatility for sonic precision

The CARBON8 offers a vast array of 34 filter types, allowing users to precisely sculpt their tones. Vintage-inspired analog-style filters and cutting-edge hybrid designs ensure that every frequency range is covered. Morphable filters allow smooth transitions between different filter shapes, while static filters provide pinpoint accuracy for more surgical sound shaping. Parameters such as drive and resonance further enhance sound possibilities, from warm, saturated basses to bright, crisp leads. This filter section ensures that every sound crafted with CARBON8 can stand out with clarity and character in any mix or live performance.

Sequencing and performance for maximum creativity

The integrated 512-note real-time and step sequencer brings an additional level of creativity to CARBON8. With four animation lanes for parameter modulation, sequences can be as simple or as complex as needed. The polyphonic 64-note step input mode makes creating multi-layered sequences straightforward. Combined with the 32-step programmable arpeggiator that features Chord Hold, Inversions, Transpose, and Sustain Latch, musicians can quickly build intricate rhythmic and melodic patterns. These tools make CARBON8 a powerful engine for live improvisation, studio production, and sound exploration.

Playability designed for expression

Built with the live performer and serious studio musician in mind, CARBON8 features a robust yet lightweight aluminum and steel chassis. The FATAR TP9/S keybed provides 37 full-size, velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch for expressive playing. Real-time performance controls include 29 endless encoders, 24 dedicated buttons, and an X/Y joystick that allows intuitive modulation and pitch control. Multiple keyboard modes, such as Mono, Poly, Unison, and Stack, further expand expressive potential, allowing users to perform everything from powerful mono synth lines to lush polyphonic textures effortlessly.

Studio-grade effects and professional integration

The CARBON8 is equipped with three independent stereo effects engines, featuring 26 high-quality effects such as rich reverbs, precise delays, swirling phasers, lush choruses, compressors, and EQs. Effects are easily customizable and can be tweaked in real-time during performance or production sessions. Connectivity is equally comprehensive, with full-size MIDI In and Out ports, USB-MIDI compatibility, 3.5mm sync inputs and outputs for external gear, and sustain and expression pedal inputs. Poly-chain capability allows linking two CARBON8 units together, creating up to 16 voices for truly massive sounds in studio or live environments.

Expand your sonic universe with MODALapp

With the integrated MODALapp editor, available on macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, users can dive deep into patch creation, effects programming, and modulation assignment. CARBON8 offers 500 memory slots with 300 expertly crafted factory presets, 100 customizable effect configurations, and 100 sequencer presets. This ensures that musicians always have instant access to a wide variety of inspiring sounds and performance tools, making it easy to capture creativity when it strikes and refine it in the studio later.

Features

• Dual 56-core oscillators with 18 high-resolution algorithms and 38 wavetables
• Three high-resolution LFOs and three customizable envelope generators for deep modulation
• 12 modulation slots plus additional fixed routings for dynamic and evolving sound design
• 34 filter types including vintage analog emulations and morphable hybrid designs
• 512-note real-time and step sequencer with four animation lanes for advanced modulation
• 32-step programmable arpeggiator with Chord Hold, Inversions, Transpose, and Sustain Latch
• 37-note FATAR TP9/S keybed with full-size, velocity-sensitive keys and aftertouch
• 29 endless encoders, 24 dedicated buttons, and X/Y joystick for intuitive real-time control
• Three-slot stereo FX engine with 26 studio-quality effects including reverb, delay, chorus, and phaser
• Full-size MIDI I/O, USB-MIDI, 3.5mm sync in/out, sustain and expression pedal inputs
• Poly-chain capability for expanding up to 16 voices by linking two units
• Robust steel and aluminium chassis built for both studio and stage durability
• 500 patch slots, 300 factory presets, 100 FX presets, and 100 sequencer presets for expansive creative storage
• MODALapp editor available for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android for advanced sound design and management

Specifications

• Polyphony: True 8 Voice Polyphonic
• MPE: Supports MPE-Compatible MIDI Controllers, Allowing You To Apply Polyphonic Control And Expression To Individual Notes
• Oscillators: Two Independent High-Resolution Digital Oscillators
• Digital Core Waveforms: 56 Complex Digital Core Waveforms Per Oscillator, Including 18 Digital Algorithms And 38 Sophisticated Wavetables
• XCore Modifiers: Advanced XCore Modifiers Including Wave Shape, Wave Fold, Phase Distortion, And Others
• Extended Oscillator Drift: Included
• Vintage Parameter: Included
• Filter: 34 Resonant Filter Types Including Morphable And Static Filters
• Cutoff Scaling: Two Distinctive Modes
• Filter Types: Multiple Filter Types Available
• Modulation:
  • Envelope Generators: Three Dedicated Envelope Generators For AMP, MOD And FILTER, Including Negative (Reverse) Versions
  • LFOs: Three Audio-Rate LFOs With Tempo Sync (Two Poly, One Global) With Over 15 Different Shapes
  • Modulation Slots: Eight Assignable Modulation Slots And Four Additional Fixed Modulation Routings
  • Modulation Sources/Destinations: 12 Modulation Sources And 55 Modulation Destinations
• Sequencer And Arpeggiator:
  • Real-Time Sequencer: Polyphonic, 512 Notes, Four Recordable/Edit Parameter Animations, Internal Or External Clock
  • Step Sequencer: 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
  • Arpeggiator: Programmable, 32 Steps With Rest Capability, Up To 2048 Steps Before Repeating
• FX: Three Independent And User-Configurable Stereo FX Engines With 26 Effects Algorithms Including Drive, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Tremolo, LoFi, Rotary, Stereo Delay, Ping-Pong Delay, X-Over Delay And Reverb
• User Memory:
  • Patch Memories: 500 Total, 300 Factory Programs
  • Sequencer Presets: 100, Linkable To Any Patch
  • FX Presets: 100
  • Quick Recall Slots: 8 Slots Accessible From The Panel
• Controls And Performance:
  • Keyboard: Premium FATAR 37-Key Keyboard With Velocity And Channel Aftertouch
  • Encoders And Buttons: 29 Endless Encoders, 24 Buttons
  • Joystick: 4-Axis Joystick Assignable To Multiple Modulation Destinations With Lock Option
  • Keyboard Modes: Mono, Poly, Unison 2, Unison 4, Unison 8, Stack 2, Stack 4
  • Glide/Portamento: Both Legato And Staccato Modes
  • Chord Invert Control: Easily Create Chord Inversions And Variations
  • MPE Support: Available
• Inputs And Outputs:
  • Line Outputs: 6.35 mm / 1/4″ TS Dual-Mono
  • Headphone Output: 6.35 mm / 1/4″ TRS
  • Stereo Audio Input: 3.5 mm / 1/8″ TRS
  • MIDI: DIN In And Out
  • Clock Sync: 3.5 mm / 1/8″ TS Analogue Clock Sync In And Out
  • USB MIDI: Class-Compliant MIDI Over USB
  • Expression Pedal Input: 6.35 mm / 1/4″ TRS
  • Sustain Pedal Input: 6.35 mm / 1/4″ TS
• Enclosure And Display:
  • Enclosure: Road-Ready Steel And Aluminium With Stained Bamboo End Cheeks
  • Display: 1.54-Inch Large OLED Display For Instant Visual Feedback
• Power: DC-9.0V – 1.5A Centre-Positive
• Editor Software: Free MODALapp Software Editor Available For macOS, Windows, iOS And Android. VST3 And AU Versions Available
• General:
  • Dimensions (L × W × H): 555 × 300 × 100 mm / 21.9″ × 11.8″ × 4″
  • Weight: 5.60 kg / 12.4 lbs
  • Product Code: CARBON8