Modal Argon8 Quick Start Guide

Introduction

The Modal Argon8 is an 8-voice polyphonic wavetable synthesizer. It features 120 crafted wavetables, split into 24 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets, offering 32 oscillators in total (4 per voice) with a wide range of wavetable and oscillator modifiers. Beyond the oscillators, it includes a multi-mode filter, 3 envelope generators, 2 audio-rate LFOs, 3 powerful independent and user-configurable stereo FX engines, a real-time sequencer, a programmable arpeggiator, and an extensive modulation matrix.

Front Panel Diagram Description: The synthesizer's front panel features a central screen for parameter display, flanked by two switched-encoders for navigation (Page/Param). Various buttons like Shift, Alt (Velo, Arp), Patch/Seq, Init/Rand, Save, Mute, Arp, and FX selectors are present. Encoders control parameters such as Waveform, Cutoff, ADSR, LFO Rate, Sequencer Division, and Volume. The rear panel includes connections for Headphones, Stereo Audio Out (Left/Right), Expression pedal, Sustain footswitch, Stereo Audio In, Analogue Sync In/Out, MIDI In/Out, USB MIDI, and Power.

Screen Navigation and Control

The two switched-encoders on either side of the screen are used for screen navigation and control:

• Page/Param Encoder: In 'Page' mode, this encoder cycles through parameter pages (e.g., Osc1, Osc2, Filter). In 'Param' mode, it cycles through the parameters on the current page. Use the associated switch to toggle between 'Page' and 'Param' modes; the active mode is indicated on the screen with a line at the top for 'Page' mode and at the bottom for 'Param' mode.
• Preset/Edit/Bank Encoder/Switch: This control is used to adjust parameter values or 'trigger' the currently displayed parameter. When the 'Load Patch' parameter is active and the panel is in 'Shift' mode, this encoder selects the patch bank number.

Shift Functions: Parameters in light blue can be accessed by entering 'Shift' mode. This is achieved by pressing the button to the right of the screen, which has a light blue ring. Shift can be momentary (by holding the button while changing a parameter) or latched (by pressing the shift button). [Shift Function Indicator]

Alt Functions: Parameters in light grey can be accessed by holding the button with the light grey ring in the same section (Velo or Arp). 'Alt' mode is always momentary and exits upon release of the button. [Alt Function Indicator]

Connections

The Argon8 features a comprehensive set of connections:

• Headphones: 1/4" stereo jack socket.
• Right Audio Out: For the right stereo channel. 1/4" unbalanced TS jack socket.
• Left/Mono Audio Out: For the left stereo channel. If no cable is plugged into the Right socket, this output is summed to mono. 1/4" unbalanced TS jack socket.
• Expression: User-configurable pedal input. 1/4" TRS jack socket.
• Sustain: Works with any standard, open momentary footswitch. 1/4" TS jack socket.
• Audio In: Stereo audio input for processing external audio sources through the Argon FX engines. 3.5mm TRS jack socket.
• Sync In: Analogue clock input. Accepts 3.3V, rising edge signals, 1 pulse per 16th note. 3.5mm TS jack socket.
• Sync Out: Analogue clock output, mirroring the Sync In configuration. 3.5mm TS jack socket.
• MIDI Out: Used to control other MIDI hardware. 5-pin DIN MIDI socket.
• MIDI In: Used to be controlled by other MIDI hardware. 5-pin DIN MIDI socket.
• USB MIDI: Provides MIDI in/out functionality via a USB MIDI host. Connect the Argon8 to a laptop, tablet, or mobile device for the optional software editor, ModalApp. Features a full-size USB-B socket.
• Power: Requires a 9.0V, 1.5A centre-positive barrel power supply.

Presets and Saving

Patch/Seq Button: Primarily used to switch the screen between 'Load Patch' and 'Load Seq' parameters for loading patches or sequences. This button also sets the panel mode to either 'Patch' or 'Seq' mode, affecting the function of the 'Save' and 'Init' buttons for preset management.

'Init / Rand' Button: This function only responds when the button is held. It can be used to initialize or randomize parameters.

Patch Gain: The Argon8 has a wide dynamic range. The 'Patch Gain' control can be used to equalize patch volumes. Hold the 'Patch' button and turn the 'Volume' encoder to adjust the 'Patch Gain' parameter.

Preset Saving Procedure:

Press the 'Save' button to enter the 'full' save procedure, or hold the 'Save' button for a 'quick' save (saving the preset into the current slot with its current name).

Full Save Procedure:

1. Slot Selection: Use the 'Edit' encoder to select the desired preset bank and number, then press the 'Edit' switch to confirm.
2. Naming: Use the 'Page/Param' encoder to select a character position and the 'Edit' encoder to select the character. Press the 'Edit' switch to finish editing the name.
   • Shortcuts for naming: Press Oct- for lowercase, Oct+ for uppercase, Transpose for numbers, and Chord for symbols.
   • Press the Page/Param switch to add a space.
   • Press Init to delete the current character.
   • Hold Init to delete the entire name.
3. Confirm and Save: Press the 'Edit' switch to confirm settings and save the preset.

Navigation during Save: At any point, hold the Page/Param switch to move back a step in the procedure.

Exit without Saving: To exit the procedure without saving, press the Patch/Seq button.

Quick Recalls:

The Argon8 offers 8 Quick Recall slots for fast patch loading. Control them using the following button combinations:

• To assign the currently loaded patch to a Quick Recall slot: Hold 'Patch' and then hold one of the eight buttons on the bottom left of the panel.
• To load a patch from a Quick Recall slot: Hold 'Patch' and then press one of the eight buttons on the bottom left of the panel.

Oscillators

To control WavMod parameters, hold the 'Patch' button and turn the 'Wave1' or 'Wave2' encoder.

Filter

To control the Filter Type parameter, hold the 'Patch' button and turn the 'Cutoff' encoder.

Envelopes

To adjust all envelopes simultaneously, hold any of the EG buttons for one second, then turn the ADSR encoders. Press the MEG button when MEG is already selected to latch the MEG assignment.

Sequencer

• To clear all sequencer notes, hold the 'Mute' button.
• To clear an animation lane, hold the 'Anim1', 'Anim2', 'Anim3', or 'Anim4' buttons.
• When the 'Linked Sequence' parameter is displayed, hold the 'Edit' switch to set its value to the currently loaded sequence.

Arpeggiator (Arp)

• To add pattern notes, hold the 'Arp' button and press keys on the internal or an external keyboard. Press the 'Rest' button to add a rest to the pattern.
• To control Arp Gate, hold the 'Patch' button and turn the 'Division' encoder.

LFO

Turn the 'Rate' encoders into the negative range to access synced rates.

Global Settings

When the 'Reset' option is displayed, hold the 'Edit' switch to trigger the reset function.

Keyboard/Voice

• Press 'Unison' repeatedly to cycle through different unison modes.
• Press 'Stack' repeatedly to cycle through different stack modes.
• To set the chord mode, press 'Chord' while holding a chord on the internal or an external keyboard.
• To transpose all notes, hold 'Transpose' and press a key on the internal keyboard; the central C key acts as the root note. Press 'Transpose' without keyboard interaction to reset the transpose value to 0.

Modulation

To assign a Mod Slot, either hold (momentary) or latch the desired Mod source button, then set the depth by turning the desired modulation destination parameter.

• When latched in a Mod Source assign mode, pressing the flashing Mod Source button again will exit assign mode.
• Use the 'Mod source button + Depth' encoder combination to set the global depth for that mod source.
• Press 'ModSlot' repeatedly to cycle through and view all mod slot settings on the screen.
• When a mod slot 'Depth' parameter is displayed (most easily accessed via assigning modulation through the panel or the ModSlot button), hold the 'Edit' switch to clear the mod slot assignment.
• To assign a mod source to an oscillator's global frequency destination, use either of the fine-tune controls. 'Tune1' assigns to Osc1 tune, and 'Tune2' assigns to Osc2 tune.

FX (Effects)

• Press the FX1, FX2, or FX3 button repeatedly to change the FX type for that slot.
• Hold the FX1, FX2, or FX3 button to reset the FX type of the slot to 'None'.
• When a Delay FX is assigned, turn the 'B' encoder into the negative range for that slot to access synced delay times.
• Press FX1 + FX2 + FX3 simultaneously to jump to the 'FX Preset Load' parameter.