Modal Electronics / Cobalt5S

MODAL's COBALT5S is a cutting-edge 5-voice extended virtual analog synthesizer that combines overwhelming sound quality with compactness. Its slim design makes it easy to carry around.

COBALT5S is the latest model from the UK company MODAL, a 5-voice extended virtual analog synthesizer.

The price is for beginners/entry level users, but it has the same sound engine as the higher-end models in the COBALT series, and MODAL's proud editor MODALapp is available for free, so it will appeal to a wide range of users. It is MPE compatible, has a 37-key mini keyboard X/Y/Z pressure-sensitive touchpad, 16 encoders, and an OLED screen, making it a small but comprehensive interface. It has high functionality, such as a 4TR sequencer and the ability to expand to 10 voices by connecting two units via polychain. Its slim design with blue aluminum panels and polycarbonate body makes it easy to carry around as a mobile device and play in a variety of environments.

Product Specifications
Polyphony
- True 5-voice polyphony, expandable to 10 voices by connecting two COBALT5S using the polychain function
MPE
- Connect an MPE-compatible MIDI controller, allowing performance expression using polyphonic control and expression for each note
Oscillator
- Two independent oscillator groups, each with selectable algorithm, self-contained oscillator cross-modulation and control
- Equipped with 40 types of algorithms, diverse and complex analog synthesis techniques, built-in cross-modulation (sync, ring modulation, and many more), smooth morphing of PWM, VA waveforms, bit crushing, filter noise, etc.)
- Each algorithm has carefully tuned controls to make complex synthesis easy with just two parameters
- Extended oscillator drift
Filter
- Equipped with a 4-pole morphing ladder filter. Switchable configuration
Modulation
- Equipped with 3 dedicated envelope generators for amp, modulation and filter. Can also be set to negative (reverse). Envelopes can be set individually or all three at the same time

2 tempo-synced LFOs (1 poly LFO, 1 global LFO) with 7 different waveforms

8 assignable modulation slots and 4 fixed modulation routings (11 modulation sources and 41 modulation destinations)

Sequencer and Arpeggiator

512-note polyphonic real-time sequencer and step sequencer, 4 recordable/editable parameter animations (Delay FX, LFO, sequencer and arpeggiator can be clocked internally or externally)

Step sequencer features up to 64 steps, 5 notes per step, 4 lanes of parameter lock animation, step input mode, multiple playback modes including gate mode and rest function

Built-in highly programmable 32-step arpeggiator with rest and random functions. Up to 2048 steps can be set without repeats
Effects
- Two powerful independent user-configurable stereo effect engines, Chorus and Stereo Delay
User Memory
- 300 patch memories, all editable, with 200 factory programs
- 100 sequencer presets that can be linked to any patch for quick arrangement loading
- 4 quick recall slots accessible from the panel for quick loading of your favorite patches
Control and Performance
- Compact 37-key premium keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch
- Equipped with 16 switch encoders, supporting real-time CC message sending to control other MIDI devices and DAWs
- Equipped with 5-axis X/Y/Z pressure-sensitive touch pad, can be used as pitch bend or modulation wheel, or assigned various modulations
- Switch between multiple keyboard modes for versatile performance (Mono, Poly, Stack 2, Unison 2, Unison 4)
- Glide / Portamento function, legato and staccato modes available
Inputs and Outputs
- 6.35 mm / 1/4” TS line output
- 6.35 mm / 1/4” TRS headphone output
- MIDI DIN input and output
- 3.5 mm / 1/8” TS analog clock sync input and output
- USB MIDI connection with USB class compliance
- 6.35 mm / 1/4” TS sustain pedal input
Exterior and Display
Durable polycarbonate housing
Monochrome OLED display provides instant visual feedback to the user at all times, whether playing or editing
Power
- USB bus powered or DC-9.0V-1.5A center positive (AC adapter sold separately)
Editor Software
- Free MODALapp software editor available for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android
- VST and AU plug-in versions with the same functionality as MODALapp for use within a digital audio workstation (DAW) MODALplugin is also available.

Dimensions: Width: 56.5cm Depth: 16.2cm Height: 5.7cm

Weight: 2.4kg

Accessories: Japanese manual, USB cable (AC adapter sold separately)

Notes: Editor software ""MODALapp"" and editor plug-in ""MODALplugin"" can be downloaded for free from the MODAL Electronics website.