Modal Cobalt 5S

[BONES]

How did I not know about this? A great hardware synth the size of a KeyStep. I want one NOW!



It looks like a great piece of kit and Sound on Sound seemed to like it.

And here is the obligatory YouTube sound demo -



As near as I can tell, Modal released it mid-year but I only discovered it by accident this morning. I wouldn't mind getting rid of all my current keyboard controllers and replacing them with one of these. It's the perfect size for travelling. One of the local retailers here is doing it for 26% off at the moment, so I might do the AfterPay thing and pay it off in installments, while I sell my Skulpt and Craft 2.0 to help pay for it. One day I'll stop spending. Honest.

[SLiC]

Yup- if size/portability is a major factor then this is a great deal- If you can go a bit bigger then the Argon8 is also amazing for the size and MPE compatible as is this little one! (I only have the Argon8, not the Cobalt but there are a lot of similarities). The MODALapp software is also very good, possibly the best editor for hardware available and it adds a lot in a hybrid set up (sometimes portable, sometimes played from my master keyboard). Best UK Price- https://www.bopdj.com/modal-electronics-cobalt-5s.html

PS- I sold my Skulpt to get the Argon8, absolutely no regrets...

[BONES]

I don't think I have switched my Skulpt on in 3 years. It never really gelled with me. I much prefer the sound of Craft Synth 2.0, although I haven't switched that on in 3 years, either.

[SLiC]

The X/Y touchpad lets you individually assign X+, X‑, Y+, Y‑ and Z (pressure) so that could be pretty useful for something MPE compatible. Obviously work will with the ERAE Touch as well....

[sin night]

It's the perfect size for travelling.

Cobalt 5S weights 2.4 Kg. Not bad in comparison to the Cobalt 8S which weights 5.6 Kg (which feels heavy when I hold it in my hands - and I like that feeling!), but still a lot more than something lightweight like the Arturia Keystep (which is 1.4 Kg from what I can find online).

Might be (or may be not) something worth considering.

[BONES]

Nobody weighs your carry-on luggage, it goes purely on size (and even that is rarely enforced).

[kritikon]

I thought you were going to stop buying hw synths that you end up very quickly not using?

[BONES]

Yeah, me too, but old habits die hard. This would also replace a MIDI controller so it fits better with my "simplify" philosophy - I could get up on stage with just my ROG Flow Z13 (computer), Erae Touch and this, although I'd probably want my Uno Pro as well. Watching a few more videos, though, I realise that it is still quite a bit bigger than KeyStep so I've gone a bit cold on it. DJ City have opened a new shop near me, and they apparently have one in stock, so I will go and check it out, at least, before I make a decision.

[_leras]

. One day I'll stop spending. Honest.

I don't think you have to justify spending on a fisher price travel organ.

Just go easy on the demo rendition of She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain.

[revvy]

. One day I'll stop spending. Honest.

I don't think you have to justify spending on a fisher price travel organ.

Just go easy on the demo rendition of She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain.

With deep, manly and growly EBM vocals

[gExpectations]

yes this thing should be a great midi controller. i considered it. if you look at the midi spec its pretty fully implemented and documented. you can do a lot with it in that regard.