QUICK START
GUIDE
Modal Argon8X is an 8 voice polyphonic wavetable synthesiser. It features 120 crafted
wavetables split into 24 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets, 32 oscillators in total (4
per voice) and a huge range of wavetable and oscillator modifiers.
Beyond the oscillators there is 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.
Shift functions - parameters in light blue can be accessed by entering ‘Shift’ mode using
the button to the right of the screen with a light blue ring. Shift can be momentary by
holding the button and changing a parameter or latched by pressing the shift button.
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
you will exit ‘Alt’ mode on release of the button.
Connections
Headphones - 1/4” stereo jack socket
Right - Audio Out for right stereo channel. 1/4” unbalance TS jack socket
Left/Mono - Audio Out for left stereo channel. If there is no cable plugged into Right
socket then summed to Mono. 1/4” unbalance TS jack socket
Expression - user configurable pedal input, 1/4” TRS jack socket
Sustain - works with any standard, open momentary foot switch, 1/4” TS jack socket
Audio In - stereo audio input, to process your audio source with Argon FX engines,
3.5mm TRS jack socket
Sync In - analogue clock in. 3.3v, rising edge, 1 pulse per 16th note signal, 3.5mm TS
jack socket
Sync Out - analogue clock out, same configuration as clock in, 3.5mm TS jack socket
MIDI Out - used to control other MIDI hardware, 5-pin DIN MIDI socket
MIDI In - used to be controlled from other MIDI hardware, 5-pin DIN MIDI socket
USB MIDI - MIDI in/out to a USB MIDI host, connect Argon8 to a laptop/tablet/mobile
device for the optional software editor, ModalApp, full size USB-B socket
Power - 9.0V, 1.5A, centre-positive barrel power supply
Screen Navigation
The two switched-encoders either side of the
screen are used for screen navigation and control:
Page/Param - When this encoder is in ‘Page’
mode it cycles through the parameter pages (e.g.
Osc1, Osc2, Filter); when it’s in ‘Param’ mode it
cycles through the parameters on that page. Use
the switch to toggle between the two modes, the
mode is displayed on the screen with a line at top
for ‘Page’ mode and at the bottom for ‘Param’
mode.
Preset/Edit/Bank - This encoder/switch is used
to adjust the value or ‘trigger’ the currently
displayed parameter. When on the ‘Load Patch’
parameter when the panel is in ‘Shift’ mode this
encoder is used to select the patch bank number.
Presets
Patch/Seq - this button is primarily used to switch
the screen to either the ‘Load Patch’ or ‘Load
Seq’ param for loading patches or sequences,
however this button also puts the panel into
either ‘Patch’ mode or ‘Seq’ mode. This changes
the ‘Save’ and ‘Init’ buttons to either effect
Patch preset management in ‘Patch’ mode or
Sequencer preset management in ‘Seq’ mode.
‘Init / Rand’ - this button/function only responds
on a button hold.
Argon8X can have a large dynamic range so
there is a Patch Gain control that can be used to
equalise patch volumes. Hold the ‘Patch’ button
and turn the ‘Volume’ encoder to control the
‘Patch Gain’ parameter.
