My Thoughts on the Modal Electronics Argon 8

[@Culture_of_Ghosts]

Great overview buddy. I think the build quality and the sonic possibilities from this machine comes across as great value for money!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah, pretty cool synth. Thanks for watching!

[@user-zd4qy5zl7i]

Which is better for basic sound quality, hydra or this? especially the bell, metalic sound😊

[@SoundsAndGear]

really just depends on your preference, both are capable.

[@user-zd4qy5zl7i]

@@SoundsAndGear ohh i see..! thank you!

[@BrockDavisson]

I really want the desktop module of this to pair with my hydrasynth desktop module but do you think it would be too much overlap or a great addition to each other? I do ambient / experimental stuff.

[@SoundsAndGear]

I think you'd enjoy them both for sure.

[@BrockDavisson]

@@SoundsAndGear Argh, that doesn't help me :P lol.

[@SoundsAndGear]

@@BrockDavisson Hahahaha LOL, sorry but it's true LOL

[@SoundsAndGear]

@Trololo Inc ® I have the Hydra, great synth for sure, probably my favorite in terms of build, ergonomics. and workflow. But I do think each has it's own sound, and certain sounds may be easier to get to on one vs another. But I feel that way about all synths lol.

[@Lhenndyn]

The after touch is a little hard to trigger. Just push harder. Instead of that, I love the keyboard... soft and lovely to play. That interesting, you have a big knob for the filter and the volume on your Argon8. In mine there is only one on the filter. Did you changed it or is it a change they made ? Thanks for the video.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah, I'm used to aftertouch on the HydraSynth, so this was a bit of a let down. Everything else was cool though and I start liking it more and more as I design sounds on it. I didn't change my knob, it came like that.

[@Lhenndyn]

SoundsAndGear ok, maybe you have a unique model with two big knobs ! :) that’s it, I have it for three days, first I was really impressed and satisfied with the sound. When I used it the second time, I was like, ok... not that great maybe, I don’t know. But after two hours at designing some patchs, I came back to my first impression : the sound is excellent, and very personal. Soft, smooth... it’s not a synth for scratchy bass, I knew it, but the bass are there anyway, deep and beautifull. Love it ! (Pardon my English, I am French !)

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah I agree, it definitely has a smooth sound to it overall, but I'm sure you can get more out of it if you mess with it. I wonder if they changed the knobs on later versions?

[@stephenpisani5727]

The first few of the first run came from the manufacturer with the small volume knob. The place you bought it from should have received the correct replacement knobs, so you should be able to get it from them. If not, contact Modal and they'll probably make it right for you

[@SoundsAndGear]

Good info!

[@brianvanhaaren2713]

thanks for the video. I appreciate you talking about how the knobs feel and how to change sounds fast cuz I was very interested bout that. I haven't been able to test one myself, but I might get an Argon8 now I've seen this. so thanks😎

[@SoundsAndGear]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@Ast3rixMusic]

Did you find that the software editor provided more of a deep dive into the parameters? I like the way this synth sounds... just not sure if I like the ASM Hydrasynth more.

[@SoundsAndGear]

For me honestly the software made it easier for me to understand what was going on with the hardware, and I found myself actually using the hardware to edit much faster after I got a clear view of everything in the software. So mainly just ended up using the software to switch patches but tweaked stuff directly on the hardware.

[@bangmateo7481]

Thanks for the video Joe. Can you tell us what the randomize patch button does?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Pretty sure it randomizes the parameters, I no longer have this though so I can't check.

[@mauakatakla]

HI sir! Is it an standalone machine or need I some electronic device/app to use it? Thank you

[@SoundsAndGear]

It is a standalone synth.

[@AlekseiDroganov]

Hello from Tallinn 🇪🇪🙋‍♂️🔥 Very interested, what model of iPad and year you've used in this stream?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Pretty sure it was just the regular 2017 model in this video.

[@GTChris]

One year later, how is the aftertouch?

[@SoundsAndGear]

No longer have this

[@ET2carbon]

​@@SoundsAndGearboring huh?

[@SoundsAndGear]

@@ET2carbon Not really, just not something I wanted to keep at the time.

[@ET2carbon]

@@SoundsAndGear I feel like only having a waveform engine it's weak sauce. I mean the microfreak has like 15 different engines/algorithms and they just amazed everyone when the update came out for samples. They did the Korg things where is a different engine for each synth, all while they released argon and cobalt within a year. Modal lost out with that method, they are not KORG so they couldn't get by doing that. They had so much promise with MPE capabilities but the after touch is lacking as you mentioned

[@SoundsAndGear]

@@ET2carbon I don't think all synths have to have multiple engines. I lean towards analog synths and they mostly just have a few waveforms lol. But I do see how if choosing between digital synths a user may want more options. Now that I think about it...my favorite digital synth (roland system-8) has 4 engines, even though they all model basic analog synths with a few waveforms, it is like having 4 different synths in one LOL.

[@bangmateo7481]

What stand are you using Joe?

[@SoundsAndGear]

I have an on-stage 3 tier "A Stand"

[@apislapis]

I have the Argon8 on my shopping list for pads. Nice demo SAG, thank you.

[@SoundsAndGear]

You won't be disappointed, very nice for pads indeed. Thanks for watching!

[@MakingMadBeats]

@@SoundsAndGear Same here! I only got analog Mono Synths so far and only VST instruments for poly stuff. I have the Vermona Mono Lancet '15 and the Arturia Microbrute. So, would you recommend this as a first poly synth? Tried the Behringer Poly-D and the Korg Minilogue, which I didn' t like. Want to use it mainly for pads/ambient stuff.

[@SoundsAndGear]

I think this is a great device for pads/ambient stuff for sure.

[@MakingMadBeats]

@@SoundsAndGear Thx, man 🙏! Big up for your work and the great content that people like you, Corry from Bboy Tech, Ken "Flux" Pierce and F Major bring to us. You were really pioneers in this beatmakers/producers on KZbin stuff. Salute!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for the support fam, much appreciated!

[@morn1977]

Mine is going to arrive on wednesday (module version)! I can't wait! 🎛🎶

[@SoundsAndGear]

Nice!!

[@thelantern9075]

Seems like a pretty sweet little ambient machine.

[@SoundsAndGear]

You can for sure get some good ambient vibes from it! Thanks for watching.

[@vforvillain77]

Why do i seem to be the only one who's notice this sounds cold and metallic as hell? Even at the first note he played i was like whoa... I had it, sold it, kept my hydrasynth instead

[@SoundsAndGear]

I think both can sound that way depending on the sounds you pull up, I found some of the pad type sounds in here to be pretty good, but overall not enough for me to keep it when I had the Hydra already.

[@GanjaBabyy]

Same, sold mine for a Minilogue xd

[@voreshbo7031]

Did you listen thru smartphone? One has to try it to really hear it, or at least over monitors or good headphones

[@vforvillain77]

@@voreshbo7031 nah I've heard thru many diff speakers. Honestly the sound has changed to my ears multiple times. My first impressions were as above. Then I didn't hear it that way anymore. Then I owned it and liked the sound very much but sold it. For years it still sounded good to me. And just recently it's starting to sound metallic again. Weird. Hearing must be relative. To the sounds that you're into and hearing at the time.

[@joebond9435]

Nice, the Hydrasynth is nice also..... but I like the module more

[@SoundsAndGear]

No doubt, I feel ya!

[@gpr4eva]

Argon 8 vs Hydrasynth?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Up to you, both are powerful. Layout/workflow and build quality on Hydra is better imo.

[@soundvapor]

This video was right on time! Just got it and it’s everything I thought it would be and more. The build quality is amazing....I found the lush pads to be very useable and it’s quick to make tweaks on the fly. This synth can cover all sonic duties but I agree...unique hybrid key sounds, great for stabs, plucks and droned out leads...and a smooth pad monster🧟‍♂️! This will be my mobile on the go synth! Thanks for video and as always you have great taste Fam!!!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Nice, I definitely agree with you on the sound. And the more I use it the more I get used to the workflow, designed some dope sounds really quickly, I paired it with my H9 and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan.

[@soundvapor]

SoundsAndGear I’m so glad you mentioned the H9....that is on my final list of must haves!!!...of course that list will be ruined when something new comes out but all in all I’m chasing the hybrid sound.

[@SoundsAndGear]

The H9 is amazing! I use it almost exclusively with the iPad app so I never have to touch the pedal and I can dig in to all of the parameters, super fun!

[@soundvapor]

@@SoundsAndGear Bet. I'm going to study it... definitely getting one, have so many things I want to use it on.🤩🤩🤩

[@SoundsAndGear]

@@soundvapor It is really good lol

[@ccfunk1]

I wasn't even hip to it. sounds good. thanks!!!!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching bro!

[@ShazammtheProducer]

whats good fam good video as always

[@SoundsAndGear]

What's good bro, thanks for watching!

[@gpr4eva]

This joint smooth!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for checking fam, def got some smooth sounds from it.

[@gexcube1981]

good morning, I can receive your reflection on the two synths: argon8 korg wavestate about my musical genre trance and techno; I have watched the videos for some time and not having the opportunity to try them in person, I ask you who are experts. I would like to receive a greater impression to make my purchase decision. thanks

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching, I have not used the Wavestate so I do not have an opinion on it, I'd imagine both could work though as both seem to be powerful synths. Down to which interface and features you enjoy more.

[@SoundsAndGear]

@sbmphr Nice! Thanks for sharing!

[@Leei]

Argon 8 vs. Korg Minilogue XD?

[@SoundsAndGear]

I think I prefer the Minilogue XD