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Cobalt8 – The Digital Synth Comeback

Benn Jordan | August 25, 2025



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Gear used:
ATEM Mini Pro
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemmini

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6k
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera

DaVinci Resolve 16 (100% FREE!)
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/

Stamps:
0:00 – iPad Stand
0:35 – JK Monologue
3:07 – SPECS
4:35 – Modal App
8:55 – Industrial Beatz
13:13 – Cobalt Vs Force
17:42 – Conclusion

Written by Benn Jordan

Comments

This post currently has 47 comments.

  1. @scyhte82

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    How do you switch the Envelopes? The keyboard version has dedicated buttons but this one hasn't.
    I searched the Internet high and low but i can't seem to find an answer. Even the official manual for the module version says you need to use the buttons, but there are no buttons. WTF?

  2. @LucianoCattarin

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    Hey man ,what do you think about korg multipoly? I'm very found of ambient/cosmic/sci-fi/evolving texture sound,and not much money .i'm find a synth not expensive .what you eventually recomended for this purpose? And finally what do you think about ableton push 3,i thing is very powuerfu.thank you so much and my compliments for your channel( excuse me for my bad english) from Treviso Italy

  3. @Peter_Cetera

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I just purchased a Modal Cobalt8 last week, completely unaware that the company had gone under.

    Their website is now offline, and I'm unable to download any software, including the essential ModalApp for Windows and Android.

    I've exhausted all my online resources. Does anyone have any leads?

  4. @Deeplycloseted435

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I feel like everything about this synth is meh, but those oscillators are amazing, and well worth the price of admission. I LOVE that we are starting to see softsynth features in hardware. Those oscillators are right out of the computer. Alchemy, Spire, or Synthmaster come to mind. GREAT!!!

    I still love my Virus B, but the reality is that while its a lovely VA, its meant to sound kind of analog. Triangle/Saw/Pulse. The immediacy of complex sounds with Cobalt oscillators is a ton of fun. Same with the Hydra or Minifreak. Why be limited to basic analog waveforms?

  5. @ZozillaThaGreat

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I don't wanna go outside : ya got me by surprise !!! exellent video !!! Great channel it seems (just discovered it ..)
    Something i wanna know , when you use the VST , is the VST generating sound like a regular didgital itb synth or the sound and engine comes from Cobalt and cobalt audio out is recorded ?

  6. @studiotyson2963

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    Wow~! Fantastic little synth! These are incredible times for synth enthusiasts. Don't care if it's analog or digital as long as it can make a ton of useful sounds ~ and it DOES! Just Wow! Great Review~!

  7. @zoned7609

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I wonder if there will be an update to this synth to make up for the reverb? I would love a filter that doesn't kill the sound volume when the resonance is cranked! The only 2 complaints I have about this synth are the filters and the reverb.

  8. @davidburne9477

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I have the 37-key version and I love it. It also have a couple of other synths I find I use so much less because of the arrival of the Cobalt8 – the Novation Ultranova, which shares many capabilities with the Cobalt8, and a Moog Grandmother. Yes, I am selling the Grandmother! A big call that no doubt some will argue with, but for what I create, the Cobalt8 can do it all. As for your review, I enjoyed it, except for your repeated use of “very unique” where the correct phrase might very “very rare” or “very unusual”.

  9. @mymockumentary9716

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I'm generally into analogue synths and digital drums. I often forget that digital synths have really moved forward. I have two tetra's and a mopho in one of my setups, I have to tweak hard to get a pleasing and unique sound. The cobolt spits out pleasing and unique sounds without a sweat. I used to have the Evolver and you are completely right, the cobolt captures traditional sounds and modern sounds. Do you think it can be updated to be multitimbral?

  10. @mymockumentary9716

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I'm generally into analogue synths and digital drums. I often forget that digital synths have really moved forward. I have two tetra's and a mopho in one of my setups, I have to tweak hard to get a pleasing and unique sound. The cobolt spits out pleasing and unique sounds without a sweat. I used to have the Evolver and you are completely right, the cobolt captures traditional sounds and modern sounds. Do you think it can be updated to be multitimbral?

  11. @veganbodymind

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    Stumbled upon your channel after watching the Behringer vids, ended with this one, going upstairs now to play with my X, time to give it some love. Keep up the good work dude!

  12. @andycordy5190

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I bought my Argon8 when it was launched and have barely scratched the surface of its capabilities but your excitement about the playful sounds you generate has really got me wanting to go deeper.

  13. @samuelwnovak

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I love your comment about poly limits. Listen to what somebody like JS Bach or Beethoven can do with only 4 (or 3 or even 2!) voices of polyphony and the idea of “more voices is better” kinda goes out the window. Yes, there are times when you’ll need many voices for a big swirling reverb-drenched pad playing a chord with 5 or 6 notes spread across several octaves to achieve the effect you’re after, but just 2 voices of polyphony can a looooooong way if the composer can write well-structured lines with interesting counterpoint between them.

  14. @michaels5166

    August 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    I might need one of these…I came back to check it out again..Benn reviewing gear works for me because he actually delves into gear,instead of typical jabs and stabs…

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