The virtual analogue Cobalt series gets a new portable option. Greg Scarth finds out whether the smaller model still packs a punch.
Bristol’s Modal Electronics is a synth brand which does high-end instruments just as well as entry-level options. From roots in seriously powerful (and seriously expensive) synths, the brand now offers everything from tiny beginner-friendly CraftSynths upwards. The Modal Electronics Cobalt5S falls towards the lower end of the spectrum, offering the most affordable and portable option in the Cobalt series. We’re fans of the existing range, so we’re curious to find out whether the smaller format works as well as the bigger models.
Let’s start with a recap of the Modal Cobalt approach for those who aren’t familiar with the series. Cobalt is Modal’s ‘extended’ virtual analogue range, based around replicating the sound of classic analogue synths. Virtual analogue is typically a user-friendly option since the way sounds are created – starting with raw oscillator tones and then filtering them to shape their harmonics – is relatively easy to understand. The synthesis approach is almost entirely unchanged from the larger models in the series, so we won’t go into too much detail here, but we know it’s a winner from previously testing bigger models in the Cobalt series.
The 5S falls below the Cobalt8 in the range, and a comparison of the two is probably the best way to explain how the design has been adapted for portability. The 5S is smaller, with a more modest compact keybed and the option to power over USB or a power pack rather than the DC adapters used by the larger models. The single biggest difference in sound is that the polyphony (the number of notes you can play simultaneously) has been reduced from eight to five. That’s still enough for complex chords plus a melody on top, so for a portable synth like this it’s a good compromise. The number of physical controls is smaller as a result of the compact proportions, but you’ve still got access to everything, just with a few more button presses for certain parameters. One interesting change is that the 5S features a touchpad for modulation rather than the joystick found on the larger models. This isn’t necessarily just a matter of saving room on a smaller model, as the two options take up a similar amount of space. If it’s an effort to make the 5S more durable, we applaud it; joysticks can easily be damaged when transporting synths, and the touchpad proves effective for modulating the sound.
In terms of sound and usability, the 5S retains everything which made the bigger Cobalt synths a success. It’s a seriously rich, powerful synth engine, more than capable of generating everything from wistful chords to fat, punchy bass sounds. The excellent MODALapp software editor (available for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android) gives you deep and user-friendly control of all parameters, with the added benefits of extra visual feedback and less menu-diving. The only real difference in terms of the synth engine itself is that there are only two LFOs on the 5S rather than three on the Cobalt8; it’s a small sacrifice which probably won’t be a dealbreaker. The other substantial change is a more modest effects offering, with just chorus and delay, but again that’s probably an understandable compromise given the price.
Virtual analogue synths typically offer good value because they’re cheaper to manufacture than ‘real’ analogue equivalents. At £369, the 5S is the best part of £200 cheaper than the Cobalt8, making it an affordable entry-level option for newcomers to hardware synths. There aren’t too many obvious rivals in terms of virtual analogue synths at a similar price, but one of Roland’s Boutique series, such as the £335 JU-06A, might appeal (note that you’ll need to buy a K25m keyboard module if you want to turn the Boutique modules into keyboards). We also wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar 5S version of the wavetable-based Argon series at some point, which might be worth waiting for if you like the portable 5S concept but fancy a slightly different sound.
The Cobalt5S is a perfectly judged adaptation of the larger Cobalt models, bringing the benefits of portability to what was already a fantastic virtual analogue synth engine. It’s an ideal virtual analogue synth for beginners, portable option for anyone looking to make music on the go, or a lightweight solution for a live performance setup.
Greg Scarth
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