$1179 for the the 61! This stuff is expensive up here!
But the worst part is the change they made to the lfos!
oof. i should start running a modal black market south of your border…
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On a whim I’ve just ordered one.
I’m really happy and content using just my dual Op-1 setup, and this didn’t feel like I was breaking a commitment to keep my setup as minimal as possible. The Op-1s are my core environment and this addition simply feels like a little enhancement to that.
I could buy an Iridium, Polybrute or Super 6, but thinking about those synths gives me a headache for so many reasons. I just thought f**k it, this sounds nice enough and it’s form factor seems ideal for me right now.
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I have a bunch of polysynths and I absolutely adore my colbalt 8m (same engine). I think you’re going to be in for a treat 
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Just had a half hour play on the 5s.
A couple of immediate observations.
- As mentioned with other Modal synths, this thing is quiet. Edit: Just found an additional Patch Gain function.
- The Keybed is very spongy. Functional but feels slow & tiresome to play. By comparison the Keystep is much much better.
- The XY pad isn’t calibrated particularly well. On my unit if you slide to the far corners the display & sound defaults to the middle/centre setting.
- The blue overlay was unstuck from the curved section above the keys. I was slightly confused by it at first sight, as i thought it was some kind of removable reference guide. I’ve pressed it down & seems ok now. Have to wait & see if it becomes unstuck again. Edit: 7.30pm, it’s coming slightly unstuck in a few places.
- Feels generally quite sturdy. Better than expected. I’d like more grip on the knobs though, as they’re too smooth.
- Sound good & for the price & form factor i’m quite pleased.
- Patch Randomise often gets stuck in a delay feedback.
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In regards to the overlay coming unstuck, Andertons offered a replacement unit but I’m going to keep it, remove the overlay and customise the panel in some way. I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m surprised my ocd hasn’t gone into meltdown over the whole situation.
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Mine would have, for sure 
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Oh its kicked in now. I can’t bear to look at the thing and it’s back in the box. 
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That’s a shame. Though it looks like you’ve not only voided but obliterated your warranty 
Also, when you say the keyboard is worse than a KeyStep that’s concerning. KeyStep’s aren’t exactly known for their fantastic keybeds
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Yeah I feel pretty crap about the whole situation.
Oh well……could be worse and lessons learned on many levels.
I’ll use it though. And it’s simple enough that I don’t need the overly to work out what I’m doing. Can use the Modal App also.
I only bought is as something simple to add to/accompany my Op-1s. So down the line I’m sure I’ll be settled. Just going to wack a load of stickers over the front panel.
I was really impressed when I played one at perfect circuit yesterday. I love the sounds of the Cobalt line. I think I’m going to pick one of these up, it’s super fun and portable. Anyone else play one yet?
Hehe I’m the current owner of the one pictured above. It has labeling now, though, thanks to my wife’s Cricut.
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Do you have photos of it? It looks pretty cool all black imo.
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I’ve just realised that picture looks like a fat, happy penguin offering it up.
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I don’t but I’ll try to take some. It’s only a temporary measure so that I could see what the dials did. A friend of mine is doing a proper version with his laser cutter once I’ve finalised the design
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very happy!
This thing sounds phenomenal. I have it next to my prophet 5 and polybrute and I love how it sounds. Just thought I’d share my nice thoughts about it!
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How are the keys on this thing?
I know they are not of the same quality as the big Cobalt, but are they total junk like you get on something like a Launchkey Mini?
I’m thinking about upgrading my Launchkey Mini to the Cobalt 5S so I’ve got more keys and something that doubles as a fun synth as well as a controller, but though I’m not expecting Fatar quality I want something half decent.
They remind me of the yamaha reface keys. I don’t have my reface cs side by side now, but I really like the mini keys on the cobalt like I do on the reface! Way better than the novation launchkey imo.
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That’s really good to know.
I think Yamaha do mini keys better than anyone.