I have had a Cobalt 8 for quite some time, and have had a lot of trouble learning how to use it. It is my first synth and the manual is not very good. This video really helped me understand the work flow and functions better, to the point where I think I can use it productively. Very excited to get back into using it. Thanks a lot for your efforts, this is by far the best video on the Cobalt 8 that I have seen yet.
thanks !!! Yes the manual is not good. Looks pretty but it lacks understandable examples and illustrations, a couple pictures would be useful too. So i took my time to test it, figure it out, film a good guide because it's a great synth, help people understand it and love it. I'll be uploading a few sound design videos. Thanks for the comment and the support :)
I have an Argon 8 and have been on the fence about purchasing the Cobalt because I didn't grasp the work flow. Thank you for the great review and helping me better understand the instrument.
I was a little lost using this synth and it had been sitting on my shelf for the last few months unused. This guide inspired me to do my own deep dive and I have been using it every day since! Great information. Thank you for creating and posting it!
I “had” an S1 but sold it. I wouldn’t have if your vid was out sooner ! But I’m back because I have one of these now. WE LOVE YOUR TUTORIALS MAN !!!!!! Thank you thank you THANK YOU!
This has to be the most useful and well put tutorial I've ever come across to! 👏 Thank you! My Cobalt is getting closer and closer to my heart every day. 🥰✌🤟❤
EXCELLENT Guide!!!! I have not long acquired a Cobalt 5 (as my 1st Hardware Synth, the rest I have are VSTs) and although I've gotten to know some of its workflow I found myself hitting a wall until I came across this video. Thanks man!!
wow ... really cool. this is by far the best, most comprehensive tutorial for the cobalt 8. thank you so much. listening to your voice i almost felt like being under a spell. 🤩
THANK YOU very much! I was frustrated trying to figure out the Cobalt8. Your great video helps me to enjoy working with this synth. You're making positive differences in many people's lives with your excellent work. All the best to you!
@@lordgrim8247 I hear you! This is not an easy synth to get around on, but I’ve learned some useful things in this tutorial. It's taking a long time to warm up to it, but it’s a great instrument and I’m going to keep trying to figure it out. XNB discusses Patch Navigation at 1:19 in the video but it'd kind of hard for me to follow. I think the Preset/Edit knob on the synth could be fast and useful if I practice using it more. So far, I've been using the Modal App’s Preset Manager function (at the bottom left of the app window) to change patches since I can see the names and preset locations there more easily. The Modal App is not that great - the way patches are shown isn't very easy to work with - but at least I can move around to different patches reliably by using it. As far as getting sound, it would be nice if the onboard synth sounds could be sent to computer using the USB B MIDI jack, but that hasn’t worked for me. It seems you must send the synth sounds out using patch cables to go into an amp or to monitor through your computer audio interface. I use the Right and Left/Mono Audio Output jacks on the back of the synth to plug cables into my audio interface, which then allows me to hear the synth once I set the track audio settings correctly (I'm using Logic on a Mac). I've seen lots of comments pro and con about the Cobalt8. I think many people tend to like synths that are easier to operate. But all synths have pluses and minuses as to how they’re designed, and no matter which synth one uses, some learn to use it and others decide to try something else. If a synth is really easy to use, it usually isn’t anywhere near as deep as a synth that is more complex. For me, the Cobalt8 is as complex as I'd ever want to use! I do really like the sounds and build quality of the Cobalt8 and hope I’ll be able to use it for a long time. But so far, it’s a steep learning curve, which is why I thanked XNB for his efforts. I can see how I’ll watch this video many times in order to understand the synth better. Keep searching for more tutorials about whatever synths you might use...some tutorials are really good, and others not so much, but for me, it's only by trying to learn more and experimenting with synths that I am beginning to understand the Cobalt8. Good luck whatever synths you may use!
Very good video, thank you. I would like to know how to compensate for latency when working with VST in Ableton, since it is not possible in the MIDI ports because they must be disabled. It would help me a lot to know this since Modal does not offer any support. Regards.
For some reason i can not for figure out how to change the presets. The knob wont switch between any others and when i press keys, no sound is coming out. What am i doing wrong? Please help
Yeah encoder look and are wobbly, but not that much, I have a lot of synth from other brands, more expensive than this and it is a lot worst. But that is all, they work great, no complaints at all really. The build quality and Keys are superb.....SUPERB, especially for the price point. So if you are doubting to get it just because the build quality, don't worry about it. Is super solid like a tank.
So, 8 Slots you can fill with modulation. I had a Cobalt8 in the past and when I tried fill some Slots with the same mod source e.g. LFO1 in Slot 1 AND Slot 2 with different Destinations, then it told me something like that for Slot 2 ... "can't do this, LFO1 is already in use". Can you confirm this? If it's true, than it's a no go in my eyes. I want to be able to modulate more than one destination with THE SAME modulation source (LFO1 in this example).
How does Cobalt8 sound to stand in comparison to top-sounding soft synths like diva, serum, spire etc. in Your opinion? Can You load multiple instances of cobalt like every vst because of cobalt editor or it's like with every other hardware synth?
Hello, what you want is a vst in case, that is called a PC. You PC can give you multi thread, tons of RAM, and functionality. Nothing beats your PC when you compare it with a digital synth. But, if you want high quality, it will consume more resources from your PC, you don't have a dedicated panel and workflow. It's about feel, how a Hardware synth works or helps you and your workflow.
Yes, sir. Is the 2.0. The synth is great, super simple to get sounds out of it. Hydrasynth is another cool one, but you need to go to work to get where you want, it has a lot more features. But it depends on what you want. Both are great.
@@XNBeatsMusic I have a hydrasynth explorer. I was looking at the colbolt 8m desktop for several reason, I needed another sound source , the sequencer looks interesting as hydras Arp is good but not a sequencer and this has lanes. I liked it as it has a vst which would work great and the ability to map the encoders easily so I can use the cobalt to control vsts like uhe hive etc. That's my thinking so far . It's also cheap on sale and takes up no room on my desktop
@@williamshaneblyth Oh, ok. Sure, sequencer checked. Map encoders check, ( it's easier with a midi conroller), cheap and takes no room. Then yeah, it might be what you are looking for.
I have had a Cobalt 8 for quite some time, and have had a lot of trouble learning how to use it. It is my first synth and the manual is not very good. This video really helped me understand the work flow and functions better, to the point where I think I can use it productively. Very excited to get back into using it. Thanks a lot for your efforts, this is by far the best video on the Cobalt 8 that I have seen yet.
thanks !!! Yes the manual is not good. Looks pretty but it lacks understandable examples and illustrations, a couple pictures would be useful too. So i took my time to test it, figure it out, film a good guide because it's a great synth, help people understand it and love it. I'll be uploading a few sound design videos. Thanks for the comment and the support :)
This is not a beginner synth am afraid
Have you used it with the software? Because then it becomes a lot easier and more intuitive. Menu diving on itself is hell….
Impressive how deep and long-form you go in your tutorials while keeping it all interesting.
thank man, glad you liked it.
I have an Argon 8 and have been on the fence about purchasing the Cobalt because I didn't grasp the work flow. Thank you for the great review and helping me better understand the instrument.
I was a little lost using this synth and it had been sitting on my shelf for the last few months unused. This guide inspired me to do my own deep dive and I have been using it every day since! Great information. Thank you for creating and posting it!
I “had” an S1 but sold it. I wouldn’t have if your vid was out sooner !
But I’m back because I have one of these now. WE LOVE YOUR TUTORIALS MAN !!!!!! Thank you thank you THANK YOU!
This has to be the most useful and well put tutorial I've ever come across to! 👏 Thank you! My Cobalt is getting closer and closer to my heart every day. 🥰✌🤟❤
Amazing video, thank you!
EXCELLENT Guide!!!! I have not long acquired a Cobalt 5 (as my 1st Hardware Synth, the rest I have are VSTs) and although I've gotten to know some of its workflow I found myself hitting a wall until I came across this video. Thanks man!!
Wheeee my favorite synth explained time to sit back with a nice cup of tea and learn!
wow ... really cool. this is by far the best, most comprehensive tutorial for the cobalt 8. thank you so much. listening to your voice i almost felt like being under a spell. 🤩
Hey guey, Please LIKE the video :)
This is great! I keep wanting to sell mine but think I’ll take it out of the box again. It’s a great synth but I definitely get a little lost with it.
Thanks man. coming soon a series making patches. Here is a premiere, just for you :0 ruclips.net/video/4JXMO2n_Vxk/видео.html
Love the site. Baught the synth and you really helped me navigate it.
Fantastic Video. A must watch for all Cobalt 8 users.
Really great deep dive, very precious for a beginner like myself. Thank you!
Finally full walk through! Best video about cobalt. Thanks!
THANK YOU very much! I was frustrated trying to figure out the Cobalt8. Your great video helps me to enjoy working with this synth. You're making positive differences in many people's lives with your excellent work. All the best to you!
Did you have a problem changing the presets or getting sound? I can NOT figure this thing out lol
@@lordgrim8247 I hear you! This is not an easy synth to get around on, but I’ve learned some useful things in this tutorial. It's taking a long time to warm up to it, but it’s a great instrument and I’m going to keep trying to figure it out. XNB discusses Patch Navigation at 1:19 in the video but it'd kind of hard for me to follow. I think the Preset/Edit knob on the synth could be fast and useful if I practice using it more. So far, I've been using the Modal App’s Preset Manager function (at the bottom left of the app window) to change patches since I can see the names and preset locations there more easily. The Modal App is not that great - the way patches are shown isn't very easy to work with - but at least I can move around to different patches reliably by using it.
As far as getting sound, it would be nice if the onboard synth sounds could be sent to computer using the USB B MIDI jack, but that hasn’t worked for me. It seems you must send the synth sounds out using patch cables to go into an amp or to monitor through your computer audio interface. I use the Right and Left/Mono Audio Output jacks on the back of the synth to plug cables into my audio interface, which then allows me to hear the synth once I set the track audio settings correctly (I'm using Logic on a Mac).
I've seen lots of comments pro and con about the Cobalt8. I think many people tend to like synths that are easier to operate. But all synths have pluses and minuses as to how they’re designed, and no matter which synth one uses, some learn to use it and others decide to try something else. If a synth is really easy to use, it usually isn’t anywhere near as deep as a synth that is more complex. For me, the Cobalt8 is as complex as I'd ever want to use! I do really like the sounds and build quality of the Cobalt8 and hope I’ll be able to use it for a long time. But so far, it’s a steep learning curve, which is why I thanked XNB for his efforts. I can see how I’ll watch this video many times in order to understand the synth better.
Keep searching for more tutorials about whatever synths you might use...some tutorials are really good, and others not so much, but for me, it's only by trying to learn more and experimenting with synths that I am beginning to understand the Cobalt8. Good luck whatever synths you may use!
Thanks for helping me to learn my new first synthesizer .
What about audio input? can you explain that please?
thank you very much. many miss understood points were clarified to me
Also suggestion for a future video Behringer 2600 Grey Meanie as I have on and am completely lost with what to do with it!:(
This good help for everyone needs
great video mate, good job - very useful :)
Really appreciate your deep dives. I own the DeepMind and your video was very useful. Might I request a Korg ModWave deep dive? Thanks. Happy 2023.
Wooot! You legend!!!
Very good video, thank you. I would like to know how to compensate for latency when working with VST in Ableton, since it is not possible in the MIDI ports because they must be disabled. It would help me a lot to know this since Modal does not offer any support. Regards.
For some reason i can not for figure out how to change the presets. The knob wont switch between any others and when i press keys, no sound is coming out. What am i doing wrong? Please help
Great video! The encoders look very wobbly, how is the quality of the encoders and knobs in your opinion?
Yeah encoder look and are wobbly, but not that much, I have a lot of synth from other brands, more expensive than this and it is a lot worst. But that is all, they work great, no complaints at all really. The build quality and Keys are superb.....SUPERB, especially for the price point. So if you are doubting to get it just because the build quality, don't worry about it. Is super solid like a tank.
So, 8 Slots you can fill with modulation. I had a Cobalt8 in the past and when I tried fill some Slots with the same mod source e.g. LFO1 in Slot 1 AND Slot 2 with different Destinations, then it told me something like that for Slot 2 ... "can't do this, LFO1 is already in use".
Can you confirm this? If it's true, than it's a no go in my eyes. I want to be able to modulate more than one destination with THE SAME modulation source (LFO1 in this example).
How does Cobalt8 sound to stand in comparison to top-sounding soft synths like diva, serum, spire etc. in Your opinion? Can You load multiple instances of cobalt like every vst because of cobalt editor or it's like with every other hardware synth?
Hello, what you want is a vst in case, that is called a PC. You PC can give you multi thread, tons of RAM, and functionality. Nothing beats your PC when you compare it with a digital synth. But, if you want high quality, it will consume more resources from your PC, you don't have a dedicated panel and workflow. It's about feel, how a Hardware synth works or helps you and your workflow.
So I was trying the modulation stuff, is there no way to assign an lfo to the volume for modulation?
Never mind, figured it out. LFO to Amp Depth 👊🏽
awesome i assume this is version 2.0 firmware version? looking at buying one.
Yes, sir. Is the 2.0. The synth is great, super simple to get sounds out of it. Hydrasynth is another cool one, but you need to go to work to get where you want, it has a lot more features.
But it depends on what you want. Both are great.
@@XNBeatsMusic I have a hydrasynth explorer. I was looking at the colbolt 8m desktop for several reason, I needed another sound source , the sequencer looks interesting as hydras Arp is good but not a sequencer and this has lanes. I liked it as it has a vst which would work great and the ability to map the encoders easily so I can use the cobalt to control vsts like uhe hive etc. That's my thinking so far . It's also cheap on sale and takes up no room on my desktop
@@williamshaneblyth Oh, ok. Sure, sequencer checked. Map encoders check, ( it's easier with a midi conroller), cheap and takes no room. Then yeah, it might be what you are looking for.
Cool tutorial!
I cannot get used to the word “Params”. It just sounds too hip. 😂