{"id":29897,"date":"2017-11-30T19:04:21","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T19:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/greatsynthesizers.com\/?post_type=test&p=26877"},"modified":"2021-03-09T00:43:59","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T00:43:59","slug":"modal-electronics-001-a-great-british-duophonic-synth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greatsynthesizers.com\/en\/review\/modal-electronics-001-a-great-british-duophonic-synth\/","title":{"rendered":"Modal 001 \u2013 a great British duophonic synth"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Modal Electronics 001 synthesizer – we’ll call it the\u00a0Modal 001\u00a0– <\/em>is a\u00a0small miracle of creative technology. And its\u00a0crystal-clear wavetable-sound brings back memories of the good old PPG Wave. Powerful and flexible.
\nx<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Modal<\/a><\/p>\n

T<\/span>rue, it\u00a0doesn’t quite meet\u00a0up to the original PPG synthesizer (“The one and only” – see PPG Wave 2.2 \/ 2.3<\/a> test report) in terms of audio quality. But its sound is excellent and its clever synth architecture is state-of-the-art.<\/p>\n

001: The\u00a0little miracle.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We’re absolutely impressed by the full spectrum of Modal Electronics sounds and with its performance possibilities. It is quite possible that the music world has not seen such an array of creative options since the earth-shattering John Bowen Solaris<\/a>*.<\/p>\n

x<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Modal<\/a><\/p>\n

[* Ok, ok\u00a0…\u00a0if we were talking about\u00a0the Solaris, we would have to review\u00a0the bigger Modal Electronics 002<\/a>, the massive 12-voice (!) machine. Be that as it may, we’re nevertheless inclined to\u00a0favor the smaller 001\u00a0– for several reasons.]<\/p>\n

Anyway, John Bowen’s Solaris and the Modal Electronics’ synthesizers belong to that rare species of sophisticated modern machines designed for purists<\/em>. Machines, that feature high-grade hardware components and offer endless creative\u00a0possibilities. Machines that are – each and every one\u00a0– a life\u00a0time’s work. Not only for the developer, but also for the musician who owns them.<\/p>\n

x<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Modal<\/a><\/p>\n

To be specific, a\u00a0Modal 001 synthesizer is not an off-the-peg product. It’s a challenge meant for the sound-designer. An instrument for the advanced musician with a detailed knowledge of synthesis and sound architecture. Nothing for the novice, that’s for sure.<\/p>\n

A summary of the summary of the\u00a0…<\/h2>\n

H<\/span>ere’s a list of Modal 001 features – set up by the manufacturer and (slightly) revised in our studio. In the many cases, just the tip of the iceberg (at the most). Entire landscapes, numerous universes hide under the bonnet of the Modal 001. Each landscape full of enticing features (and features and features) – enough material to fill a thick (and heavy<\/em>) book\u00a0about this synthesizer.<\/p>\n

No time for a book, though (sorry …), so here’s the summary:<\/p>\n