MODAL SKULPT Virtual Analogue Synthesizer

Modal Electronics is renowned for its range of high-end boutique synthesizers, with the Modal 008 providing the most complete embodiment of features one could want in a modern polyphonic analogue synth. Skulpt is Modal’s polyphonic follow-up to their earlier low-cost DSP monophonic synth, Craft, which was a self-assembled kit. Craft’s pedigree and price garnered the curiosity of the synth community, and provided a taste of where Modal was headed with their DSP synth product line.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Upon unpacking the unit, it’s clear Modal shoehorned substantial synthesizer power into a very lightweight and compact box. Its construction is unashamedly plastic (with the exception of the glass-like finish on its touch-keyboard) and its front-panel knobs are PCB mounted. The rather fragile micro-USB standard socket has been used for USB connectivity (providing USB MIDI only) and mini-jack sockets are provided for headphones, line out, and sync in/out connectors. To my surprise, Modal provides MIDI In/Out on full-size DIN sockets which is most welcome (albeit inconsistent considering miniature versions of other sockets are used elsewhere). There is no DC input or power supply included because the Skulpt