Modal Electronics 002

$4,400.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (2)

1 Critic Review

1 Review

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4 wishlisted

7 saved

Page last updated May 29, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated May 29, 2026.

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4.0 (8)

$4,400.00 5 available Used

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Average Price: $4,400

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Modal Electronics 002 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unleash your creativity with the Modal Electronics 002, a 12-voice polysynth that marries the warmth of analog sound with the precision of digital technology. Designed for the modern musician, this innovative synthesizer offers a robust platform for crafting lush soundscapes and intricate sequences. With its analog/digital hybrid architecture, the 002 boasts two Numerically Controlled Oscillators (NCOs) per voice, coupled with dual sub-oscillators, effectively providing four oscillators per voice. This setup ensures a vast array of waveforms and modulation possibilities, making it your go-to tool for sonic exploration.

The 002 stands out with its seamless integration into today's digital workflow. Thanks to its Ethernet connectivity, you can easily update patches, manage sequences, and share your creations worldwide via the cloud. The built-in 12-track sequencer, equipped with a multi-mode arpeggiator and the Animator function, empowers you to generate and save complex arrangements effortlessly. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the 002's intuitive interface and premium construction promise durability and ease of use.

From the semi-weighted keys with aftertouch to the flexible audio routing options, every aspect of the Modal Electronics 002 is crafted to elevate your performance and production capabilities. Dive into a new realm of musical potential and let your imagination take flight.

Key Features:

12-voice polyphony with full multi-timbrality
Dual NCOs per voice plus two sub-oscillators
Ethernet connectivity for cloud-based updates and sharing
12-track, 32-step sequencer with arpeggiator and Animator function
Premium Fatar semi-weighted key bed with aftertouch
Balanced XLR and unbalanced TRS outputs, plus D-sub for individual voice output
Integrated audio inputs for processing external sounds through the synth's filters

Product specs

Brand	Modal Electronics
Model	002 12-Voice Analogue-Digital Hybrid Synthesizer
Finish	White
Year	2010s
Categories	Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital	Analog
Key Size	Full Size
Keyboard Action	Semi-Weighted
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through, USB MIDI
Number of Keys	61 Keys
Polyphony	12 Voices

FAQs

Is the Modal Electronics 002 a polyphonic synthesizer?: Yes, the Modal Electronics 002 is a polyphonic synthesizer with 12 voices, allowing for complex and layered sound creations.
What type of synthesis does the Modal Electronics 002 use?: The Modal Electronics 002 employs a hybrid synthesis approach, combining analog and digital elements to deliver a versatile and rich sound palette.
How many keys does the Modal Electronics 002 have and what is their action type?: The Modal Electronics 002 features a full-size, 61-key keyboard with semi-weighted action, providing a responsive playing experience.
Does the Modal Electronics 002 support MIDI connectivity?: Yes, the Modal Electronics 002 offers comprehensive MIDI connectivity with MIDI Input, Output, Through, and USB MIDI options for seamless integration with other gear.
What makes the Modal Electronics 002's sound engine unique?: The Modal Electronics 002's sound engine is unique due to its analog-digital hybrid design, offering both classic analog warmth and modern digital precision.

Videos

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sonicstate

Modal 008 and 002 together with their designers

sonicstate

Modal Electronics 002 Spring 2015 Patch Demos [Part 1]

Modal Electronics

Modal Electronics Modulus 002 Factory Patches Demo

Perfect Circuit

Modal Electronics Modulus 002 Factory Patches Demo (Part 2)

Perfect Circuit

MODAL ELECTRONICS MODAL 002 Demo & Review

musictrackjp

Modal Electronics 002 Sounddemo 1

synthlegends

NAMM 2015 - Modal Electronics Modulus 002 Synth - SoundsAndGear.com

SoundsAndGear

Reviews

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PROS

Hybrid design captures analog warmth with digital stability
Unique oscillator design with independent clocks for rich, varied sounds
Innovative filter with sweepable characteristics offers unparalleled sound shaping
Multi-timbral capabilities enhance performance and recording versatility
User-friendly interface facilitates quick and creative sound design
Animator and sequencer add complex layering and sequencing possibilities
Polyphonic LFO and envelopes for detailed modulation control
Distinctive sound that stands out from other synths
Dedicated joystick for nuanced performance modulation

CONS

High price point compared to other synths on the market
Some build quality issues noted, such as inconsistent stereo jacks
Filter knob feel and sound did not meet expectations for some users
Perception of company focus shifting away from professional-grade instruments

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Modal Electronics 002.

Comparisons

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Users compare the 002's sound to both analog and digital synths, noting its gritty, almost aliasing sound, similar to digital synths like the Virus.
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The 008 model is often praised for its superior sound quality compared to the 002, although it was initially priced higher than most market options.
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User experience

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One owner highlights the 002r's unique behavior when using monophonic patches with multiple notes, creating a distinctive sound in studio settings.
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An owner successfully purchased an 008 on Reverb during the pandemic for $3,000, indicating availability and potential deals on the used market.
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Features and functionality

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The 002 offers an animator feature, praised for adding versatility alongside its 8 voices and versatile filter, making it a compelling choice against other synths like the Prophet XL.
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The 002 is noted for its analog description, yet some users perceive its sound as digital, indicating a unique sonic character that's not easily categorized.
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0 0

The Argon8 is noted for its versatile wavetable synthesis options, allowing for both FMOs and subtractive synthesis, offering diverse sound design capabilities.
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Use cases and applications

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A user utilized the 002r exclusively for a track (minus percussion) with a Lexicon Model 200 reverb, demonstrating its capability in studio production.
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0 0

The Argon8's recent filter update significantly enhanced its sound design capabilities, making it a favorite among users for extensive sound exploration.
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Value and pricing

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The high price point is frequently mentioned, suggesting it places the 002 out of reach for many enthusiasts, despite its distinct sound.
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The original 008 synth was priced at $5,000 at launch, making it one of the most expensive options, which limited its accessibility.
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The Argon8x is currently available for $579 on Thomann, suggesting potential for competitive pricing, especially if further discounts occur.
Source

Critic Reviews

MATRIXSYNTH: Modal 002 review & sound demo

matrixsynth.com

The Modal 002 synthesizer is praised for its astounding sound quality and its position as a worthy successor to the classic PPG wave. The review highlights the hybrid nature of the synthesizer, combining NCO oscillators with a lush analog signal path and a ladder filter. However, it wasn't without early challenges, facing software bugs and audio issues that hurt its reputation alongside a high price point. Despite these setbacks, the synthesizer has matured with updates, and while no longer available new, it remains a coveted piece on the second-hand market for its remarkable sonic capabilities.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

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normanion

almost 4 years ago

The best sounding oscillators in modern synth.

The idea behind oscillators is quire genius. I talked with Paula about this design at this explains why it does sound so good. First of all: all oscillators have own independent clock and each gives selected wave and sub with either square wave or copy of main wave. Each oscillator has DeRez function, which lowers the resolution, giving it dirty sounding timbre. Each oscillator's independent clock is simple and very unstable RC circuit resonator. So it all results in digital waves, but sounding like VCOs (thus, basically, it is Voltage Controlled Numerical Oscillator). Now, not only oscillators are unique design. What modal did in their 00x series was building state of the art signal chain without compromises. Next in chain is mixer and filter. Mixer can drive the filter in unusual way. It behaves like no other drive which chokes filter that needs to "regenerate". If one drives it hard and then backs up, the sound disappears for a moment. I play that unique characteristic for my advantage (as should be with any instrument). Now the filter topology. It is transistor ladder VCF with sweepable characteristics - it goes from four pole low pass, thru band pass, to one pole low pass. You will not find filter like this anywhere else. Modal did modules for euro land, but they were just prototypes never to be released. Only other instrument with this voicing is 001, which is two voice version of 002.

All that has modest amount of modulation. There are usual suspects: two LFO's, one being polyphonic, and two envelopes. There are performance modulations with joystick (one of few) allowing for different destinations regarding the direction (four sources: X+, X-, Y+, Y-). And those usual suspects allow to modulate sparse amount of destinations. BUT! There is also animator, which is polyphonic sequencer, with different orders and more modulation destinations. And on top of that is also sequencer with similar possibilities like animator, but not polyphonic. And and arpeggiator, although - rather typical one. Now add to that it's performance aspects with multi timbrality.

In conclusion. Modal 002 is one of the best sounding synths in recent synth history that has wide range of sounds and is easy to program. It gets my award for - subjectively perceived - most musically sounding synth. One huge sweet spot.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

I recommend to play with quirks. I use performance modulation, like AT, to add drive with carefully adjusted amount. When lowering pressure it brings sound to state of regeneration, when volume drops for a short time.

Also: it's easy to forget that sub oscillator, when not being copy of main oscillator, isn't doing PWM. For that sub needs to be copy of main oscillator. In return, we can have two independent PAIRS of PWM, driven - for example - by separate LFOs.

For sounds reminding Prophet dirt, drive needs to be almost at the maximum.

It sounds great thru Erica Synths + Ninja Tune delay. It has so much tail with that effect that I ultimately disconnected Big Sky from the chain.

Stack voices for big fat super saw. I usually stack four voices.

Stacking even numer of voices, three preferred, I get alternating stereo effect.

Generally, as with any synth, try to use it's design choices to your advantage. This implies that 002 can be great as stereo instrument, which is good, because of those independent oscillators.

Also: read manual, because polyphonic LFO's can be additional envelopes, when set up properly. ;]

Also: if one plays with animator, there is this thing that you can select time for each step. Combine that with legato for selected steps, one gets additional polyphonic multi destination (with amount per step per destination!) 32-stage envelope (I'm not kidding!).

Roles:

Music Producer DJ

Genres:

Electronic Techno Electronica

Artist usage

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Calvin Harris

Music Producer

Verified via YouTube

During a BBC 1 interview with Calvin, a Modal 002 can clearly be seen at the 6:56 mark.

Eric Prydz

Music Producer

Eric Prydz & Steve Angello

Verified via Photo

Eric Prydz posted a photo of his 002 on his Instagram

Junkie XL

Composer, Music Producer

Tiësto vs. Junkie XL

Verified via YouTube

In studio tour from official Junkie XL channel: Modulus 002, aka Modal 002, can be seen briefly played at 9:20. There is no functional or sound difference after name change, but Modal - pressured by people - had to switch sides from leather to plastic. Fortunately: early Modals came with natural material and the one seen in Junie XL's possession has leather sides. It could be mistaken to be made of wood - it's not.

Jeremy Gara

Drummer

Arcade Fire

Verified via Thump

A Thump interview with Jeremy includes a photo of him performing live with a 002.

Gary Barlow

Singer, Keyboardist

Take That

Verified via Twitter

Gary posted a photo of his Modal 002 on his Twitter account.

J. J. Abrams

Composer

Verified via Facebook

The source URL shows J. J. Abrams with his Modal 002 and 002 developer Paul Maddox, as well as a screenshot of a CBS News’ 60 Minute feature on the scoring of the Star Wars film with J. J. in his studio with the Modal 002 in the background.