WALDORF Synthesizers. Waldorf has been making high-quality synthesizers for the last few decades now. Waldorf Synthesizers came to the limelight back in the 1980s when they really caught the attention of musicians due to their unique sound and gorgeous pads. The PPG, Q+ and microQ set new standards for what could be expected from synths. Among the recent Waldorf synths, the Blofeld and Stromburg provide a huge number of top-quality sounds, while providing you value for money.
About Waldorf
In 1989, German synth company Waldorf Music released the Microwave I Wavetable Synthesizer (inspired by Wolfgang Palm’s PPG Synthesizer technology), which made wavetable synthesise more affordable.
Since then, several models like Wave, XT, Pulse or the Q-Series, just to name a few, were inspired by the Microwave. Soon, Waldorf’s music technology reached computers, using virtual instruments. Plugins like Largo, PPG or Nave are well-known worldwide among synthesizer enthusiasts.
Waldorf’s Quantum synth
Waldorf’s Quantum synth is one of the most advanced synths to be released from its stable. The digital / analogue hybrid synthesizer is likely to become the new flagship of Waldorf.
The Quantum synth is an 8–voice polyphonic synthesizer that offers classic subtractive synthesis, Waldorf’s signature wavetable synthesis, and granular synthesis.
Waldorf has integrated the finest aspects of digital synthesis onto a hardware synth with analog oscillators and infrastructure. As a result, the Quantum synth sounds like a cross between Waldorf’s Blofeld and the Spectrasonics Omnisphere.
All the controls available on the surface panel can control only one function, which means around 80 percent of all functions can be accessed from the panel (according to Waldorf), the remaining parameters can be accessed via the high-resolution touch display.
- Touch screen, Eight-voices (can be layered)
- 3 oscillators, which can use regular wavetable waveforms, granular synthesis (called Particle) or resonators.
- Do most of the editing from the panel, several digital effects.
- Six envelopes, and multiple resonance modes for its filters.
- Two dual analogue filters (which can be applied as inserts)
- Two stereo output pairs (for the two layers).
- Two pedal jacks for sustain and foot controllers (can also be used as CV input).
- Two USB, SD card slot
Waldorf Kyra Virtual Analog Desktop Synthesizer
Waldorf Kyra is a hardware virtual analog synthesizer that lets you create a wide range of contemporary sounds for live and studio use.
FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) virtual analog synthesis
128 voices, 1,280 available oscillators, 4,096 possible waveforms, High grade steel chassis
Waldorf Blofeld Desktop Synth Module
The Blofeld Desktop Synth Module by Waldorf features Waldorf’s legendary Analog Modeling Technology and 60 MB of onboard sample memory that allows you to import your own selection of samples and manipulate them using the Blofeld, 16-part multi-timbral virtual-analog synthesis engine. You’ll also be able to load and play Micro Q sounds and it comes bundled with Spectre, a free tool for creating and transferring sample content.
The module has 25 voice polyphony, over 1000 factory patches, programmable 16-step arpeggiator, onboard effects section and the classic Microwave II/XT/XTk wavetables.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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