Anybody using waldorf synths

nuperspective · Post by **nuperspective** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 6:20 am

I looking at expanding my set up with a waldorf synth. any opinions on which is better:

the Q rack.

or

the microwave XT rack.

drush · Post by **drush** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 6:29 am

different types of synthesis, different sounds, one has a sequencer the other doesn't... what are you looking for?
(and they're both great. you might find the Q a bit more 'universally' useful, and it's probably easier to learn.)

ct43 · Post by **ct43** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:29 am

I had a XT rack for a while.. I really liked it, good hands on control and I really liked the sound of it, could be very grungy / nasty & great for evolving pad and FX sounds. The digital filter was a bit crap (in that it wasent very analogue sounding), but it didnt really matter for the type of sounds I was using it for. Ive not used a wavetable synth so far in VSTi form that is as good (though if anyone knows of one please point it out!).

Ive never used a Q, but I would imagine they are totally differant sound wise.

Hervé · Post by **Hervé** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:38 am

I have a Micro Q omega , you have to learn a bit but once mastered it's a really powerfull tool. Live and Hardware Synths are really great friends

matt ob · Post by **matt ob** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:17 am

I've got a Waldorf Pulse, it's the bollocks. Nice fat analogue basses and bleeps and blurps.

moogman · Post by **moogman** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:11 pm

Don't discount the Waldorf Microwave as an option. I've got the first version w/analog filters and haven't tired of it in fourteen years. It brings out the best in sound design.

nuperspective · Post by **nuperspective** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:19 pm

is the XT not the microwave with extra controls bolted on?

drush · Post by **drush** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:28 pm

i think it's a good deal more different than that... esp starting with the analogue vs. digital thing

nuperspective · Post by **nuperspective** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:53 pm

right so in theory they are the same machine. except the original microwaves had analogue filters, while the newer XT has digital ones. right??

moogman · Post by **moogman** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:54 pm

A great site to check out is Vintage Synth Explorer. The first version of the Microwave had analog filters, the subsequent Microwave 2 had digital ones as did the XT. What you gain in polyphony, effects, etc. in the 2 and XT, you lose in a certain uniqueness and richness with analog. But that's why I am Moogman.

ct43 · Post by **ct43** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:50 am

moogman wrote:Don't discount the Waldorf Microwave as an option. I've got the first version w/analog filters and haven't tired of it in fourteen years. It brings out the best in sound design.

I actually thought about getting a Microwave 1 for the filter, but it doesnt look that user friendly compared to the XT.... though it looks like it has a matrix similar to the Pulse & I find that easy to program so....

hacktheplanet · Post by **hacktheplanet** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 10:36 am

I don't have anything to add, except that I'm also interested in a Q rack.

montrealbreaks · Post by **montrealbreaks** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:02 am

I use the Micro Q, it's fantastic. Difficult to edit patches with it's chintzy interface, but I use a ReMOTE 25 to control it, so it's all cool.

Sonically, it's very "liquidy". It's a great effects processor too. I honestly can't comment on the Microwave, though it's main advantage (wavetable synthesis) is present in the Q series... I think there's 128 digital wavetables in the Micro Q. So, while the Microwave probably has way more wavetables, you'll still get to fiddle with wavetable synthesis with the Q.

My recommendation? go for the Q rack, but not a yellow one, they're hideous. Get a blue one.

Komplex · Post by **Komplex** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:28 am

matt ob wrote:I've got a Waldorf Pulse, it's the bollocks. Nice fat analogue basses and bleeps and blurps.

The Pulse rocks, I've messed with them a few times and loved what came out. Might have to pick one up for my rig

Whats the difference between the Pulse and Pulse Plus?

montrealbreaks · Post by **montrealbreaks** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:32 am

Komplex wrote:
matt ob wrote:I've got a Waldorf Pulse, it's the bollocks. Nice fat analogue basses and bleeps and blurps.
The Pulse rocks, I've messed with them a few times and loved what came out. Might have to pick one up for my rig Whats the difference between the Pulse and Pulse Plus?

Pulse Plus has an input for filtering an external mono signal, and it has CV jacks. I would have no need for either, but some dig those features.

Anybody using waldorf synths

Anybody using waldorf synths

Waldorf synths

Microwave

Re: Waldorf synths