Synths That Time Forgot: Waldorf Quantum
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- Waldorf synths... underrated? Overrated? NICHE? Take a look at the "sour ale" of the synth world, the Waldorf Quantum.
0:00 Intro/Specs
7:19 Demos
24:53 Final Thoughts
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I am finishing my EP using nothing but the Quantum. It’s ultra powerful and sounds divine. The mod matrix and split mode is where this thing shines. The Quantum has no problems sounding analog as you like as well.
id like to hear this. despite looking like my dream synth on paper, ive never heard a sound i liked from it. which is weird because the M is my all time favorite synth.
i think in the context of a mix, an especially an album, it would make more sense
FYI: Yesterday Waldorf released new firmware (3.0 beta 14) that brings the Quantum up to 16 voices in digital filter mode just like Iridium ;-)
Where do i download
Got myself a Waldorf Blofeld the other day, great way to complement your "bread and butter" subtractive poly and monosynths. I like how Waldorf is that "niche" brand in the synth market and I hope they stick to that.
The Quantum is definitely a synth on the radar for me. Now that I got my Polybrute, my GAS has been quelled for now, but I do feel that the Quantum is going to be the next piece of gear that will make its way into my studio when the time comes.
The Quantum is a beautiful synth. The only reason I sold mine this year is.. after the Quantum was first teased I was asking Waldorf for years to make a rack version.. even sending them mockups.. but they said they wouldn't every time so I gave up and bought a Quantum. 1 month later the Iridium was announced 😅
Even then it was ambiguous if they'd actually designed a rack kit for the Iridium.. the only info was about the VESA mount. After a while they put out a rack kit that would work on Kyra/Iridum (and presumably M too) so I decided to switch across..
I hear a lot of people say the analogue filters on the Quantum don't have much character, but I really liked them personally. The Quantum will probably get a 16 voice mode at some point when using digital filters.. I've not been keeping up on the later beta firmwares though.
One advantage of the Quantum over Iridium is it has a larger flash storage area available for user samples
Now with Firmware 3.0 (16 Voices, more Effect routings) for MK1 and MK2 and the MK2 having now a new 61 Polyaftertouch keybed, improved mechanical design …. Plus competition … this could be a future classic … esp. hearing that the development team already works on a 4.0 feature list ;)
Quantum MK2 is anzing. The best UI I hve ever seen
The Waldorf Quantum is the same price as the Prophet 10 but has a screan and almost work station function.
It's a beautiful synth with a beautiful sound... but I don't for a second regret choosing the Iridium Keyboard instead.
I have the iridium and I love it, wish I could have tried the quantum though. If Sweetwater had it in stock I would have bought it. The iridium was announced the day I was buying. 😢
Basically anyone who knows what they are doing and can program a synth knows the Quantum is miles ahead of any of its competition.Hans Zimmer, Tom Holkenborg are huge fans. This can basically do any sound. In addition to wavetables ppg/ waldorf invented . It can do subtractive, FM - This is way more powerful than anything in the DX range including the DX1. It can input all the dx sound libraries btw...
This is a professional piece of hardware for those who know. Anyone who criticises this synth simply don't know how to program - because if they did they would immediately appreciate how superb sounding it is. Thank god for Waldorf.
dx compatabilty isnt 100%
Neeeever selling mine. Managed to get it at quite a reasonable price and loving it.
It's not the marketing that really affected the Quantum, it's the $4000+ price tag and that it's not a rompler/workstation clone. MOST people want and can only handle something that comes with sounds, that is immediate, and does not require deep thinking.The Quantum wants you to explore, experiment, and create something someone else cannot.Think of the Yamaha VL1, Hartmann, some Modals, Andromeda A6, Vsynth GT, etc,etc...
If you’re going to make a Waldorf-focused “synths that time forgot” video, cover the Kyra instead. It seems to have been forgotten by everyone, including Waldorf
That’s next 😬😬
😂 so true, although it was not very good to my ears
@@davidknight754 haha I loved the sounds of the Kyra, but the interface felt limiting. Of course, I traded mine plus some cash for a Quantum, so...
@@davidknight754 Obviously you're bad at sound design. Any good sound designer can make any synth sound good.
@@davidknight754 I'm speaking facts! You wrote "I did not like the sounds coming out the Kyra." You were the person handling the Kyra, right? If you don't like preset sounds, then create your own sound. If you can't create a sound that you like on any synth, then you are bad at sound design. Simple as that!
The Mk 1 does respond to polyphonic aftertouch via MIDI and the brand new Mk 2 has Fatar's new poly aftertouch keyboard.
Waldorf has made some amazing and important synths over the years, pushing the boundaries of synthesis and resurrecting some of the old stuff that they pioneered years ago in different incarnations - here’s hoping they keep doing this. You're spot on re the Iridium taking a lot of the wind out of the Quantum's sails; and let's face it it's really expensive! I’m considering the Iridium but already have a Blofeld, and while I know the Iridium is in a different league when it comes to putting a whole lot of stuff together in one box, the Blofeld does give people a lot in terms of the wavetables, VA, sample playback etc. at a very affordable price point. What makes the Iridium compelling is having so much soundscaping potential in one box, the interface and poly AT. For those that do sound design and play, especially away from the computer, the Iridium must be pretty close to heaven right now. I liked the beer analogy but I would say Waldorf is more like a rare, small batch Belgian beer - expensive, high alcohol content, but extremely enjoyable in a “if I buy another one I won’t have enough money to get home and might not be able to walk” kind of way when consumed with some good friends. Love your videos btw - very down to earth and frank.
Its a beautiful looking and sounding instrument nice playing too
A cool synth from a cool manufacturer, and might regret sold my MicroWave II some years ago. Cool video!
I love this channel it’s my fav for synth videos. Btw if possible can you do a Access Virus Synth? I own one and I just want to see you review it
Yes!
Played one at a friend’s studio. Its AMAZING. TBH though, I have a Blofeld filled with the Waldorf wavetable library, and put through some quality FX, it sounds incredible. I bought it new for 1/8th the price of this.
the Iridium is the one Waldorf product I'm kind of obsessed with and even that is pricey imo but I'm really big on sound design and I've heard the Iridium accurately described as a sound designers swiss army knife...the biggest drawback to me about Waldorf is that they seem to be very cost prohibitive, but I guess the axiom of "you get what you pay for" applies to Waldorf in general also I have heard the Iridium described as the G.A.S. killer because when the shiny new products are released You look at them and are just like, ya that's cool...I can do all that on my Iridium. so ya...the Iridium is the most expensive piece of gear that I am still saving up for.
Seriously one of my all time favorite synths. It does so much and is pretty easy to navigate and sounds great. When I was recently asked to open for the band Low I initially said "sorry that's too short of notice and I don't play live much anymore" but I was talked into it and built a set around complicated Quantum and Polybrute patches I had already made. Waldorf told me they are planning on expanding the polyphony and filters on the Quantum and said they have no plans to retire the synth. I looked into the Iridium Keyboard when it first came out but the Quantum looks and feels so much nicer. I also found a brand new Quantum for 3k. Pretty crazy. It sits above my Moog One and the two are just amazing.
Did they gave any date regarding the fw to expand the polyphony ?
@@cronenbergj No, just vague plans but still better than Moog's response.
Thanks !
@@cronenbergj Actually they have the new firmware with expanded polyphony being tested in beta now!!
@@VincentPresley yeah i know. I have it.
Mk II release ....can't wait to see your video
Always difficult to be a fox in the middle of cats and dogs … anyhow a fantastic synthesizer, personally my favorite …
great channel
As a suggestion next, Virus Ti
Access forgot the virus lol I think it's still a very much beloved synth
I've got the Iridium, and after getting it repaired, I'm finally working with it. I'm a patch authoring machine with that synth. The FM layout is weird if you come from Yamaha.
So with the advent of the MK2 and the Quantum evolution, I feel this video has not aged well. And that’s a positive thing for Waldorf. This was one that I felt would get a new variant. I sensed with lack of stock for some time there was an update coming. I’m 100% sure Zach will do a follow up with the MK2.
I was all set to get a Quantum when it was announced. Started saving and sold some gear. I had a MicroQ that I’d had for like 10 to 15 years or so, but had sold it to a friend before the Quantum was announced. The Quantum seemed to be basically all the things I loved about the uQ, only bigger and better.
But, then more details came out and it was gonna be monotimbral (or, I guess it’s duotimbral with splits / layering, but not truly multitimbral). I generally only write with monosynths and already owned more polysynths than I have use for. This made the Quantum go from about $600 per timbre to $5000 “per” timbre. And that’s wildly outside what I’d consider a wise purchase for me.
I’m still bummed out by this because the Quantum is basically a perfect synth for me, but it’s just a terrible investment for the way I write.
I own a DSI Pro 2 that I love dearly and got for $1700-ish (Black Friday sale with a 15% off coupon, but still bought when it was basically brand new). $2000 for a single timbre is about the highest end I could possibly ever consider. The Iridium is “duotimbral,” but I assume that’s the same split/layer option the Quantum does.
Also, I sold the uQ because there were bugs with the one shot envelopes that made them not actually one shots. So, I wasn’t able to use it as a full kit drum synth. So, I sold it to partially fund a MachineDrum.
The new 3.0 beta 14 firmware added per-oscillator key ranges. As individual oscillators are powerful in their own right and each of the 3 oscillators per layer can be independently routed to either dual filters, digital former which can act as a filter or VCA direct, and as the mix level of each oscillator and the output level of the dual filters/digital former are all mod matrix destination, it means that it effectively puts 3 entirely different timbres under note range control for internal keyboard/midi. And there are 2 layers of that. It effectively puts 6 different timbres under midi control. The effects chain (insert) is shared per layer and each layer can have its own physical outputs. Yes it's all a kludge to do it, and certainly not the right fit for everybody, but it's very welcome for those of us who don't mind doing stuff like this to get more utility out of our gear.
What are your thoughts of Quantum mk2?
Excellent video! My take on exteme "niche" hardware synths like the Quantum is that they may have gone too far with sound design possibilities to the point of no longer being musical.
Case in point are some of the patches you played. Those are tolerable for a few seconds at a time as background noises in a film. But for lengthy compositions, the listener base would be reduced.
If extreme, bleeding edge sound design is the goal, then for around $200-300 software synths like Serum and Pigments can do as much or more than the Quantum, which retails for over $4k!
In my estimation, the peak of hardware synths was reached with the Access Virus TI/2. Those machines gave the user most every gadget that anyone needed, from pristine analog emulations to wave tables galore, which allowed for nearly unlimited sound design possibilities. The Virus set the bar for all other extreme synths.
And the MK2 comes out!
Yes, it's beautiful, but that price... If you look at interesting synths of the moment - and thankfully, there are quite a few out there, unlike not that long ago - you start at the Arturia MatrixBrute, then the Novation Summit, then the Arturia PolyBrute, and then the Waldorf Iridium Keyboard. There's a couple of hundred €/$/£ difference between two consecutive synths in that list, from around €1600 to €2700 here in Europe. But the Quantum, that sets you back a whopping €4200. We're spoilt for choice, but most of us aren't spoilt for money.
The only one of these I ever saw was at the NAMM show. My local GC, one of the biggest, never had one.
yup, and Waldorf just yesterday launched a Beta bumping it up to x16 voices (albeit x8 digital voices) quite a coup though all the same
excellent analogy on the sour ales sounds like we got a beer and synth nerd here jk zack rules!
For me it is my fav synth since the Andromeda A6, although the HydraSynth isn’t far behind. What makes the Quantum so killer is it is between worlds of pure sounds and sound design, nothing out there like it. Functionality and speed of access make the quantum over the iridium.
MOST people cannot master a Quantum,so they talk all sorts of misinformation about it. They talk about other machine's specs,yet they do nOT tell you the Quantum is probably the MOST diverse synth since machines like the Vsynth,Neuron,Andromeda, DX7,etc,etc..Imagine having all those engines AND being able to use samples??That means there's not many limits..
I'm not sure this one is forgotten. I see it in stores around the US, sitting next to Moog One units, usually. I cant count how many people I know, who want this synth. Let alone the large stadium shows, where I see one in the synth pit-on multiple occasions, since it's release.
Jean-Michel Jarre and Hans Zimmer have been seen with them
The Waldorf M gets a lot of attention right now. Things get fixed right away on that synth.
You need to feature the Sequential Prophet X
I think the issue with the quantum is the price. I am really interested in the M from Europe because 1400ish but once you get over the 2k and into the 3k you really need to be set apart for people to buy it . If these were like 1k leas it would be insta buy for many people.
I’ve been GAS’ing over the Iridium… I think mainly because Ive always wanted to include a Waldorf in my collection but listening to this demo now, I can’t say it would offer me substantially more than what I can already extract from a Hydrasynth. 🤷♂️
I'm going to buy one of these next month, thing is having watched various videos, the presets are awful and don't show it's true potential, thankfully as i am a sound designer i can look past that, it is indeed a beast and will fit right into my current setup!
The God Emperor of dark ambient production!
Nice demo. Not all is drenched in reverb and modulation effects.
Quantum seems pretty awesome....but its appeal is quite specific to certain people and really is VERY expensive ( ironically factors that will almost certainly make it a future sought after classic) . 100% agree about the comments on the Kyra - reviews I’ve seen sounds really good- but seems to have bunch of odd limitations that have put people off?
Too complicated for me but i do love it. Iridium is the better choice out iridium poly after touch keyboard for 2300.00 new
kudos for this but is sounds quite mono?
Hol up... 🤔
I have to agree that the main issue is that it is niche. Aside from VA everything this synth does is probably out of an analog synthesizer users wheelhouse. I own one myself, I think its great. Very very hard to get access to one though if you are not an owner so you kind of have to buy blind which is what I did. Way less videos when I got mine. No real pedigree with it either, I feel like people are much quicker to get a prophet or even the new oberheim because they are so ubiquitous. So the lack of knowledge, content, and let’s just call it reputation seem to be why someone may want to spend their 5k else where. Don’t know if I would suggest it as a one and only synth (though it can do so much) but I would recommend it be anyones next flagship after a quality analog poly. Then you really have a lot of power at your fingers with a combo like that.
Around 23.50 the detune sounds glorious. So much sound is on offer.
Cheers
i kind of get what zack means with this , it did fly way under the radar. I remember just looking at it and thinking well that looks amazing but just looks too much like i'm almost trapped inside a DAW with it. |t's kind of too complex or something maybe for rocking out on and quickly getting a sound going and right now i'm wanting to get away from computer screens and everything around that. I have no doubt though it's probs an utter dream machine and probs doesnt deserve to be forgotten. it as pretty damn pricey though too wasnt it?
The layout of the Quantum looks better. I have an Iridium, and the knobs are so incredibly close...About 1cm wide and slightly less than 1cm in between them in the bottom 1/4th section. To their credit, they did successfully implement a lot of physical control access in a relatively small amount of space. It does seem to be a taste thing, but also a price thing (except the Blofeld; those can be found for cheap and are really fun). A lot of Waldorf's stuff is not that cheap. Also the engine of the Quantum/Iridium is wild. Sampling, Wavetables, Wavetable creation, FM, Granular, Waveshaping, etc, and you can put any engine on any oscillator. Then layer that since it's bi-timbral. Then the mod matrix (and modulation and routing capability in general) is just wild. You could spend hours diving into one small component and realize you've only scratched 1/10th of the way into its complexity. Which is how I ended up with my Iridium...a good friend of mine found the complexity too cumbersome and hated it. "You want this stupid thing? I'll give you good deal."
I got the M because the Windows 95 wavetable maker software for My M1A was so bad and I hated having such an old unstable laptop just to edit wavetables on it. With the M, it's much easier. Then they added transients and they're easily usable (Programming on the Waveterm was a PITA). I did just get a 3rd Wave and would like to hear your thoughts and analysis on that machine.
Main reason is the high PRICE
So many other good choices at this price range. Also...i just don't see the benefit or any advantages of wavetable synthesis, over other keyboards(such as Kurzweil.) Kurzweil's V.A.S.T. synth engine is very versatile, their build quality is excellent. Their flagship keyboard(K2700)...decimates the Quantum and costs $2,000 less. The Quantum is a TURD(for nearly $5,000)...in contrast to Kurzweil.
@@HighlandStudio91 nope, I sold all my kurzweil gear to get the quantum. Kurzweils got great fx section but the rest of it is still decades behind, no wavetables, slow modulation rate etc
Fun story about Waldorf is when a-ha s producer on one of the albums was stuck in a elevator with a Wave...
The Waldorf Quantum is a great sounding synth does some great things. But to compare the Waldorf to the Oberheim you must never forget that Oberheim has a much bigger footprint in history and music than Waldorf. But come on Zak, Waldorf Quantum has the same problem that the Korg OASYS had. It's new tech and it just cost too much damn Money. I think the top of the price sweet spot is $3500, anything above that most musicians stop looking (your percentage of buyers drops dramatically) At the time of its release, the Korg OASYS was ahead of its time. That why the Kronos did so well and lasted so long, they drop the price and built on the tech , it was great from the start. Sorry I didn't mean to make this long.
Iridium keyboard with poly aftertouch can be purchased for a little over 2000 new imported. So there is more than price going on. Juno-x outselling other Roland gear because less complicated
As an owner of Quantum ans Q synths, I must say that I'm little lost with the versatality and possibilities of Quantum. Maybe I'd need someone telling me when enough tweaking is enough and the sound is fine already. Ear fatique is lurking in the corner sometimes. Ok, I still need more time with the synth.
Anyways, I think that it still is worth the money it costs.
I would buy a MKII, but it’s blue.
You have to love your synth.
Nobody loves a blue synth/ws.
i love my blue 3rd Wave, but wish the Quantum MK2 was black.
I see this major flaw found in many synths: locked controls.
We have the tech to use knobs that go round 360 and yet, designers forget this time after time. We have the tech to use knobs with integrated leds, we can integrate them the whole 360 if we want. This shortcoming leads to the impossibility to change presets during live performances without serious hick ups in the sound.
It's plagued with this so unnecessary limitation like most synths. Sound is great by the way. Can't replicate those easily with other synths. But 3xOSC might.
Very good point.
MK2 👌
Price.
I know I will never afford them, so I ignore their stuff.
I do not know what the current model of Ferrari is, either.
£1000 is My limit, got to £800 with a used Navation Peak.
No one forgot Quantum except Waldorf. As per usual the guy releases an half-assed synth riddled with bugs and never adresses them. Add that to the 4k price tag and you get the picture.
Fast forward to today. They just released firmware version 3.0, made a commitment to unified firmware updates across the iridium/quantum platforms (hinted at for sure a 4.0 release and possibly more), put out MK II of the Quantum and are moving synthesis forward. Very positive steps in the right direction IMO!
@@googlingthevoid and they release Quantum mk2 🤡
This comment didn’t age well.
@@jeffc1753 neither did the Quantum 😆
Well... Quantum gets better and better anyways..
The price
After owning two Blofeld's riddled with bad encoder and non syncing arps/lfos I gave up with Waldorf. Synth sounded great but was just so poorly made..big shame
Polyphonic aftertouch is more appealing than analog filters. But I'm a digital guy and dont use filters just FM or additive.
Mono analog filter too, which wasn’t a very wise decision architecturally based on the type of sounds it generates. Even if the Quantum gets the dual digital filter configuration, I much prefer the poly-aftertouch of the Iridium.
I love it! With everyone dying to be more and more pure analog over the last decade, nice to see someone focus on additive/FM. 😊
Forgotten? Because it's 4 grand....
I like wardorf but apart from the price tag my biggest issue with them is I don’t trust them with support and updates. Nave was fantastic on iPad and looked amazing but instead of incremental updates and adding au support they just released it and left it to rot. I feel they would do that with their top line synths also. I’d like to see more in the Blofeld and Hydrasynth price range.
It’s like the Blofeld. I did consider getting one but the encoder issues still haven’t been resolved, they’ve even got a reputation for them being bad. Then you have to pay £100 extra to add your own wave samples. How about a Blofeld 2 after 10 years?
These synths are getting more like vsts in a box and as beautiful as they look and sound, it’s a very niche market at the higher end.
Reliability and quality control has also been a issue tbh
please tie your hands to the table ...
I prefer the ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe - maybe naive..?
Almost everything with a 5 grand price tag is doomed to fail nowadays. Maybe it's for the best.
Well, this video won't age well. So off the mark.
It's good time forgot waldorf. They suck soooo hard.
this could had being great but serious mistake not having true stereo it has 16 analog filters 8 voices?
Quantum isn't the flagship, their flagship is iridium keys
Nope