The UI seems pretty straight forward. Nice review. Also you have a great last name. Sometimes I will walk around my apartment and say "TIM SHOEBRIDGE" in an epic voice.
This video may be from almost 2 years ago, but I just found it today and the quality and clear explanations without the usual RUclips 'weird language usage' made me a) subscribe and b) want to buy an Iridium. Thanks.
Thank you for the detailed Filter section comparison. This is what I've been waiting for :) The Iridium, allowing a stereo filter, wins for me, as well as that awesome mounting bracket! I swear it looks like your using magic to have it levitate in front of you, Tim. Really appreciate this video :)
The Quantum does of course allow a stereo filter using its "Digital Former" section. You can choose between a Waldorf Nave, Waldorf Largo or PPG - like sounding stereo digital filter. Each comes in various types (LP,HP,BP,Comb...)
Tim Shoebridge - most thoughtful, rational and musically relevant analysis and top-end synthesizer evaluation for those whose music-making is driven by end product excellence.
Thank you Tim, I love how clear and precise your uploads are... you were a big reason I ordered the Kyra and preordered the Iridium and I'm very happy with the Kyra. When the Iridium comes your steel patch is on my top list. Keep up the good work
Very nice review. Just got mine a couple days ago, and love the sound of it. They have a few kinks to work out in the firmware, and I still would’ve preferred dedicated macro controls or a physical mod matrix over the pads. Other than that, I’ve found it really inspiring to use.
I have all my desktop synths on swivel stands for monitors. It always surprised me that no synth maker thought of the VESA compatible screw holes before. I had to create my own interfaces out of metal to be able to use the VESA mounting. So this is timely I guess. My advice to you if you're planning to do this - use gas swivels, they are much sturdier, and if your synth has pads that you want to be able to play, - regular, non gas ones will change position every time you press on the pads.
The Iridium has a lot going for it. The Quantum's so pretty though. I like beautiful design, old and new. A friend has his Quantum next to his vintage Rhodes. Dream team, sonically and cosmetically.
Beautiful pad at the end, very interesting timbre layers. Also love the mounting arm to solve the large footprint on your desk space issue. This Iridium floating over your work space certainly makes for good presentation looking like you are in musical surgery checking the composition's vital signs. I'd use this for pads and sequences. Nice piece.
I have aroun 3k to spend to gear right now, and I was going to go even further down the rabbit hole of modular, but I have to say this is throwing a spanner in the works!
Enjoying my Iridium 3 day, so first time turned YT iPad or any other electronic device since unpacked it LOL Great to hear you made essential filters comparison for everybody out there struggling on this question. I think I can tell,the diff, but would still choose Iridium stereosness, even if the same price. It really opens up possibility for what it can do, I set osc1 to left, osc2 to right, osc3 does bottom Bas support in the middle and then go filters! to expand on space more. And then stereo delay, needless to say same preset, tweaked goes to second layer, I finally feel satisfied what one synth in one box can do WRT space manipulation (incl. soft synth). But exactly, she is a fat lady :) I use it on tilted laptop stand right in front of me sitting solid (hate things shaking, or it should be too solid vesa mount). But can use Iridium on top of tilted panel of my Moog Subsequent 37CV, to clumsy. If there was an option I would get an Iridium in the Quantum body :) especially if it supported poly-AT, need to think of dedicated keys for Iridium now. It will also cover extra handy knobs to assign to FX, exactly small section would make sense, even with double use with LFO. Either way both are fantastic synths and I like the bits of your playing along the vid, Tim! Cheers!
Excellent review...as a new Quantum owner I was curious to learn the differences. Another one when reviewing the panels...the Quantum has the LED's for knobs (and the ability to user define those colors) where the Iridium has no LED's. Also, to clarify the Quantum OSC's CAN retain their panning setting when routed direct to the outputs or through the digital filters bypassing the analog filters :-)
If I were buying one now, I'd probably get the Iridium. The extra polyphony and stereo features are nice to have, and, of course, it's half of the price. But, since I have a Quantum, I'm very happy with it. I do think that the analog filters sound a little better than the digital ones, and I like the Quantum's screen and panel. So I think that both of them have advantages over the other. No buyer's remorse, anyway. I know that the Iridium is a monster pad machine, but I can attest that the Quantum does a mean pad as well. Thanks for the comparison. It was useful and spot-on.
Really enjoyed watching that Tim... Firstly, as a Quantum owner, I knew the Digital filters would be good on the Iridium but even though I think the Quantum's one sounded a little more 'organic and richer' I wouldn't say it was 'massively significant' and that's what I wanted to hear, just for my own curiosity. You patches sound amazing Fella and I will certainly have to buy a few of those beautiful pads you've created... Great video... Thanks for doing it
Yeah, those filters are worlds apart... the Iridium loses a lot on the top end, and doesn't sound stable with high resonance at all... Thanks for taking the time to make this!
I have an Iridium Keyboard on the way but I was a little unimpressed by the filter as compared to the quantum (at least in your initial sweeps). It immediately made me glad for the analog filter in my Peak, but then slightly disappointed that the Peak has no bloody sound in. :/ Ah well. Thanks for the video!
Yeh v nice already have both Prophets 6&12 and Pro 3 along with Virus Ti & Lead4 plus most the usual line up but was contemplating the Kyra but think I'm more likely to go with the Iridium having now seen it esp as I havnt got more slat wall space left for another full size synth like the quantum. Not usually a fan of desktop versions but this one gets my attention .. Great Video btw
Would really like the original Valkarie pref version in blue and orange pre waldorf if anyone was lucky enough to ever get sent a demo version and wants to get shut though CALL ME !! LOL
Iridium is the winner, the Quantum analog filters ain't my favourites anyway. That uptilt is a great asset too. Thanks so much Tim. Your demos and input means the world to me.
Please do a video on that Spectralis 2! Loved your video on the Kyra where you do a detailed walk-through onthe architecture of the unit. It would be great to see something along those lines with the Spectralis 2.
The Iridium should offer SND & RTRN jacks to process the sound through an external analog filter, and the ability to enter midi values with an attached pc-keyboard via USB
Interesting and (as allways) really informative video! 👍 Now after you got an ASM Hydrasynth i would really appreciate a comparsion to this one ... or at least your opinion regarding "value for money".
Remember the first time we saw the Kyra at NAMM they also had it mounted with VESA mounts? Why on Earth did that disappear from the release version.. however while VESA mounting is great to have they also need to deliver on the promised 19" rack kit for the Iridium, so I wouldn't call the mounting options great yet. I kind of wonder if that is an X brace attached to the VESA mount now.. so won't work with Kyra :/ Quantum will get a 16 voice mode, they're running on the same digital hardware.. I've not heard any of this "very very difficult to implement" stuff . o O (where did you hear that?).. it was 8 on the Quantum due to its analogue filters (but of course it can also have all the same digital filters), just limit to 8 when using the analogue ones.. and hopefully as a bonus a 4 voice mode for stereo analogue filters. I think the Iridium OS is slightly ahead of Quantum right now, if there are any digital filter types missing.. but they're both on the same codebase AFAIK Great comparison, cheers. I was pestering Waldorf for a rack Quantum for years, then bought a Quantum about a month before Iridium was announced :)
I asked the Waldorf lead engineer working on the Quantum and Iridium; twitter.com/thajeztah/status/1284787610267930626?s=21 And he replied on the 16 voice: "working on it, but less trivial than it sounds"
@@thaJeztah Rolf is pretty active on the Quantum thread on Gearslutz.. so you can keep up with development there.. or get access to beta firmwares from him
I kinda wanted an Iridium...the touch screen issue, put me off one...but now I saw that you have this stand for it and I want one again. I think the filters make a massive difference. But then again analog emulations is not the first thing I want an Iridium for...and of course I can't afford a Quantum..
Wow, many of the comments here surprise me because, to my ears, the quality of the sweep through the harmonic series on the Quantum just smokes the Iridium. The Quantum transitions SO smoothly & organically between those resonant harmonics. The Iridium still sounds impressive, but there are some comparatively awkward transitions between harmonics. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a violinist.
It's really shocking how nobody noticed the HUGE difference on the filters sweep. Waldorf is one of the hell daddy of analogue filters. And here is the proof. Iridium is a step up in terms of sound design, but those sweeps on quantum... Jesus... Those filters are pure singing to me. That's what I call a musical filter. Iridium sounded like a sea sick cowboy puking on the side boat. Nevertheless, I still hold my Sherman Filterbank and I filter my kids farts through it... You'll be surprised how musical methane can sound when processed with harmonically and organically tuned filters. No DSP will ever be even close
"Iridium sounded like a sea sick cowboy puking on the side boat." This lies purely on Tim's choice of presets presented in this presentation and has nothing to do with the Iridium lacking some sort of ability. Even Tim's other videos about the Iridium showcase some absolutely beautiful sounds. The Iridium is absolutely equipped with the ability to make sounds that would make God weep at their beauty. But, it can also make ugly sounds, the kind that make seasick cowboys puke over the side of the boat, so to speak.
Seems a shame that Waldorf didn't implement some sort of option to use the dual analog filters per voice in the quantum in some sort of limited stereo mode. I'm not aware of the circuit details, but even if they are "locked" to 12 and 24 db per octave designs respectively, it would have still provide a very cool effect if you could route them in stereo.
Two things, though... Prophet X has analog filters, and they go up to 16 poly at release, and instituted a 32-poly paraphonic mode later on past 2.0, so it's definitely possible to do more than 8-poly on analog filters (albeit in mono for 16 and up). Also, ASM Hydrasynth is only 8-poly, and has no stack/split at all, and is one hell of a synth. Given that, I'm certainly not turned off of the Quantum. Hell, most of the time I only play a single or an octave spread on bass anyway. Not seeing it as a huge limitation. I just bought a Quantum, and am still eagerly awaiting its arrival. No regrets, even after watching this. Rather have the Quantum than the Iridium, all things considered. And the Roland System 8 doesn't even have stereo control, so the stereo vs not nature of the analog filters isn't a huge deal. One wonders why they bothered with stereo oscillators then, though.
The Quantum and PX are real analog filters, which really does make a huge difference. It’s a shame the PX is so tough to add your own samples to, because the stereo analog filter setup sounds beautiful. The filter on the PX beats either of these synths, really. That’s an opinion, and grain of salt because i generally prefer Prophet filters over anything else for polyphonic material. OB filter is amazing too. I wish Sequential made a sample playback synth with filter switchable between Oberheim and Prophet. I have the Pro 2 and looove the filters.. but no sample playback, and paraphonic.
My English is not good, but i love your videos. Great knowledge, nice colours on the video and your voice is great too. Tim, what is the "stand" under the Iridium?
Thanks for this demo. Well done facts. I've ordered the Iridium. 16-voice and stereo made me decide. However, what I don't understand from those German engineers is that they forgot the digital out...such a huge mistake ! Back in the time, there was the same discussion with Waldorf Q and Q+ on digital vs analog filters. Now every owner (inclusing myself) will tell you the digital filters on the Q simply sound better than the analog ones. At least, the difference is almost nihil. Do not forget we live in the FPGA area. Makes differences even more neglectable...And finally, no one will notice the difference in a final mix between the 2 synths.
Cool test! I was thinking about exchange my Q to I, but I didn’t notice lack of analog filters. Filters on Q are nothing special, but difference, maybe small but its significiant. I’ll stay with my Q. It’s really good synth.
Interesting that on the filter sweep, the quantum really brought out the harmonic series and you could clearly hear overtones coming in and out. Whereas the iridium sounded more like a filter sweep on Pro Q very digital and precise to the frequency not the overtone. Not a good or bad thing but very interesting
Tim, Super Thank You for all the videos. I am torn between getting the Iridium or the Quantum, I work with Multi Samples, (old emu guy). I guess the main difference is how much more warmth does the Quantum analog filters give to the samples and are you satisfied with converters on the Waldorf. It seems that no one has figured out how to make standalone workstation with a proper Autosampler engine, just like the ones we have in software format. I have tried the Akai MPC , but it still needs a lot of work to get it right. Thank You Sir!!
Very informative video as always. How can anyone not want iridium after this comparison? I wonder how much does it overlap with the hydrasynth in terms of the sound possibilities though. Seems quite similar to the hydrasynth desktop version.
The Hydra is pretty different. It doesn’t do any sample playback, it’s wavetable-only. Also the Hydra has a great feature called mutators. Watch some Hydrasynth videos. I love the way the Hydra is structured. Besides ‘normal’ stuff like FM, you have unusual things like a harmonics generator. It’s a wonderful synth, but it’s very different from the Iridium, which has several different engines that are deep in themselves at the root level. Rather than using 1 type of synth engine and offering insane tone-mutation possibilities to give you varying tones. The Iridium also has a more clean, precise sound. The Hydrasynth i think they wanted to give it more of a vintage character. It still sounds digital. But it can be a bit fuzzier than the Iridium.
To my ears, the quantum sounds just a tad warmer than the iridium, a bit more clean as well. However, once you layer other sounds, I don't know that anyone would be able to hear the subtle difference. I think I agree that the Iridium is the better unit overall, but this is only based on what I have seen, I don't have either unit. I am considering an Iridium, it would be my first sort hardware modern synth specifically designed for sound design, although, I do have a Korg Kronos 2 and a Yamaha Motif XF8. I don't know tho, I am intimidated by this unit and its complexity, and I am not sure how much I would use it, considering I never got into sound design in a deep and meaningful way. I am into all sorts of music, synth, orchestral, ambient, soundscapes, country, rock, R&B, you name it. I think the only music genre that doesn't peak my interest is polka... What I would likely end up doing is sampling stuff I create for use in the computer or my MPC Live 2 / Maschine +, and there is plenty of stuff here that I would use for my orchestral music for sure.
Tim, how difficult do you think it would be to get a simple MIDI controller with a bunch of knobs, attach it to the Iridium and use it as a permanent addon controller for the various f/x parameters via CCs? Would the CC mappings be global so you didn't have to set it up for each patch? What I love about the Iridium and the Quantum is the workflow, it looks beautiful. If I could add something on like that, label my knobs what they were, and have it without the hassle of having to set it up for every patch, that'd be serendipity.
The Iridium has a very cool MIDI CC learn feature, lots of parameters can be automated, but not absolutely everything. To be honest I'm not sure if those mappings are global or per patch, I have a sneaking suspicion they are per patch, but that's still ok, you could create your own INIT patch if needed....
Even after this video, I still prefer the QUANTUM. I am ordering mine in May of 2021. Unless of course Sequential delivers something at the level of the MOOG ONE or QUANTUM. I just think that the PROPHET X and XL was not the right path for DAVE SMITH. A sampler with gigabytes of pre-sampled sounds really makes it limited, in my opinion. I have an Emulator 2 and I am done with sampling beyond that.
Hi Tim, congratulations on your channel, I came across it when I was looking for information about Waldorf Iridium, and I became a fan of your channel, and Iridium. I wanted to ask you if you know where I can find information about Iridium's midi implementation to get the most out of it in a DAW (preferably Studio One), since it's not sending me midi information, so I can't send changes in real time or control keyboard plugins, which is a waste for me!!! I hope you can help me or, even better, maybe make a video on this topic, it strikes me that there is so little information (from manufacturers and users) on how to get the most out of a hardware synth in a DAW. Thank you so much,
btw "pricetag": nowadays, why can't it simply provide 16 multi-timbrality that can be assigned to the physical outputs (as synths already could decades ago)?
Thanks a lot. Build quality is excellent, it's built like a tank! The stand is just a VESA stand that clamps to the desk, you can pick them up off amazon for about £20. there are a huge number of VESA stands and mounts out there...
Hi Tim. Could you possibly let me know what adapter you used along with the VESA arm mount. I’m having problems trying to identify the correct plate. PS. terrific and insightful video - subscribed!
Would you rather see physical controls for effects, glide, more mudulation etc. on the front panel, instead of pads? I don’t know why they had to put those half baked pads on there.
Thanks for this video I am going to down size to the iridium for the stereo sound and more voices ....and saving space....no need for analog filters given I have other analog gear would rather focus on digital and do it well here
I've finally ordered an Iridium, and already have the Kyra. Need to source a decent arm like you're using. What did you get, any particular things to search for in a mounting arm other than VESA +75mm +monitor arm?
Hi Tim, great video once again. What would be your personal top 3 synths for ambient/soundtrack kind of music? Surely the Iridium must be there in the top? Cheers.
Thanks a lot. If I were to choose three instruments to have in my studio for ambient soundtrack work, the Iridium would definitely be in that list. As a companion to it I'd add a workhorse digital keyboard or sound module packed with PCM samples, you always need access to decent stock sounds and such a unit would provide the Iridium with endless material for further mangling. For the third slot I'd add something very analogue, I have the luxury of a Moog One but otherwise a small collection of eurorack modules, or a choice selection of semi modular synths, basically a small rig to get experimental with, to create rhythmic patterns, weird drones and textures. To be honest I hink the Iridium - or Quantum - sits perfectly at the centre of those two worlds...
Thank you for this great review, super informative. A question - could u use a MIDI device or software app w continuous controller to surface better on hand control over FX, glide and other otherwise less ergonomic functions not facilitated w knobs etc on the iridium? Thanks!
Thanks very much. Yes the Iridium has a "MIDI learn CC" option for all FX parameters and also the glide options, not for the master compression though.
I"m agonizing over whether to get an Iridium vs. a Peak next. I have Eurorack and a Moog One. This is a difficult decision. Also, you should consider a Patreon channel, if you've got the time. I literally just went there to try to support you, as your videos (which I only recently discovered) are so helpful.
Thanks a lot for the positive feedback. Yes Patreon, I consider it from time to time, the problem for me is always lack of spare time... If I had Patreon I'd want to produce regular exclusive content for it but it's tough enough finding time for the videos I already produce tbh.
Thank you for this good explanatory video .Would it be possible to build a modular rack heavy on analogue filters .Then to modulate or apply envelope from the Iridium via the CV ?
The four CV connections are actually CV ins, so they are intended for modulating the Iridium using external gear rather than the other way round. You could take the MIDI out, pass it into a eurorack MIDI-to-CV converter, and then control external filters and envelope generators that way, but there would be definite limitations in terms of polyphony vs paraphony
@@TimShoebridge Thank you Tim .The instrument stands quite on it's own .Even though the filters are digital we are spoilt with versatility and choice .
Hi Sir, in your 75% resonance sweep test I hear more artifacts and a less uniform behaviour in the digital filter emulation of Iridium compared to the analog filter in Quantum. Do you agree with that? Thanks and greetings
Hi, what kind of music styles the Iridium can cover best? Mostly pads and smooth sequences, yes but what is with f.e. bass and harder things like Techno?
Tim, love your videos - have you ever used the Waldorf Blofeld? I have the keyboard version and find it to be remarkably deep. It would be really interesting to see your take on this amazing but highly underrated synth. I am on a mission to find an analogue synth to partner with my Blofeld...stuck between the Minilogue XD and the Poly D...I feel that the Minilogue covers some of the sonic territory of the Blofeld with its digital OSC...I find myself intrigued but unsure about getting a synth that cannot save patches...does it free you up to explore sound or is it a source of frustration?
Hi Mark, Yes I have a Blofeld, I definitely hope to do a video on it one day. As for synths without presets, that's an extremely good question, but it's one that is so much down to personal preference. I'm also a photographer, I sometimes shoot with digital cameras all day, they're so convenient, they can automate almost every aspect of photography for you these days, people will argue that they let you get on with the job of composing the photo, of creating art. And while that's undoubtedly true, I still have an overriding urge just once in a while to take out a 30 year old view camera, no batteries, no automation, it takes ten minutes to set the damn thing up to take just a single photo! And that's exactly how I feel about fully manual analogue synths, they're highly impractical if you are making music to a deadline, but they're something I simply have to have on hand once in a while to bring me back down to the ground and to experience synthesis they way it was some 40 or so years ago, even down to needing to tune each oscillator before you start! They can be highly inspirational, but for the right project and when you're in the right mindset. Hope that helps.
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The UI seems pretty straight forward. Nice review. Also you have a great last name. Sometimes I will walk around my apartment and say "TIM SHOEBRIDGE" in an epic voice.
i read some stuff on the web but that there has had me in stitches, great comment
I tried this "TIM SHOEBRIDGE" in an epic voice thing and my cat was really scared! 🤣
Wow, the filters difference is more obvious than I thought! Thanks for the review.
This video may be from almost 2 years ago, but I just found it today and the quality and clear explanations without the usual RUclips 'weird language usage' made me a) subscribe and b) want to buy an Iridium. Thanks.
Thank you for the detailed Filter section comparison. This is what I've been waiting for :) The Iridium, allowing a stereo filter, wins for me, as well as that awesome mounting bracket! I swear it looks like your using magic to have it levitate in front of you, Tim. Really appreciate this video :)
The Quantum does of course allow a stereo filter using its "Digital Former" section. You can choose between a Waldorf Nave, Waldorf Largo or PPG - like sounding stereo digital filter. Each comes in various types (LP,HP,BP,Comb...)
The opening patch was like a warm hug god damn 😍
Tim Shoebridge - most thoughtful, rational and musically relevant analysis and top-end synthesizer evaluation for those whose music-making is driven by end product excellence.
A very important and needed prospective while comparing these two synths. Thumbs up.
Thanks for you videos, Tim! And I'm happy too to see a Spectralis in such a prominent spot in your studio :-)
I just purchased the Iridium this morning. I'm looking forward to putting your sound sets on it. Thank you for your great work.
So how’s it going now that you’ve spent some time with it? Has it been productive for you?
Thank you Tim, I love how clear and precise your uploads are... you were a big reason I ordered the Kyra and preordered the Iridium and I'm very happy with the Kyra. When the Iridium comes your steel patch is on my top list.
Keep up the good work
Wow. That Filter comparrision was a BIG difference. Thank you for that. Like no body at all on the Iridium. Ultra flat. Subzero temperatures.
What a great thorough video. Image and sound are very professional again Tim, well done. Thanks!
Very nice review. Just got mine a couple days ago, and love the sound of it. They have a few kinks to work out in the firmware, and I still would’ve preferred dedicated macro controls or a physical mod matrix over the pads. Other than that, I’ve found it really inspiring to use.
Great video, Tim! Thanks for the very informative comparison. Big fan of your channel and content. Cheers.
This guys looks like he should be playing James Bond
😆😆😆😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I have all my desktop synths on swivel stands for monitors. It always surprised me that no synth maker thought of the VESA compatible screw holes before. I had to create my own interfaces out of metal to be able to use the VESA mounting. So this is timely I guess. My advice to you if you're planning to do this - use gas swivels, they are much sturdier, and if your synth has pads that you want to be able to play, - regular, non gas ones will change position every time you press on the pads.
The Iridium has a lot going for it. The Quantum's so pretty though. I like beautiful design, old and new. A friend has his Quantum next to his vintage Rhodes. Dream team, sonically and cosmetically.
Beautiful pad at the end, very interesting timbre layers. Also love the mounting arm to solve the large footprint on your desk space issue. This Iridium floating over your work space certainly makes for good presentation looking like you are in musical surgery checking the composition's vital signs. I'd use this for pads and sequences. Nice piece.
Pondering the same question myself, appreciate your thoughts and balanced review. Liked and subscribed 👍🏻
I have aroun 3k to spend to gear right now, and I was going to go even further down the rabbit hole of modular, but I have to say this is throwing a spanner in the works!
Tim, really enjoy these videos you make.. informative and high productin values .. thankyou
I appreciate the thought and attention to detail in your videos - and the musical sound demos too!
VESA mount really is a great idea! I need VESA mounts on more of my synths!
The silence and the look on his face that followed when he said “the main difference is that the filters are not analog on the Iridium” 😂😂😂
Enjoying my Iridium 3 day, so first time turned YT iPad or any other electronic device since unpacked it LOL Great to hear you made essential filters comparison for everybody out there struggling on this question. I think I can tell,the diff, but would still choose Iridium stereosness, even if the same price. It really opens up possibility for what it can do, I set osc1 to left, osc2 to right, osc3 does bottom Bas support in the middle and then go filters! to expand on space more. And then stereo delay, needless to say same preset, tweaked goes to second layer, I finally feel satisfied what one synth in one box can do WRT space manipulation (incl. soft synth). But exactly, she is a fat lady :) I use it on tilted laptop stand right in front of me sitting solid (hate things shaking, or it should be too solid vesa mount). But can use Iridium on top of tilted panel of my Moog Subsequent 37CV, to clumsy. If there was an option I would get an Iridium in the Quantum body :) especially if it supported poly-AT, need to think of dedicated keys for Iridium now. It will also cover extra handy knobs to assign to FX, exactly small section would make sense, even with double use with LFO. Either way both are fantastic synths and I like the bits of your playing along the vid, Tim! Cheers!
Excellent review...as a new Quantum owner I was curious to learn the differences. Another one when reviewing the panels...the Quantum has the LED's for knobs (and the ability to user define those colors) where the Iridium has no LED's. Also, to clarify the Quantum OSC's CAN retain their panning setting when routed direct to the outputs or through the digital filters bypassing the analog filters :-)
Fuji Acros 100! Man after my own heart. I’m glad the discontinuation was temporary. Now they just have to bring it back in medium format.
Thanks Tim I found this comparison very helpful!
I began to clap after your intro of playing! That sounded lovely
The moment you said VESA mount, I was sold lol!
Such a brilliant video mate. Your videos are excellent.
Been really hoping for this video!
I'm glad I'm not alone on the pads. I like them very much.
If I were buying one now, I'd probably get the Iridium. The extra polyphony and stereo features are nice to have, and, of course, it's half of the price. But, since I have a Quantum, I'm very happy with it. I do think that the analog filters sound a little better than the digital ones, and I like the Quantum's screen and panel. So I think that both of them have advantages over the other. No buyer's remorse, anyway. I know that the Iridium is a monster pad machine, but I can attest that the Quantum does a mean pad as well.
Thanks for the comparison. It was useful and spot-on.
Really enjoyed watching that Tim... Firstly, as a Quantum owner, I knew the Digital filters would be good on the Iridium but even though I think the Quantum's one sounded a little more 'organic and richer' I wouldn't say it was 'massively significant' and that's what I wanted to hear, just for my own curiosity. You patches sound amazing Fella and I will certainly have to buy a few of those beautiful pads you've created... Great video... Thanks for doing it
nice to know of the VESA standard... just watching very informative. great!
Hi, Could you tell me which VESA mount size fits the Iridium well? Thanks
Thanks so much for this review.
Yessss for once a real key player!!!Thanks Tim!
Whoa...Spectralis 2 in the studio! Don't see that one very often!
Some great sounds out of them
I have the Spectralis one :)
Can’t wait to see your Quantum Mark II video.
Yes ! Always great videos Tim, again and again and again .... a a a ...
Brilliant demo
Great demo. Thanks a bunch.
Thank goodness for Iridium Core for those of us with limited space in our studios. Its big brother is a monster!
Yeah, those filters are worlds apart... the Iridium loses a lot on the top end, and doesn't sound stable with high resonance at all... Thanks for taking the time to make this!
Thank you! This is muchly appreciated
thank you for this great comparison video!
1 or 2 more parts on the Iridium would have been great with the sequencing possibillities, but its still awesome!
I have an Iridium Keyboard on the way but I was a little unimpressed by the filter as compared to the quantum (at least in your initial sweeps). It immediately made me glad for the analog filter in my Peak, but then slightly disappointed that the Peak has no bloody sound in. :/ Ah well. Thanks for the video!
Surprising just how different the filters are on quantum vs iridium. No buyers remorse for me but still wish they were stereo
Great tutorial and sound is great
Two beautiful machines.
Yeh v nice already have both Prophets 6&12 and Pro 3 along with Virus Ti & Lead4 plus most the usual line up but was contemplating the Kyra but think I'm more likely to go with the Iridium having now seen it esp as I havnt got more slat wall space left for another full size synth like the quantum. Not usually a fan of desktop versions but this one gets my attention .. Great Video btw
Would really like the original Valkarie pref version in blue and orange pre waldorf if anyone was lucky enough to ever get sent a demo version and wants to get shut though CALL ME !! LOL
Iridium is the winner, the Quantum analog filters ain't my favourites anyway. That uptilt is a great asset too. Thanks so much Tim.
Your demos and input means the world to me.
In price is it also a winner:-)
@@dirkkeersmaekers4343 And the 16 voices, and the stereo, and its form factor. My Iridium is ordered. ;-)
I still love my Quantum, best synth I own!
On the list especially now!
Please do a video on that Spectralis 2! Loved your video on the Kyra where you do a detailed walk-through onthe architecture of the unit. It would be great to see something along those lines with the Spectralis 2.
This was brilliant!! Thank you !!
The Iridium should offer SND & RTRN jacks to process the sound through an external analog filter, and the ability to enter midi values with an attached pc-keyboard via USB
Interesting and (as allways) really informative video! 👍
Now after you got an ASM Hydrasynth i would really appreciate a comparsion to this one ... or at least your opinion regarding "value for money".
Remember the first time we saw the Kyra at NAMM they also had it mounted with VESA mounts? Why on Earth did that disappear from the release version.. however while VESA mounting is great to have they also need to deliver on the promised 19" rack kit for the Iridium, so I wouldn't call the mounting options great yet. I kind of wonder if that is an X brace attached to the VESA mount now.. so won't work with Kyra :/
Quantum will get a 16 voice mode, they're running on the same digital hardware.. I've not heard any of this "very very difficult to implement" stuff . o O (where did you hear that?).. it was 8 on the Quantum due to its analogue filters (but of course it can also have all the same digital filters), just limit to 8 when using the analogue ones.. and hopefully as a bonus a 4 voice mode for stereo analogue filters. I think the Iridium OS is slightly ahead of Quantum right now, if there are any digital filter types missing.. but they're both on the same codebase AFAIK
Great comparison, cheers. I was pestering Waldorf for a rack Quantum for years, then bought a Quantum about a month before Iridium was announced :)
I asked the Waldorf lead engineer working on the Quantum and Iridium; twitter.com/thajeztah/status/1284787610267930626?s=21
And he replied on the 16 voice: "working on it, but less trivial than it sounds"
@@thaJeztah Rolf is pretty active on the Quantum thread on Gearslutz.. so you can keep up with development there.. or get access to beta firmwares from him
I kinda wanted an Iridium...the touch screen issue, put me off one...but now I saw that you have this stand for it and I want one again.
I think the filters make a massive difference. But then again analog emulations is not the first thing I want an Iridium for...and of course I can't afford a Quantum..
Wow, many of the comments here surprise me because, to my ears, the quality of the sweep through the harmonic series on the Quantum just smokes the Iridium. The Quantum transitions SO smoothly & organically between those resonant harmonics. The Iridium still sounds impressive, but there are some comparatively awkward transitions between harmonics. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a violinist.
It's really shocking how nobody noticed the HUGE difference on the filters sweep.
Waldorf is one of the hell daddy of analogue filters. And here is the proof.
Iridium is a step up in terms of sound design, but those sweeps on quantum... Jesus... Those filters are pure singing to me. That's what I call a musical filter. Iridium sounded like a sea sick cowboy puking on the side boat. Nevertheless, I still hold my Sherman Filterbank and I filter my kids farts through it... You'll be surprised how musical methane can sound when processed with harmonically and organically tuned filters.
No DSP will ever be even close
"Iridium sounded like a sea sick cowboy puking on the side boat."
This lies purely on Tim's choice of presets presented in this presentation and has nothing to do with the Iridium lacking some sort of ability.
Even Tim's other videos about the Iridium showcase some absolutely beautiful sounds. The Iridium is absolutely equipped with the ability
to make sounds that would make God weep at their beauty.
But, it can also make ugly sounds, the kind that make seasick cowboys puke over the side of the boat, so to speak.
Seems a shame that Waldorf didn't implement some sort of option to use the dual analog filters per voice in the quantum in some sort of limited stereo mode. I'm not aware of the circuit details, but even if they are "locked" to 12 and 24 db per octave designs respectively, it would have still provide a very cool effect if you could route them in stereo.
Two things, though... Prophet X has analog filters, and they go up to 16 poly at release, and instituted a 32-poly paraphonic mode later on past 2.0, so it's definitely possible to do more than 8-poly on analog filters (albeit in mono for 16 and up). Also, ASM Hydrasynth is only 8-poly, and has no stack/split at all, and is one hell of a synth. Given that, I'm certainly not turned off of the Quantum. Hell, most of the time I only play a single or an octave spread on bass anyway. Not seeing it as a huge limitation. I just bought a Quantum, and am still eagerly awaiting its arrival. No regrets, even after watching this. Rather have the Quantum than the Iridium, all things considered. And the Roland System 8 doesn't even have stereo control, so the stereo vs not nature of the analog filters isn't a huge deal. One wonders why they bothered with stereo oscillators then, though.
The Quantum and PX are real analog filters, which really does make a huge difference. It’s a shame the PX is so tough to add your own samples to, because the stereo analog filter setup sounds beautiful. The filter on the PX beats either of these synths, really. That’s an opinion, and grain of salt because i generally prefer Prophet filters over anything else for polyphonic material. OB filter is amazing too. I wish Sequential made a sample playback synth with filter switchable between Oberheim and Prophet. I have the Pro 2 and looove the filters.. but no sample playback, and paraphonic.
Glad to see that Spectralis 2. Lovely machine.
My English is not good, but i love your videos. Great knowledge, nice colours on the video and your voice is great too. Tim, what is the "stand" under the Iridium?
Good review, thanks for that. But the vesa mount is really wobbly.
Thanks for this demo. Well done facts. I've ordered the Iridium. 16-voice and stereo made me decide. However, what I don't understand from those German engineers is that they forgot the digital out...such a huge mistake ! Back in the time, there was the same discussion with Waldorf Q and Q+ on digital vs analog filters. Now every owner (inclusing myself) will tell you the digital filters on the Q simply sound better than the analog ones. At least, the difference is almost nihil. Do not forget we live in the FPGA area. Makes differences even more neglectable...And finally, no one will notice the difference in a final mix between the 2 synths.
Cool test! I was thinking about exchange my Q to I, but I didn’t notice lack of analog filters. Filters on Q are nothing special, but difference, maybe small but its significiant. I’ll stay with my Q. It’s really good synth.
I own a Q Phoenix as well. Do not sell ! Just add the Iridium. ;-) The Q is irreplaceable.
9:50 man those drums are tight! love that sound
Interesting that on the filter sweep, the quantum really brought out the harmonic series and you could clearly hear overtones coming in and out. Whereas the iridium sounded more like a filter sweep on Pro Q very digital and precise to the frequency not the overtone. Not a good or bad thing but very interesting
Tim, Super Thank You for all the videos. I am torn between getting the Iridium or the Quantum, I work with Multi Samples, (old emu guy). I guess the main difference is how much more warmth does the Quantum analog filters give to the samples and are you satisfied with converters on the Waldorf. It seems that no one has figured out how to make standalone workstation with a proper Autosampler engine, just like the ones we have in software format. I have tried the Akai MPC , but it still needs a lot of work to get it right. Thank You Sir!!
Very informative video as always. How can anyone not want iridium after this comparison? I wonder how much does it overlap with the hydrasynth in terms of the sound possibilities though. Seems quite similar to the hydrasynth desktop version.
The Hydra is pretty different. It doesn’t do any sample playback, it’s wavetable-only. Also the Hydra has a great feature called mutators. Watch some Hydrasynth videos. I love the way the Hydra is structured. Besides ‘normal’ stuff like FM, you have unusual things like a harmonics generator. It’s a wonderful synth, but it’s very different from the Iridium, which has several different engines that are deep in themselves at the root level. Rather than using 1 type of synth engine and offering insane tone-mutation possibilities to give you varying tones. The Iridium also has a more clean, precise sound. The Hydrasynth i think they wanted to give it more of a vintage character. It still sounds digital. But it can be a bit fuzzier than the Iridium.
To my ears, the quantum sounds just a tad warmer than the iridium, a bit more clean as well. However, once you layer other sounds, I don't know that anyone would be able to hear the subtle difference. I think I agree that the Iridium is the better unit overall, but this is only based on what I have seen, I don't have either unit. I am considering an Iridium, it would be my first sort hardware modern synth specifically designed for sound design, although, I do have a Korg Kronos 2 and a Yamaha Motif XF8. I don't know tho, I am intimidated by this unit and its complexity, and I am not sure how much I would use it, considering I never got into sound design in a deep and meaningful way. I am into all sorts of music, synth, orchestral, ambient, soundscapes, country, rock, R&B, you name it. I think the only music genre that doesn't peak my interest is polka...
What I would likely end up doing is sampling stuff I create for use in the computer or my MPC Live 2 / Maschine +, and there is plenty of stuff here that I would use for my orchestral music for sure.
Great video, thanks.
could you do a video showing all your gear? from time to time I see something in the background but can't quite make out the text/name. thx!
Would be interested to see comparison with Quantum mk2 :)
Liked the Streets Of London intro 😁
Tim, how difficult do you think it would be to get a simple MIDI controller with a bunch of knobs, attach it to the Iridium and use it as a permanent addon controller for the various f/x parameters via CCs? Would the CC mappings be global so you didn't have to set it up for each patch? What I love about the Iridium and the Quantum is the workflow, it looks beautiful. If I could add something on like that, label my knobs what they were, and have it without the hassle of having to set it up for every patch, that'd be serendipity.
The Iridium has a very cool MIDI CC learn feature, lots of parameters can be automated, but not absolutely everything. To be honest I'm not sure if those mappings are global or per patch, I have a sneaking suspicion they are per patch, but that's still ok, you could create your own INIT patch if needed....
@@TimShoebridge any update on this? have you tried it out?
Even after this video, I still prefer the QUANTUM. I am ordering mine in May of 2021. Unless of course Sequential delivers something at the level of the MOOG ONE or QUANTUM. I just think that the PROPHET X and XL was not the right path for DAVE SMITH. A sampler with gigabytes of pre-sampled sounds really makes it limited, in my opinion. I have an Emulator 2 and I am done with sampling beyond that.
That bounciness of the unit on a bracket would drive me nuts though. If it can be more stable it's a no brainer
You really don't need 3 oscillator sections, given their approach to LFO and EGs, that panel space could have housed the FX and performance controls.
Agreed. I was thinking the same myself. An oscillator selection button plus one set of controls is all you need...
Thing is, if you replace with only 1 or 2 sections, you always need to swap for nr3. No thanks.
Hi Tim, congratulations on your channel, I came across it when I was looking for information about Waldorf Iridium, and I became a fan of your channel, and Iridium. I wanted to ask you if you know where I can find information about Iridium's midi implementation to get the most out of it in a DAW (preferably Studio One), since it's not sending me midi information, so I can't send changes in real time or control keyboard plugins, which is a waste for me!!! I hope you can help me or, even better, maybe make a video on this topic, it strikes me that there is so little information (from manufacturers and users) on how to get the most out of a hardware synth in a DAW. Thank you so much,
For general songwriting all you need is Arturia Analog V, its a £168. Oh and a Fazioli Pianoforte, theyre £250,000.
btw "pricetag": nowadays, why can't it simply provide 16 multi-timbrality that can be assigned to the physical outputs (as synths already could decades ago)?
Fantastic review ! How's the build quality and also, what's the stand you use for it ? It's so convenient :)
Thanks a lot. Build quality is excellent, it's built like a tank! The stand is just a VESA stand that clamps to the desk, you can pick them up off amazon for about £20. there are a huge number of VESA stands and mounts out there...
@@TimShoebridge Thank you ! Now I'll just have to decide Iridium or an old XT :)
Hi Tim. Could you possibly let me know what adapter you used along with the VESA arm mount. I’m having problems trying to identify the correct plate. PS. terrific and insightful video - subscribed!
Would you rather see physical controls for effects, glide, more mudulation etc. on the front panel, instead of pads? I don’t know why they had to put those half baked pads on there.
i put my regen on a vesa stand, imo these things are much more comfortable than rackboxes.
Thanks for this video I am going to down size to the iridium for the stereo sound and more voices ....and saving space....no need for analog filters given I have other analog gear would rather focus on digital and do it well here
was that intro a variation on streets of london by ralph mctell? anyway i hit the like button after the alst note of it :D
I've finally ordered an Iridium, and already have the Kyra. Need to source a decent arm like you're using. What did you get, any particular things to search for in a mounting arm other than VESA +75mm +monitor arm?
Hi Tim, great video once again. What would be your personal top 3 synths for ambient/soundtrack kind of music? Surely the Iridium must be there in the top? Cheers.
Thanks a lot. If I were to choose three instruments to have in my studio for ambient soundtrack work, the Iridium would definitely be in that list.
As a companion to it I'd add a workhorse digital keyboard or sound module packed with PCM samples, you always need access to decent stock sounds and such a unit would provide the Iridium with endless material for further mangling.
For the third slot I'd add something very analogue, I have the luxury of a Moog One but otherwise a small collection of eurorack modules, or a choice selection of semi modular synths, basically a small rig to get experimental with, to create rhythmic patterns, weird drones and textures.
To be honest I hink the Iridium - or Quantum - sits perfectly at the centre of those two worlds...
Thank you for this great review, super informative. A question - could u use a MIDI device or software app w continuous controller to surface better on hand control over FX, glide and other otherwise less ergonomic functions not facilitated w knobs etc on the iridium? Thanks!
Thanks very much. Yes the Iridium has a "MIDI learn CC" option for all FX parameters and also the glide options, not for the master compression though.
I"m agonizing over whether to get an Iridium vs. a Peak next. I have Eurorack and a Moog One. This is a difficult decision. Also, you should consider a Patreon channel, if you've got the time. I literally just went there to try to support you, as your videos (which I only recently discovered) are so helpful.
Thanks a lot for the positive feedback. Yes Patreon, I consider it from time to time, the problem for me is always lack of spare time... If I had Patreon I'd want to produce regular exclusive content for it but it's tough enough finding time for the videos I already produce tbh.
Thank you for this good explanatory video .Would it be possible to build a modular rack heavy on analogue filters .Then to modulate or apply envelope from the Iridium via the CV ?
The four CV connections are actually CV ins, so they are intended for modulating the Iridium using external gear rather than the other way round. You could take the MIDI out, pass it into a eurorack MIDI-to-CV converter, and then control external filters and envelope generators that way, but there would be definite limitations in terms of polyphony vs paraphony
@@TimShoebridge Thank you Tim .The instrument stands quite on it's own .Even though the filters are digital we are spoilt with versatility and choice .
Hi Sir, in your 75% resonance sweep test I hear more artifacts and a less uniform behaviour in the digital filter emulation of Iridium compared to the analog filter in Quantum. Do you agree with that? Thanks and greetings
Hi, what kind of music styles the Iridium can cover best? Mostly pads and smooth sequences, yes but what is with f.e. bass and harder things like Techno?
😊 09:30 (too short to me...) ur video are medecine to me, add to the facts i can have all the best sensations/informations about synths and machines
Tim, love your videos - have you ever used the Waldorf Blofeld? I have the keyboard version and find it to be remarkably deep. It would be really interesting to see your take on this amazing but highly underrated synth. I am on a mission to find an analogue synth to partner with my Blofeld...stuck between the Minilogue XD and the Poly D...I feel that the Minilogue covers some of the sonic territory of the Blofeld with its digital OSC...I find myself intrigued but unsure about getting a synth that cannot save patches...does it free you up to explore sound or is it a source of frustration?
Hi Mark, Yes I have a Blofeld, I definitely hope to do a video on it one day. As for synths without presets, that's an extremely good question, but it's one that is so much down to personal preference. I'm also a photographer, I sometimes shoot with digital cameras all day, they're so convenient, they can automate almost every aspect of photography for you these days, people will argue that they let you get on with the job of composing the photo, of creating art. And while that's undoubtedly true, I still have an overriding urge just once in a while to take out a 30 year old view camera, no batteries, no automation, it takes ten minutes to set the damn thing up to take just a single photo! And that's exactly how I feel about fully manual analogue synths, they're highly impractical if you are making music to a deadline, but they're something I simply have to have on hand once in a while to bring me back down to the ground and to experience synthesis they way it was some 40 or so years ago, even down to needing to tune each oscillator before you start! They can be highly inspirational, but for the right project and when you're in the right mindset. Hope that helps.
Two very different beasts there, but you can't go wrong with a minilogue. Absolute workhorse. In time you'll want a proper analogue mono, however.