Waldorf Blofeld Under Rated?
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- Опубликовано: 9 сен 2024
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Bandcamp : toddsmithmusic...
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This videos jumps into the sounds of the Waldorf Blofeld while jumping into the topic of Waldorf as a company and how I feel the Waldorf Blofeld can deliver amazing sounds at a killer price tag within the used market today.
Great video, thanks for that. Actually I have two Blofeld Desktops. One filled with soundsets I bought from various designers. The other one is for experimenting with my own soundsets and samples. I firmly believe we have entered a era in which little technological progres is to be expected in the synth field, but what will count is what musicians get out of their existing gear. Blofeld is a great candidate for such exploration.
Underrated. This synth is capable of producing some crazy sounds.
Another great feature of the Blofeld is it's Multitimbral. It's amazing how many synths coming out these days are not. Setup a patch, multi the same patch over 8 or 10 parts. Then use one of the more modern MPE capable controllers and you can get some amazing articulation. Get poly AT like a CS-80. You need a synth that can behave in multi mode and have that many midi channels. So many are only single timbral or maybe bi-timbral for splits and layers. Come on synth companies. The original Wavestation could handle 16 channels, the new Wavestate, only 4 channels. A bit of a let down.
All facts !
thanks I'm anewbee synth person, seen these 2nd hand, seriously considering getting one. Your advice was just what I was looking for
Definitely underrated. I just found out about this synth this year. And it's been out since 2007. I think it just flew under the radar because of the problems it had. I believe the newer models fixed alot of problems. I got a 2017 one and it is a superb synth. No other synth in it's price range can compete.
I have a newer model and have had 0 issues at all
I think you might be correct with this statement my friend
The intro patch sounds so much like Jexus / Wc Olo Garb, it's so nice!
Blofeld can have some killer sound
Well, you convinced me to add one to my collection (though I went with the desktop model)... will be happy to see more content from you featuring the Blofeld! Thanks for making this vid!
I'll be doing videos soon on the Blofeld my friend !
If you like atmosphere in your synth, you'll like it.
Todd, thanks for the helpful demo and commentary on the Waldorf Blofeld! Much appreciated!
Todd, thanks for doing this work-up on the Blofeld. You're the only person I'd count in SEAL Team Synth (just made that up - haha - trust me, you're in excellent company...) to touch on this somewhat older bit of gear.
I went on this funny research journey last night that took me from Roland's Gaia SH-01 through Yamaha's Reface CS, with plenty of vitriol from Gearslutz and Reddit along the way, before someone dismissed the aforementioned and their caveats, and said the Blofeld was an astonishing piece of gear for the money, able to be both convincingly VA and crazy wavetable digital by turns.
So, I found one of those amazing deals on the Desktop, and now I'm eagerly awaiting its arrival.
They are killer for the price
To answer the question. Yes. It is very underrated.
I'm not going to lie Todd. I've had my Blofeld about 7 months and it still intimates me. Sounds amazing, possibly the best in my studio, but getting into it editing, I just get lost. Still love it though.
Some can't get past the interface, some it doesn't effect them at all
I have the black table top model Blofeld. I also have the paid sample upgrade and several sound banks for it. I love the pad sounds this makes. Such a a huge sound in a small package. I did have an audio output issue and a local store was able to repair it. I also have the annoying encoder knob issues that everyone else has. But I’ll never sell it.
I love my Blofeld. Yes, it is menu diving, yes, it is tricky to use......that is what I love about it. It separates the passive mindset from the inquisitive mindset.
Multi mode is a serious dive. I feel solo mode is very light and easy to explore
damn dude you make some melodic sounds.. i like
Glad you enjoyed it!
I just ordered a Blofeld desktop, in large part, because of hearing it a lot on your channel and liking the sounds I heard on it.
I love my white Blofeld! The closest you can get to a PPG Wave
Classic sound s!
I just got one for a really great deal! What a monster of a synth! :)
Enjoy!
I honestly never though to check this one out much. I do believe it’s under rated though. Since the announcement of iridium I’m saving my pennies for that. How do you think this compares to DeepMind12 in terms of possibilities ?
I imagine they are both diverse. I guess it depends if you want wave tables or more typical synth wave forms
NICE COVER OF THIS SYNTH I AM CONSIDERING. WHATZ THE SETTING AT 5:17 ?
I'm gonna pick one up, really like its sound and there are some good soundpacks available, often see them quite cheap 2nd hand.
is amazing synth and very good for psy/goa trance. still love this synth
Great for that and atmospheric stuff
The playing and sound in the beginning reminds me of Steve Roach's song Morning of Ages.
Glad you enjoyed it !
I got mine Blofeld keyboard few days ago. First I dont get why people complain about interface. I got it in 20 min without reading any manuals. Second. It is VERY genre specific machine. If you do trance, Synthpop, Retrowave, Movie score, Ambient .... In few words. If you were ask to do music for "Interstellar" This is machine for you. If you want to have bunch of squeaks pops farts and one button does it all - No. This is machine you need a music skills. A Absolute love mine. I already put down a few ideas from just scrolling presets.
Some people just don't like any menu diving at all. If you can work past that, this machine is a steal
It’s my first synth and I’ve already created my own custom patches !!
Nice review of this synth. I have been looking at it for years. Besides a keyboard are there any other additional features of the keyboard model that the Blofeld synthesizer without keyboard does not have? My M-Audio midi keyboard has only 24 keys so I want a larger keyboard but wonder if it is worth the extra money, or is it better spend on another midi keyboard, or synth.
the Blofeld was never underrated. Quite on the contrary, it was praised when it came out and appeared in many a YT video and reviews. BUT then the negatives popped out. Having to pay for the sample memory to be unlocked was a shitty move by Waldorf. Then the bugs and encoder problems showed up too. That didn't help sales.
Still, many people love it and with good reason. It's a good machine.
@surinam steve I've had no issues with my encoders but heard early models did have issues. Sucks you had that issue but glad you got a work around.
It is underrated. I think part of that is that it looks boring and some of the small bugs overshadow what is otherwise a fantastic synth at an amazing price.
AT the very least it's over looked =P
Actually it's very elegant and solid look is why I wanted one in the first place. Also it has a 4 octave, perfectly centered keyboard (I hate when the mod wheels are in line with the keys). I think it's the best looking synthesizer. The only thing better would be a Pulse 2 keyboard.
@@METALOZON Iridium looks better :)
Great video, thank you. How does it fair without custom samples (which is not default on desktop edition) though?
Dope, I don't use mine cause its to hard to navigate with the menu diving. I just use my microfreak now But it does have amazing sound, just wish I had help with creating.
I enjoy the synth and the process of sound creation but it's not for everyone. One reason you can get one so cheap! =)
@@toddsmithmusic3172 would love some tutorials on it.
Agreed, a digital hardware synth should have a lot of knobs. If not, I prefer a good VST. In the end, the sounds have to go into my DAW and with a VST that is easier than with hardware. Analog hardware synths compensate that with their unique sound and tweakability. The Blofeld doesn´t and therefore it is not for me. But it may be for somebody else. I suppose it is great for live musicians and/or DAWless producers. Todd is absolutely right that it still sounds amazing and for its price, a very good deal, nowadays.
davidosolo yeah that’s the thing that puts me off the Blofeld and also the Digitone . It’s a shame as I do want something that’s multitimbral.
I grew up in the late 80's early 90's when digital synths had INSANE menu dives and almost no good vst options. Honestly blofeld barely feels like a menu dive at all to me but that could be because of the gear I've used in the past.
Stuck between this and the new Korg Wavestate for my first hardware synthesizer.
two different machines 😉
Go for the Wavestate, if you can afford it. As a beginner, its tweakability will make all the difference.
Both are menu dives. I bet Korgs would be easier for a new person
The Microwave II is on my wish list, because I don't have the space for yet another keyboard or desktop unit. One thing about Waldorf, though, is that they made a bad name for themselves because their products were so full of bugs when released. It certainly put me off Waldorf for a very long time. As a professional software developer, I find it unacceptable to release a product where the bugs are so obvious.
Played too much with the knobs now I need to select the manufacture setting hopefully to get into voices you play. How to do that ?
wow! is that preset you’re playing at 4:55 ?
Love the sound capabilities of this synth but I am a bit intimidated about what seems to be a steep learning curve, what is your opinion on that aspect of this synth?
It's most def a menu synth so that kinda depends on how you work with those types. Single mode is pretty simple but multi mode gets pretty deep into the menu dive
Check out Edisyn, github.com/eclab/edisyn - it supports all modes of the Blofeld, and it's an amazing, open-source editor! It will make the Blofeld a lot easier to comprehend and edit.
You could also try it with a good external reverb.
hELL YEA, LOVE ADDING EXTERNAL FX
Glad I got one couldn’t afford an acsess virus So I got the desktop and a keystep pro one of the best buys I think
12:11 sounds like the Myst game intro
Short answer, Yes! Outperforms the XTK.....
Wow, what's that patch at 5:30? Self-made or preset?
I think that was a slightly changed pre set with some fx
Not underrated by me. I have a black Blokeys and a black desktop version sitting on top of it. I also have a pair of DSI Evolvers. When I fire them all up together I'm pretty sure my neighbors think there's an alien invasion going on. 😄
Do you recommend the upgrade that they offer? I've thought about adding it but can't find too much information about it. I have the desktop version and got it for next to nothing. Sounds amazing.
Would you think that the Blofeld desktop and the STVC String Synthesizer would make a good compo? The STVC keyboard has after touch?
Thanks for the Video!
Never touched it but they could blend well =P
THANKS for the response. My ? was based on misinformation. The Blofeld Keyboard does have aftertouch. Makes more sense with blofeld and blofeld keys if your seeking more polylifony? maybe having two blofelds be a better combination.
Thank you for your time!
Blofield + big sky
Sounds great but not too different from the JV2080 I just picked up. Almost certainly easier to program though :)
I heard JV are great sounding too !
@@toddsmithmusic3172 First impressions are there's a lot of preset crap in there (unless you like lots of vanilla 'real' instruments) but also and more importantly it is a monster pad + sfx machine. Yes it's very much of its time but still sounds great. With the bigger screen on the 2080 (vs the more popular 1080) you can program it from the panel, but it isn't fun. With an editor though great things are possible.
Have a listen to some of these patches
ruclips.net/video/6tUpBkpM2rY/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/fIoYylo7nS4/видео.html
@@user-qf4zs6qj4c Yes, presets are not the best but that applies to many synths. Thank you for link =)
Can it be used as a midi controller for DAW
I don't think the synth is underrated. It had a lot of recognition, and seems like a popular synth. It's a great VA/wavetable synth, so.
How would you rate the aftertouch?
Hey Todd,
What’s the controller you said you use?
Thanks
I own/use the M Audio Code 49 and Novation Impulse 49
I was thinking of buying the impulse to use with old versions of various daws.
Do you think it is a good one ie keybed etc?
I liked it because the rotary encoders are close , unlike the arturia line mk 2 etc...
Thanks.
@@sumchi3690Knobs, sliders and the ability to assign them fast/easy is the strong point of the novation. Keys are ok but I've felt better
Thanks 👍
have you encountered any knob (encoders) issues?
I’ve yet to experience that issue at all with my unit
ty for reply, hope you will not expirience it at all
is this soundset available for purchase
I've never released any Blofeld sounds but have been thinking of doing free sounds soon