Music Studio Gear Demo Waldorf Quantum Ambient and Cinematic Sound Review - Is it for you?

[@Bananskuden]

This is hands down the best Quantum review on KZbin. Sound and sensible advice. And amazingly good demos.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@rayderrich]

I keep coming back to Iridium and Quantum about every year, they attract me, even though I can do so much in UVI Falcon, my main VST. Having that sound design joy in hardware just seems so much fun. Thank you for this demo.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

@@rayderrich thanks I have UVI as well. Very good tools for music production after a few studio changes. I no longer have the quantum, but I have the iridium. I think the quantum just sounded a little warmer because of the analog filters otherwise really enjoying the iridium although some of the VST can do granular, I think it’s the multiple layers , mod routing, sampling , and then the FX especially the long reverb is really good with the iridium

[@rayderrich]

@@indiefilmcomposer I am sure VSTs do everything the Waldorfs do and more advanced too, but having your hands on gear can give so much inspiration. I am glad you still love your Iridium.

[@TonySway]

I was skeptical for a long time on the Quantum but you sold this to me, I have to get this, great review!!

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Tony Sway thx it’s a great compliment to analog gear , nice work on your channel

[@Paul_Y_T]

Enjoyed that - thanks for making and sharing. I love the quantum, it can cover so much ground and has a super-active developer that is constantly adding really useful new features and encouraging feedback.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

I might try the beta 2......they seem very active with development....it’s a special synth ....thx for stopping by

[@brycekinser8618]

I liked the last part of your vidio where you talked about having to sell gear you weren't using and it's so different and the sounds. I so agree with so much of what you said and your testimony was very helpful. I want it so bad and it could take the place of several of my boards . Thanks

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Thx I decided to get the irridium and sold the quantum to save space and for the stereo filters and 16 voices, I think the iridium has a better sound and is at a lower price point ........will demo once I get my studio set up again

[@hasan7786]

The multiple engines attracted me too. Just having trouble taming this thing, everything sounds like a pad. But there's so much power.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Yes I use the granular engine a lot with guitar string or cello strings recorded and then set the control fx of endless reverb to the mod wheel to increase amount and can get some amazing organic pads ....with mod wheel down the reverb is dry when up its endless .....I don’t use the standard wave forms much but the preset big sun is great pad

[@kristoferkristensen9021]

Very well done. Perfect blend of narration and performance. Just got sell one more kidney... and it will be mine.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Kristofer Kristensen thx! ....if you have a daw there are wavetable vsts out there and omnisphere .....if your just staring the korg XD is awesome

[@dirkkeersmaekers4343]

A second hand?

[@michaelwilde2209]

Great Synth ,Great review,enjoy

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Thx Downsized to the iridium ….both are great iridium has more voices and stereo

[@sumchi3690]

Very well done introduction and video in general.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Michael Lehane thanks I still have it and don’t foresee selling it ....it’s very unique

[@sumchi3690]

JVMC I am happy to hear that you like it that much. I am seriously considering buying the new Waldorf Iridium Synth .

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Michael Lehane that looks like a great value 16 voices

[@zariisofficial]

Such a great video, but i'm late to the party on this video, i've been planning for a while to get a Quantum but now the MK2, dropped you a sub!

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Thanks! I have the iridium now with current studio set up and I think the quantum sounds a little better due to analog filters , would be a good time to get a lower price on MK1

[@zariisofficial]

@@indiefilmcomposer Yeh fair point actually. If i can get an mk1 for a decent price then i may go for it. Or just bite the bullet and get the mk2

[@christoroppolo8742]

Anxiously awaiting its arrival. 👽

[@indiefilmcomposer]

@@christoroppolo8742 are you going for the new version?

[@christoroppolo8742]

I believe it’s the mk2 👽

[@indiefilmcomposer]

@@christoroppolo8742 that is going to sound really good. I had the version one but now I have the iridium and the iridium just doesn’t have the warmth of the quantum, but it serves its purpose for what I need given my space limitation.

[@christoroppolo8742]

@@indiefilmcomposer 👽👍

[@christoroppolo8742]

@@indiefilmcomposer I went thru six poly synths looking for one the synced to external devices and clock perfectly out of the box the folks at Waldorf the only ones that seem understand the importance of that now especially in film production. It took awhile to save for it but finally it is on the way ! 👽✌️

[@lifesynthtance]

Absolutely stunning sounds from this immense beast of a synth. I bought a Prophet 12 after your excellent inspiring review. This just took my GAS to a new level.... some day ! Awesome stuff.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Craig Bell thanks Craig. working on a second demo there is a lot of interest in this synth it’s very different , .......the prophet 12 is very special nothing sounds like it

[@station2station544]

you just made my Sweetwater Rep a happy man. 25:50 what are the strings from? WQ?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Station 2Station congrats, sweetwater is the best, they are the amazon of music retail in terms of customer service selection and delivery and being a step ahead of everyone.....the string are CSS cello and viola sections ...CSS ,is cinematic studio strings small company runs on kontakt , Excellent light library

[@station2station544]

@@indiefilmcomposer Yeah I've got $200k spent at Sweetwater since 1993.

[@Pharmacymusic1]

Very impressed with this, but while everyone talks about its infinite possibilities, it always sounds glassy in every demo. I'm wondering if it can do any other tones that are not glassy. I'm thinking the only way at the moment to really get away from that is by using your own samples. Wondering if people might release sample banks in the future to expand the timbral capabilities of this instrument...

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Thx I think your describing the digital architecture and basic sound character of this synth I dropped in a guitar string E in the second video opening and it does sound more organic .....I mainly use this for wavetable and sample based granular pads now with endless reverb and I think this is where the synth really shines and it’s a good contrast to other analog gear they blend well together

[@Pharmacymusic1]

@@indiefilmcomposer Yes, I was thinking that was the basic sound character, which I don't mind as long as I didn't imprint my music too much with it. Thanks for the feedback, will check out your second video. :)

[@massimocesareAnnaloro]

Great video! Moog and w sound great together, but also the piano! The note, in its conceptual core function, paradoxically has more musical power over rhythm. I imagine strong and warm breathing lines. Thanks for these reflections.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Massimo Cesare Annaloro thank you for the comment this synth really shines with a moog sub or any pure analog foundation ...that was the moment I decided to keep it.

[@NextroneOfficial]

Im thinking on buying it. Please tell, are you satisfied with the screen? Can you navigate with knobs through every function or you kinda depend on the screen section? I am asking because recently i have read that owners have problem with the screen. I just dobt want to get a faulty unit for that much of a price. How good is your screen, or did you have any problem?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Milan Bajcetic yes the screen is the best and compared to the dave smith screens which are good but so small it’s a major upgrade no issues at all with the screen. The ADSR, LFO, FX, Komplex mod, main volume, osc section all are on easy to use knobs that is very efficient . The screen is more for visual feedback and fine tuning of all parameters and needed for mod routing but I find it easy to use and flat in structure with very little if any menu diving ........the button above and below the screen take the screen to those sections .....brilliant..... i had a few boot up issues over 5 weeks of use and a restart solved every time,

[@NextroneOfficial]

JVMC Sounds fantastic man! You are reguraly updating the OS? I know they released kernel update, they featured demo of it on namm 2019, but as far as i heard the synth is deep as the deepest hole goes. ps: i havent watched the whole video of yours yet, will comment you on that here after i do these days.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Milan Bajcetic on the latest signed up for 2.0 beta but haven’t had a chance yet....

[@evetsnitram8866]

Impressive synth. I'll have to go with their Largo vst and my HG Fortune vsts until I can use my next stimulus check as a down payment.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Evets Nitram the iridium looks like a good value , You can find good deals on the quantum on reverb .com if you watch the synth

[@chinmeysway]

nice sounds. so is waldorfs stuff always digital? just curious

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Now that you mentioned that I think so , the quantum does have analog filters and I can tell the difference between that and the iridium which does not

[@cfcreative1]

For 4000 it doesn't seem to do much more than some good VSTs and maybe some nice rack hardware combined would do.

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Actually its the most advanced hardware synth in the world. Kernel synthesis (read into that), Brilliant GUI, the unlimited modulation matrix, the additive resonator synthesis, Granular sampling, High quality reverbs and sound FX, and analogue filter makes this synth unlimited. It can surpass any Kurzweil V.A.S.T synth and almost every synth plugin on the market. 4000 is not bad at all, like a new Fantom 8 but is so more interesting and expansive then that. You could not be more off with your critique on this one, as its the last synth that is worthy of it.

[@CharlesFerraro]

@@snuppssynthchannelas much as I want to agree with you… I simply don’t. The other person is correct. The sonic power you can get with Kyma and a handful of select VST’s would cover the ground if the Quantum and then some. However… a collection of different instruments is not the same as working within one instrument. And in that regard I find the Quantum alluring. Dedicated knobs and GUI really assist workflow for me. Maybe others prefer the VST route. To expand on the first point about VST’s look no further than Zebra 3. Another powerhouse would be HALion which can do all the synthesis types as Quantum such as modal, granular, sampling, wavetable, FM and VA subtractive. I would say it even does most of those better than Quantum and you can even build your own engines and scripts. Other honorable mentions are UVI Falcon and MSoundFactory. Even HALion or MSoundFactory can’t match the bottomless potential of Reaktor or Alpha Forever. At that point though you’re blurring the line between programming and coding. The point is that the Quantum is far from the be-all-end-all of advanced synthesis. Even my Kronos can go toe-to-toe with a Quantum. But having a great cohesive workflow in a complete tactile package is hard to put a price on. The Quantum is very much the synthesists synthesizer.

[@RockLobster223]

Here we go again….

[@m.g.kroger]

So, it (someway) lacks on the analog bottom end, and you use a Moog to cover the sub range, am I right? And Quantum could a strange choice as a first synthesizer, being a broad luxury complement more than a base foundation of an hardware synths setup. Is this what you meant?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

M. G. Krøger I think it has more to do with warm and cold , the moog is very warm so compliments the digital neutral and sometimes cold sounding quantum ......the resonator can create a very strong rubber base that has a good sub frequency ......people would be surprised.... but in general sub frequencies are not strong......yes for a first synth I am not sure it depends what one is trying to do or accomplish....so many lower cost options out there right now it’s an amazing time

[@m.g.kroger]

@@indiefilmcomposer Thank you, not owning it and evaluating Quantum as a first hardware synth I was thinking the same, but finding your considerations has helped me to understand much better the subject.

[@javiceres]

I might be completely wrong but sometimes what we perceive as lack of warmth is abundance of high frequency components not letting you hear the lower ones.

[@OperantSound]

Did you consider the Moog One at any point before deciding on the Quantum?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Zjoon I didn’t , it sounds amazing but I always have at least one moog mainly for bass and drones , that filter sound ......and wanted the wavetables, resonator , granular all in one .....,

[@dirkkeersmaekers4343]

Fot the price of the one i would rather take the Q and C15 instead.

[@busch028]

Great Stuff! Thanks for posting. I have a Waldorf Quantum. I sold a lot of unused studio pieces to purchase this. Right now, I am at a fork in the road. One direction has me keeping the synth. It sounds really great and the workflow is awesome. It is a forward thinking instrument with Waldorf (Rolf) working on constant updates. It has a lot of room to grow. My biggest pet peeve is the "summed to mono" architecture of the dual analog filter. It sounds great but the summing to mono kills me for some reason. I often bypass the filter and route the oscillators into the digital former and use their stereo digital filters (of which there are a ton to work with). The built in effects on this machine are also very underwhelming if I am being honest. I will say that I use the Particle engine the most as the granular algorithm is the best I have heard anywhere. The Waveform engine is very solid. I think the Wavetable engine still needs work and I rarely use the Resonator engine. The Kernal engine is pretty cool and I still have a lot of exploring to do. The other road I am considering is to sell it because there are many things that this synth can do that can be done in the box. You can't compare the workflow (and sound) of this synth to something ITB, but it is a big price tag to pay. Just my two cents.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

M Busch I will try bypassing and see if I can hear the difference, I haven’t noticed a lack of stereo field but the filters still to me seem not as dynamic in range and responsive as moog and DSI, it’s just a very different sound architecture ....not a bad thing at all just different. ...having said that I decided to keep mine because it is so different and when combined with moog I discovered something I really liked. I actually use the resonator for pads with slow attack a lot. If granular is important to you might want to consider the GR-1.....it has a lot more voices.

[@grimlund]

Is there a sequencer on that machine? Can you record in real time?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Yes but it just records by the step not the performance , in contrast the matrix brute can record what you play in real time

[@astroconnectlive1719]

excellent

[@indiefilmcomposer]

brian brown thx

[@דותןארז]

hi friend, how many presets are installed out of the box?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

דותן ארז not sure around 300 at least as with all synths some are terrible but many are very good starting points and i get better results starting with an init patch and building what i need

[@sonnizen1426]

Very nice video. I'm not in the market for this machine. If I have money like that too spend it'll be for an audio PC, but nevertheless I was very entertained throughout the whole vid. Good stuff!

[@indiefilmcomposer]

echoplain thx ! Cyber power has a really good PC configuration web site and they have pc cases with sound reduction available

[@TheJonathanlewis1000]

Great review - really good to hear an honest owner review, also about the cleaning out of old gear not being used and concentrating on what you really will use... Refreshing to hear it in context with an analog....

[@indiefilmcomposer]

TheJonathanlewis1000 thanks! Yes it sounds so good with my other gear hope to post a follow up

[@thedarkestrainbow]

Nice demo. I really want to like this synth, on paper it’s fantastic, but I just can’t get on with the sound. Can’t put my finger on why. Maybe I just have to play one myself and see where it takes me. I think for the price I’d go for a Moog One 8 voice. For the price of a Moog One 16 voice I’d get a M1 8vs and a Novation Peak/Summit.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

thx....it might be the digital side of the pallet.......it can be very digital and harsh by default settings. esp some of those wavetables but that’s easily smoothed out the wave tables have a brightness and spectrum setting that I always twist the knobs for a low pass filter effect....as i go deeper over time I would like to see the granular engine do more, more like the GR-1. I love Moog .....but think of that moog sound in terms of bass and drones in how I like to apply and use Moog in compositions , that filter sound .......so didn’t consider it...also about 2K more.....I sold grandma and got a subsequent 37 much better pitch tracking....

[@wiseradical3386]

Perfect beginner synth 🤔😇

[@michaels8088]

I'm still taking a peek..

[@CharlesFerraro]

You would think the Moog Grandmother would be able to do Grandular synthesis 😝

[@cronenbergj]

I have a Studilogic Sledge 2 (based on a Blofeld). Do you think the Quantum can also "aproximate" does sounds ? The Quantum is way way more powerful and versatile, but the demos seem to indificate it it's somwhat more "weird" , a "cleaner" Hi Fi . dare i say "more digital"...and with less Grit and Dirt than any of those 2.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

I listened to a demo of the studio logic 2 and it does sound in the ballpark of the quantum waveforms engine and the sampler sounds very clean but the quantum i think can do all of that and much more. The sledge reminds me of nord lead 4 can sound very smooth and not weird as you say but the quantum can also sound very clean and simple if needed....it can be delightfully digital and terrible digital.....but the more i dig into it I have found a wide sweet spot for this wonderful Digital sound scape character that is has in a very good way, will do a second demo

[@cronenbergj]

@@indiefilmcomposer Thanks ! Great Demo by the way. I am talking about the sort of sounds aroound 14:00 : kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJaTnWufadtlZrM ... the Waldorf seems more "Floaty" in most ot the demos i have seem....the Sledge/ Blofeld kinda more "punk" and less "refined ...in your face" in these sort of sounds.

[@Genshi]

@cronenbergj - The Sledge is a very stripped down version of the Blofeld. As JVMC mentioned, the Quantum has everything from the Blofeld, and the entire Waldorf line, plus so much more. As for that video you posted, even though most people don't demo it, the Quantum has all manner of ways to get the sound gritty and dirty (they literally have a setting called "Dirty" for the Wavetables!) Along with the Digital Former and it's Bit Crusher, ways to over drive the sound with the compressors, the Quantum can pretty much do everything.

[@cronenbergj]

@@Genshi thanks. Yeah...i got a Quantum 4 months ago . Wobderful synth,even more with firmware 2.0

[@Genshi]

Ahh, awesome! Welcome to the club!

[@BobIGomez]

I see most owners are pretty happy with the Quantum. I still wonder how 8 voices across three layers will could be sufficient. I have a Prophet 6 & appreciate the sound quality, however had it been structured with layers I might have passed it by.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

I wondered the same, 12 or 16 voices would have been outstanding but i have had very little voice steeling i think having all three osc on still gives you a full 8 voices as if you just had one osc on, its when the second layer is on that I can tell there is just 4 voices a layer. Having said that with one layer the sound is so full I only use the second layer to set up a short attack to compliment a slow attack in layer 1 once in a while ....otherwise never need it........I play a lot of two handed chords for pads and esp with the reverb delay even light in mix the chord tails blend very nicely.....I don’t care for splits and I think this synth shines best with pads textures and drones and the arp is great.... in contrast to a nord that meant to be played like a piano .......I miss the prophet 6! nothing like that.

[@brutecoan7975]

Yes

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Brute Coan part 2 coming soon

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Sold the Voyager AND the Pro2 !?!?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Well...last year was a journey.....I made a few changes and tried a few different configurations with goal of both having fun creating , using the space I have and being prepared for film scoring which ultimately is the purpose of the studio and reason I built it.....so....I now have a voyager RME and prophet 12 , no pro 2 and no matriarch, sold quantum for the irridium ( sounds better to me ). ....but I will say I want more moog sound .....will try and work that in....pro 2 is amazing and P12 covers that ground as well as Prophet 6 in some ways......hope to get a studio update video out this spring ...

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

@@indiefilmcomposer iridium sounds better how? isnt it the exact same engine, just no analog?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

@@marvinkmooneyoz more voices and stereo audio path .......I can’t tell any difference regarding analog vs digital between the two

[@kingcoherent]

@@indiefilmcomposer well this adds more food for thought for my next purchase! Was just about to make the Quantum the new centre piece of my studio, back to umming an erring about the Iridium.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

@@kingcoherent the sound is almost identical i would say the quantum is a beautiful synth design and if you appreciate having g a flag ship synth with excellent hands on control and have the space the quantum is it....if you need to save space and can make a desktop work the irridium is great , More voices but I never noticed any voice stealing with quantum

[@deanivan3951]

Nice Synth but will stick with my Arturia PolyBrute, it's incredible!

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Yes I have one and no longer have the quantum , polybrute is great

[@VincentPresley]

I have a Polybrute, Moog One, Hydrasynth, and a lot more. The P Brute is about as different from the Quantum as two synths can be. It's a great analog poly and replaced several vintage polys in my studio but it's not going to do most of what the Quantum can do (or the Hydrasynth).

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Poly brute is gone now, have the iridium and matrix brute I it’s place , 🎉. If I had more space I would go with quantum over iridium

[@bluename4]

how does fm synthesis work on this (amount of operators, carriers, max possible algorythms, ...)?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

It doesn’t have FM with this software OS 1.3 but waldorf is working on a 2 operator FM for 2.0 IOS, its part of the new kernel OSC , there will be 6 OSC sub layers that can be modified for each of the 3 OSC......I don’t know how that is going to sound...... it’s all already deep and the evolving soundscapes possible that I discover the more I use it continue to surprise me

[@station2station544]

24:40 Nightmare Before Christmas vibe....

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Station 2Station thx I like Danny’s work esp his main titles

[@H-4-D3423]

I'm not a musician, and don't yet own a synth. But vids like this, and the Quantum, grab my attention. Sure, analogue synths like the Matrixbrute and Moog One also have huge appeal too. But what Waldorf packed into this, at this price, makes it a comprehensive modern machine. As a hardware synth, I don't see it as too expensive - when you take into account what it can do. But I'm looking at this, from the view of having less gear. Choosing something more versatile to help make it future proof. People can collect lots of gear. I get that. I understand, it spans different tasks. In itself, that's a costly route - especially when selling at a loss. I can only imagine, that it would take a very long time to master the Quantum - which in itself would be a really nice journey - and adds to the "value" side of the purchasing decision. It's a shame Waldorf can't reward you in some way for vids like this, it'll help them loads long-term. I love the Granular stuff too. Messing with samples would be so cool. Great vid.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

W41N yes your spot on less is more I actually dialed back my studio gear to hardware that I found most useful and at the same time that decision allowed me to fund this.......this really has a wonderful unique sound it can fill sonic space and by just adding the grandmother I was surprised how full the music sounds....i probably will do a follow up video

[@H-4-D3423]

@@indiefilmcomposer Thanks for taking the time to reply. Should you decide to follow it up, with whatever content you decide on, I'll be on it like a rash lol ;) I'll conclude (and stick my neck out) that the Quantum in a large way, I imagine - could even manage to in part emulate a fat beefy analogue soundscape. I certainly recall some real heft from the initial Sonicstate show updates from previous years. The menu options for such sound design, detune, movement, etc., are all really interesting/powerful. I can see that there will never be a day, that you ever regret you buying your Quantum. Despite the sacrifice. I'm guessing in future, Waldorf will soon update/replace the Blofeld and make a compact/simple Quantum type machine with a lot less features/touch screen, etc. All the best.

[@shawnsaul7759]

@@indiefilmcomposer Amazing review, definitely show casing its use as a modern ambient and sound design/film scoring machine. At the moment, I have been collecting synths and like yourself am trying to go for a setup designated for modern ambient and film scoring purposes. I have a Prophet 6, Waldorf Microwave XT, Virus TI2 desktop & Novation Peak. What do you think about this current setup for these purposes? DO you think any of them overlap? Would the Quantum be able to replace any of these or do you think it would be an investment for saving to add to my collection?

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Shawn Saul thanks! That Xt sounds very interesting it has some overlap with quantum. The virus gives you virtual synth with a lot of polyphony for pads. P6 can do some interesting ambient and arp is fantastic, so with your peak your covering a lot but I would add one or two analog monosynths to provide power and sub base, the grandmother is excellent for this, something from the arturia brute series can be inexpensive or the matrix brute which i have is amazing. Regarding film scoring having a daw is a must so you can sync to video and work through film cues on a time line ......then it’s a matter of what is your skill and niche to offer ( guitarist, ambient, orchestral, etc ) and you build equipment accordingly....I am going to do a how to get into film scoring series in the fall .......hope this helps

[@shawnsaul7759]

JVMC wow thank you so much for you thoughtful reply. What your thoughts on the Sub37 for a power and sub bass sound vs the grandmother? Also, do you think it would be worth saving up and adding the Quantum to my collection for ambient & filmscores or would it be worth selling the XT?

[@mattsynth]

I would love to own one but the price is out of my range. For now Omnisphere works the best for me when programming atmospheres and pads and bells and choirs and just about anything I can imagine. Maybe someday I will own one.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

mattsynth omnisphere is a must have nothing like it....esp the ethnic instrument tones and scrapes....My studio started with just omnisphere and a lot of the east west libraries and I have scored feature indie films with just VST, then I got into hardware and started this synth journey about 5 + years ago with the roland integra ( Jupiter strings sound better than omnisphere versions ) and moog phatty and taurus .......but still use omnisphere....and east west ...and a few other vsts..

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

Meh ....