Waldorf M vs Microwave XT // The Definitive Comparison

[@vladimirsalnikov5806]

OMG😁😆 you made my day, mister. And give me power, no, THE GREAT POWER !!! to move forward. Thank you :) To the minor differences of OSCs behavior. Could be explained minor drift of analog components and components values tolerance in the analog circuitry of the M. These very subtle changes from voice to voice are inevitable on the M, and can't be heard on MW2 as it's a pure digital synth.

[@marzzz1]

Vlad, we are all rooting for you to move forward because we are ALL behind you!!!!

[@percussionboy4357]

Vlad … thanks for everything! way beyond the call of duty, you are appreciated…

[@dxmat]

Vlad, thanks for everything.

[@silverseraph8233]

Thank you Vlad, we need you ;-)

[@Wagoo]

Vlad is amazing.. I find it mind-boggling that Waldorf has ended their working relationship with him. Imagine how the M could sound after a couple years of updates.. :(

[@Spandex43]

Just got to 3:20 - about navigating the param menus on the XT. There's a shortcut you're not using.. page 31 of the manual. If you hold shift (or sync) and move any knob, the screen jumps to that part of the menu structure. Much quicker than using the buttons + big dial. You then only have to use the big dial to navigate a couple of hops to any params that don't have dedicated knobs. Seem to remember my Blofeld does something similar. Bet the M does too.

[@StarskyCarr]

Excellent… I’d completely forgotten about that. Thanks.

[@LocaliLLocano]

I finally caved in and bought the M. this video was influential in my purchase

[@jawoody9745]

Your videos are consistently informative and a joy to behold! After lusting after the "M" upon its release, I now understand that my "XT" is more than capable of outstanding sounds and functions.

[@chicken_flavoured_bacon3230]

these videos are awesome, thank you for taking the time to do all of this..your channel has a wealth of information not seen anywere else, I love it

[@MrTesla808]

Actually M can be expanded to 16 voices with voice expansion which will be available next year.

[@itsdrawkcab5899]

do you know when they release that expansion?

[@WackyJackyTracky]

Have they implemented all the digital filter of the XT and filter fm by now?

[@rodneygipson4055]

Thanks again Starsky for this comparison! I do plan on getting an M in the very near future but in the meantime, after seeing this video I started going through the presets on my XTk and auditioning them with only Oscillator 1. I've had my XTk for 15 years and I'm just now discovering how gorgeous it sounds. I used to have a PPG wave 2.3 and I'm learning how to get close to some of those sounds. I also owned and SPL Vitalizer Pro and use to run the XTk through it for extra low end and sparkle. I think I'll buy another. Great work you have done for us on your channel!

[@MadelnMachines]

I'm quite amazed at the modern feature set the XT has. So much depth that's even more versatile and advanced than the M in many ways. It's kind of strange they're adding features to the M to improve it to the level of a synth that's over 20 years old. Is the M now capable of the XTs level of grit and dirt since the changes? Complex to program isn't my thing at all though - the M would be much better for me.

[@stephenanthonythomas3533]

Hey thanks for this. At first blush I couldn't understand why the 'M' was released. Ive totally forgotten how difficult 90's/ early 2000's synths were to program (looking at you fs1r) and there is quite a dare I say elegance to the sound of the 'M' almost as if were a tamed microwave. I really like it.

[@charley2070]

The fs1r was damn rocket science…

[@Bin909able]

Lovely video, thanks! Keeps my GAS - only just - in control. No need yet to sell the XT. I think the M could stand out with easier importing of wavetables. Apart from the independent wavetables per osc. That is quite huge...

[@kw7865]

Can I just say both machines look beautiful in their own way

[@1vootman]

You get a MW XT for the dirt, and a nice analog poly for that classic sound (like the new Prophet 5). The M is a great option and I'm glad Waldorf produced it, bravo waldorf!

[@timothydahlin5321]

Out the MicrowaveXT around the time it initially came back. I regret not experimenting with it more back then.

[@Death_By_Media]

One of my biggest regrets letting my XT rack go . Silly me figured I’d kept the keys later but they went up in value 4x .

[@philipgalle1339]

Same here

[@spotlight-kyd]

The wavetable waveshaper filter is the secret weapon of the MW/XT(k). You can get astonishing sounds using it. I haven't found another hardware synth yet, which offers something with the same character.

[@StarskyCarr]

yeah there was a little trick I used to do to open the gates of hell during a breakdown... but I've forgotten what I did... duh!

[@krinzologicstudio]

Bingo, is for this reason that the old xt still kicking ass

[@WackyJackyTracky]

Have they implemented all the digital filter of the XT (like waveshaper) and filter fm by now?

[@nrg242]

​@@WackyJackyTracky looks like filter FM is now there in dsp 1.1 in a working state. digivcf is there as well.

[@activelow9297]

Love the way you say " deeehhhhhhrrrrr-ty".

[@jon_c]

This is awesome! I am obsessed with wavetable synths. I need an XT now! I have an M, Microwave I, and Blofeld. I am also curious how you got oscilloscope output to the video. That is really neat.

[@StarskyCarr]

I used the MeldaProductions free oscilloscope in Logic - its a bit of a faff, but I record the screen either while recording or afterwards - then superimpose that onto the video.

[@saren6538]

if they were all the same value and all readily available ....would you choose the MW1 over the lot ?

[@glyn5385]

theyre certainly quite different to each other and im really tempted as the individual wavetable per oscillator is rather tasty but im gona keep my filthy 30 voice XTK, it can knock walls down!!

[@marzzz1]

If at all possible, would love to see a comparison of the M and the MW I.

[@fredDhyāna]

@C. Boddika according to this video the Xt might be closer to MW1 , M seems to sound even more modern/ bright than the xt wich is already more crisp than MW1.

[@amsynths]

Fantastic comparison, and it would be good to hear some patches from both. I love my XTk for its sounds, as the best ambient digital synth ever. I suspect the M is closer to the MV1 with wavetables thru a moog filter., with great bass sounds and digital imperfecton. But bring that out with some patches…. A PPG 360 mode on the M would be fab, rather than digital filters..☺️☺️

[@alanhaynes418]

Another great video. Definitely still going to get the M. Where does one buy it in the UK and benefit your channel Starsky?

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha… if only 😂 I should maybe see if andertons or G4M do affiliate stuff.

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

@@StarskyCarr just listened a demo of Korg 2600, is even worse than Behringer, doesn´t resembles the original even in the paint, what a joke mate. I also had one in the 90s. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpbMpYCkjrShd6c&ab_channel=BonedoSynthesizers

[@the8bitdeity]

Did I hear correctly, that only the Global LFO can be synced to MIDI clock on the M? Admittedly (in my mind) the XT's LFOs synchronization options are one of it's weaknesses, I would love to have a LFO sync to keydown but also have it's time tempo derived.

[@pappymonticello2908]

Love my XT 30 voice but I unfortunately have the 2nd batch knobs. Which a few have already crumbled. The price I paid new back in 2000 was $1,249 (from zZounds). If anything were to happen to my XT, I don't think I would pay the amount the M is going for to replace it. Since I run a hybrid setup now.

[@glyn5385]

i got the crumbly knobs on my XTK, its a shame Waldorf are charging to replace them (an extortionate price too), unlike Novation who just send you parts for free when needed

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

I preserved the knobs on my XT by using Armorall protectant wipes. It kept them from becoming dry.

[@klstay]

Waldorf is among those brands who charge a LOT for the name on the front. Are the serious design limitations (instead of a "classic mode") a choice or a result of the anemic processing power available? Even if you go Thomann you can still get all 3 Korgs for the same price. Interpolation on Summit covers most of this territory and SO much more. Still, to each their own if one is fine paying for nostalgia and a few corner case sounds then good for them.

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

The XT has a more unique sound while the M is more run on the mill, I should have not returned mine to shop in the 90´s. I should get another.

[@subaquaticencountersofthed8515]

Indeed. Surprised by the lack of people saying this. The M sounds so expected and like others.. the XT sounds unique. If one of these were to be my first or only synth then I may see an argument for the M. But already if I had one analog poly, it'd immediately be more useful to have the XT as it's contrast vs the M. Imho.

[@spaceranger145]

Wavetable FM is a cornerstone of modern sound design, why leave it out?

[@thedoublek4816]

According to Waldorf / one of the the developers, the M was intended to be a modern take on the original MW1 (which didn't have FM) with the user interface of the XT.

[@spaceranger145]

@@thedoublek4816 Now it's understandable, thanks for taking the time to explain that to me.

[@MadelnMachines]

I noticed yesterday that your prophet 6 vs prophet 5 was done just before they introduced vintage mode. You clearly have some kind of unspoken influence on synth manufacturers that forces them to improve their products whenever you make or are about to make a video. It can only be a good thing.

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha… oh yeah!! I’ll have to think of some more useful things future me can do! 😂

[@gabemcellington2413]

@@StarskyCarr Think of a way to get Waldorf to offer panel replacements for MWXT units with the deteriorating paint ;)

[@dancarter5595]

Would love to see a comparison with the Blofeld 😀

[@ikarugamoo]

I second this! Can borrow mine if you like...

[@mono2784]

Me too! How is the compare to Blofeld! It's worth the change???

[@BeatsYo]

What audio interface are you using to record the Waldorf xt and monitoring it's audio output in realtime listening

[@StarskyCarr]

Focusrite Scarlett 3rd gen.

[@BeatsYo]

@@StarskyCarr would that be perfect for the access virus B running stereo output into that interface. Thank you

[@geofff6671]

I hadn’t realised that the M was a modernisation of the XT. This gives me hope that I will eventually get a Blofeld II at a hopefully affordable price.

[@Wagoo]

It's not. It's a modernisation of the Microwave 1. XT is a Microwave 2

[@saren6538]

@@Wagoo is the microwave 2 better than the XT ?

[@SeverityOne]

Another useful video: getting the XT instead of a 2 may not make much sense, because both are a pain to use without an editor.

[@StarskyCarr]

I tend to agree. OK there's 40 knobs on the XT - but its got so much in there it can be a real pita!

[@SeverityOne]

@@StarskyCarr I'm very much in doubt about what should be "my wavetable synth". For starters, it's silly to compartmentalise synths in such a way, but my 1990s rack is a bit rompler-heavy. (There are also a VA, an analogue/digital drum machine and an obscure FM synth that I need to fix.) So I could be looking at something vintage, but also some of the new synths on the market such as the Novation Summit/Peak, the M, the Blofeld, the Iridium... the list goes on. Having said all that, I just like rack synths (they save space), and I like the sound of the pure digital Waldorfs from the 1990s. Sometimes, having a relatively limited instrument (as opposed to the everything-including-the-kitchen-sink Iridium) can be an advantage, because you know exactly what you're in for. A Microwave isn't going to give you realistic pianos, and it doesn't need to. It is just what it is.

[@WackyJackyTracky]

Why does the M has a harder attack and the XT a softer in this video?

[@deep6293]

Did you use different attack times? In the comparison it seems the M would have a "sharper" attack?

[@StarskyCarr]

No just the default patches. The M has a short release by default (as far as I can remember) which the XT doesn’t. I’m pretty sure they’re set on 0 attack but didn’t double check tbh.

[@WackyJackyTracky]

yes the M has a harder attack here, like a bit of the click of the MW1 (which was unpredictable for every note)

[@authoritease]

Sure Iridium has many more features but it seems like, given todays market, Iridium should have been closer in price to M, and M should be less expensive than it is (never mind the wobbly pots) since the M adds nothing very substantial to its 24 year old predecessor. The M is for anyone who wants a very playable version of MicroWave, can ignore the fact the the sound/filter is not as complex as MW, and wish they could have a MW or MWXT in mint condition but are very unlikely to find one, because pots and encoders eventually give out.

[@X-101]

Ah been waiting for this and it didn't pop up in my list at the time, one thing you missed was the mod matrix?

[@StarskyCarr]

I didn’t go into detail there, just mentioned it as I’d just be showing a mod matrix and I think everyone watching this knows what it does. I considered it and decided that keeping the video shorter made for a slicker video overall. I could make each of these about 3 hours long (and often record at least that before editing). The longer they are they become very hard to handle tbh. Every check takes much longer, there’s more opportunity did spurious errors to crop up while editing. And they just become massively cumbersome to put together. I’m consciously playing with the format at the mo as I just can’t continue to make the long form videos. They take around 18 hours to edit, which is almost 3 days of effort in my spare time. So it’s a balance between the most pertinent info or nothing in some cases. So many good ideas never come to fruition as I simply don’t have the time. So yeah… not covered. I need a team 😂

[@millenniummastering]

FM is the best thing on the XT IMHO.

[@sentokan]

When a comparison ar at least a review with the Modwave? :)

[@StarskyCarr]

Very soon!

[@jammystraub488]

@@StarskyCarr I'm really curious how close the Modwave can get to the M when you load it with custom wavetables from the PPG or similar. Korg's got an emulation of the same filter the PPG used from their Polysix. Korg's presets are drenched in effects, it's hard to tell what it sounds like without playing with one.

[@StarskyCarr]

@@jammystraub488 I might take a quick look at that :)

[@synthwarez]

Gracias

[@krinzologicstudio]

I just get the M here, i own the MW1 with the stereoping programmer, the XT 3 voices non nextel paint, the Iridium… One only advise to all about the M compared to the old microwaves: envelopes not fast enought for hard nice basses, bass frequencies are not so deep and opened. I still prefer the old guys.

[@StarskyCarr]

I have to admit I didn't notice the envelopes not been as fast as my XT. Interesting. I wonder if it's a speed thing or if the envelope shape is different.

[@krinzologicstudio]

@@StarskyCarr The new 1.07 firmware is updating the fast mode to improve the emulation, i hope also that with the new 1.08 will be the option to disable the HPF filter setup to cut the bass freq…just checked the gearspace thread about…ppl starts to ask to implement this option filter osc disabled.

[@WackyJackyTracky]

The M in this video has a harder attack than the XT

[@VM_VM1987]

Of these, which do you use the most? What's the biggest difference for you between the MW and M? I found the Stereoping programmer ok but M was still much easier to use.

[@krinzologicstudio]

@@VM_VM1987 Sincerely i do use the MW1 alot compared to the rest, maybe because my preference on my old first gear (i miss my WAVE too sold because was always brocken) in any case, i dont have a preference, when you own almost all the waldorf wavetable hardware and i do own also the 3rd wave, i start to simply use the MW1 because i love some basses sound from it. The M is a nice synth but lack of a modulation matrix and the modulation parameters are sparse in lot of sub menus...would be nice to have the same hardware with a different firmware like th eold yamaha XT16 and so on...at least the modulation matrix ...hope one day will be implemented.

[@jlolivermusic]

I couldn’t part with one or the other they both sound absolutely amazing. Still having a love affair with my XTK and all those crazy filters but the M is definitely the best synth I’ve purchased in awhile

[@owenkitto27]

The XTk has a 30 voice expansion

[@Recloh]

Traded mine for iPad pro but will always miss it 🥲

[@matt_one]

Expect a copyright claim for that sharp whistle at 1:29 🤣

[@Reg-Edit]

I found my XT to be very thin sounding back in the day and eventually sold it ( yes I regret it 😢) I think the analog filter on the M helps out and makes it sexy But too much menu diving for me in 2021 Unfortunately 😩

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

same here, i actually don't regret selling mine though. I felt like it looked better than it sounded.

[@Reg-Edit]

@@Heathcliff_hensel yes I agree Definitely a unique looking module I think wavetable synthesis in general can be quite thin sounding though I have never been a big fan of Waldorf tbf This is mainly because of the menu diving 😩 But when starsky does a video it makes me want one 😂

[@spotlight-kyd]

The MX/Xt(k) is everything but thin sounding, IMHO. In fact, I sometimes have trouble placing it in a mix, because it has such powerful sonic footprint.

[@Reg-Edit]

@@spotlight-kyd It’s a nice sounding synth I just found it lacking in the lower end tbh

[@1vootman]

@strogon42 I agree, I have some of the beefiest analog synths around, and the xTK hangs with them. Definitely solid in the low end .

[@bitspacemusic]

I read an interesting theory that the past is always happening from a certain POV, according to Einstein's theories.

[@davidjazay9248]

The XT would still come across as innovative in 2024.

[@mvsr990]

Just got around to selling my XT after getting the M. For its era and what it is, the XT is pretty easy to program but visual cues on envelopes and all are very nice for programming on the M.

[@shawnsaul7759]

what you recommend selling a XT for a M? Still enjoying after this time, no regret?

[@mvsr990]

@@shawnsaul7759 No regrets at all, the M is a beast. I don't know if I'd sell the XT again, though, because prices have dropped (from what I can tell) - I almost paid for the M with the XT's sale price, now the XT would sell for about half of the M's US price. At that I would have kept it for a different flavor.

[@zerocrossing]

To my ears, the M sounds a lot more like I want a hardware wavetable synth to sound. The XT has always sounded a bit grating to me.

[@sK3LeTvM1]

No way I would swap my XTK for an M. never. The M will lose value, where as the XTK will only go up in value. M is a bad 'plastic' copy of the MWI/II/XT/XTK.

[@ukura]

@@sK3LeTvM1 whatever mate.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I want a Waldorf synth along with a Roland Jupiter to recreate vintage new wave tones from Depeche Mode, Erasure and Tangerine Dream as they all use a bunch of Waldorf and Roland synths to record classic electronica.

[@BubbaSatori]

My head hurts. Fortunately my ears are ok.

[@resofactor]

No FM on the M? WTF? Fail lol

[@StarskyCarr]

I k now... but I still bought one!

[@bradmodd7856]

Steppy filters...NO..no...no....no..

[@nabooka316]

The M sounds much better in mw1 mode - even the XT patches ;)

[@ingoodmusic]

The M is significantly better

[@Genshi]

Well, that's obviously just an opinion. Some people will think the XT is significantly better due to all the things it can do over the M (e.g., FM, Modifiers, more voices, more multitimbral, more digital filter options, etc.) In my case, I love both because they are different enough from each other.

[@sK3LeTvM1]

Guess you don't own an XT. 🙂

[@sK3LeTvM1]

I would never ever swap my XTK for an M. Never. One thing is for sure: In the coming years, the M will go down in value, where as an XT/K only will go up. The positive thing about the M on the market, is that XT/K's will become even more sought after... [EDIT] 10/23 and M's can already be found 2nd hand for no less than 1K while XT/K's keep going up in value. Just like I've said...

[@ouroboroswyrm]

its 8/24 and reverb is selling xts for 1800-2500 and ms from 1600-2000, so not that big of a difference. oh yeah...and the xenia vst was just released...for free. making a hardware version of the xt kinda pointless...unless you really like orange panels.

[@kristosvidinakis]

Hey, has anyone a idea how to import Waldorf XT sounds? i have the following formats: bankname.mid bankname.SYX bankname.lib

[@StarskyCarr]

I use editors. There one from 12decode.de that’s best for that. I can’t remember what format I use but it definitely works.

[@kristosvidinakis]

@@StarskyCarrthank you so much! keep on groovin.

[@kristosvidinakis]

​@@StarskyCarr sorry, maybe I did not express myself correctly. I mean: how can I import banks from the XT in the M.