Waldorf M Wavetable Synthesizer Sound Demo

Sound demo for our brandnew Waldorf M Wavetable Synthesizer - no external effects and processing was used.
More information about M: waldorfmusic.c...

[@_adrienmccarthy7473]

After 13 years away from music, I jumped back in during Covid quarantine and spent a good 14 months struggling to find a synth that resonated with me. The M arrived and my mind felt childlike again. Truly wonderful device. Thanks for gifting this tool to the world.

[@m.ericwatson968]

No other synth company has sounds like Waldorf; so bright and sharp, kind of cold and brittle which lends to a digital sci-fi vibe

[@RichardJNeo]

This is amazing!!! Having owned a Microwave and two Microwave XTs (still have one) I gotta say this is pretty much my desert island synth. It’s just how I wished it would be ❤️

[@INPUTMETHOD]

Thank you Waldorf for listening, worth the wait since the Microwave

[@TroyBlackford]

Really awesome new synth, from the masters!

[@kristosvidinakis]

what a beautiful design and sound. great!

[@Redneck_Wizard]

Waldorf please let this have MPE compatibility and it will be my next synth. It sounds absolutely incredible and has that classic German sound.

[@Redneck_Wizard]

@Itsmy Ger Well Waldorf wavetables for one and also the old school WDR studios synth sounds from the 1950's, Karlheinz Stockhausen, the Trautonium from the 1930's etc. Listen to the synth tones from WDR studios that sound very sci-fi/scientific, Waldorf sometimes reminds me of those amazing sounds that you don't really hear much nowadays, in my opinion it is much better sounding than Moogs or the vast majority of modern synths. From the research I've done about the history of Synthesizers it seems Germany pioneered synths more than any other country and Germany is the capital of electronic music to this day.

[@NatLifeSounds]

For me this German classic sound is like Access Virus B)

[@vladimirsalnikov5806]

​@Itsmy Ger Well, the first-ever wavetable synth, PPG Wave was actually invented by Herr Wolfgang Palm in Hamburg, West Germany at the end of 1970th. From that perspective, wavetable could be named "German sounds", aren't they? And the M is just a distant descendant of that invention. BTW, certain wavetables in the M actually contain exactly the same 8-bit samples, calculated 40 years ago by Palm. Same as our DNA contains genes from all our ancestors. :)

[@vladimirsalnikov5806]

@Itsmy Ger Funny fact. As far as I know, being a Waldorf employee - the whole development of the PPG Wave series at the very beginning was paid by Tangerine Dreams. It was something around 40 000 DM invested in Palm Production. And they used their Wave a lot in the mid-80.

[@2112jonr]

@@Redneck_Wizard Absolutely - I think that's recognised across Europe. Germany's at the front for both synth innovation, unique sounds, and of course its performance artists. I personally love Martin Sturtzer's work, and that of bands such as Phaebel and Holygram.

[@sonfx]

Sounds great, looks great! Awesome visuals and I want one!

[@Wagoo]

Can we get red knob upgrades to replace the main knob on the Quantum, now? :P

[@acdnrg]

I like the box and I like Waldorf. That said, "fat analog pad sound" "warm pad" is not exactly what I´m hearing in the demos. Might be the youtube compression, but neither monitors nor headphones result in anything matching the description. Which is not necessarily bad, the sounds are great in other contexts. So far, the program names created expectations that are not met, and this is the wrong impression one may take from this clip. Maybe dial down a bit on the marketing fluff ("moog", "cs80") and let this box shine in it´s own domain. Or do something about the sound quality of this clip.

[@paulmolive1821]

These patches sound great, but the patch names don’t describe them very accurately!

[@32ndBrother]

Love Tronic Brainstorm Waldorf always hits it out of the park.

[@-zoave-]

Aha yeah right, Tronic Brainstorm 👌

[@EverettDudgeon138]

Shame there’s no internal fxs Any plans for a keyboard version?

[@ryanperrault8174]

My new favorite Synthesizer. I will own this some day.

[@hoagy_ytfc]

Love the animations!

[@arisona]

Awesome visuals!

[@expeditiondechouette]

My old (and lovely) Virus B is 16 parts multitimbral and combine 16 arps simultaneously. The M is 4 parts multitimbral, so I may assume it has 4 arps?

[@kevinbirge2130]

Wonderful machine.

[@mchryslermusic]

Amazing!! I almost can't believe my eyes or ears!!

[@FaidedBTB]

what would you get first this or a Prophet 5?

[@Niibetek]

I just hope they will update the old Arp mode seen in many of the Waldorf synths with a proper sequencer at least for storing the notes value (as in the Prophet 12).

[@IntangibleMan]

Multitimbral? Sounds awesome!

[@thehandoflenin]

Do I need another Waldorf?

[@scottm1953]

Take my money now Waldorf! Day one purchase

[@YKMusic-mo6df]

Estimated price ?

[@WilliWerkel]

How many Rack Units will the M take up? I guess its more than the 5U of the XT? Also, it's very interesting that the controls are basically the same just like on the XT, just the layout is different :) Edit: Another Question - will it have *all* the classic presets of the MW / XT? Or is there going to be a way to import them?

[@robingmd9029]

It Will load microwave 1 sysex.

[@Wagoo]

If it's the same size as Kyra/Iridium then I think more like 7U.. but also they don't recess the ports on the rear which is a design oversight.. so maybe 8U

[@6581punk]

Not many people care for rack gear now. The market seems more table top orientated.

[@NicolasKaniak]

is it me or does it sound thin?

[@mmrva]

It does. Lifless in the mids. A bit to harsh highs. Same as Quantum.

[@Jim_KYB]

How do I join the waiting list?

[@chris5375]

These are the days….. 👏😉

[@piet245]

Why does it have to be so expensive?

[@555atU]

What's the price?

[@piet245]

@@555atU 1800€

[@555atU]

@@piet245 by the looks of it that's about what I figured.

[@6581punk]

Stereo analog signal path. It's not just a DSP. Sure, the Peak is cheaper but it ain't using stereo VCA, VCF.

[@angca1]

Visuals are more attractives than sounds...

[@chrisstheboerg]

Klingt leider viel zu dünn und kalt. Und bei einem Preis von knapp 2000 EUR auch kein attraktiver Synth. Gewünscht hätte ich mir auch mal wieder eine Rack-Version. Wer im Studio hat schon Platz für alle Pultgeräte? Mein Desk ist jetzt schon voll mit dem Zeug. Ich hatte gehofft, dass der Microwave II fast 1:1 wieder kommt. Schade.

[@DirkFellhauer]

Bin bei Dir und Deiner Meinung. Da ist jetzt so gar nichts "Neues", was diesen Preis gerechtfertigen würde. Ich habe in der Demo auch nichts gehört, was nicht auch aus den PPG-like Plugins kommen kann. Für nostalgische Momente mag das Teil okay sein, aber nur weil Waldorf und Wavetable darauf steht, ist es nicht automatisch ein "Burner". Für den Preis muss mehr Innovation ´drin sein. Wie etwas weiter unten schon steht: Dieses Teil muss sich mit Synths wie bspw. dem Hydrasynth messen...und da verliert Waldorf meiner Meinung nach.

[@chrisstheboerg]

@@DirkFellhauer Ich finde, dass der Waldorf M nicht so klingt, wie einst mein Waldorf Microwave II. Ich fand damals nämlich den Q in meinem Studio recht dünn klingend und den MW II schön satt. Ich finde auch, dass der Waldorf M in diesen Demos nicht mehr hergibt als ein Standard VST Synth. Bisher von den Analogkisten überzeugt mich nur der Waldorf Pulse 2. Und davon habe ich auch einen im Studio. Der klingt fett und druckvoll. Der Waldorf M ist irgendwie "Plastik-Sound".

[@ObKling]

Can anyone give me an idea of how modulation works on this? There's no mod matrix. Can you assign the same mod source to several destinations? What are the limits?

[@GeekGearSynths]

You have a fixed number of sources in each section. And yes, you can assign the same source to different targets. Interestingly there is one modulator on each target, where you can modulate the intensity as well. E.g. LFO1 modulating the filter, but the depth is determined by the mod wheel. Have a look in the manual to checkout all modulation possibilities.

[@lazertape8468]

Wow i like it!

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Sounds great!

[@rgcmusic]

I'm excited about this. Hopefully an update will add digital filters High Pass, 12db, or more. I think it sound is unique and the team did a great job creating a beautiful product.

[@LousyFacelift]

All digital filter models from the Microwave XT came to the M with the latest update!

[@e-conrecords4665]

You have to do something pretty special to compete with Hydrasynth.

[@happylittlesynth]

Errr.. Not seeing anytihng here the iridium can't already do, and better?

[@PaulGBass]

Iridium is digital. This is wavetables into analogue filters and stereo analogue amplifiers

[@cronenbergj]

Hard to say...but sounds Rounder / Beefier and more Vintage than the Iridium ?

[@johanzki]

@@cronenbergj it does, to my memory of the Iridium

[@richardsmithson4453]

@@cronenbergj definitely! I've got an Iridium.

[@ArtFluids]

The Propaganda Secret Wish sound is back baybeeeee

[@Dudderlyful]

Fucking best album, overloaded with talent and just all round stunning music! Mmm maybe an M would help me get that good haha (no!)

[@zipnone1996]

Sweet 🤓

[@javiceres]

Character in spades !!!

[@boardgames_fortwo]

"Aggressive Wavetable Bass" Serum is laughing. 😂

[@synthpizza]

Does this do anything the Quantum can’t do? 🤔

[@dbefore7165]

Nope, but it’s cheaper

[@el_dani]

Analog filters!

[@el_dani]

and it‘s affordable

[@synthpizza]

The Quantum has analog filters. FYI.

[@CineTracks911]

Quantum also has analog filters

[@tommyfeinstoff]

🤤

[@canecreek00]

As Boards of Canada would say, "the past inside the present"

[@maurettiditroifa9685]

Want 👀

[@llandonbroadhead6746]

"moog bass" haha

[@zifudis339]

"cs 80"??

[@MrDudleytheCat]

Send to Loopop so he can make a proper demo. Thanks!

[@davidreina7997]

Can’t wait to see a Waldorf M on his hands ;)

[@danl9407]

Sorry but cannot beat the Microwave I... even the XT sounds better!

[@AnnexIptaru]

Agreed. I own both of those original Microwaves and I'm just not hearing the quality I would expect from a MW resurrection. This could all be chalked up to the very dull patches they've demoed here (VERY dull - clearly catering to the dull tastes of contemporary pop music), but I don't know. I haven't seen or heard anything that would make me want this, given I have the real articles already. Try harder, Waldorf.

[@MrArpSolina]

@@AnnexIptaru Interesting. How did you compare sound quality? Do you have the M already? I hope you're not judging from the KZbin highly degraded crappy audio quality?

[@AnnexIptaru]

@@MrArpSolina If you read my comment, you will note that I make the caveat that it could just be the shitty program in this video putting me off, but it's the sounds from top to bottom that are off-puttingly sterile. I haven't heard anything that would even remotely indicate that this machine is in the same league as the original microwaves. I can go find a KZbin video demoing the MW1 that clearly has the desirable sound I'm thinking of. Try a better pithy argument next time, palorino.

[@orangenotviolet]

How can you know?

[@danl9407]

@@orangenotviolet ears, you deaf knob...

[@xfloodcasual8124]

Not as much character as their older synths, but finally a real analog sound

[@orangenotviolet]

Was braucht man für einen schlechten Synthesizer Review? 1. Einen Foristen, der das Ding noch nie in der Hand gehabt hat. 2. Der sich das Ding eh nicht leisten kann und 3. stinksauer deswegen ist.

[@PeterGuettinger]

Klingt gar nicht wie mein Microwave XT.

[@joelcarloaymat]

Well that sounds beefy as fuck

[@Treguard]

"No more else to write"? A proof-reader would have been a boon.

[@elfadark8709]

very generic sounds korg did this 30 years ago are they free? oh overhyped

[@fdarchives_]

wow, it sounds like a ppg. go figure.

[@philippemouillevoix7783]

No warmth, no depth, almost 2 000 euros ! From what I hear, despite a proper mix, the demo makes me think that I can achieve the same result with some VSTs. However, I like Waldorf, I had an STVC which is a great machine that is much cheaper and more original. I pass

[@klaasvandrunen3098]

I dont like it. Too much reverb.

[@louisdufort]

The sounds have no depth at all. Everything is upfront with no life at all. Very disappointing for the price tag.

[@erlendmagnussen8922]

Are you aware there's no reverb. So that's way it's upfront. Wavetables cry for reverb

[@louisdufort]

​@@erlendmagnussen8922 yes I do. But if I compare with my minilogue or even my microfreak in dry mode, there's way more life in those synth for half the price tag. I suspect maybe a compressor / limiter was put on the output for the video ?

[@vladimirsalnikov5806]

I did a comparison between the original video and saved it from youtube, it's looked like youtube's MP4 compressor really kills all beef below 100 Hz. Definitely need to solve how to upload good sounding video.

[@hawk194]

Nothing special. I’ve listened to several demos and can’t get excited about it. I wanted to, but it doesn’t sound all that. The price is way too high and then you have to pay again to get 16 voices? Lost opportunity.

[@oskie66skye]

Waldorf is cool... but the installations and stuff are crap.

[@HiLoMusic]

Please get someone better to demo your synth and create more modern presets, these reek of cheese

[@liantrosretrospectiva4134]

sounds great, real MW DNA here...looks awful and it´s too big and a bit expensive

[@walrtbstudios5430]

Very 80s. And that’s not a good thing.