Waldorf STVC & Waldorf Streichfett deeper Review

Waldorf STVC & Waldorf Streichfett Review with an extended look to the Vocoder and other features with a little help of a Drumcomputer, Guitar, Meldodica and stuff
Waldorf: waldorfmusic.com/en/stvc
Organum Chant Choir: • Focus on Waldorf STVC:...
Trentemøller - The Science of Fixion (a music documentary):
• Trentemøller: The Scie...
www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/W...
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Special thanks to Andreas and Ralf.
00:00 Intro
00:20 Title Track
00:32 STVC closer look
02:37 Streichfett
04:24 difference between Streichfett & STVC
05:07 STVC Details
06:11 STVC Solo Section
14:06 STVC Strings
21:38 STVC vs Streichfett
26:04 STVC Vocoder
36:43 STVC Effects
39:58 Conclusion
41:50 Outro Track
Used Equipment: Apple iPhone XR, Sony HDR-CX625, Universal Audio Apollo Twin Solo, Steinberg Cubase 10.5 and Apple iMovie

[@2112jonr]

A useful, informative review, that helped me to decide to buy an STVC. Many thanks for taking the time to put this together, very much appreciated ! 😀

[@knobsswitches]

I´m happy you like it!

[@troublesomecorsair]

Wow. This is probably the most impressive and thorough review I've ever seen. Tremendous effort. Thank you!

[@knobsswitches]

Thank you very much. It‘s really kind of you!

[@tricky58micky]

Fantastic! Thanks for such a straightforward guide to the STVC. Just loving the fact you gave us a quick burst of Supertramp!

[@knobsswitches]

I love Supertramp!

[@johngulliver9139]

Best review of the STVC by a country mile. Thank you.

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks a lot John!

[@jackparr857]

I just bough this one yesterday. Great in-depth review. It's the perfect synth for what I'm writing as a composer - prog rock. I needed a classic string synthesizer to help me in the background with my bass guitar improvisations; walforf stvc seemed a perfect fit. I'm just learning how to use my first synthesizer from this video. Thanks a lot.

[@knobsswitches]

Congrats to your purchase! You will have a lot of fun with it. trust me. Would be great for prog-rock!

[@thestressexitman3413]

Happy that I just bought one AND that I found your excellent run through of the synth. Your explaination of all the sections will help me be up and running (playing) in no time 🙂

[@knobsswitches]

thank you very much. it's nice if my small contribution could help. Have fun with the STVC

[@kayserlein]

Super! Wunderbar! So in depth! And thanks for reminding us that a vocoder is not just about vocals!

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks a lot!

[@CheshireMoonBand]

Thank you for this amazing overview. I’ve had mine for a week, and being an old analog guy, this is a great modern machine to make those sorts of sounds.

[@knobsswitches]

Thank you very much. I´m still very happy with my STVC

[@ralsom]

Thank you.Good review.Looking forward to more like this!

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks a lot! I´m still working on new reviews.

[@fischek]

incredible demo, thanks - I am off to buy it now :)

[@knobsswitches]

glad you liked it. did you still get one?

[@andrelucassen9229]

If Waldorf would have used all the empty space for a simple 5 or 6 inch touch-screen for the mod-matrix, or a setup like the microfreak, I would buy one instantly.

[@knobsswitches]

yes, that would be very cool!

[@loopzqool951]

Super gemacht! Streichfett ist klasse, STVC ist mir noch nicht weiter bekannt, daher Danke für den Einblick dazu!

[@knobsswitches]

Das freut mich! Vielen Dank!

[@Dvoch001]

Great review and surprisingly powerful instrument!

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks a lot!

[@andymeecham643]

Great Video The best I've seen on this synth !

[@knobsswitches]

Thank you very much!

[@The5thVolt]

Echt tolles Review, vielen Dank!

[@knobsswitches]

Dankeschön. Freut mich das es gefällt

[@edwinhind9498]

What beautiful sounds.

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks a lot!

[@SouthShoreSonics]

Great video! My very first keyboard back in 1977 was the ARP Solina Stringer!

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks. Solina was a good choice! ;-)

[@cjk-28-JockeK]

Great review and thanks for comparing the STVC with Streichfett! I think I can hear a slight difference in tone, but I will keep my Streichfett. There's simply no more space for another keyboard here ;-)

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks a lot. The Streichfett is a good choice!

[@james9789]

Thanks for a great introduction to this much more than a string synth.

[@knobsswitches]

You are welcome. Happy, you like it!

[@CrystalizedSound]

Great review, very detailed :) thanks a lot

[@knobsswitches]

I’m glad you like it! Thanks

[@32ndBrother]

Ordered mine can’t wait 😛

[@knobsswitches]

Good choice!

[@ashfaq1999]

Great video of these amazing machines.

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks a lot!

[@ashfaq1999]

@@knobsswitches you’re welcome 👍

[@alepikke]

Amazing review! As Streichfett owner, I don´t find differences on the basics sounds of this STVC respect the Streichfett, but it is a fact that the addition of the modulation matrix allows to get sounds and control that Streichfett doesn´t have.

[@knobsswitches]

Yes, The Mod Matrix makes it more than just only a string ensemble

[@knobsswitches]

@Rhizosphere yes sure, but if you are looking for a bit more than the classic sound you have the possibility to teak it further

[@knobsswitches]

And the Vocoder is more than a nice add on ;-)

[@starchild3369]

Danke für Deine ehrliche Aussage bezüglich der "Größe" des displays der STVC (ab 6 Min.). Mir geht es nämlich ganz genauso. Ich bin auch von klein auf Brillenträger (Kurzsichtig) und habe auch erhebliche Probleme mit diesen ganzen kleinen Displays - auch in anderen Synthis - gerade von Korg.

[@knobsswitches]

Ja, man darf es wirklich nur als Zugabe sehen. Nachdem Motto: besser als gar nichts 🙂

[@jm6734]

Excellent review! 15:38 fantastic sound gave me goosebumps and was expecting Das Boot to surface 🙂 I'm curious on how this would sound with some sort of granular delay effect..

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks a lot for this kind words. Yes, together with the Hologram Microcosm could be nice. Or i should try my Meris Ottobit Jr.

[@aptudo]

Wait a minute. Does this thing really have 7 independent LFOs?! I paused the video at you showing the modulation sources and destinations. Great video, by the way!

[@reinhardwolf2855]

Dankeschön 🖖

[@knobsswitches]

Gerne! Freut mich, wenn es gefällt ;-)

[@knobsswitches]

Gerne!

[@theoliviaarchives4794]

Awesome. Great synth.

[@knobsswitches]

Glad you like it. Yes, the STVC is quite cool!

[@felipedalam5743]

Nice comparison/review. Do you think I can get a clean Chorale-choir mellotron type sound with Streichfett? Its hard to import a mellotron where I live now so I'm looking for alternatives and I really like what I saw of Streichfett string sounds. What do you suggest? Thanks!

[@knobsswitches]

Hi Felipe, i´m not familiar with the Mellotron Choirs. Maybe with some Modulations you get in that direction. But the Sound of the Roland VP-330/Choir could be reproduced very good.

[@mutasamzengine]

Es wahr sehrgut danke sehr (super)

[@knobsswitches]

Thank you very much!

[@jugglerj0e]

I'm jealous of your synth/keys collection.

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks, but it always changes 🙂

[@marcbrasse747]

For years I have been convinced that Fools Overture bit was done on a CS80. Even after studying the that even owning it for years as well already. So I mistook the slight timing differences on the Elka Rhapsody 610 for short, hammered poly aftertouch variations. Untill I saw a 1977 studio performance. One is never to old to learn I gues.

[@knobsswitches]

Yes, we ever learn, me too ;-) I think Supertramp never used a CS80, but Mr. John A. Helliwell played an Oberheim 4 Voice live on the 1979 Tour and it was used a lot in the Studio for the "Breakfast" Sessions together with the Boss CE-1 Chorus Pedal and of course the Elka Rhasody 610 together with an ARP Omni 2 for the String Parts

[@marcbrasse747]

@@knobsswitches Yep, my final conclusion was that it is a combination of the Oberheim and the Elka playing the same parts, which is born out by that same live studio performance in which both instruments where present, although I am not totally sure they are also played as layered there but that might be a live situation limitation. Too few hands maybe and one does not easily reprogram an Overheim 4-voice on the spot anyway. Layering them both in the studio however gives that double channel sound which makes the CS80 such a beast. The timing variations I already described did the rest. Dzoooooooooing!

[@knobsswitches]

@@marcbrasse747 True!

[@audio-workshop]

I love the Badeschlappe on the pedal ;-)

[@knobsswitches]

adilette-Python-Style ;-)

[@christianchall8169]

Hi..großartiges Video...absolut cool erklärt und der Sound ist ja mal genau mein Style ...eine Frage hab ich: als Anfänger, wenn ich nur den Streichfett habe, was benötige ich noch um daraus Sounds zu generieren?? Reicht ein MidiKey um es zu nutzen? Bitte um kurze Klärung da ich bis dato nur digital Musik mache...Danke dir

[@knobsswitches]

Zum Sound generieren nichts weiter. Du hast am STVC USB und DIN Midi. Du kannst Ihn als Masterkeyboard nutzen. Lediglich um ihn in der DAW aufzunehmen brauchst Du ein Audio Interface, da der STVC nur USB Midi hat.

[@christianchall8169]

@@knobsswitches Danke für deine Antwort. So erklärt es sich für mich. Doch wenn ich nur den "Streichfett" habe, kann ich den dann direkt zwischen mein Launchkey setzen und ihn als Synth nutzen oder auch nur mit Interface?

[@dkdent65]

@@christianchall8169 Na klar kannst Du ihn einfach so als Synth nutzen ob nun über Launchkey oder Direkt gespielt bleibt Dir überlassen ;-)

[@MB-kx5qs]

Reagiert das Streichfett auf eine Aftertouch Tastatur? Oder ist Aftertouch nicht sinnvoll bei einem Streichfett. Kannst du ein gutes Midi Keyboard empfehlen?

[@TaurusTarkus]

Thanks for the excellent video! Can you hear a difference in the Strings of the STVC vs. Streichfett? (Strings only.) Some people are saying online that they are exactly the same, but others think the STVC has better strings?? Thanks so much!

[@knobsswitches]

I can't hear a difference in the strings. The FX are a bit different on the STVC.

[@TaurusTarkus]

@@knobsswitches Thanks so much! Great work.

[@knobsswitches]

@@TaurusTarkus glad to help 🙂

[@xinjoy6236]

Hello, thanks for this review. I’m still unable to answer one simple question : does this Waldorf stvc is able to reproduce really closely and well the typical rich solina sound (I mean without the phaser)? what’s your opinion between eminent / solina string classic sound and this waldorf ? thank you

[@knobsswitches]

If you want the Solina sound, buy an Eminent string ensemble. You won't get an exact copy because the Solina has 4 different parts viola, violin, trumpet and horn. Or let's say two, because the string and brass sounds have different filters and octave settings. But all four can be combined, which is not possible with the STVC. But the character is restored nearly by the ensemble effect. I think preset A24 sums it up quite well. Of course, that is a matter of taste. For me, it was enough to sell the Solina. Because for me, the STVC can do more than just emulate old strings, and it captures the character of old string ensembles very well.

[@xinjoy6236]

@@knobsswitches thank you for your interesting answer. so to have the solina sound one can go to the eminent string. or the solina itself I guess. I have an ARP omni2 to repair too which has also this rich string sound. Eminent String ensemble, Eminent 310, omni 1 & 2, Solina have all a distinct but similar sound. I plan to get a Godwin String too!

[@knobsswitches]

@@xinjoy6236 you lucky guy. so it seems you have enough vintage string opportunities ;-) i like the omni2, cause it´s very different to the solina/eminent sound. Never played a goodwin

[@xinjoy6236]

@@knobsswitches Oh just a omni2 to fix from now 😉 The Godwin is still not confirmed but should be on the way! From strings a special options is the Memotron.

[@yutumu]

Thank you for this great review. Firstly, I have to say that I own the Streichfett module and love it. For the money, it is a really great sounding and fun tool. As for the STVC: I'm sure Waldorf had their reasons for the design of this keyboard, but I think they made a couple of major design mistakes... in my opinion, anyway. The Data Dis[play - could it have been so costly to include a bigger and clearer one? Anytime I have to put on my reading glasses to read a synth display, it just ruins the experience. My guess is that either it was a budget decision or some misguided design engineer's idea that " Less is More". In either case, or for whatever reason, this limitation has automatically disqualified me from buying this STVC keyboard. Also... just look at all that empty real estate. A few more control knobs and switches and options for tweaking the sounds would have been welcomed. The control layout as it is, is just too limiting, especially with the miniscule hard to read display. I do like the sounds, the vocoder too... but I'll stick with my Streichfett at 1/3 the cost of the STVC. Oh, one more thing: I couldn't help but notice how "woobly" all of the control knobs appeared during the review/demo. That is worth considering when looking to purchase any piece of equipment.

[@knobsswitches]

You are right. The Display is not the strongest feature of the STVC. I need glasses, too to set up the Mod Sources. I cannot say, why Waldorf chose this design component.

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

When u buy new, are all the presets full of different patches or are some empty or set up as a template?

[@knobsswitches]

There are a lot of empty spaces with template settings

[@starglider101]

Between the STC the Streichfett and the VC-340 witch is better for that JMJ, Francis Lay sound? Great video by the way.

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks. I never played the VC340. So if you wants to have it original JMJ style you need a eminent organ or stringer with a Small Stone Phaser :-) But the STVC could cover this very well. May if you use the EHX Small Stone Phaser after the STVC it´s even more what you are looking for.

[@ashfaq1999]

I have an original eniment solina. These machines are good enough and have much more.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Get a Behringer VC340 (softer sounding; less versatile; VANGELIS) or a Behringer Solina (harsher sounding; more versatile; JMJ).

[@coskuarsiray]

that line-in must be working stand alone and reverb could be assigned to line in without vocoder function. why coupling with vocoder is an unknown.

[@SeverityOne]

Thanks for this review; I wasn't really familiar with the STVC. I don't particularly like the desktop box format of the Streichfett, and I don't have space for another keyboard (nor a desktop box for that matter), so that's an interesting conundrum. By the way, "Moog" is pronounced the German way. 🙂

[@knobsswitches]

Yes, you are right. I will do it better the next time 🙂

[@SeverityOne]

@@knobsswitches Don't get me wrong, you made a wonderful video. It's the most informative and in-depth video out there on the Waldorf STVC, by a country mile, and I'm very seriously considering getting one myself. I just thought that it was funny that a German pronounced an originally German name in a non-German way. Please don't think of my comment as one of those bitchy KZbin comments from people that have nothing better to do. Keep up the good work.

[@robertopistolesi2735]

Can blofeld make these sounds?

[@knobsswitches]

I don’t think so. You can make nice string patches with the bloefeld, but not these kind of strings

[@nono7182]

is there a hold or latch function on this keyboard?

[@knobsswitches]

no

[@xinjoy6236]

apart from the vocoder, what is the string synth can do that another poly with pads can’t? What a prophet 12 or a Novation summit can’t with a good phaser? Actually, I can’t find the classic solina / eminent sound here even if it approach it with phasing.

[@knobsswitches]

the main difference to a polysynth is the sound creation. The main oscillator of a string ensemble consists of twelve discrete tone generators with octave divide-down to provide full polyphony. the poly synth uses 2 or 3 VCO´s/DCO´s and have a limited polyphony. but of course you can create string sounds with pro12 or summit and add an analog phaser

[@Triplechorus2]

Das Streichfett erinnert bestenfalls ein wenig an das Solina String Ensemble, ist aber kein Ersatz dafür. Der Modulationseffekt ist dafür leider zu stark programmiert, was diesen arg „eiernden“ Sound erzeugt. Clavia hat eine nahezu perfekte Effektsimulation im Nord Lead A1 bzw. Nord Wave 2 implementiert. Dort wiederum stört allerdings das Fehlen einer Frequenzteilerschaltungs-Simulation, wodurch Oktavtöne ein unangenehmes statisches Phasing generieren. Mist - Waldorf hat die perfekte Oszillatorenschaltung und Clavia den perfekten Effekt. Ein Line-Input bei Clavia könnte die Lösung des Problems sein. Aber vielleicht werden wir, wenn die auf uns zurollende Wirtschaftskrise es noch erlaubt, die Produktion des Behringer-Solina-Klons erleben.

[@knobsswitches]

@@Triplechorus2 Ja, den gibt es ja mittlerweile. Wobei ich nicht weiß, ob der alle Probleme löst. Aber die französische Band AIR haben jetzt auf ihrer Moon Safari Tour 2024 das Behringer Solina Clone Modul dabei anstatt des Originals.

[@Triplechorus2]

@@knobsswitches Hey, ich habe ein Solina String-Ensemble von 1976 (Jahreszahlaufdruck auf den Netzteil-Elkos) und seit kurzem die Behringer-Version. Letztere klingt etwas höhenreicher (was aber kein Schaden ist) und ansonsten völlig identisch. Man hat sowohl den Tongenerator als auch den Triplechorus in klanglicher Perfektion nachgebaut. Und ich weiß ziemlich genau, von was ich rede, denn ich habe seit 1988 auf verschiedensten Synthesizern immer wieder mal an Annäherungen gearbeitet. Die beste Digital-Imitation ist mir übrigens auf dem Yamaha TG-77 gelungen. Air und ihr Klangbild liebe ich, muss aber leider von ihren Texten oft aktiv weghören.

[@knobsswitches]

@@Triplechorus2 Danke fürs Interessante Feedback. Auf einen TG-77 hätte ich nie gewettet 🙂

[@dmomcilovic9185]

The very wobbly pots worry me on mine, and also they are slippery they should have made them with knurled ends

[@knobsswitches]

true. the MW2 and Q knobs had more grip.

[@uhoh007]

Is STVC same keybed as blofeld? Thank you! Sounds Wunderbar!

[@knobsswitches]

Yes, it‘s the same Keybed!

[@joemcginty7]

Nice Yamaha CP electric piano! Which one?

[@knobsswitches]

It‘s a CP30. I‘ve done a Review about it in another video on my channel.

[@joemcginty7]

@@knobsswitches Oh, cool! I'll check it out. The CP series is pretty underrated. I have a CP25 and love it.

[@knobsswitches]

@@joemcginty7 cool, Never played one of the 25,35 series. I had a GS2 for several years. It looked similar with a good sound.

[@knobsswitches]

btw. meanwhile i have a CP-35 and it´s great, too!

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

Why did this synth get no ❤, you can get one used for 600 something all day.

[@leszekcieslak8992]

Alles klar...

[@knobsswitches]

of course ;-)

[@leszekcieslak8992]

@@knobsswitches This is the best STVC presentation I have ever found. Congratulations.

[@knobsswitches]

@@leszekcieslak8992 I’m flattered. Thank you very much!

[@Amok3D]

all you see on the internet is purchased reviews. Unfortunately, this equipment has a lot of disadvantages that disqualify it. 1.Display with a diagonal of 1cm! Shock. 2. Only one wocoder can be saved. No Filter Cut off,. It is so anachronistic and inconvenient that I am in a severe shock from so many positive reviews

[@2112jonr]

It does have filter cutoff, it's actually demonstrated in both this and other review videos - you just have to assign it to one of the mod wheels, if you need it.

[@playonkorg]

You are my hero....Alan Parsons almost the same

[@knobsswitches]

Thanks a lot. I‘m flattered!

[@playonkorg]

@@knobsswitches You welcome, ich habe eine frage, wissen Sie welches vocoder Herbie Hancock braucht in Tell Everybody? Gruss Ewout

[@knobsswitches]

@@playonkorg in the album's liner notes is written: Herbie's vocals on this record were realized through the use of the SENNHEISER Vocoder VSM201

[@playonkorg]

@@knobsswitches You make my day, thanks! reverb.com/item/23737366-sennheiser-vsm-201-1977-vocoder

[@playonkorg]

...$ Waldorf ist auch shön $