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Waldorf QUANTUM – a hybrid path to the future
Multi-technologies are trendy. Not only in the automotive industry, where hybrid automobiles will be part of our
future. In the music electronics industry, hybrid systems are omnipresent as well.
Especially at Waldorf, where the symbiosis of DIGITAL and ANALOG has a long tradition. QUANTUM goes one step
further and pushes sound synthesis to its extreme ...
Rarely a synthesizer has been awaited with such high expectations as the Waldorf Quantum. Announced in 2017,
great buzz words were soon glittering through the media: "Granular Synthesis", "Re-Sampling", "Wavetables", "Dual
Analog Filter", "Digital Shaper", "Complex Modulator", and so on and so on ... The hype was further enhanced by the
exquisite design of the instrument. Graceful and noble: The Quantum quickly became an object of desire.
Whether the synthesizer meets these high expectations is the subject of this report.
Key word "body mass index"
The Quantum's relation of size to weight is almost perfect. 100 cm wide and 40 cm deep, the instrument offers
enough space for a multitude of switches and knobs. Its 18 kilos indicate massive hardware. Once the Quantum is on
the table (or on the keyboard stand), it won't move – no slipping, no wobbling!
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Summary of Contents for Waldorf QUANTUM
- Page 1 Key word “body mass index” The Quantum’s relation of size to weight is almost perfect. 100 cm wide and 40 cm deep, the instrument offers enough space for a multitude of switches and knobs. Its 18 kilos indicate massive hardware. Once the Quantum is on...
- Page 2 And as so often, Axel Hartmann has once more demonstrated his skills by creating one of the most elegant synthesizer designs of all time. Quantum looks stunning! High-tech-layout in absolutely every single aspect. The unusual connecting rod on the underside (ideal for carrying the Quantum!), the myriad of LEDs (individually color-adjustable), the aluminum wheels (ribbed inwards –...
- Page 3 Waldorf has spared no expense in coming up with one of the most stylish and elegant synthesizers available. But in fairness it must be admitted that Quantum does crash from time to time (it simply stops operating for seemingly no reason).
- Page 4 8 voices of excellent sound to a myriad of voices of questionable quality. The key question is: IS the Quantum sound good enough to justify its restricted polyphony? We’ll try to give an answer … and time will tell if we’re right. But first, a few more facts …...
- Page 5 Waldorf QUANTUM – a hybrid path to the future Performance Tools: Pitch-/modulation-wheel (digital) modulation-pad Glide function Hold function Chord function Mono function Unison function Arpeggiator Sequencer Audio-recorder 61 keys with VEL and (monophonic) AT (incoming polyphonic AT messages are recognized)
- Page 6 “value” of an instrument. Instead, we would like to contrast the – from our point of view – welcome special Quantum features with its few peculiarities that may require getting used to. And to recommend those musical uses for which the Quantum is in our estimation the most suitable.
- Page 7 Sound-Pool Luxury Quantum offers up to 10,000 sounds … who needs 10,000 sounds? But actually, the number is irrelevant. All sounds are organized in groups / sound areas, so searching for sounds is easy and access to the huge sound-pool is as simple as can be –...
- Page 8 Workplace Design Of High-Quality Both its exemplary layout and its excellent feel contribute significantly to the intuitive operation of Quantum. After a relatively short training period – after 2 or 3 days, we’d say – operation of this complex instrument should have become a familiar work process to you.
- Page 9 True, “harsh sound” is a very personal opinion. If you don’t agree, please skip this paragraph and go on. What we do know for certain is that the basic Waldorf sound is clear and digital rather than warm and analog. It’s harsh and, well …...
- Page 10 Slipped off, not precisely scrolled, wrongly wiped – everything is possible. Acoustical experiences: Presets and Performance Those first hours with Quantum were exhilarating. Many, many hundreds of sounds, uncountable presets (a good part of which sound really good) styled by well-known specialists and sound-designers. And we found ourselves –...
- Page 11 (almost) every modulation itself modulated with (almost) everything else. The Waldorf Quantum as a thousandfold (!) tool for creative sound design. The limits of the feasible exist only in the head of the user … taking into consideration the time available.
- Page 12 Not more, not less – just nice. By magic, the wonderful ecstasy of performance got stuck somewhere. Maybe in the monophonic filter section, in the D / A converter or in the “Endless Reverb”. Or it was deformed by the Quantum compressor.
- Page 13 Evaluation of sound So we come to one of two conlusions: Either Waldorf Quantum is not suitable to be your only solo synthesizer, your only tool for sound production. All in all, its character is somewhat cool, it lacks vividness and dynamic vibrance.
- Page 14 Waldorf QUANTUM – a hybrid path to the future Thus, the Quantum is ideal for the production and enrichment of all kinds of pads and atmospheres. Have a hear: sound example “Emptiness in space”, an indefinable, wonderfully mysterious emission of the highest quality.
- Page 15 To sum it up The Waldorf Quantum meets the highest demands as a sound design tool. Its cool sound character admittedly makes it only partially suitable as a pure solo instrument, its greater value lies in its capablity to combine its sound with that of other sound modules / synthesizers …...
- Page 16 Waldorf QUANTUM – a hybrid path to the future Addendum 01/2019: The latest Operation System OS 1.2.3 is now available (free download via the Waldorf Website). Highly recommended – the calibration of the (analog) filters as well as the simplified...
- Page 17 Waldorf QUANTUM – a hybrid path to the future NO Quantec! Arpeggio 3 Koyaanisqatsi Waldorf Quantum Polyphonic Digital/Analog Synthesizer 8 Voices Price: 3,995 Euros / 4,299 USD Website Manufacturer: https://waldorfmusic.com | 17...