"Boasting no less than 58 endless rotaries for vital synthesis parameters, this front panel lends the term 'generously appointed' new meaning.
Q Series synths leverage a remarkably flexible voicing section with up to five oscillators and two multimode filters per voice to deliver that peerless Waldorf sound.
The Q Plus even offers 16 real analog filters. Sumo-sized strings, ethereal pads, blistering lead sounds, bone-rattling bottom end, bizarre experimental soundscapes, coruscating arpeggio clusters – anything goes with the Q, and in up to 100 voices.
There are up to 100 voices offering up to 5 oscillators including wavetable generators, 3 LFOs, 4 envelopes and 2 filters with a sophisticated routing method and all filter types that you expect from a Waldorf synthesizer. Furthermore, the Q offers unique Comb filter types in two flavours. This enables the Q not only to create polyphonic Chorus or Flanger effects but previously unheard athmos or pluck sounds with great life.
On the Q Plus, up to 16 voices can be routed through the analog low pass filters. If wanted, two analog filters can be used simultaneously per voice, resulting in a maximum filter slope of 48 dB.
To top things off, the Waldorf Q has a very powerful arpeggiator and an even more powerful step sequencer. With 58 endless rotaries, the Waldorf Q easily doubles the number of controls of other synths."
"Waldorf Q Phoenix Edition Analog Modeling Synthesizer. This was the final production model of the Waldorf Q in brilliant stylish Black color finish, with latest OS, very rare..."
"Waldorf Q Phoenix synthesizer with the optional 32-voice expansion installed. Rare, and in mint condition. I bought this new in June 2010, and had the 32-voice expansion installed by a Waldorf-authorized service center. The synth is $2500 new, and the voice expansion is $350 plus the cost of shipping the synth to a service center and the installation labor."
"It was purchased in 2007. It is serial number 0001 as indicated on the serial number sticker and displayed on the LCD screen when powered on.
It is in gorgeous cosmetic condition - barely a mark on it.
The Phoenix Edition have a reputation for stability issues. The unit for sale here occasionally needs to have its filter tuning and calibration/diagnostic menus run and then it is solid. This takes 5 minutes. This is especially true when moving the synth around to a new location.
Once it stabilizes it sounds incredible and works beautifully. This is NOT a synth to gig with, but is better suited to living in a studio setting.
This auction includes MANY desirable extras:
Spare AFM filter board acquired direct from Waldorf Germany (a valuable back up!)
Official Waldorf "Q+ clock modification" kit w/ install instructions (I never installed it, but this supposedly addresses stability issues).
Original owners manual.
Original Q+ analog filter addendum sheet.
Original power cord.
2x custom Q+ wooden side panels (if you prefer a more vintage look.)
1x spare original Q+ black metal side panel.
Original shipping box with matching serial number labels.
Original Waldorf Q 256 RAM card.
The spare AFM daughter board has 4 VCF channels on it - the synth has four of these boards in it to achieve 16 VCF channels. Remember these boards accounted for the $2000 USD price difference between Q and Q+! I don't think you can get this spare part anywhere.
Waldorf Germany sent me the clock modification kit but I never installed it because I was fine with the synth's behavior as-is, but the new owner may wish to do so. This was Waldorf's official fix for the Phoenix issues. Again, I don't think you can still get this official kit.
International bidders are welcome. Shipping will be at exact costs."
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
Note the auction description they pulled from the Waldorf site is for the Q+ with 16 analog filters. This appears to be the Q Phoenix edition minus the analog filters.
"Current mountain [Stromberg is actually the name of the synth, Google translated it is 'current mountain.' 'Whale village' is Waldorf]
Current mountain offers strong oscillators with Wavetables of the inventor of the Wavetablesynthese. Two multi-mode filter for each internal and external source of sound contain the exclusive PPG, comb and cascade filter beside a comprehensive selection of classical filter types. The instrument is up to 100 stimmig polyp-hone and 16-fach multitimbral playable. The entrance is made by an ergonomically optimized operating panel with genuine aluminum automatic controllers (behind-shines). As play assistance serve Mod and Pitchwheels and/or - optionally - a Joystick. Current mountain can be rigged over andockbare high-quality analog modules to an extensive hybrid system. A-filter is a 16-fache analog filter bank. Valve is an adjustable tube module, which can be merged in the signal chain or before the master Out. Current mountain is accommodated in a compact, wertigen full metal housing."
"Zarenbourg is a traditional Electro Piano, which goes completely different way than those so far admitted to representatives of this species. The Zarenbourg Piano does not only see funky out it plays itself also in such a way. Zarenbourg is the guitar for the Keyboarder - an instrument, for which many musicians waited for a long time - and they never again missen would like."
"Blofeld
The Synthesizer module Blofeld contains the newest generation that whale village similar to Modeling technology. 3 oscillators, whale village filter technology, universal LFOs and very fast envelopes fulfill professional requirements - at an extremely attractive price. All substantial parameters are on a clear control matrix. A large Paperwhite display serves purposeful navigation by sounds and less common attitudes. Over solid aluminum automatic controller is served. The instrument contains 1,000 sounds fully capable for editing. The connection to the computer takes place over the integrated USB 2 connection. Micro Q sound are loaded and shown without any klangliche restriction. The high-quality full metal housing can be adapted over an adapter to usual 19 the” format."
Can't forget the Qs.
Whale village Phoenix edition
With the Phoenix edition 3 the successful Synthesizer of the Q series the latter is produced times in a limited special edition. 200 Q and Q+ as well as 500 Micro each Q are available starting from February 2007 in the specialized trade. The instruments are provided with a special product diagram and housing color (jet black), possess a dark-blue display and have otherwise the proven characteristics:
Q and Q+
• Exclusive user interface, with ever a dedicated continuous automatic controller per function
• Up to five oscillators and two multi-mode filters per voice
• Q plus with 16 genuine similar to filters
• Snaps envelopes
• Clear step Sequencer
• Up to 100-stimmig
Micro Q
• Almost identical sound production such as Q
• Compact 19” full metal housing
• Logical matrix control philosophy
• Exzellenter sound
Update via Tsching on the Waldorf list: "Stromberg and Blofeld are the bad guys in the old James Bond movies :-)"
"You have your 16 real analog filters, you have your 100 voices, you have you latest OS, you have 3 oscillators plus other stuff, plus 2 filters in series or parallel or some of each, you have your on-board effects, you have an arpeggiator and sequencer, and if you pay attention to the pictures, you'll see you have your external inputs.
Routing some other synth through the Q+ Phoenix's analog filters opens up a whole new world of sonic possibilities.
Look, everybody always asks -- do the analog filters make a difference or is the regular Q good enough? The answer is -- they do make a difference.
So, you regular Q owners, do this -- buy the Q+ Phoenix, compare it side by side with your Q, once you hear the difference, sell your Q and you'll end up paying very little for the upgrade in sonics. Plus, if you have a standard 16 or 32 voice Q, the Q+ Phoenix has 100 voices.
This Q+ Phoenix is in great shape and has been a solid performer. No dropouts, lockup, or other weirdness that has been randomly reported around the net. I'm sure the latest OS and being a fairly late build helps."
Factory track. Some of you might remember this one.
"Waldorf Q+ Phoenix Edition Synthesizer @ Production Room Leeds UK
The Waldorf Q+ Phoenix Synthesizer remains the standard for virtual modeled analog synthesizers.
There are up to 100 voices offering up to 5 oscillators including wavetable generators, 3 LFOs, 4 envelopes and 2 filters with a sophisticated routing method and all filter types that you expect from a Waldorf synthesizer. Furthermore, the Waldorf Q+ Phoenix Synthesizer offers unique Comb filter types in two flavours. This enables the Q not only to create polyphonic Chorus or Flanger effects but previously unheard athmos or pluck sounds with great life."
"Here is the fully expanded and upgraded Waldorf Q Rack.
You will love the in-your-face sound of this synth.
Comes with User Manual and Power Cord.
This Just came back from Waldorf in Germany, I asked them to go over everything - The invoice is my proof of service. (See Photos).
The blue tape on the back is to cover a hole for an external power supply I was using after the original died. Waldorf replaced the internal power supply so that works now.
Some usual wear and tear for a synth of this age going in and out of racks.
On to the enhancements:
-Old LCD display has been replaced with a 40,000 hour Third Generation OLED Display. This thing really pops and the response is very fast.
-New Knobs - Phoenix Transparent knobs to be exact - No nasty hand oils left over from the previous owner :)
-Firmware Update - This new update has a new boot layout with a logo and includes all the latest fixes from Waldorf.
-32 Voice Expansion Card - Enjoy the full DSP expanded capabilities with more available voices!!
Put plainly, this baby is ready to rock and is fully serviced and functional!!!"
Looks like the new Waldorf products are listed on Novamusik. Prices are still TBA for BloFeld, Stromberg, and Zarenbourg. The Q Phoenix is listed at $2299 and the Micro Q Phoenix is $699; both include a free copy of the Waldorf Edition (Attack, D-Pole, and PPG Wave 2.V).
"Noisebug (Pomona), CA) has taken delivery of the new Waldorf Q Phoenix Edition virtual analog synthesizers. For more information, to go www.noisebug.net"
"This rare Limited Edition is just the most beautiful Micro Q out of the series. Great Axel Hartmann design, and I am just in love with the original on this Limited Edition purpleblue display with white lettering... Sell this one because I bought the Q Phoenix keys.
The MicroQ is amazing, so much power; 4x4 layers multitimbral and very lush and thick sounds. I have a Virus C too but always prefered the MicroQ, it has a character of its own."
"Waldorf Micro Q Phoenix Edition (#377 of 500) WITH the 75 VOICE OMEGA EXPANSION!! If you are familiar with this synth, you know that the Phoenix Edition is hard to come by to begin with. You probably also know that the Omega expansion is also super rare to find... don't miss the chance to have the RAREST OF THE RARE!! It took me forever to find one of these in this minty condition with the Omega expansion. I'll miss it like crazy, but bills and life have a funny way of making decisions for you."
technikaszakkor.hu sent in this shot of the Waldorf Micro Q Phoenix edition to the Waldorf list. This is the first image of the Pheonix in the flesh that I am aware of. Title link takes you to a much larger shot or click the image for a medium sized shot. BTW, technikaszakkor.hu gave me the ok to back up the large shot, so if you find this post months from now in the archives and the link is down, just post a comment and I'll take care of it.
"Sistema polifonico di forze equilibrato. La ricerca di equivalenza è affidata alla voce che si occupa, incessantemente, di corroborare il sistema stesso.
"Come da titolo, in versione 'salsagra'... ma non mi picchiate per favore!!! :-O
Casomai vendo mobile in mogano per Waldorf Q+ con doppio manuale e maravillioso light-click funzionante a inversione di fase: prezzi modici."
"Waldorf Q+ Phoenix Edition synthesizer, the one with 16 analog filters and 100 voices... The Phoenix Edition was the last batch produced by Waldorf - see waldorf-music.info/en/q.html for more detail. It is one of the best virtual analogs ever made, and the addition of 16 analog filters is a great leap in sound, placing among the best. Two analog filters can be used simultaneously per voice, giving a max filter slope of 48db!.."
Looks like a Waldorf Q Phoenix edition on top & Q rack on the site. Googlish translation of the following below.
"Nonostante l'incredibile vastità di generi e di autori contemporanei, è indubbia la monotonia musicale (in tutti i sensi) e artistica di cui s'intridono pedestremente gli stessi, propinando allo sfinimento e per mezzo degli altrettanto numerosi marchingegni mediatici, inutili soluzioni tematiche affiancate da sterili quantomai vetuste pratiche armoniche.
È auspicabile un ritorno ai salotti letterari per coltivare e far rifiorire una "nuova" cultura musicale, e non solo.
La sterilità delle opere contemporanee è ri-corrente, quivi la scelta di proporre un brano del repertorio cameristico di Adriano da Santa Maria.
Nasce ad Assisi nel 1674 e all'età di 6 anni si avvicina al clavicembalo e all'organo, divenendo presto organista e compositore attivo presso la Basilica di San Severino Cicerchia. La produzione è limitata ma tuttavia molteplice; uno stile contrappuntistico assai personale caratterizza la raccolta dei componimenti liturgici, così come i quartetti d'archi, i trii con basso continuo, le suite per raganella e le altre opere richiestissime presso le Corti dei nobili distribuiti tra Miralduolo e Cannara.
La "courante" in stile francese composta intorno al 1715, non ha rigidamente il carattere della danza, financo per i numerosi spostamenti d'accento, le progressioni tonali e la libertà nella struttura, ma distingue le peculiarità del Santa Maria.
Ordunque, buon ascolto."
Googlish:
"Despite the incredible breadth of genres and contemporary authors, it is undoubtedly the musical monotony (in every sense) and artistic production of which s'intridono slavishly the same, propinano exhaustion and by the equally numerous media gimmicks, useless solutions themes flanked by barren which seem obsolete practices harmonics.
Hopefully a return to the literary salons to cultivate and revive a "new" musical culture, and more.
The sterility of contemporary works is re-current, there the decision to propose a piece of chamber music of Adriano from Santa Maria.
He was born in Assisi in 1674 and at age 6 approaches the harpsichord and organ, and soon became organist and composer active in the Basilica of San Severino Cicerchia. Production is limited but nevertheless manifold; contrapuntal very personal style characterizes the collection of liturgical poems, as well as string quartets, trios with continuo, suites for tree frog and the other works in great demand at courts of nobles distributed to Miralduolo and Cannara.
The "courante" French style composed around 1715, has not strictly the character of the dance, finance for several shifts of emphasis, progressions and tonal freedom in the structure, but distinguishes the peculiarities of Santa Maria.
Ordunque, good listening."
"Boasting no less than 58 endless rotaries for vital synthesis parameters, this front panel lends the term 'generously appointed' new meaning.
Q Series synths leverage a remarkably flexible voicing section with up to five oscillators and two multimode filters per voice to deliver that peerless Waldorf sound.
