Update: You might have to read the following press release more than once to fully grasp the update. In short, it sounds like for each of the three Quantum oscillators, there will be a fifth waveform option from Vision 4 Instruments (note this post is also an introduction to Vision 4 Instruments) that allows you to stack up to six new oscillator types. They can then be cross modulated in various ways within each of the three oscillators. Based on the following press release I do not believe this update includes the ability to extend cross mod functionality to the existing Qantum oscillator types, or across the three separate oscillators. The kernal modulations appear to happen within each oscillator. It's like having three new synth engines within each oscillator.
The press release follows:
"Waldorf Music makes major update for flagship Quantum Synthesizer statement with new venture Vision 4 Instruments
REMAGEN, GERMANY: having turned heads and opened ears at The 2018 NAMM Show with its innovative Quantum Synthesizer flagship, this time high-quality synthesizer developer Waldorf Music makes a return trip to announce an upcoming update to the Quantum Synthesizer’s firmware, focused around a new synthesis capability created in close collaboration with fellow German company Vision 4 Instruments — itself a new and exciting venture, providing future-facing hard- and software platforms for electronic musical instruments — at The 2019 NAMM Show, January 24-27, in Anaheim, California…
The latest (version 2.0) free firmware for the flagship Quantum Synthesizer incorporates new venture Vision 4 Instruments’ future- facing Kernel synthesis engine. Extending capabilities above and beyond the four — Wavetable, Waveform, Resonator, and Particle (classic and granular sampling) — synthesis engines already available at the Quantum Synthesizer’s super-creative core, Kernel provides a fifth option for each of the three oscillators in its oscillator section.
So what, exactly is Kernel synthesis? Simply speaking, it is a modular approach in which up to six audio kernels can be freely combined into a single oscillator. Effectively, each kernel is an oscillator in its own right, realising a whole range of timbres — from using sine and classic waveforms via wavetables through to samples and noise. For example, users could combine three wavetables with a sample, a sine wave, and noise within a single Quantum Synthesizer oscillator.
