MATRIXSYNTH

at 4/12/2007 07:41:00 PM

at 4/12/2007 06:54:00 PM

Many on the Waldorf mailing list have been discussing what the new Blofeld and Stromberg synths will be as well as OS updates for the previous Waldorf synths. As for the Blofeld, the consensus was it was either and updated Micro Q or a new synth based on the Nano plug-in for the CME plus more. If you caught the Gearwire interview with Wolframe Franke (posted here), you might have caught a few details on the new synths. One, the Blofeld is basically an updated Micro Q, and two, the Stromberg will support both the architecture of the Q and the XT/Microwave in addition to the hardware plug-in capabilities with an analog filter in line. Check out the video for yourself.

Wolfram popped by the Waldorf list today with the following on the Blofeld and addressed support for previous Waldorf products:

"Regarding the Blofeld: yes, the Blofeld basically has the architecture of the Micro Q. This can easily be seen when you look at the spec list on the Blofeld product page. It will certainly have some new features, among them more than 1000 sounds or the cascade filter types. We might add further features but I won't go into detail about them right now.

Colors: the Blofeld is almost white. We chose this color because it simply looks cool combined with the aluminum controls.

Updates for old products: we really understand the need for taking care of some issues that are bugging you, like the Aftertouch bug in the XTk. But please give us a chance to get a financial foundation first. We are, however, *talking* about the bugs. Only, finding a time slice to work on that is not possible right now. I hope you understand that. And please, no emotional discussions about that. We are aware of it and we try to find a way to take care of it."

at 4/12/2007 06:46:00 PM

Title link takes you there.

at 4/12/2007 06:38:00 PM

"Messe proved a feeding frenzy for synth lovers – at least those who’ve followed the career of John Bowen – and you’d need to have been around some to be there from the start!

Starting in the 1970’s as a fresh faced Moog clinician, John presented himself at the door of another legendary synth designer Dave Smith – you know Prophet 5, MIDI, that sort of thing – on a mission to blag some free gear to feed his own musical needs – and use in his work as the Moog clinician. From there a fruitful relationship ensued, with the outcome being many classic Sequential Circuits Inc synths, sequencers and drum machines, and the rest as they say, is history.

In a brief lull between Musik MESSE and pre flying back to the US to continue development of the new hardware synth the Solaris, we talked to John about the past, the present and the future."

Title link takes you to the podcast.

at 4/12/2007 06:24:00 PM

Vid via tardis454.

at 4/12/2007 06:02:00 PM

"The OB-X saw the light of earth in 1979 and was the first fully programmable polyphonic synth built by Tom Oberheim. It's the direct successor to the famous SEM based units. The secret of the OB-X is that it still has the old discrete 12db SEM-filters. All later units such as OB-Xa, OB8 and Matrix as well as many competing products made the use of the more sterile Curtis filterchips. This fact makes the OB-X one of the best sounding polyphonic synths of all time. Experts put the OB-X in the same league as the Memorymoog. We love this synth!!

The secret of analog behaviour: OB-X Voiceboards Various methods have been used in the plugins world to copy analog behaviour. SonicProjects has made a new and different approach. By extensive exploring of the real device it became obvious that a big part of the organic feeling comes from the minor differences in sound between the voices. This has nothing to to with random behaviour but with device tolerances and slightly different trimpot settings. SonicProjects has implemented this behaviour into the virtual device. There are four global buttons which let you control the detunings of the oscillators, filters, envelopes and portamento times."

Title link takes you there. Via this VSE post where you will find a couple of samples by , chnarles, also mirrored here.

Previous OP-X posts

at 4/12/2007 12:06:00 AM

Click image for a bigger shot.

at 4/12/2007 12:05:00 AM

Gotta have Goldfrapp.

Image via link. Also see this image.

Another via daddio.

EDP Wasp.

at 4/12/2007 12:05:00 AM

Click here for shots via this auction.

Details:
"Pearl Syncussion synthetic drum module. Renowned or notorious (depending on your point of view) for some of the classic 70's and 80's synth drum sounds. Should work with triggers using standard 1/4" plugs, or, as the original brochure says "microphones can be connected to either input", with a 1/4" connector of course. Mono output.

More information on this unit is available here and a download of the original product brochure is available here which gives an overview of the various functions."