Waldorf Blofeld ATTACK soundset + iPad = drum machine

Published on Nov 27, 2013 Piotr Jablonski·10 videos

Finger drumming on Waldorf Blofeld with ATTACK! soundset and Korg padKontrol


"ATTACK! sound bank is now available from Waldorf web page:
http://www.waldorfmusic-shop.de/attac...

Demo of the Blofeld with the ATTACK soundset, sequenced from the iPad Nord Beat 2 app.
Blofeld works with the iPad natively over USB. No MIDI interface required.
Only 6 of Blofelds 16 drums can be used in Nords app, but hey, Nord Beat is free so don't complain.
Of course Blofeld can be sequenced from any other iPad drum sequencer, hardware sequencer (e.g. MPC, Elektron Octatrack), software or DAW."

"The Attack sound set transforms Blofeld into one evil drum module. Thanks to deep, multitimbral programming Blofeld acts as 16-piece electronic drum module. With Blofelds extensive VA engine, we were able to recreate those lovely analogue drum sounds, but we didn’t stop there. FM and wavetables create exotic percussions, perfect for more aggressive styles of electronic music or experimental ethnic tunes. To round everything up, Attack sound set includes over 27mb of percussive samples ranging from acoustic drums and cymbals to vintage drum machines and weird ambient noises. Samples are then mangled in the Blofelds guts; filtered, pitch stretched, FMed and layered with other sound sources for unheard-of sonic textures.

All sounds are logically sorted for quick and painless navigation. Attack sound set contains: 20 kicks, 20 snares, 5 claps, 8 hihats (each one in open and closed version), 12 crash cymbals, 9 rides, 7 tom sets (each made of 3 drums), various tambourines, shakers, cowbells and 8-bit blips. Two “init” sounds are included for easy creation of new drum sounds and sample based hits.

On top of that, Attack set contains 7 multi setups that work as drum-sets, pre-mapped for use with MIDI sequencer or pad controller:

808 – frivolous recreation of TR-808 drum machine.

FM – FM based drum set for harder electronic tunes.

ANALOG – set of lighter analogue sounds.

CHIPTUNE – sound set inspired by old 8-bit arcade consoles.

DDD-5+ – set based on samples taken from vintage Korg

DDD-5 12-bit drum machine.

AMEN – set designed around Amen Brake hits.

Ethno-WAVE – composition of ethnic and weird electronic, wavetable based sounds."

Ambient & Chilled Live Jams by Lanthan O'Ide & the GFI System Specular Tempus

If you are curious what that little box is on the top left, it's the GFI System Specular Tempus. This is the first post to feature one. You'll find details on it further below.

Playlist:

1. Dawn In Antarctica - Ambient Synth Jam (Blofeld, Specular Tempus, Keystep)
2. On A Cold Day - Ambient Keys Jam (PSR-S700, Specular Tempus)
3. Snowfall In The Forest - Ambient / Berlin School Jam (Blofeld, QY100, Specular Tempus, Keystep)
4. Shores Of Svalbard - Ambient/Drone Jam (Blofeld, Specular Tempus, Keystep)
5. The Night Above The Clouds - Ambient Synth Jam (Blofeld, Specular Tempus, Keystep)
6. Southern Islands - Chillout Jam Session (QY100, G1Xon & Keystep)
7. Distant Thunder - Live Piano & Sequencer Jam (PSR-S700, Beatstep Pro)
8. Particles - Ambient / Berlin School Synth Jam (Blofeld, Specular Tempus, Beatstep Pro, Keystep)
9. Beneath the Surface - Ambient Synth Jam (Blofeld, Specular Tempus, Launchpad Pro)
10. Underwater Aurora - Ambient / Drone Synth Jam (Blofeld, Specular Tempus, Keystep)
11. Sailing between Worlds - Chilled Jam with Guitar & Synth feat. Thomas Riegl

Details on the GFI System Specular Tempus via GFI System:



"Specular Tempus is a powerful reverb and delay effect processor in a compact pedal. Featuring 32 hand-crafted algorithms, 32 presets. stereo in/out, tap-tempo, and extensive inter-connectivity. Using the SpecLab software (free download) users get access to an extended set of parameters for deep-editing of the algorithms.

CLICK FOR MORE »

SoundDiver Adaptation for Waldorf Blofeld updated

via Achim on the Waldorf list:

"Hi folks,
I've updated the SD adaptation for the Waldorf Blofeld to make use of bugfixes in OS 1.04 (multi edit buffers now work correctly). You must upgrade the Blofeld to OS 1.04 (released today) for this adaptation to fully work. Please consult the Readme for further details.

If you are on Windows take note especially on the workaround necessary due to the buggy USB-MIDI driver supplied with all versions of Windows since WinME. I've also added a link to Waldorfs INI-File so that the Blofeld will be recognized as "Waldorf Blofeld" instead of "USB Audio Device" (this previously required manual poking in the registry). An example WIN-INI [SoundDiver] section is added to explain the MIDI-Yoke setup a bit better.

Users of the OSX Beta2 should edit the checksum entries as detailed in the Readme and also check that the Entry Increment for all bank drivers is set to 1 and not 256 (this is a big/little endian conversion issue that SD seems to get wrong sometimes). You will know this is wrong when you can only request the first sound in all banks.

http://Synth.Stromeko.net/Downloads.html#WaldorfSDada

V1.04R1
* First version supporting the release OS 1.04 of the Waldorf
Blofeld
* Corrected some problems with Envelope 4 editing.
* Added missing edit facilities for LFO 3 and Filter 2
* Straightened spelling for modulation sources lists
* Corrected parameter labels for popups
* Added init values for Sound and Global Data

Achim."

SoundDiver is a universal editor/librarian for synths by Emagic from years ago.

Jam with Blofeld

YouTube via StarfireMX. via fischek. Hi quality embedded.
"Jammin with the Blofeld again, getting a acid sound going. Again all sounds are from the Blofeld played multi-timbraly (that a word?)"

Waldorf Blofeld Messin'

"Just messing with my Blofeld and Ableton Live. All sounds are Blofeld and all played at the same time using seven multi-timbral parts. Nothing fancy just screwing around."

Find the Blofeld

via swissdoc:

"I made a small small riddle, aim is to find the Blofeld VA sound in the other real VCOs and a sample played from the Blofeld. It is in addition a brief shootout between Analog and Virtual Analog and Japanese Synths versus German Synths :-)

You hear three notes in succession from each synth, pure dry sawtooth waveforms. Volume is aligned for even RMS.

You hear the following synths (not in that order):

Blofeld
Korg MS-20 (Sample played back from Blofeld)
Jomox SunSyn
Roland System 100M
Elektor Formant
Roland SH-2

(VLC 0.8.5 on Windows 98 creates some artefacts at playback, Till who helped in beta-testing reported something else from his MAC, no idea what´s going on. Plays fine with Windows Media Player).

Here is the link:
www.swissdoc.de/sounds/vco_raw_riddle.wav

Write in your answer the list of synths as they are played, if you like, just say, Blofeld VA is number 11 and state which synth you like most or any other comments..."

Waldorf Offers 70% Off Blofeld SL Sampling License Upgrade

via Waldorf

"Last chance to get an enormous extension to Blofeld's sonic possibilities at a discounted price! Save 70% on Blofeld License SL with code 007.

With the License SL installed in your Blofeld you'll get access to 60 Megabyte of Sample Flash Memory for factory or user samples. These samples and multisamples can be used with the Blofeld’s synthesis engine just like oscillators.


‍‍‍How it works
Go to the Waldorf shop and put License SL in your cart
Use the coupon code 007 at the checkout. Y‍ou pay only ‍104,00 € 29,90 €
Install License SL on your Blofeld Desktop"

Waldorf Blofeld - sounds and presets

YouTube via ittaital. via Martin on the Waldorf list.
"http://soundcloud.com/ittai-barkai

Playing around with my brand new Waldorf Blofeld synthesizer.
Just pulled it out of the box, it has an easy user interface (this clip was done with ~8 hrs "flight time").
All sounds here, are by the Blofeld synth besides the hi-hats and snares. A fun tool !

Video is a short excerpt from the magnificent movie by Godfrey Reggio - Koyaanisqatsi (Life without balance). The original films soundtrack, is by no other than Phillip Glass. 1982."

Waldorf Blofeld - space voyage

"Third short compilation on my Blofeld synth. Again all sounds are from the Blofeld synthesizer, besides hats and claps.
Sequencer work is on Cubase...

This time the movie excerpt is from "2001 - a space odyssey" by S. Kubrik. (1968).

Hope you enjoy it..."

follow-up to this post

The Three Blomigos

George (swissdoc), Till and Boele at it again. They sent some images to the Waldorf list and of course this is what came to mind. Mini escapade by me.

In order:

Earning their lunch with the Blofeld

Lunch at McDonalds

Blofeld Road - A good days work is complete!

And their three Blofelds. Note the MicroQ knobs on one. Close-up shot here.

Update: Three more knob types:
evoblo.jpg
pulseblo.jpg
saffireblo.jpg
bloP08.jpg

You should be able to guess these based on thier names.

Udpate: More info from Georg on the three Blofelds

"Blofeld Messe Prototype
Frank Schneider hat to tinker around here during last night before the Messe to make the display fit (somehow the wrong displays have been delivered)


Blofeld Pre Series Version
Different labeling on the Matrix and the right display, so quite tidy internally

Blofeld Production Version
Midi LED added, Power Switch added

Non Waldorf content, upper row:
Electro Harmonix Phasers, two different black Russian Small Stones,
two different green Russian Small Stones (older model), a new USA
version and a Behringer UP100

We did in fact recordings of the Phasers (incl. a DOD one, not shown)
driven by the noise of the Blofeld. Maybe more on that later..."

Waldorf Blofeld Editor OSX

via Carson aka bouchemandela the forum: "Hey all,
I've been working on a blofed editor built in MaxMsp on and off for about a week.
I still need to do a little work on the arpeggiator section, but everything else seems to be working fine. Below are links to both the editor file and some pics of the current revision, as well as a link to the Max 5 runtime which you will need to run the app. It only runs as a standalone as max5 has no ability to make plugins at the moment

*features include*
- get sound from synth, updates virtual editor with current sound buffer data
- Full control over all parameters including FX, Modifier, Modulation (Arp to be completed)
- onscreen feedback when parameters are changed on hardware

*To do*
- Finish Arp section and controls
- Devise a send patch with text input or possible librarian section
- implement some sort of monome arpeggiator controls
- implement Multi editing

*Setup*
- Under Global on the Blofeld, set ctrl send type as sysex/cc, ctrl receive to on, local control on
- In the Editor select the midi I/O and set input and output to appropriate blofeld channels.
- In the Editor hit get sound (bottom center), editor will update settings and away you go!

Let me know if you guys have any problems with this and I would be happy to help to the best of my abilities.
enjoy,
Carson"

http://www.recordlabelrecords.org/Waldorf_Blofeld_ Editor/
Max 5 runtime:
http://cycling74.com/downloads/

Update via Carson on the Waldorf list (also mentioned in the comments of this post):

"*updates include*

- oscillator 1&2 shapes now include generic user wavetable slots
- arpeggiator section complete
- some fixes to some weirdness in the FX slots
- some other things I can't remember at the moment :)

@evening1 I'll think about how I might be able to include a randomise
button. At the moment it doesn't appear that the blofeld sends any message
when the randomise function is used, which leads me to believe that I would
have to rig something up.

@hopselektronics the editor sends CC's and Sysex to the blofeld but only
receives Sysex from the blofeld. To be honest i was inspired by your
editor, I have reaktor as well but was frustrated that I couldn't access all
the parameters. This was my first major foray into building an editor in
max. Even after using max on and off for the past few years, it makes my
head hurt. so thanks for your work as well! and everybody else that has made
and is working on editors!

I hope it provides you all with some long sleepless nights of synth mania!
cheers,
Carson"

[Update 4/19/12: the download links appear to be dead. You can find it mirrored here].

Waldorf Blofeld Demos

YouTube via adimsimion | September 14, 2010

Playlist:
Waldorf Blofeld - ARP (1) by Alba Ecstasy
Waldorf Blofeld - ATMO (2) by Alba Ecstasy
Waldorf Blofeld FX (3) by Alba Ecstasy
Waldorf Blofeld - KEYS+LEAD (4) by Alba Ecstasy
Waldorf Blofeld - MONO+PAD (5) by Alba Ecstasy

Experiments with music and electronics by Lanthan O'Ide

Published on Mar 11, 2018 Lanthan O'Ide

Playlist:

CLICK FOR MORE »

[patch] Krell: An Aleatoric Sound (Blofeld)

video upload by Synthesizer Video Service

Also see What is Krell? Louis & Bebe Barron - Ancient Krell Music (Forbidden Planet) & More

"This is a mega-tutorial about how to program the Krell sound from the 1956 film "Forbidden Planet" on a Waldorf Blofeld. You should expect heavy use of modulation and modifiers. But first, we are going to have a look on the history of the Krell patch. Then we start programming with the help of my "Blofeld Modifier Simulator".

Attention! My sorry, I forgot to set the sustain to 65 in envelope 4 :(

[00:00] The Krell Patch (Example)
[01:06] Complaining
[02:38] History of the Krell Patch
[07:30] Programming of Low Bouncing Noise (Part 1)
[17:09] How Not to Do the Low Bouncing Noise
[20:37] Programming of Low Bouncing Noise (Part 2) and Simulator
[29:00] Programming of High Theremin Noise
[36:46] Reverb
[38:14] Arpeggiator
[39:50] Final Patch
[40:53] Summary
[47:38] Outro"

Additional Krell posts

[demo] 10 Minutes of Krell Patch (Blofeld)


"This is a demonstration of a self-playing eternal patch, programmed on a Waldorf Blofeld synthesizer. A lot of modulations and modifiers were used. There was no external post-processing and no external effects were applied. The hands were off the unit and the keyboard, though the arp is playing very slow and long 'notes'.

'Krell' is an alien species from the film "Forbidden Planet" (1956). The soundtrack for these creatures was composed by Louis and Bebe Barron and very popular among modularists. It's a good example for an aleatoric patch - a sound playing with the help of randomness."

Waldorf Blofeld S&H Distortion

via Boele of SCD:
"http://www.synthmusic.info/mpdries/S&H+distortion.mp3

This is one single Blofeld patch, without external processing (well only AIFF-mp3 conversion)

My two hands, a Blofeld keyboard and it's modwheel was all it took.

I find the warm distortion Blofeld can produce really unbelievable. I have a few distortion, fuzz and overdrive pedals here (analog and tube driven), but Blofeld just doesn't need them :-)

The rhythmic effect in the track is caused by a Sample and Hold LFO modulating the filter cutoffs and filter panning, where LFO sync is on (all LFOs start at the same phase).

What a machine..."

HW Sequencer Kawai Q80ex Midi Clock sync file

ElektroNoiser

"At the request of Mark Pigott I have created this video in which the Q80ex plays a blank track to send Midi Clock to the blofeld.
Midi Ox recognizes the departure, continue and return to the beginning.
I also attach the snapshot that MidiOx has created.
Hope this can help anyone who wants to sync their blofeld via midi clock.
As additional information, I usually start the Q80 at least one bar before starting the Blofeld, otherwise, Blofeld may stumble because in "Auto" mode, by not receiving a midi clock, Blofeld will continue your own internal clock.
MidiOx snapshot: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iS61..."

Waldorf Blofeld as Drum Synth with Vermona Performker MK 2 & Doepfer

"Spring" - Vermona Perfourmer MK 2 Doepfer Dark Energy Dark Time A-100 Waldorf Blofeld live jam

YouTube Uploaded by Tiefengrund on Mar 20, 2012

"Live Jam with:
Mick von Tiefengrund: Synthesizer
Silvie von Tiefengrund: Drumset (Blofeld Desktop as Drum synthesizer)

Another live performance with my synthesizers and my wife Silvie on the e-drumset.
The recording and mixing is absolutly live, on one track . No overdubs!

The other setup:

Vermona Perfourmer MK 2

Doepfer Dark Energy

Waldorf Blofeld Keyboard

Waldorf Blofeld Desktop used as drum-synthesizer.

My A-1oo Case:

Upper row
left to right :
A-111-5 Sythesizer Voice (Dark Energy Modul)

2x A-110 VCO
A-138 Mixer
A-106-5 SEM Type Filter 12 dB
A-120 Moog Type Filter

ADSR-Envelope generator
VCA

Lower row:
A-155 Analog/ Trigger Sequenzer
A-151 Quad Sequential Switch
Clock Devider
A-118 Noise / Random
A-148 Dual Sample&Hold / Track&Hold
A-145 LFO

For solo I use the "real" dark energy , pitch and modulation wheel i have mounted in a wooden board.

Sequencer:
Doepfer Dark Time
Doepfer A-155

No software midi sequenzer is used!

The computer is only used for the single-track recording!"

blofeld teil achtzehn

YouTube via thegoacyst
"can you make your blofeld do this? waves, combfilter, reverb...do i need more !?"

blofeld teil siebzehn

"i just can't help myself :-). what can you do with a patch named Assi_D_1 ? note that everything you hear is the blofeld and only the blofeld!"

The Waves That Carry Us - An Ambient / Drone Jam (reface CP, Blofeld, Specular Tempus)

Published on Aug 9, 2019 Lanthan O'Ide

"An ambient jam session with my new reface CP, accompanied with a drone on the Blofeld. And a lot of reverb, of course. ;)
I hope you like it! :D
================================
For those interested in the setup:
The reface CP sends a MIDI signal to the Waldorf Blofeld.
Audio is routed from the Blofeld to the Aux In of the CP, from the CP to the Specular Tempus and on to my audio interface, where it is recorded.

To start the drone I am using the same trick as in "The Night Above The Clouds":
I play a chord and then turn off MIDI receiption on the Blofeld, so that it ignores the "Note Off" command when I let go of the keys.
Then I fade the CP in and continue jamming with the e-piano sound.

Unfortunately, there where some audio dropouts in the recording. I somewhat got to fix them, but I'm afraid they might still be noticeable from time to time. Sorry 'bout that. :(
================================
For those interested in listening to more of my music:
Have some links!
Website: https://lanthanoide.jimdofree.com/
Bandcamp: https://lanthanoide.bandcamp.com/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lanthan-oide
================================
As alway, thank you for listening!
I hope you have a great time!

- Lanthan"

Evening Tide - An Ambient Synth Improv (Blofeld, Specular Tempus, Arduino, reface CP)

Published on Mar 17, 2020 Lanthan O'Ide

"A relaxed jam session with FM electric piano sounds, spiced up up a little pitch bending thanks to a DIY-MIDI-controller.
Enjoy! ^^
================================
For those playing along at home:
The key is G major, the tempo is not fixed and changes during the track.
================================
For those interested in the wiring:
I'm using the reface CP only as a master keyboard this time. It sends its MIDI-signals to my custom MIDI controller, which passes them on to the Blofeld.
Said controller has an Arduino inside, and also has inputs for sustain and expression pedals. It also feeds MIDI signals to the Blofeld whenever I use the pedals.
In this case, it is translating an epression pedal to pitch bend commands.
This allows me to bend down my sounds without taking my hands of the keys! :D

...and the yellow lights show the position of the pedals, in case you are wondering.
The left one shows the sustain pedal, the four right ones the expression pedal. :)

Anyways, continuing with the setup description:
The audio from the Blofeld is passed through my trusty Specular Tempus, the output of the ST goes straight to my audio interface where it is recorded.
================================
For those interested in the sound design:
Yes, those are real fm sounds, in that they are created by a sine wave oscillator being frequency modulated.
The amount of frequency modulation is set by the filter envelope.

However, the modulating oscillator uses a wavetable. It is sort of pretending to be a sinewave oscillator that's being frequency modulated.
- which it has to, because the Blofeld doesn't have enough oscillators to emulate the 6 operators of a DX7 ;-)
By changing the position of the wavetable with velocity sensitivity, the overall sound changes dramatically, which allows for this patch to be played quite expressively."

Waldorf Blofeld License SL on Sale for 20€ until May 17 2020

For those of you with a Blofeld desktop, Waldorf is offering the sample capability at a discount - 20€ instead of 103€. You can find it here.

"License SL is the Sample Play Option for Blofeld desktop. With this license, 60 Megabyte of Sample Flash Memory are available for factory or user samples. These samples and multisamples go through Blofeld's synthesis engine just like oscillators - an enormous extension to Blofeld's sonic possibilities!"

Single mode drums on Blofeld

Single mode drums on Blofeld by gsixtyfour
"this is one patch on my waldorf blofeld, NO external effects, NO multi mode, LOTS of keytracking, only other gear used is MPC for midi sequencing, NO samples were used, just noise osc and more keytracking.
delay is from blofeld, triple FX was used a couple times. this IS a sound demo. but my eventually become a song
add me on myspace.com/harmonicdimension"
BTW, I'm still loving my Blofeld, you can read my first impressions here.