MusikMesse 2007: Waldorf Zarenbourg

YouTube via cm2magazine.

Waldorf Blofeld and Stromberg Initial Specs

The product pages for the Waldorf Blofeld and Stromberg are up along with the Zarenbourg and Phoenix edition Qs. Looks like the Blofeld is very close to the Stromberg aside from the hardware and add on modules. I did a quick A/B of the features and the following are the main differences I was able to identify:

Stromberg:
- external audio signal
- analog filter with analog distortion*
- surround delay
- tube distortion**
- output configuration switchable between stereo and surround

* Only with optional analog module a-filter with 16 analog filters.
** Only with optional analog module valve, number of tubes not decided.

Waldorf Zarenbourg Explained - WNAMM '07

Title link takes you to the video on Gearwire. That's Axel Hartmann on the left. He designed the look and feel of synths for such manufacturers as Access, Waldorf, MOOG, and of course his own Hartmann Neuron. I believe that is Stefan Stenzel on the right, but he said it so fast I'm not 100% sure. : )

The Zarenbourg uses physical modeling and not samples. It is being touted as a players keyboard with basic editing on the panel and more extensive editing via software. You will be able to edit and save your own custom patches. I'm a synthesist at heart, but there is something attractive about letting go of the editing and just playing the sound that's there in front of you.

New Waldorf MSRPs

Stromberg: $3999 with a target release date of July.





Blofeld: $799 with a target release date of April.





Zarenbourg: $3999 with a target release date of April.





MSRPs courtesy of Novamusik. Note the actual street price is usually much lower than MSRP. For example the Q Phoenix has an MSRP of $3149 with a street price of $2299.

Waldorf on Novamusik

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).

New Products from Waldorf

Update: PDF in English is up.

Google translated link.

"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 :-)"