Is Waldorf Blofeld discontinued?

[EnGee]

i must say the blofeld is very bugy
just bought mine a week ago update it to latest version yet im getting wierd bugs from it
such as sounds going all wrong (have to reset the synth)
or knobs do nothing like some kind of buffer issue inside the synth ("dsp load")
other then this its a nice synth to work with
tho i didnot get how to use the multi mode

The multi mode can be accessed by hitting Shift + Sound/Multi. Page 24 in the manual explains it, but I haven't used it yet really.

But in short I love mine really

I don't know yet the bugs as I think I haven't encounter one yet. Can you please give an example with steps to reproduce it?

I have just started doing my patches (starting with Bass for now). I can't say it is easy especially the vintage sounds. So, for the bass, still trying the different wavetables/waves to find what I'm looking for. I'm using one Oscillator for now, and monophonic.

I recently bought VST-AU Blofeld Editor from rekonaudio. I was so frustrated with its setup, and I thought at first I have wasted the money, but I kept trying in both the software and Blofeld configurations (receive/send ..etc) then following the steps exactly that written in their website, I could finally make it work and act as both standalone and VSTi plug in.

Blofeld Editor from rekonaudio is good after all. It has all the parameters so I use mostly the standalone together with Blofeld interface/knobs to explore and manage everything. It is a good way for someone used to the soft synths, but to be honest I liked a lot the interface of Blofeld. It is not that difficult really. Editing with some practice can be faster in the interface than the software especially you see for example the filters graph ...etc.

However, there are some presets that doesn't sound unless I hit the key hard (velocity) like "A020 Inversion". So, there is some mess with Velocity and Volume in some presets need to be checked out!

But, man this is a keeper! The quality built (Made in EU which is strange to read these days ) and the sound design ability I can't think of competitor in the hardware with the same price!

I'm intending to rely on it for about 80% of the sounds and the rest on the soft synths I have especially the analog emulations (like Arturia/Korg synths) and/or VA like Vacuum Pro or Retrologue.

[goldenanalog]

i must say the blofeld is very bugy
just bought mine a week ago update it to latest version yet im getting wierd bugs from it
such as sounds going all wrong (have to reset the synth)
or knobs do nothing like some kind of buffer issue inside the synth ("dsp load")
other then this its a nice synth to work with
tho i didnot get how to use the multi mode

Make sure that you have the *very* latest firmware installed:

http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/downlo ... irmware-en

*IF* you do, and are still having problems: reflash.

[Lejurai]

I recently bought VST-AU Blofeld Editor from rekonaudio.

Monstrummedia has nice editors for different waldorfs.

[EnGee]

I recently bought VST-AU Blofeld Editor from rekonaudio.

Monstrummedia has nice editors for different waldorfs.

Yes it looks really nice, but anyway I don't think I need any editor in the near future! I'm already trying to work only with the synth interface.

Now, for multi mode I got it to work nicely I'm using Studio One Artist 3 with Oxygen 49 to control the Blofeld!
I only enabled 4 channels (parts) in Blofeld and saved the first Multi under different name than "init multi", so I can use it later by just calling it (so I disabled all the other 12 channels/parts in the mixer and also midi/usb receiving, not sure this is the way, but it works for me).

Then, I assigned 4 different presets to the 4 channels and from Studio One I could assign every track of the four to a specific channel in Blofeld (that is, ch01, ch02, ch03 and ch04). The problem when I play the Blofeld (I have the keys version), I hear all the channels, not only the chosen one in Studio One. I haven't found yet a solution for this. Anyway, when I use Oxygen as midi controller for the channels I could play individual channels by just select the track in S1

When in Multi Mood, be sure to turn the main knob all the way to the left, because from there you will be able to see the presets names, and to jump from part to part press "Play" button and hold, while turning the main knob.

I don't think I will use more than 4 parts or channels because I think I will have a problem in the DSP load or polyphony (which is 24 or 25 only).

I'm excited for such limitations in using hardware, because it's pushing me to the old days when I sat with pen and paper and start planing carefully (which translates to "not lazy" )

[yuvalyz]

yea i think buying an editor for it its so wrong
you get this lovely screen on the unit - this is the best part about the blofeld for me

[deastman]

yea i think buying an editor for it its so wrong
you get this lovely screen on the unit - this is the best part about the blofeld for me

I think that is a ridiculous attitude, to be honest. A decent editor would dramatically speed up the workflow. I have a Blofeld, But I also have a Q keyboard. The two have a very similar feature set, but the Q is covered with encoders for almost every function. Guess which one is easier to program? The Blofeld is a design compromise to keep the cost low, make no mistake. Yes, the layout is much better than in the days of two line LCD screens and a single data entry encoder, but a proper editing interface would still be a huge benefit.

[Lejurai]

To be honest, I prefer to fiddle with hardware too.. I have an editor but I only use it to save presets to my PC
If I want to make a slight adjustment to for example cutoff, it's so annoying to open the vst window and then click and drag instead of simple reach and touch.

[chk071]

... after clicking buttons if the knobs "focus" isn't the filter cutoff on the Blofeld, but one of the other 4 allocations. Nah, really, compared to Largo, the programming on the hardware with 4 knobs, and 4 switches is quite a PITA compared to having almost every control on one page in the plugin.

[deastman]

And in all fairness, I'm comparing it to the experience of using an iPad editor, which is rather different from a VST or standalone version.

[EnGee]

yea i think buying an editor for it its so wrong
you get this lovely screen on the unit - this is the best part about the blofeld for me

If it is so wrong, I suggest to return your unit because it is either faulty or it is not what you really want before spending more money.

To be honest, I prefer to fiddle with hardware too.. I have an editor but I only use it to save presets to my PC
If I want to make a slight adjustment to for example cutoff, it's so annoying to open the vst window and then click and drag instead of simple reach and touch.

Exactly my feeling Even more, I will try just to overwrite some presets that I don't find useful (like the drums one). I think I can always export the bank or/and load the default one when needed, right?

Nah, really, compared to Largo, the programming on the hardware with 4 knobs, and 4 switches is quite a PITA compared to having almost every control on one page in the plugin.

Of course I would prefer Largo's interface on my Blofeld That is out of the question! But how much it will cost then?

It is really not that bad as it is with the synths of the late 80's or 90's. You have 7 knobs really to use with the menus. There are few shortcuts to learn and you are in control. For me, I try to think of what parameters I want to change during play time and map them to the Modulation wheel. Usually not more than two or three parameters which 16 modulation slots in the matrix are more than enough.

I know that the soft synths are more flexible in usage with PCs and DAWs ..etc. So, why I bought Blofeld instead of just buying a nice controller (better than my Oxygen 49) and Largo?

The answer is related to three issues. The first is I need a good quality keys with 49 keys only (as I have a DP with 88 weighted keys). I realised that all the midi controllers have inferior keys to the Blofeld and the ones that did match it, it also has the same price level!

The second issue is GAS. I have too many soft synths and can't stop buying whenever I have little money in my pocket! I can buy 100 soft synths but I can't buy more than two hard synths.
The third issue is I haven't done any music for years now! I mean a finished song because all I do is exploring the new possibilities I tried to limit myself, but really it is almost impossible task with software! With hardware it is possible because I can't afford to buy another one for years to come now

Oh, and as a final benefit is that I can now use only S1 Artist without the need to any VST support to make music, how nice is that

[deastman]

Of course I would prefer Largo's interface on my Blofeld  That is out of the question! But how much it will cost then?  

They already made that. It's called a Q. (More or less)

[EnGee]

Of course I would prefer Largo's interface on my Blofeld  That is out of the question! But how much it will cost then?  

They already made that. It's called a Q. (More or less)

I remember the Q review in SOS years back. I remember that the impression I had is the instability of the OS (and so that I crossed Waldorf from that time, but returned to consider when I demoed Largo some few years ago).

Actually, Largo was the main reason that I thought of Blofeld! I like it so much (more than Massive) and it was in my wish list to buy (I don't know I might buy it in spite of my GAS's low level now! )

So, for the Q I still believe it was from the expensive synths so it was/is absolutely out of my budget. I'm not saying it is overpriced but many people can't afford it like Blofeld now.

The Sledge is made after the Q interface it seems but with less functionality?! It has less functions than Blofeld, but I don't know how it compares to the Q.

Well, when I imagined Largo interface on my Blofeld, I meant exactly that. Seven or more small screens (like the only one in Blofeld) shows the graph of the oscillators/filters/lfos and envelopes with those nice big knobs and smaller ones ..etc. I can imagine the price also!

I don't know, I believe this is the future for the hardware! It will try to emulate the software's interface

Still I consider Blofeld interface very elegant and the design/GUI/knobs are with artistic style. Well, it suits me perfectly you see from its sound, its interface, its build quality and its price! I can't ask more than that

[Lejurai]

I haven't done any music for years now! I mean a finished song because all I do is exploring the new possibilities I tried to limit myself, but really it is almost impossible task with software!

I dodge that by deciding what synth I'm going to use for a month and for that month I only use that to make all the sounds It's also nicely challenging.

Anyways. If you want limits, grab a groovebox. Some older roland or maybe an elektron. Elektrons cost pretty much but there you don't have too much options and you can focus on making music ^^

[EnGee]

Anyways. If you want limits, grab a groovebox. Some older roland or maybe an elektron. Elektrons cost pretty much but there you don't have too much options and you can focus on making music ^^

Yes it would be the best really, but I don't think I need it because Studio One Artist is a really great limitation (Impact is nice for drums while Mai/Tai is a very capable subtractive synth and Mojo Mojito is a cute simple one). I liked Reason for this but I sold it anyway, because it didn't help me to limit myself! But Artist + Blofeld is an excellent minimalist's production setup.

I might in the future add MS-20 mini or if I can afford, the Korg's Arp Odyssey, as analog synth. Both are with mini keys but playable ones and have good prices especially the MS-20 Mini is a bargain! Or even the Pulse 2 to sit nicely on the empty space on the Blofeld But I think I need vintage analog sounds more than just analog synth.

I just need to have the courage to uninstall everything except Artist! Do I have this courage, this is the question!

[Lejurai]

Go for it! Don't think AT ALL that "I may need this in here and there" or "I have this song that I started 5 years ago and it uses this synth". If you find out that you really need something, you can always install it again ^^ Of course if ya wanna go hardcore, you sell your other software ;D

I just sold some time a go everything that overlapped. Even the synths that I "loved" but rarely used since something else I had did the same thing better.