Waldorf M Wavetable Synthesizer

[chk071]

Listened to the demos but didn't really hear anything that screams "this cost nearly two grand". Maybe I'm spoiled by plugins.

What plugin sounds like this synth? (Except for ROMplers like UVI Waverunner and Syntronik.)

I guess you're best off with Waldorf's plugins. I'd recommend Largo. It has all of the Microwave's wavetables, alongside the ones from other of Waldorf's synths (Microwave 2/XT, Q, PPG etc.). It has a "Brilliance" control for the oscillators, which changes the wavetable's resolution, so you get some interesting extra harmonics, like in their older synths.

Mind that it is not yet M1 compatible (I think), so, if you have a newer Mac, you're out of luck.

[chk071]

A 10 years old YT video which has super low bitrate MP3 that was then again transcoded to Opus... Not really a valid comparison with never videos.

But sure, the filter is different - it's closer to the filter used in actual PPG Wave 2.3 (which used SSM 2040). But this doesn't really change the amount of dirt created by the oscillators as much as you think.

I also sounds much more lo-fi (i.e. as if someone applied a high cut)

That's the old 96kbps MP3 encoding! Gets a steep rolloff at 16 kHz that's NOT there on the synth.

There's plenty of top end on a MWI, enough to be icepicky if you open the filter all the way up.

I think you ordered a M, right? If you have the time, it'd be interesting to hear some comparisons. I still stand by my point. What you say about MP3 encoding doesn't make much sense either, as it applies to all synths, not just the old ones. And, I don't think Youtube audio really cuts at 16 kHz in general either. They have different quality levels, for both video and audio.

Even Komplexer sounds much less bright than Largo and Blofeld, and, those synths are merely 2 or 3 years apart from each other.

Factually, the M should sound more hi-fi anyway. DAC's, 1989 tech vs. 2021 tech, DSP's, 1989 tech vs. 2021 tech, software, 1989 tech vs. 2021 tech, hardware, 1989 vs. 2021 tech... not sure why we're even discussing this.

[ghettosynth]

Here is an hour+ someone posted exploring the sound of the M (no talking). No FX except a couple short moments I heard some reverb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJQmvbxdtbk

God that sounds great. I'd be that much poorer though and never get any work done.

I’m definitely going to try and get one this Christmas. If not then, next spring.

Had mine now for a couple hours... so far, the M meets my high expectations after listening to the sound demos except the sound is more dynamic and alive in person than came across in the demos. In moments it's startling and puts a smile on the face.

Must. Have. Discipline.

[kobal]

to me quantum can have similar sound to the M, i mean quantum dosen t sound like a all digital synth, listen their totaly digital synth and imo we can hear that the M and quantum both share some sound quality the others don t, specially in the low mids , their hybrid synths are more "organic" there to me

[pdxindy]

To my ears Massive X sounds just as good as this if not better. But these days I guess hardware is more about the experience of using it rather than any sonic advantage to be gained. I'm only saying this because it's a digital synth, I still think there's a little bit of magic left in analogue although that's probably placebo as well at this point.

The Waldorf M is a digital analog hybrid. It has analog filters and stereo analog VCA's.

I now have the M in hand. I also have Massive X. This of course is a subjective opinion... the Waldorf M sounds significantly more interesting, dynamic and nuanced than Massive X. For me, the M is something completely different.

For comparison, first, turn off the FX on Massive X. Then turn off the noise samples if a preset uses them. MX can sometimes sound a bit metallic, a bit brittle. Without the FX and Samples to mask it, the Osc's can also sound a bit plain.

I've explored the M for maybe 8 hours now and I haven't missed FX yet. I have the Beebo sitting right next to the M waiting for its turn with FX but the M sounds so good as is. Even with the filter wide open and no FX, the Osc's are amazing sounding... full of effortless complexity and a startling presence. Other than a bit of wavetable movement and some filter envelope, I haven't even start using modulation! Waldorf has done something special with this synth.

[Vectorman]

Even with the filter wide open and no FX, the Osc's are amazing sounding... full of effortless complexity and a startling presence. Other than a bit of wavetable movement and some filter envelope, I haven't even start using modulation! Waldorf has done something special with this synth.

Some of my favorite PPG sounds hardly depend on the filter at all. Like that ethereal, electric piano-esque sound Patrick O'Hearn used quite a bit that's just based on wavetable movement that sort of "simulates" a subtly closing filter as it decays.

[EvilDragon]

What you say about MP3 encoding doesn't make much sense either, as it applies to all synths, not just the old ones. And, I don't think Youtube audio really cuts at 16 kHz in general either. They have different quality levels, for both video and audio.

I'm saying for 10 years old videos it definitely did cut the top end, since that's what MP3 does (it's in the encoder itself) and they used MP3 10 years ago on Youtube...

Factually, the M should sound more hi-fi anyway. DAC's, 1989 tech vs. 2021 tech, DSP's, 1989 tech vs. 2021 tech, software, 1989 tech vs. 2021 tech, hardware, 1989 vs. 2021 tech... not sure why we're even discussing this.

Perhaps in theory. But they have set up a specific goal for themselves to make it sound as close as possible to MWI. Regardless of new tech, getting there is definitely possible, so no, it is not a given that things MUST sound more hi-fi just because of 2021 tech. They emulated the ASIC from MWI quite completely, so oscillator generation is for all intents and purposes the same between the two.

Largo, by comparison, sounds much cleaner no matter what you do, simply because the way wavetables are read out is completely different...

[vurt]

yeah ten years ago pootube wasn't what it is today regarding audio or visual quality, it's only fairly recently it went all hi def and quality audio.
remember we all had shite upload speeds and stuff then

they've made it so easy and it's so quick now, any idiot can have a channel...

https://youtube.com/channel/UClzuKPmRH7iXoLW7pGHxxDw

[Vortifex]

Edited

[pdxindy]

I've explored the M for maybe 8 hours now and I haven't missed FX yet. I have the Beebo sitting right next to the M waiting for its turn with FX but the M sounds so good as is. Even with the filter wide open and no FX, the Osc's are amazing sounding... full of effortless complexity and a startling presence. Other than a bit of wavetable movement and some filter envelope, I haven't even start using modulation! Waldorf has done something special with this synth.

Nice! What do you (or anyone else) think about the form factor? It's not enormous but it's square and I can imagine it might be a little awkward to fit on a desk with MIDI controller?

It is squarish... and a bit bigger than my imaginary mental image prior to receiving it which I am happy about. I find a lot of gear too small these days. Including the space for the cables in back, it is about 14" deep. It works fine in my space. The screen starts 7 inches from the front. The screen is bright and easy to view from an angle. The UI is so far a pleasure to work with. I like the size of the knobs and the space between them.

If you have a midi controller in front of it, you would want to tip up the M, otherwise the edit knobs will block the bottom of the screen where all the modulation parameters are.

[kobal]

anyone agree than dmitry sches synths are the closest to this? i often used diversion for that kind of waldorf sound, i find these can share something similar

[chk071]

anyone agree than dmitry sches synths are the closest to this?

I think ArcSyn and AIR Hybrid sound sort of Waldorf-ish. Not the same though. The Waldorf sound is quite special.

Diversion is pretty far off this sound for me.

[kobal]

anyone agree than dmitry sches synths are the closest to this?

I think ArcSyn and AIR Hybrid sound sort of Waldorf-ish. Not the same though. The Waldorf sound is quite special.

Diversion is pretty far off this sound for me.

long time i haven t used ArcSyn i will check thnaks, i have largo it has waldorf sound also but from what i remember diversion was closer to that sound but maybe i m wrong

yeah i check on you tube and to me diversion can sound better than largo , i mean it s digita sounding but less arsh and lofi so more similar to that waldorf sound to me .

[EvilDragon]

Not even close.

[kobal]

Not even close.

can you recomend some plugin for that type of sound caractere ? i hope largo is not the closest