Waldorf MicroWave as a plugin?

[Uncle E]

What exactly is in quantum that can't be accomplished and even surpassed with software instruments

NVM

[Uncle E]

Guys....1000s of threads on hardware Vs software....

Too true. Ironically, Waldorf has done more to erase the line than almost anyone. Microwave 1 and Blofeld are spectacular plugins.

[Neon Breath]

Iridium ported as a plugin? I would buy it full price without even demoing it.

[mothra]

Guys....1000s of threads on hardware Vs software....

Too true. Ironically, Waldorf has done more to erase the line than almost anyone. Microwave 1 and Blofeld are spectacular plugins.

I mean, except for the Pulses, the entire lineup was/is 'virtual synths' from day 1, whether it was the original Microwave or the old flagship 'virtual analog' Q.

[Uncle E]

Really hoping for a Pulse 1 plugin, actually.

[EvilDragon]

I mean, except for the Pulses, the entire lineup was/is 'virtual synths' from day 1, whether it was the original Microwave or the old flagship 'virtual analog' Q.

Well, not quite. Microwave is not a "virtual" synth. It's a hybrid, it has analog filters and amps. Ditto with Wave and Rocket.

[discombob]

Just stopped by to heap more praise; there is something about this plugin!

It's totally up there with the very best digital emulations! It's so good that they lost a sale on an M though, which I was just about to buy when this came out.

I like how when you pair this with quality effects, it goes to 11, yet like the best synths out there, it is almost perfect in frequency response, presence and warmth when dry, too.

[Buka]

Anyone having problems opening presets made in Sounddiver or SoundQuest Midi Quest editors. MW1 gives "Error importing .mid file!"

Thanx

[tumface]

Just stopped by to heap more praise; there is something about this plugin!

It's totally up there with the very best digital emulations! It's so good that they lost a sale on an M though, which I was just about to buy when this came out.

I like how when you pair this with quality effects, it goes to 11, yet like the best synths out there, it is almost perfect in frequency response, presence and warmth when dry, too.

Yup. A year later and I'm still loving this thing. Not a gimmick, real use.

The terribly stepped digital envs, LFOs etc. control signals which then get an analog filter after them (I think that's what's going on?) is an immaculate vibe.

If they ever extend this with more non-replica features, my vote goes for more filter modes. (a 2 pole lowpass mode and a combo 2 pole lowpass + highpass mode with a spread param would be awesome.)

[discombob]

I directly compared Microwave One to Xenia (the XT emulator) the other night and it somehow sounds even better than that. More alive and natural/clear, although Xenia can be fun because the XT allowed you to go further with the aliasing. I can see why people still liked the XT back then. I wonder if this plugin actually sounds better than the M hardware in certain ways.

The GUI is a little difficult sometimes, but also oddly beautiful and inspiring. I'd tried Largo in the past and wasn't too drawn in, but this is awesome. Arturia plate, Eventide H9 and the Valhalla suite of EFX all easily working their magic with this plugin.

[Uncle E]

Xenia is all digital, Microwave 1 emulates the hardware's analog filters.

[IvyBirds]

I directly compared Microwave One to Xenia (the XT emulator) the other night and it somehow sounds even better than that. More alive and natural/clear

The original Microwave had an Analog Filter, this plugin in 2025 has a vastly superior modeled filter than what Waldorf was able to pull off in the late 1990s

[tumface]

It seems like the Microwave 1 also does some kind of analog smoothing step for things like the filter cutoff? The output of the digital logic has is really low rate and quantized, but instead of hearing clicks, you hear a fast, but smooth, blending between each digital step. It comes through in the audio as kind of a subtle inharmonic low rumble, and also allows the envelopes to be crazy snappy, though somewhat inconsistent (which is cool.)

[hey212]

[Neon Breath]

I think (not sure) it s hardware release, unless they also have a software version, no idea.