Waldorf Attack 3

[Old Norse]

You wait 25 years for an upgrade, and suddenly there it is.

https://waldorfmusic.com/attack/

Attack-3-800x550.jpg

[MillerSam]

I made a review
It's not groundbreaking but a solid update that puts the focus again on it
https://synthanatomy.com/2026/02/waldor ... -2026.html

[pekbro]

Excited for it

[Old Norse]

I made a review
It's not groundbreaking but a solid update that puts the focus again on it

Nice review! You don't mention CPU usage, I would imagine the new features consume quite a bit more than Attack 2?

[stillshaded]

If I understand correctly, you can FM osc > sample and vice versa. I've been wanting a drum synth that can do this since I abandoned Logic and ultrabeat. You could really get some great sounds that way.

Also, I actually don't care about having an onboard sequencer. I've never really understood the appeal. Coming up with drum parts that change and evolve -and not just with some probability/polyrhythm shenanigans- is always much more efficient and precise when done in a DAW sequencer- for me anyway, and given that the plugin has adequate modulation/automation options.

[Seafire Mk2]

[cryophonik]

This looks and sounds great, and the price is better than I would've expected.

Also, I actually don't care about having an onboard sequencer.

I agree to an extent. If your DAW has a good pattern sequencer (e.g., Logic's step sequencer), a drum plugin's built-in sequencer can be redundant, but it can sometimes be easier/more convenient to do parameter modulation in the plugin if it's implemented well and easy to drag/drop patterns and variations as MIDI clips into your DAW. Regardless, it's not a deal-breaker AFAIC.

[MillerSam]

I have a M1 Max (5 years) old and the CPU usage it at 1-3% so super light even with more than 6 voices

I made a review
It's not groundbreaking but a solid update that puts the focus again on it

Nice review! You don't mention CPU usage, I would imagine the new features consume quite a bit more than Attack 2?

[MillerSam]

Sample FM is not possible. But other crazy things are possible thanks to audio-rate LFOs

If I understand correctly, you can FM osc > sample and vice versa. I've been wanting a drum synth that can do this since I abandoned Logic and ultrabeat. You could really get some great sounds that way.

Also, I actually don't care about having an onboard sequencer. I've never really understood the appeal. Coming up with drum parts that change and evolve -and not just with some probability/polyrhythm shenanigans- is always much more efficient and precise when done in a DAW sequencer- for me anyway, and given that the plugin has adequate modulation/automation options.

[Weasel-Boy]

Other than 5 effects per output bus and what looks like a second FM source to Osc.1, functionally, it almost the same as V2. However the GUI is so much better than V2, it feels like a brand new drum machine to me. The upgrade price is also incredibly reasonable. Wow, has it been 15 years already?

[SLiC]

New user price is very as well (especially if you buy from JJR Shop and use 'Forum' code )

[Ah_Dziz]

There's not much in the way of new features or a noticeable change in DSP so it should be very low on CPU.

[SLiC]

Waldorf Attack 3 Key Highlights

Expanded user interface
Refined oscillators
Upgraded filter and drive
Advanced envelopes
New LFOs
New instrument effects

[kejkz]

Beautiful plug-in. I've used V2 it in numerous songs, and will continue to do so with V3.

[MillerSam]

User Sample Import

Waldorf Attack 3 Key Highlights

Expanded user interface
Refined oscillators
Upgraded filter and drive
Advanced envelopes
New LFOs
New instrument effects