Waldorf microwave 1 Version 2

[MillerSam]

Hey, Waldorf has just released microwave 1 Version 2, a major paid upgrade for its microwave plugin. It comes with new features

https://waldorfmusic.com/microwave/

https://synthanatomy.com/2026/06/waldor ... level.html

[Raketenbauer]

"Expanded polyphony via additional voice cards (8 → 32 voices)"

Lol, nice. Upgrade is currently 29€.

[SLiC]

"Expanded polyphony via additional voice cards (8 → 32 voices)"

Lol, nice. Upgrade is currently 29€.

Apparently the voice card architecture was used to preserve the hardware's 'micro timing' from hardware cards. Not sure if anyone can hear it, but I admire their authenticity!

[hey212]

[aMUSEd]

OK none of the effect values are changed by preset changes so they stay stuck on the same settings

Adding all 4 voice cards adds at least another 10% to CPU even if you are still playing just one voice

[Arcvidean]

OK none of the effect values are changed by preset changes so they stay stuck on the same settings

Adding all 4 voice cards adds at least another 10% to CPU even if you are still playing just one voice

I just bought the Microwave 1, just 7 days ago so I've emailed Waldorf to find out if there's a grace period for the upgrade or not.
Meanwhile I think I'd better check the demo out.

Arcvidean.

[wagtunes]

What exactly do you get for the upgrade?

[SLiC]

What exactly do you get for the upgrade?

❯ Expanded polyphony via additional voice cards (8 → 32 voices) with preserved micro-timing and variation.

❯ New playback modes including Round Robin and Random Robin.

❯ Polyphonic arpeggiator per instrument part.

❯ Global arpeggiator with round robin options.

❯ Creative delay effect with filter, tremolo, diffusion and pitch shifting.

❯ Redesigned preset browser with favourites, search and direct instrument part loading.

❯ Multi-level undo/redo for parameter editing.

❯ Simultaneous editing of multiple instrument parts.

❯ New presets from mixer, engineer, and producer Chuck Zwicky.

[hurricaneaudiolab]

There's a free 1.3 update which includes the new browser and presets:

Free Update 1.3.0 for All Users

Alongside Version 2, we are also releasing a free update 1.3.0 for all Microwave 1 Plugin users. This update focuses on workflow and usability improvements, including:
A completely redesigned preset browser with favourites, search and direct instrument part loading.
Multi-level Undo / Redo for parameter editing.
Simultaneous editing of multiple instrument parts.
New presets from renowned mixer, engineer and producer Chuck Zwicky.

[simmo75]

What exactly do you get for the upgrade?

❯ Expanded polyphony via additional voice cards (8 → 32 voices) with preserved micro-timing and variation.

❯ New playback modes including Round Robin and Random Robin.

❯ Polyphonic arpeggiator per instrument part.

❯ Global arpeggiator with round robin options.

❯ Creative delay effect with filter, tremolo, diffusion and pitch shifting.

❯ Redesigned preset browser with favourites, search and direct instrument part loading.

❯ Multi-level undo/redo for parameter editing.

❯ Simultaneous editing of multiple instrument parts.

❯ New presets from mixer, engineer, and producer Chuck Zwicky.

Did you buy the upgrade SLiC?
Trying to decide if it’s worth it, and unable to demo for a couple of weeks.

[stimresp]

The upgrade was a no brainer for me. Microwave is hands-down my favourite VST, it sounds great, ooozes quality and captures the mojo of the original hardware. Waldorf really excelled themselves with this one.

I am digging the new arp and FX, especially when used with the multis, they definitely add a lot of additional flexibility and new approaches to building patches. The mutator is just brilliant.

IMO the upgrade price is more than fair.

[temporubato]

OK none of the effect values are changed by preset changes so they stay stuck on the same settings

The is an option for this and similarly for the arp i.e. to keep the effect rsp. arp settings.

Adding all 4 voice cards adds at least another 10% to CPU even if you are still playing just one voice

We are currently looking into this. I believe we shall be able to reduce CPU consumption here.

[Caine123]

hey guys, wondering, how is the patch mutator?

[aMUSEd]

OK none of the effect values are changed by preset changes so they stay stuck on the same settings

The is an option for this and similarly for the arp i.e. to keep the effect rsp. arp settings.

I know but the toggle doesn't seem to make a difference. If, for example, I set diffuse to 50% it stays at 50% no matter how many patches I browse through. I think it's because most of the patches had/have no effects but the consequence is effect positions are not even reset with patch changes (for patches with no effects) so you are stuck with what you have setup - also is there an fx bypass? If there was it wouldn't matter so much.

[temporubato]

Yes, recognised that too. I am about to fix it. Update shall be out till Monday.

FX Bypass: Just turn Return (or Send) down for now.