Waldorf Iridium Keyboard with Polyphonic aftertouch, MPE, and More

The secret of the moderation of something new from Waldorf has been revealed. The new creation is called the Waldorf Iridium Keyboard. The Quantum from 2020 was previously only available in the form of a desktop synthesizer, which is now changing with the Iridium Keyboard Synthesizer, and the keyboard version can do a bit more.

Waldorf Iridium Keyboard Polyphonic Synthesizer

It has polyphonic aftertouch, it is very good news and a big fat PLUS over the Quantum. In addition, 6 free buttons as an addition, without pads, but with a little more control elements than the desktop device – these are the features of the new synthesizer from Waldorf.

It delivers 5 synthesis engines within 3 oscillators. Of course, among them is the Nave Wavetable Synthesizer, the classic with virtual analog waveforms up to the kernel system with AM, FM, and other links, which is reminiscent of the opsix (which was there before), and of course the particle synthesis as well as the actual secret one Star, the granular engine.

If we take a closer look, Iridium is also a strong competitor in-house. That’s probably why a 4-octave keyboard and the more compact form factor with high-quality elements suit Waldorf. This puts it closer to other competitors, but it is still comparatively special in its type and variety. However, he can offer the desire for granular methods and mixtures more attractively. The danger for Waldorf would be a too “cheap” competitor to the very high-quality Quantum. Many connections have “remained” – including the host connection:

The controls have been almost completely carried over, but it can accommodate a total of 5 more encoders for LFO and effects. The oscillator section is found on the left. The right and left sides have about the same “set” of controls and center the working center with its buttons around the display. “It’s not an iPad.” Envelopes and filters as well as the “Digital Former”, a free space for filters and effects, are identical to the desktop.

Waldorf Iridium Keyboard Polyphonic Synthesizer

The LFOs have been given more space and one more button so that you don’t have to go into the menu as often, and most of the buttons have been placed around the display. Four additional controls are an added value compared to the Iridium and therefore, a bit nicer for the overall handling. However, the LFOs have now been made accessible individually and no longer via LEDs. An unusual method – there are 4 more LFOs internally, which can now be accessed via the LFO buttons. It was decided to use 2 parameters per LFO for the first 2. the other two are effects pots for the first two effects. There are no effect pots for this on the desktop. But there is the LFO solution for all 6, here the first 2 are directly accessible and the rest via the menu.

Waldorf Iridium Keyboard price and availability

The Waldorf Iridium keyboard synthesizer is now available to pre-order on the Bhphotovideo.com website for $3,799.99.

Last year, Waldorf introduced the M Wavetable Synthesizer. The M immediately brings back memories of the wavetable classics Microwave and Microwave II. Waldorf brings the Microwave and Microwave II sound generation as a hybrid wavetable synth and costs $2,499.99.

About Ankeet Solanki

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