ilovefuzz.com

Quoted price is 3k-something. Hybrid architecture, 8 voices, granular sampler, resonator, wavetables, analog filters, big fucking screen. Didn't watch the entire vid yet, but figured I'd post anyway.
Aiming at DSI?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phi8zPZcWtw[/youtube]

I posted that video a couple days ago in the 2017 thread, even though I didn't think it'd get much buzz. It doesn't look like we're stirring up much chatter on the second attempt either. ---I'm intrigued by anything that Axel Hartmann is involved with. If you were going to design a commercial digital synth (and you could afford him), that's where you would want to start. Of course he might be the Terry Gilliam of the synth world (great projects that didn't get the results they should have due to outside forces or an unreceptive audience).

That video left me wondering how the screen actually looks in-person. It seems huge and fairly easy to read (unlike many synth displays). One of the reasons I never got too serious about purchasing the Blofeld was all the menu-diving involved. (think they said 80% of the Quantum's editing parameters are on the surface, which is good)

I do love the color-changing LEDs aimed at showing you possible routing options and indicating positive or negative pot shifts. Stuff like that is intriguing, but 8-voices is kind of disappointing, when you consider that DSI is doing 16 analog voices for $1999. With the REV2, you can also layer an arpeggiator over a sequence. I don't know what other synths allow that (maybe none that are analog?). The Quantum does offer splitting options (like 4+4, 1+7 voices), but I heard no mention of a sequencer. $3K with no onboard sequencer is kind of

Some of what I heard in the demo is really cool, like the resonator feature and I'm intrigued by its sampling possibilities. At certain settings, it almost sounded like a guitar being strummed into a cavernous reverb tank. The rest of those presets were just meh. Although, you can probably tailor it to mimic the Nave or the original Waldorf Q. We'll just have to wait for more demos and better presets.

On a somewhat related note, the Studiologic Sledge 2.0 incorporated some of Waldorf's modeling and filter technology, and it features 24 voices with various split modes. So if you like evolving digital pads and those icy, metallic, more experimental textures, that's an alternative for people wanting to spend $899, instead of $3000+ (the keybed on the 2017 black version is supposed to be better and costs an extra $100). Also, the Sledge 2.0 features sampling options and you can import additional waves. I haven't used one in-person, but it seems like a pretty deep synth for the money.

Yeah, this looks cool for $1k, but for $3k this looks dumb. I don't doubt it'll sound amazing, the presets in the video sound like garbage but they definitely demonstrate the promise this has. Waldorf always seems to be doing their own thing, which is pretty cool. This looks like a dud unless they lower the price, though. It also looks like a ridiculously expensive version of the Behringer Deepmind.

I actually really like the Blofeld. It has lots of menu diving, but because of their little matrix layout it makes editing really quick and intuitive.

01010111 wrote:It also looks like a ridiculously expensive version of the Behringer Deepmind.

First thing I thought. Still waiting for someone on here to buy one of those.

popvulture wrote:

01010111 wrote:It also looks like a ridiculously expensive version of the Behringer Deepmind.

First thing I thought. Still waiting for someone on here to buy one of those.

You guys kill me. Just absolutely kill me.

differences:

Waldorf: vertical orientation, rotary encoders, large HD display, major elements are grouped off in 10+ separate grids, 5 octaves
DM12: horizontal orientation, slider pots, small Gameboy display, 4 octaves

similarities:

1) they both have digital display screens
2) they both have keys
3) they both have mod & pitch wheels

But by that criterion alone, you might as well say that all >$199 keyboards of the past 20 years look the same. When I see the Quantum, the DM12 doesn't even cross my mind, just like I'd never see a Moog Sub 37, and think, "Hmm, that looks like a luxury-class Casio." Yes, they're both synthesizers, but the panel layout and configuration is significantly dissimilar. I dunno, maybe I just need to get back to that damn portal and find the right dimension.

Have a good night, guys.

echorec wrote:rant

I mean, I guess you've got a point? That was just my first impression: big keyboard with lots of controls divided in half by a largish screen resembles another big keyboard with lots of controls divided in half by a largish screen. I agree though, outside of that there really isn't a resemblance.

Love the Blofeld because it has a randomizer. So many good patches arise from the randomizer. The randomizer rocks. I could see messing with a Quantum if Waldorf produced a rack / desktop version. Synthesizers are not pianos.