Recommended synth: Waldorf Blofeld

[Lezlie]

I've been exploring my Blofeld for a few weeks now, and must say that this is an AWESOME synth. It is also the most bang for the buck one can get: 25 voices of very advanced VA and/or Wavetable synthesis with an optional sample upgrade. It is 16 part multitimbral, although I've so far only been using it in voice mode.

Effects aren't that extensive, but due to the deepness and modulation possibilities of the synth, they're not really important in the first place. Having said that, they still offer some icing on the cake, especially the delay efx (imo).

The Blofeld has a VERY cool programmable arpeggiator, which is (to my knowledge) available for each part also in multi mode (could be wrong here, though, so don't shoot me if I am).

To get an impression of this little wonder box, I highly recommend checking out the demoes and descripton over at Waldorf's site:
http://www.waldorfmusic.de/en/products/ ... d_overview

There's also the keyboard version which has the sample upgrade as standard, plus the somewhat missed midi out port (the desktop version has only midi in, but also a usb port that can send midi both in and out. So the lack of midi out isn't that big a deal).

If you're looking for a synth, the Blofeld is a must check out.

Oh yeah, not to mention: the size of this thing is such that you can really sink back into you sofa/chair/whatever, and just ENJOY

[ellaguru]

good review.
i downloaded the .pdf manual from waldorf but it doesnt could be open by my adobe pdf...
i wanted to know how and what fx got the waldorf, and if you can make sound analog-like (i know, analog sound it has to be made with analog amchine but...), and if it got a sequencer

[PHeMoX]

Cool, I want one.

It sounds really good. Too bad its about 100 bucks too expensive for my taste, secondhand prices aren't great at the moment either.

Also, when it comes to FX, is it possible to do huge filter sweeps? I'd like to know the kind of FX too.

[ellaguru]

Cool, I want one.

It sounds really good. Too bad its about 100 bucks too expensive for my taste, secondhand prices aren't great at the moment either.

Also, when it comes to FX, is it possible to do huge filter sweeps? I'd like to know the kind of FX too.

in this moment in france, secondhand, they're about 250/300€...not really expensive for a synth in the absolute, but not cheap for our pockets

ps
OT
Phemox i saw an MV8000 at the mad price of 500€ here, what are the must to see/ask to the seller to be a good business?

[crumbsucker]

I wanted Blofeld when it came out, but I'd had to wait 2 months so I bought second hand Waldorf Microwave XT.
MW xt is also quite a beast... and preety similar in sound architecture too, but only 10 voices of polyphony.
It is a blast to play even if you are not skilled kebaplayer
You can arrange splits in that manner you have kick, snare, hats on first 3 keys all under HOLD arpeggiator and the rest keyboard for playing chords and other arps.
First I thought my waldorf needs a compressor and I bought FMR RNC...
and than someday I pluged it on preamps on my mackie... now that is fat sounding synth.

[Lezlie]

ellaguru;
The fx are rather limited compared to some other synths, but still useful. The architecture is 1 insert effect pr part (from what I've heard this is true for 4 of 16 parts in multimode, haven't been able to confirm this yet), plus 1 global effect for all parts.

From the spec:
•1 Effect slot per part
•1 Effect slot globally for all parts
Effect types:
◦Chorus
◦Flanger
◦Phaser
◦Overdrive
◦Triple FX (S&H, Ring Modulation, Chorus)
◦Delay (only available on global Effect slot)
◦Clocked Delay (only available on global Effect slot)
◦Reverb (only available on global Effect slot)
http://www.waldorfmusic.de/en/products/ ... ifications

Limited, but still decent imo.
There's no sequencer, but a GREAT programmable, 16 step arpeggiator.

PHeMoX;
Each voice has two filters, and VERY good ones too, capable of gorgeous sweeps:
•2 independent Multi Mode Filters
◦Filter FM
◦Resonance up to Self-Oscillation
◦Low Pass 24 dB / 12 dB
◦Band Pass 24 dB / 12 dB
◦High Pass 24 dB / 12 dB
◦Notch 24 dB / 12 dB
◦Comb Filter with positive / negative Feedback
◦PPG Low Pass Filter

And the programming possibilities are DEEP. Taking into consideration that samples can also be used as oscillators (optional upgrade), this deal just gets almost too sweet

So, bottom line is that the minuses are outweighed BY FAR of the positives. I highly recommend checking out this baby. Oh, one could always try to push the price by offerng to buy the stores demo model - that's what I did

[PHeMoX]

Good stuff. I like doing sweeps and I still feel like I miss a good synth. The Blofeld might be for me.

Also yeah Ellaguru, I saw them secondhand for 270€ here. Compared to the 400€ retail price, it's not too bad.

OT
Phemox i saw an MV8000 at the mad price of 500€ here, what are the must to see/ask to the seller to be a good business?

For that price you will really want to make sure it has the VGA (for external monitor and mouse control) expansion installed.

If it's not installed, you will be having a difficult time finding a VGA expansion as they are discontinued and hard to come by.

If the machine is otherwise in good condition, it will be a great deal.

Without VGA expansion I probably wouldn't buy it, but instead look for a more expensive secondhand MV8800 instead.

I'd recommend the 8800 over the 8000, but at 500€ the MV8000 certainly is a great deal.

[ellaguru]

ellaguru;
The fx are rather limited compared to some other synths, but still useful. The architecture is 1 insert effect pr part (from what I've heard this is true for 4 of 16 parts in multimode, haven't been able to confirm this yet), plus 1 global effect for all parts.

thanx Lezlie, this little beast is charming...

For that price you will really want to make sure it has the VGA (for external monitor and mouse control) expansion installed.

If it's not installed, you will be having a difficult time finding a VGA expansion as they are discontinued and hard to come by.

If the machine is otherwise in good condition, it will be a great deal.

Without VGA expansion I probably wouldn't buy it, but instead look for a more expensive secondhand MV8800 instead.

I'd recommend the 8800 over the 8000, but at 500€ the MV8000 certainly is a great deal.

ok
i will ask this.
thanx

[cartesia]

filters arent effects on synths, theyre a core part of the architecture.. just about every synth has filters., its just on things like the SPs where you have to use an effect slot to add a filter.

[drewzle]

@ this synth

it's like Ze Germanz have captured the apocalypse and wrapped it in a chic white box. i've never heard these sort of sounds before

and the interface is sweet as! hit a button and twist a knob for all the main parameters. too easy!

[ellaguru]

yes it seem very cool this machine, definitely...

[drewzle]

am i breaching Human Rights laws using this machine?

something feels extremely wicked about it

*twists Res knob*

nevermind

[HxC]

How does the Blofeld compare to the Dave Smith Mopho? Blo-Pho

[ellaguru]

How does the Blofeld compare to the Dave Smith Mopho? Blo-Pho

how is the mopho? and $??(used)

[cartesia]

How does the Blofeld compare to the Dave Smith Mopho? Blo-Pho

Pretty different.. one is crazy digital multitimbral/polyphonic/sampling/wavetables,

one is monophonic analogue..

but then, its not like the blofeld sounds flat or cold really.. so.. hmm i dunno. it would really hinge on whether you are picky about analogue sound and also on what you want to do with it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, they dont compare very well cos theyre about as different as you can get! own both maybe?