Waldorf Quantum MK2 16-Voice Analog/Digital Hybrid Synthesizer

Musicians, producers, and sound designers looking for a powerful hybrid synthesizer should check out the Waldorf Quantum MKII, the company's flagship polyphonic analog/digital hybrid synthesizer. It combines the raw power of classic digital and analog synthesizers with futuristic sounds only possible with todays intensely programmable soft-synths, in a sleek and accessible user interface with a multitouch display featuring an on-screen spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope for deep, visualized editing.

The MKII offers new features including a new FATAR TP/8SK keyboard with 61 semiweighted keys, polyphonic aftertouch, and a new Kernel synthesis algorithm with a wide range of possibilities from classic 6-operator FM to innovative audio rate wavetable modulation. The sample storage memory has also been expanded to 59GB.

The instrument offers 8 voices with analog filter, up to 16 voices with digital filters. Each voice utilizes three digital oscillators and two analog filters. Voices can be split or layered multitimbrally between two parts, while the two sets of stereo outputs (main and aux) were designed specifically for use in multitimbral mode. Additionally, there are five master effect slots for each timbre, providing the full breadth of sound design options. Each oscillator is capable of five synthesis algorithms including Wavetable, Waveform, Particle, Resonator, and Kernel. The instrument can generate custom wavetables using audio routed into the Quantums audio input or loaded from internal/removable sample memory.

The Quantum MKII has a massive modulation section with six LFOs, six multistage loopable envelopes, an onscreen step sequencer, an arpeggiator, and a chord play mode with hold and latch. Additional features include an SD-card slot for importing/exporting samples and sounds, USB-B computer connector, and USB-A controller connector for expansion and control. The Quantum has an integrated power supply unit and includes a standard IEC power cord.

New Features

• New FATAR TP/8SK keyboard with 61 semiweighted keys
• Polyphonic aftertouch for specific modulation of individual notes
• Expanded internal flash memory for sample storage: 59GB
• 5 synthesis algorithms
• Waldorf-style wavetables with additions from Nave, including speech synthesis and wavetable generation from audio samples
• Classic synthesizer waveforms with multiple waves for ultrafat sound
• Granular sampler with multisampling plus traditional sampling mode
• Resonator for virtual sound sculpting
• New Kernel synthesis with possibilities from classic 6-operator FM to innovative audio rate wavetable modulations

General Features

• Hybrid digital/analog polyphonic synthesizer
• 61 keys, FATAR TP/8SK keyboard, polyphonic aftertouch
• 8 voices with analog filter, up to 16 voices with digital filters
• Dual timbral: split or layered mode with separate stereo audio outputs
• 3 stereo digital oscillators each capable of five synthesis algorithms
• Two analog lowpass filters per voice (24 or 12 dB), or two digital multimode filters
• Digital former with comb, high-pass, band-pass, notch filters, bit-crusher, drive, and more
• Flexible routing system for filters and oscillators
• 6 LFOs in poly and global mode
• 6 loopable envelopes
• Komplex multistage LFO/envelope modulator
• Extensive modulation matrix with 40 slots
• Master effect rack with 5 slots per timbre (phaser, flanger, chorus, reverb, drive, EQ, etc.)
• Step sequencer with recording, automation, and scale-based pitch quantization
• Microtonal pitch configurations with Skala scl file import
• Chord and latch buttons, unisono mode
• High-resolution multitouch display with spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope
• Up to 10,000 sound patch capacity with favorites lists
• Preloaded patches by acclaimed sound designers
• MIDI output, automation via MIDI CC learn
• Sampling capabilities: stereo multi-sampler, granular sampler, resonator model
• 59GB internal flash memory for samples, preloaded with 2GB factory samples
• Onboard audio-file editor, SD card and USB import/export

What's in the box

Waldorf Quantum MK2 16-Voice Analog/Digital Hybrid Synthesizer

• Power Cord