@@synth4ever Two years later, I can say that this is the best piece of equipment I've ever owned. It's so fun to just play, even just to mess around, and I can make it create any sound I have in my head. You can use it, and only it, to create a track live. God damn I love my Q.
Check out my newest ambient chillout piece, composed entirely on Waldorf Q 32-voice synth! WALDORF Q - Ambient Chillout Music Soundscape 【SYNTH DEMO】 I'm particularly pleased with how this one turned out, it's got lots of ebb and flow -- pls be sure to listen with headphones for maximum effect! I hope you enjoy this sonic journey... thanks as always. -synth4ever
@@synth4ever I love it, it is my goto when I want a distinctive unique foundational sound. I also have the og Nord Lead if I want something more cutting, and as much as I love it too, its nowhere near the diversity of the Q.
Hey man I really enjoyed this soundscape! Love the mood you have here. Thnx for sharing. Still virus reverb? I used it the other day playing simple ultranova wavetable sweeps trough it and it was so relaxing and meditative. Much love for Virus reverb! But Ultranova is far away from wavetables on this little Q-tie... :)
Thanks for the comment. This piece is 100% Waldorf Q, including the built-in reverb. I didn't know the Ultranova had wavetables, that's pretty cool! Doesn't it also have built-in reverb? Glad you are having fun experimenting with Vius B as an external effects unit. :)
This is utterly gorgeous - my favourite so far. I own the same synth, and I thought I was getting deep into the waldorf, but I'm nowhere close to this!! I have only been using synthesizers for about 8 months. Could you possibly provide some insight into how you created this? / your approach to creating these soundscapes?
Hi Sam, thanks for your comment. In terms of approach on this piece, I used: - Oscillators including sinewave, triangle and saw - the built in step sequencer on INSTRUMENT 1 section (button above LCD) to create a looped pattern that plays throughout - the string pads on INSTRUMENT 2 section (button above LCD) that are improvised on top of the loop. You can see me switch back and forth between this and INSTRUMENT 1 at 0:54, 3:29, 4:41, 6:43 - Added in LFOs for sonic motion on the sequencer - Adjusted resonance and appropriate filter type (ie PPG Filter type) and cutoff - Adjusted envelope filter ADSR amounts on sequencer pattern for sparkly sounds - Added reverb FX to blend all together That's at a high level, and then there is improvisation on top of that... tweaking osc types, ring modulation, FM, noise, env velocity/key tracking and adding an arpeggiator in certain spots etc to get more variances. The sparkly/watery sounds are a combination of PPG filter type, resonance, filter cutoff and envelope filter ADSR amounts being tweaked. Beyond that, coming up with ideas for soundscapes is really up to your creativity. Sometimes I have an idea I try to reproduce, other times I just start from scratch and see where experimentation takes me. There is much to be discovered either way! :)
synth4ever Thankyou! Since reading your post I have opened up my manual and did a big session with the built-in reverb that I wasn't really using as it seemed complicated and I read somewhere the WQ's built in effects were bad. Now I've spent some time with it i realize it is pretty straight forward and it was the missing ingredient that I was looking for in terms of getting those sparkling, watery sounds. Is it just me or is this a killer reverb? I love the way it makes the Waldorf Sound. Interesting that your using the sound mode rather than multi - I do the same. Something about the multi feels so clunky and slow to get around. I like the immediacy of being able to hit instrument 1-4. When you say LFOs for sonic motion on the sequencer, what do you mean? I have never really tried to get too deep into the sequencer - using steps for different modulations, this is something I will need to inspect further. Previously I had been using it more as an advanced arppegiator tool. I Just started playing around with different cutoff/filter attack/filter resonance levels to try and get some nice, dynamic sparkling sequences, I'm not quite there. It's weird switching between CV1 & CV2, and in and out of sequencer mode to tweak the sound and get it right. I think it will take some time. Thanks for this information, its forcing me to get deeper into the Waldorf, I was feeling like I had plateaued!
Sam Hains Yes, the Waldorf Q reverb is quite nice, it can get big and spacious! ;) I haven't really delved into Multimode yet, just been dabbling in single mode thus far. As for LFOs on the sequencer, I meant the LFOs modulate different things like volume, filter cutoff, pitch, panning etc. Good luck with your sonic explorations ;)
Q's reverb is really really nice for BIG and extreme reverb sounds. It's not great IMO for very realistic sounds and the fact that you don't have specific control over the early reflexions. But it's underated. Frankly speaking, the reverb of my Virus C was only a bit smoother and most of all easier to program. A thing that I've learnt through the years is that if you want to melt OSCs with different waveforms together (and noise and Rimg Mod) it benefits greatly by not just crancking their individual levels. Also if you cranck the overdrive and or resonance of the filters, try to compensate gor the volume boost by lowering OSC or amp levels.
Thomas Muller Well at a high level Waldorf Q is a full digital synth with 16-32 voices (depending on model) all the way up to 100 voices on Q+ (with analog filters). Poly Evolver by default is 4 voices unless you polychain multiple racks (maximum 20 voices). Poly Evolver has 2 analog oscillators + 2 digital osc (Prophet VS digital wavetables) + analog filter, whereas Waldorf Q is 3 fully digital oscillators/filter and has 2 wavetables (Waldorf Q+ has analog filter). They both offer extensive hands-on control and have a step sequencer (32 steps on Q vs. 16 steps on Poly Evolver) but the Poly Evolver's step sequencer is quite interesting in that it allows you to modulate different destinations with each step (not sure if Waldorf Q does this). Sound-wise Poly Evolver has more of a brash/noisy/distortion tone whereas Waldorf Q can be crisp, clean, cold at times. They are both very powerful synths and unique in their own way and you wouldn't be disappointed with either of them, I'm pretty sure.
synth4ever Well , this is an amazing feedback ! thanks I still hesitate between the two ... i m looking for some warp and texturized pad and spacy polyphonics sounds , both are doing that ... what ever thanks for your time All the best Thomas
Thx glad you liked it. :) Costs depend where you buy from (eBay, Craigslist etc). I've seen 16-voice rack units for $600-$900 generally. Keyboards from $1500-$2500 depending if 16 or 32-voice. If it's a Waldorf Q+ (100 voices/analog filters), expect around $3000+ unless you can snag a good deal. But as with anything prices fluctuate and you never know when you might find one on the cheap!
If you want hands-on control (ie more knobs) out of those three, Waldorf XT wins. I wouldn't bother with the micro Q, go for a Waldorf Q rack or keyboard instead. XT is wavetable synthesis only. Blofeld I haven't tried but have heard good things sonically, but interface not as accessible as knobby Q or XT. I guess it depends what's more important to you -- sound or live tweaking capabilities on the fly?
To me the biggest sonic scope of those is in the Blofeld, then XT. It's by far the easiest to find, it has the worst effects section though... It's a tough call. Bear in mind that if you get a Blofeld, the output section is a bit dull/quiet and might give you the impression that it doesn't sound great. You'll be a lot happier if you run it through some preamp.
After 20 years of drooling over adverts and demos, I'm finally going to be the owner of a Q Rack come this Wednesday. It's an odd feeling.
Nice! Its a fantastic synth to this day. Unique sound and packed full of features.
@@synth4ever Two years later, I can say that this is the best piece of equipment I've ever owned. It's so fun to just play, even just to mess around, and I can make it create any sound I have in my head. You can use it, and only it, to create a track live. God damn I love my Q.
@@tziirkq Dope. I want one now. I'll trade you a Yamaha DGX200 for it.
This is hands hand my favorite Synth. It has such a magical quality. I can't listen to it enough.
Thanks John, agreed there is definitely something unique with the Waldorf Q soundwise compared to other digital synths.
Thank you for wonderful sounds...What else can I say. I'm the lucky owner of a 32-voice Q Phoenix. 🙂
Thanks! You are lucky to have a 32-voice Phoenix, very rare!
Get my Q tomorrow can't wait.
Nice, get ready for a lot of FUN! ;) Enjoy it.
amazing flowing delayed soundscapes
amazing flowing delayed soundscapes
live that kind of cold sounds of waldorf :_)
Nothing cold about these sounds.
great job! I love the initial sequence a lot.
It's fantastic, this track really hypnose
Fantastic! Kimono My House.....
Sweet machine. Lovely sounds you make.
Warren Austin
I agree!
Original yellow Waldorf Q’s with keys are getting so rare :(
Really? They seem to come up here and there on eBay and Reverb I thought...
This is an amazing demo, thank you. I hope to purchase this synth one day
Thanks Daniel. The Q can do so many things, it is an incredible instrument.
Check out my newest ambient chillout piece, composed entirely on Waldorf Q 32-voice synth!
WALDORF Q - Ambient Chillout Music Soundscape 【SYNTH DEMO】
I'm particularly pleased with how this one turned out, it's got lots of ebb and flow -- pls be sure to listen with headphones for maximum effect!
I hope you enjoy this sonic journey... thanks as always.
-synth4ever
I LOVE THIS SYNTH - I LOVE YOUR TUNES
Thanks man! I'm glad you enjoy the music. Did you get yourself a Waldorf Q yet? :)
NO :(
I did pick up a Blofeld & a Pulse 2... when I inquired on the MicroQ they put the price up.
I'm happy with the 2 little DT units thou
amazing stuff
Thanks!
brilliant...really enjoyed that..!!
I have always had a hard time picking which one of my synth is my favorite. But the Q.... Usually sits up at the top of the list more than any other.
It is pretty unique! Very powerful synth.
@@synth4ever I love it, it is my goto when I want a distinctive unique foundational sound. I also have the og Nord Lead if I want something more cutting, and as much as I love it too, its nowhere near the diversity of the Q.
@@wishusknight3009 Yea, I think Waldorf really pushed the envelope with the Q. It is still one of the most powerful and flexible VA synths ever made.
@@synth4ever I also own an Alesis Andromeda which I also love to tears. I would be unable to choose between that or the Q if I had to pick just one.
@@wishusknight3009 Very difficult choice. Analog and digital, both synths are great in their respective domains. Best to keep both! ;)
Yummy delicious sounds!
Hey man I really enjoyed this soundscape! Love the mood you have here. Thnx for sharing. Still virus reverb? I used it the other day playing simple ultranova wavetable sweeps trough it and it was so relaxing and meditative. Much love for Virus reverb! But Ultranova is far away from wavetables on this little Q-tie... :)
Thanks for the comment. This piece is 100% Waldorf Q, including the built-in reverb.
I didn't know the Ultranova had wavetables, that's pretty cool! Doesn't it also have built-in reverb? Glad you are having fun experimenting with Vius B as an external effects unit. :)
This is utterly gorgeous - my favourite so far. I own the same synth, and I thought I was getting deep into the waldorf, but I'm nowhere close to this!! I have only been using synthesizers for about 8 months. Could you possibly provide some insight into how you created this? / your approach to creating these soundscapes?
how do you get such pristine, sparkling, watery sounds?
Hi Sam, thanks for your comment.
In terms of approach on this piece, I used:
- Oscillators including sinewave, triangle and saw
- the built in step sequencer on INSTRUMENT 1 section (button above LCD) to create a looped pattern that plays throughout
- the string pads on INSTRUMENT 2 section (button above LCD) that are improvised on top of the loop. You can see me switch back and forth between this and INSTRUMENT 1 at 0:54, 3:29, 4:41, 6:43
- Added in LFOs for sonic motion on the sequencer
- Adjusted resonance and appropriate filter type (ie PPG Filter type) and cutoff
- Adjusted envelope filter ADSR amounts on sequencer pattern for sparkly sounds
- Added reverb FX to blend all together
That's at a high level, and then there is improvisation on top of that... tweaking osc types, ring modulation, FM, noise, env velocity/key tracking and adding an arpeggiator in certain spots etc to get more variances. The sparkly/watery sounds are a combination of PPG filter type, resonance, filter cutoff and envelope filter ADSR amounts being tweaked.
Beyond that, coming up with ideas for soundscapes is really up to your creativity. Sometimes I have an idea I try to reproduce, other times I just start from scratch and see where experimentation takes me. There is much to be discovered either way! :)
synth4ever Thankyou! Since reading your post I have opened up my manual and did a big session with the built-in reverb that I wasn't really using as it seemed complicated and I read somewhere the WQ's built in effects were bad. Now I've spent some time with it i realize it is pretty straight forward and it was the missing ingredient that I was looking for in terms of getting those sparkling, watery sounds. Is it just me or is this a killer reverb? I love the way it makes the Waldorf Sound.
Interesting that your using the sound mode rather than multi - I do the same. Something about the multi feels so clunky and slow to get around. I like the immediacy of being able to hit instrument 1-4.
When you say LFOs for sonic motion on the sequencer, what do you mean? I have never really tried to get too deep into the sequencer - using steps for different modulations, this is something I will need to inspect further. Previously I had been using it more as an advanced arppegiator tool. I Just started playing around with different cutoff/filter attack/filter resonance levels to try and get some nice, dynamic sparkling sequences, I'm not quite there. It's weird switching between CV1 & CV2, and in and out of sequencer mode to tweak the sound and get it right. I think it will take some time.
Thanks for this information, its forcing me to get deeper into the Waldorf, I was feeling like I had plateaued!
Sam Hains
Yes, the Waldorf Q reverb is quite nice, it can get big and spacious! ;) I haven't really delved into Multimode yet, just been dabbling in single mode thus far.
As for LFOs on the sequencer, I meant the LFOs modulate different things like volume, filter cutoff, pitch, panning etc.
Good luck with your sonic explorations ;)
Q's reverb is really really nice for BIG and extreme reverb sounds.
It's not great IMO for very realistic sounds and the fact that you don't have specific control over the early reflexions.
But it's underated.
Frankly speaking, the reverb of my Virus C was only a bit smoother and most of all easier to program.
A thing that I've learnt through the years is that if you want to melt OSCs with different waveforms together (and noise and Rimg Mod) it benefits greatly by not just crancking their individual levels.
Also if you cranck the overdrive and or resonance of the filters, try to compensate gor the volume boost by lowering OSC or amp levels.
so does the micro q not have step sequencer function?
Not sure, never tried a Micro-Q. Check manual.
please put a stepsequencer in the Quantum
9:14 is beautiful..
Thank you.
Could you try to compare the Waldorf Q and the Poly Evolver ?
Please
Thomas Muller Well at a high level Waldorf Q is a full digital synth with 16-32 voices (depending on model) all the way up to 100 voices on Q+ (with analog filters). Poly Evolver by default is 4 voices unless you polychain multiple racks (maximum 20 voices).
Poly Evolver has 2 analog oscillators + 2 digital osc (Prophet VS digital wavetables) + analog filter, whereas Waldorf Q is 3 fully digital oscillators/filter and has 2 wavetables (Waldorf Q+ has analog filter).
They both offer extensive hands-on control and have a step sequencer (32 steps on Q vs. 16 steps on Poly Evolver) but the Poly Evolver's step sequencer is quite interesting in that it allows you to modulate different destinations with each step (not sure if Waldorf Q does this).
Sound-wise Poly Evolver has more of a brash/noisy/distortion tone whereas Waldorf Q can be crisp, clean, cold at times. They are both very powerful synths and unique in their own way and you wouldn't be disappointed with either of them, I'm pretty sure.
synth4ever Well , this is an amazing feedback ! thanks
I still hesitate between the two ... i m looking for some warp and texturized pad and spacy polyphonics sounds , both are doing that ...
what ever thanks for your time
All the best
Thomas
Thomas Muller 4 voices are not enough.
How much do one of these cost. Fucking awesome job on the ambient stuff!!!
Thx glad you liked it. :)
Costs depend where you buy from (eBay, Craigslist etc). I've seen 16-voice rack units for $600-$900 generally. Keyboards from $1500-$2500 depending if 16 or 32-voice. If it's a Waldorf Q+ (100 voices/analog filters), expect around $3000+ unless you can snag a good deal. But as with anything prices fluctuate and you never know when you might find one on the cheap!
synth4ever
Thanks!!
Blofeld vs Micro Q vs Microwave XT for live experimental music. Will be using my trusty MPC1000 for samples and sequencing duties. Any advice?
If you want hands-on control (ie more knobs) out of those three, Waldorf XT wins. I wouldn't bother with the micro Q, go for a Waldorf Q rack or keyboard instead. XT is wavetable synthesis only.
Blofeld I haven't tried but have heard good things sonically, but interface not as accessible as knobby Q or XT. I guess it depends what's more important to you -- sound or live tweaking capabilities on the fly?
To me the biggest sonic scope of those is in the Blofeld, then XT. It's by far the easiest to find, it has the worst effects section though...
It's a tough call.
Bear in mind that if you get a Blofeld, the output section is a bit dull/quiet and might give you the impression that it doesn't sound great. You'll be a lot happier if you run it through some preamp.
aikighost blowfeld & micro Q have terrible interfaces.
impariamo a suonare poi facciamo le dimostrazioni impediti