Waldorf Wave

Waldorf Wave Image
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Waldorf has realized and created one of the biggest and best wavetable synthesizers around. Wavetable synthesis has been widely used in early digital synths like the SCI ProphetVS, Korg Wavestations and the PPG Wave. At first glance the Wave could intimidate most. However for a digital synth, the Wave has a very clear and intuitive design and layout.

 

This is a digital synth. Samples of waveforms or wavetables are manipulated and combined to create exciting new sounds as well as complex sounds, drones and pads. The filters are analog! There are two, a 24dB low pass and a 12dB high pass. And they've got resonance, distortion and self oscillation. Other unique enhancements to the Wave involve expansion. It comes with 16 voices that can be expanded up to 48 voices. The Wave is also semi-modular with hardware and software expansion options.

 
 

 

The Wave is one of Waldorfs' finest synthesizers and probably one of the most advanced wavetable synths ever. A much smaller rack version of the Wave is the Microwave series. The Wave is a professional instrument with a price tag that probably suites it for the most successful of musicians. Most of us interested in the Wave should consider the Microwave series for access to some of the same great sounds and power found in the Wave. It has been used by Eat Static, Enya, Hans Zimmer, Deep Forest, The Orb, and Depeche Mode.

 

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Demos & Media

The Sacred Spirit of the Wave
by
max mazzotta

Specifications

Polyphony - 16 to 48 voices
Oscillators - Noise generator
Filter - Analog 24dB low pass filter, Analog 12dB high pass
Keyboard - 61 keys (velocity and aftertouch)
Memory - 256 patches, 256 performances
Control - MIDI
Date Produced - 1993

Resources

Images from Perfect Circuit Audio.