Waldorf Blofeld Keyboard

Waldorf Blofeld Keyboard is a virtual-analog synthesizer with a semi-weighted keyboard featuring 49 keys, velocity and aftertouch. The Blofeld keyboard is the successor to the well-known Blofeld, which has grown not only in weight and size but also in its capabilities: in addition to the classic virtual-analog and wavetable synthesizer, it now includes 60MB of samples. It features a metal casing as well as a large display and internal power supply.

• synthesizer with semi-weighted keyboard and 49 keys, velocity and aftertouch
• internal power supply (100-240V, 50-60Hz)
• pitch bend wheel
• modulation wheel
• sustain pedal connector
• Octave Up / Down
• flexible programming
  
• polyphony of up to 25 voices
• over 1000 sounds
• durable metal casing
• steel potentiometers
• 8 buttons
• graphic display 128 x 64 pixels and white LED backlighting
• MIDI LED
• volume control
  
• power switch
• stereo output
• headphone output
• MIDI input/output
  
• USB interface for MIDI
• minimum Windows ME, recommended Windows XP or newer
  
• minimum Mac OS X 10.2, recommended Mac OS X 10.3 or newer
  
• approx. weight 8 kg
• 60 MB sampler memory
• Virtual analog, Wavetable and sample-based oscillators
• 3 oscillators / voice
  
• frequency modulation between oscillators
  
• Microwave II/XT/XTk Wavetable
  
• 2 independent multi-mode filters per voice
  
• FM filter
  
• 3 LFOs per voice
  
• 4 Envelopes per voice
  
• arpeggiator with programmable rhythms (16 steps)
  

Interface

Preset Selection

Seven infinitely rotatable buttons made of steel provide in-depth exploration of the power of the Blofeld. Browsing through the preset sounds is done by turning the knob above the play button. Changing the bank used is done via the left button below the screen. The button to the right filters the sounds traversed by their category.

Oscillators

Selecting one of the oscillators displays the corresponding oscillator type page on the screen. Each oscillator, the ring modulator and the noise generator can be freely mixed into the input of the two independent multi-mode filters.

A special overview page shows the routing, level and waveforms of the generators.

Filters

Of course, the two filters have dedicated pages for displaying the response curves. Here you see an example of the 24dB low-pass filter.
Even the notch filter is displayed graphically.

The two filters can be routed in series or parallel, the latter mode allowing independent panning of the two filters.

Envelopes and LFOs

The envelopes can be classic, ADSR, looped or without the Hold and Release stages (one-shot). However, we have 5 types of envelopes.

The three low-frequency oscillators (LFO) provide separate parameters for delay and fade in/out. Here we have an example.

Modulations

What can we do with all these envelopes, LFOs and other control sources? Instead of using them as direct modulation sources, we can easily connect them to other modulation destinations in the matrix.

And if all this is not enough: we can create new modulation sources by modifying an existing one through algorithmic operations. Sounds complicated? Maybe. But it’s fun even if you don’t understand what you’re doing.

The modifier in the image creates a gradual modulation based on the continuous waveform of LFO1, whatever the waveform may be.

Last but not least, let’s not forget one of the most fascinating arpeggiators found in VA synths, first introduced in the Waldorf Q. In addition to standard features (measure division selection, shuffle variation setting, range of up to 10 octaves, directions), different notes lengths with different accents can also be set. But it opens up the full range of possibilities through the added step sequencer for editing arpeggiator patterns.

Spectre

Spectre is a tool for creating and transferring samples to the Waldorf Blofeld with the License SL extension and Waldorf Blofeld Keyboard. This application is compatible with Windows and Mac and is available for free to anyone from the official Waldorf website.