Waldorf - Quantum MK2
- Order number: 240052
The Waldorf Quantum MK2 is an outstandingly equipped analog/digital hybrid synth. The flagship – as Waldorf puts it.
With the original Microwave MK1, a reincarnation of the PPG Wave, Waldorf successfully placed the company in the market dominated by American and Japanese synthesizer companies. Along with the über-synth Wave, Waldrof created waves in the synth community and still does this today. Enter: Quantum.
Together (again) with renowned synth designer Axel Hartmann, Waldorf masterminds Rolf Wöhrmann and Joachim Flor developed the Quantum MK1 in 2018, which was quite a statement in terms of sound and synthesis-power. The MK2 version adds another chapter to this story. One that has 16-voices, is dual-timbral and an analog-digital hybrid.
There are five radically different synthesis modes per oscillator. The classic wavetable engine has been complemented by the strengths of the Nave synthesizer, which is capable of voice synthesis and can generate wavetables from external audio sources. In addition, a virtual-analog approach for extremely rich sounds, which can come up with up to eight copies (detune/chord) of the oscillator if required. Also on board are a sampler with granular option (Particle) and a resonator filter bank with click/noise exciter). Both support Multisampling. The Kernel oscillator made us wonder what this is. There are up to six Kernel operators per oscillator covering the (sound) fields of phase FM, true FM and wavetable position modulation (Wow!).
The filters contribute to a large degree to the character of a synth. Quantum has two analog lowpass filters based on the Waldorf filter tradition (either 12 or 24dB slope) or alternatively two digital multimode filters. The latter include a state variable filter and other filter models from Nave, Largo or PPG-Wave. In addition, the so-called "digital formers" provide further digital filter types (e.g. comb filters) and can also act as sound shapers with its Bitcrusher, Drive or RingMod capabilities. The synapses of oscillators, filters and digital formers can be linked via a flexible routing system. Among the sources are six LFOs in poly or global mode and six loop-able envelopes. The modulation matrix has up to 40 entries, while the numerous knobs, push buttons and the generous tablet-like touch display make it extremely easy to dive into this machine. To keep track of routing, multi-colored LEDs on all central controls indicate which settings and modulation assignments are currently active. Also part of the matrix is the lavishly equipped effects section with all common effect types. At the end-of-chain there is a master compressor for the main output.
The high-quality Fatar TP/8SK keyboard with 61 semi-weighted keys and polyphonic aftertouch provides a sophisticated playing feel. This allows extremely nuanced interventions in the sound design that are almost comparable to the expressive playing of classical instruments.
Also on board are an Arpeggiator, sequencer, microtuning options and MPE/Poly At, all of which are also part of the mod-matrix. Quantum’s connectivity is more than solid, with 2 stereo outputs, stereo input, MIDI I/O via DIN and two USB ports. The latter can be used to connect MIDI controllers, read in samples or install software updates. The internal flash memory for presets and wavetables is 4 GB in size, with 59 GB available for samples. The pedal input also accepts your Eurorack-CVs.
For Waldorf Quantum MK II is their current Flagship. We are impressed and agree.
Features:
- Polyphonic synthesizer with digital sound enginge, analog filters and up to 16 voices
- Duo-timbral
- 3 oscillators
- Five oscillator modes: wavetable, waveform (virtual-analog), particle (sampling and granular sampling), resonator (with click/noise exciter) and kernel oscillator (up to 6 operators for FM, phase FM and wavetable position modulation)
- 2 analog filters (12/24dB lowpass in various characteristics) or
- 2 digital filters with additional filter types (SVF, Raiser, Largo, Nave, PPG)
- 2 "digital formers" (additional filters as well as bitcrusher, drive, boost, ring mod etc.)
- Flexible routing system between oscillators, filters and digital formers (which I can route before or after the analog filter unit, for example)
- 6 LFOs
- 6 envelope generators
- Komplex modulator (Complex LFO with two different curves that can be mixed together
- Mod Matrix with 40 slots
- high-quality Fatar TP/8SK keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch
- Arpeggiator with 7 different algorithms
- Step sequencer with up to 64 steps with step recorder, transpose function, parameter automation and scale-based pitch quantization
- Generously dimensioned touchscreen (allows modwheel, pitchbend and aftertouch control)
- 4 GB internal flash memory for presets and wavetables, 59 GB for samples
- Up to 10,000 sound programs that can be filtered by banks, attributes, sound designer and patch number
- 2GB of factory sounds from Richard Devine, Reinhold Heil, Mike Huckaby, Thorsten Quaeschning, BT, Matt Johnson, Jörg Hüttner, Kurt Ader etc., among others
- MPE functionality
- 6 macro buttons
- high-quality 24dB AD/DA converter
- 2x 6.3mm jack input (TS)
- 4x 6.3mm jack output (TS)
- DIN-MIDI (In/Out/Thru)
- 2x USB for USB-MIDI, connection to computer/DAW, sound import/export
- SD card slot
- Control pedal input 8 (0-5V, can also be used as CV input)
- Sustain pedal input
- Headphone-Out
Quantum MK2 @Waldorf
Manual