Waldorf Pulse 2--Sounds from Beta Tester

[TweakHead]

Originally Posted by namnibor

OT: The original Pulse still kicks some serious a@@ and having the Pulse+, with the multiple cv/gate ins/outs, and external audio processing to filter...just as the new Pulse 2 is to have....makes it just as viable option as MS20. (have read on more than one occasion build quality issues with new MS20)

yeah, I think it's probably even a much more capable (and modern) synthesizer! I just think the MS-20 can be used for processing external audio as much as for the synthesizer itself and it's signature sounds - those it's famous for - with the resonance turned into screaming territory is unique. Pretty much like the SH-101 was famous for those acid arps you talk about, along with the infamous TB, but the filter on it sounds very warm and juicy also with big amounts of resonance to put it asside just for the soudns it's most famous for. Like the Roland's JP's that are also known for their supersaw leads, used to oblivion in cheap Euro Trance tracks and never failed to make it sound like some Carnival Fair or some kind, but it's also capable of very surprising sounds and with the uniqueness of Roland sound - that I always find has some sort of round contour to it (even the oscillators with filter fully open). Like said on other recent thread: if you want to blame fatigue for most obvious sounds on the Dance Scene on some brand, you have to pick Roland: we've all heard the TR drum sounds about a milion times - and still plenty of emulations or sample packs and this and that on that topic; same thing with the TB, the SH range (most specially 101) - and new software synthesizers with the latest DSP technology for recreating analogue filters (zero feedback delay filter that is) like the Lush 101 (actually a polly/multi synth with 4 101s and mixable incorporated fx, I think with sends to!), Tal Audio's Bassline 101; the JP (blabla, there's a good emulator Timo mentioned once for iOS - be sure to check it out on you new gift ), so forth and so on... After Roland and Yamaha's big hit on FM synthesis with DX7, you can probably ear ad nauseum the Virus and Nord Lead pretty much everywhere.

The music scene and the synthesizer developers mindset oscillates (cute word) between nostalgia for the past, imitating the classic synthesizers of the past for a vast public of synthesis enthusiasts born in the computer age that somehow got interested in the history of this machines and eager to get their hands on some old circuitry with its exquisite sound (myself included!); and a venture towards new territory, taking advantage of the new technology (mostly digital these days) for new approaches to sound synthesis - and there I'd probably put the finger on Native Instruments and some other companies, and Waldorf to! Waldorf, long before Massive made wavetable synthesis very popular among aspiring producers (possibly inspired by Skrillex-like music), was putting synthesizers on the market with this very peculiar type of synthesis, along with wave shaping, so forth and so on and (I think, not exactly sure here) popularized the comb filter on hardware machines capable of that very odd and grittier wall of sound with a metalic ear piercing attitude to it - that I immediately associate with the brand!

Not so familiarized with the Pulse, have listened to some sound demos online and think it sounds like a powerful analogue mono synthesizer, not so different to Novation's Bass Station to my ears, to be honest, capable of that acid bass sound and anything in between, but not with the silky sound of a Moog, much more edgier (again, like Rolandish sounds). This new one comes packed with features and modulation options that are rare to see on a true analogue and is probably going to make it into my "wish list". Multi-mode filters are also something I value a lot in analogue synthesizers, and is something that can (and has) make me choose one instead of another. I don't have enough gear here to go with a 1k synthesizer just for loving it's sound character or the raw sound of it's oscillators, I need modulation options, routing choices (if and when possible), sequencer and/or arp doesn't hurt either or, at least, cv and (!!) midi connections on the back to allow for rather cool communication between devices!

Last but not least, heard the Minitaur can recycle it's waveform on each note you press - like the "phaseinit" function on the Virus. So the Pulse2 is actually one of the few that meets my criteria. Also heard rumors of this bad quality build on the MS 20 (what a shame...) with fidly knobs, so not really excited about the majority of the analogue returns hype thing and still find the older models more attractive imo.

the make noise dpo, on the other hand...

[TweakHead]

That's one hell of a post Rob!

I knew all about their synthesizers, as any enthusiast would! But was surprised to see they went the extra mile with the standalone filter designs. Wonder why some of this products didn't made it into Vintage Synth! Anyways, being a company much ahead of its time they've also embraced software instruments early on.

http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/dpole.php

This is one of those gems that not everyone knows and most people don't take seriously enough, but by running white noise into it I make some leads and sounds I can't reproduce anywhere else...

This is part of their "legacy collection" (think that's the name) that easily gets dismissed because this plug-ins look rather old and not much appealing to the eyes, but they sound (still today) absolutely amazing - if you take the time to explore them!

So I wasn't surprised to see them presenting Largo! Know when people say Access can't possibly make a plug-in based on the Virus code? That's exactly what Waldorf has done with Largo! Sounds amazing (not that I think could replace a Blofeld) and can compliment any synthesizer setup with the convenience of having THAT sound integrated with the host software. I saw this as a sign that the new Waldorf is true to its history in that it seems like they want to present the public with the products they'd want for themselves, even when it means serious risk taking! And indeed, Waldorf Largo shares the same filters and many stuff from Blofeld! Doesn't seem like it's hurt their sales much though.

[namnibor]

That "D-Pole Filter Plug-in" is actually the VST version of my Waldorf Mini-Works 4-Pole standalone filter. (The 'D' being 4th letter in alphabet and think there's even some yet "James Bond" association to the name, like all else Waldorf).
So now that am thinking about it, Waldorf's AFB (Analog Filter Bank) rack of 16 hardware analog low pass filters with USB, intended on used "integrated" into DAW and VST software **could** be viewed as 'one of the first' to implement hardware integration as it makes sense now that when they went bankrupt, straight away went over to Access Music to help with development.

In any case, looking forward to which direction that Access is going to go next and would love to see a hybrid or all-out new Virus with analog oscillators, filters, et al, with a long ribbon controller and 69 knobs

Will be visiting my parents and brother around Thanksgiving/November, and Sweetwater is only another 1 1/2 hours North of them in my 'home State', so plan on taking a Pulse 2 for a test drive in their rather cool studios there at Sweetwater and will report back thereafter.

Waldorf Nave App is so freaking awesome, it makes me wonder if it will remain on iOS or if a WIN/MAC VST version be made?

[TweakHead]

Originally Posted by namnibor

Waldorf Nave App is so freaking awesome, it makes me wonder if it will remain on iOS or if a WIN/MAC VST version be made?

certainly hope so! maybe it will happen, this being Waldorf here!

but I see that some manufacturers didn't miss the opportunity to jump at the iOS market without translating those efforts to the plug-in market afterwards: the Animoog is another really interesting product by Moog that would presumably sell a lot if it was made a plug-in, but never made it into that market.

my guess is that they're using this as a chance to promote their other products and to test some ideas. funny thing is: you don't usually see Moog developing software instruments like they did here, and many times I thought that these products are more daring and cool and future-oriented then those presented for pro audio applications!

But it's interesting to see Waldorf reaching out for that market as well and producing one of the most exciting pieces of software for the iOS indeed. Makes me wonder what Access could possibly be doing in secret on their labs...

http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/lector-overview.html

it's funny how this sort of plug-in gets easily overlooked and presents a good chance to take sound design to new realms and, indeed, produce unique sounds! just saying! this kind of thing doesn't come buy to often on the digital realm!

[namnibor]

So true! I am treating Nave as I would any of my hardware synths by using the Behringer iStudio iS202 Dock, running it's audio output into my audio interface...and the kicker is...you might as well say LECTOR **is part of NAVE** because they have made a rather unique 25 band formant filter and wavetable that lets you: 1) Type-in *any* text and have it turned into advanced wavetables AND SPEECH which can be totally manipulated/mangled, and 2)you can import *any audio/and or file* and create customized wavetables via new spectra wavetable synthesis!!
I like the tactile interface of the iPad but also connect the QuNexus to the iStudio to play even more dynamically...but kicker is, you can DO BOTH and it really opens-up expressiveness and apparently Waldorf's engineers teamed-up with the engineer whom made the "NLog App" or similar name.
I am realistically good on hardware synths and if NAVE App as well as something like the GNome Sequencer App is only thing I use the iPad for, am quite happy...but there's even an editor now available for iOS to program my Microwave XT deeper than 37+ knobs can....these are indeed interesting times because you are even *just starting* to see some of these instrument Apps be ported to Android now, so it's not 'some fad'.

If Access were to come out even with a new hardware synth that had a fully developed App or hell, even made so a tablet can slide into "the landing strip of empty space" for more in-depth editing on top of tons of knobs????

What I am really impressed with is Waldorf had yet another iOS update for Nave yesterday...the second one since iOS 7 was released in a week!
I also got a mailing on Waldorfian List yesterday of an iOS editor template for the new Pulse 2.
Access should surely be working on *something* that's going to blow everyone's minds with the evolution of musician interfaces, Touch OSC, the Analog Spring, and the DSI Prophet 12 is being sought after as some studio's new 'flagship synth'...would love to know what's on their slab deep down in their lab...and no, that's not rap!

[namnibor]

Here's a short but cool demo song done with Pulse 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HIUkU4UbJc