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Average Price: $26,068

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$500

$1501+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Waldorf Wave synthesizer is a legendary instrument renowned for its 32-voice polyphony and advanced wavetable synthesis capabilities. This powerhouse of sound creation is a staple for musicians seeking both versatility and depth in their sonic palette. Designed for professional use, the Waldorf Wave offers a comprehensive array of features that enable intricate sound design, from lush pads to cutting leads. Its intuitive layout allows users to easily navigate through its complex architecture, making it suitable for both studio and live performances.

The synth is equipped with an expressive keyboard with aftertouch and velocity sensitivity, providing dynamic control over your performances. Its large, high-resolution display ensures easy access to parameters and waveforms, while the extensive modulation matrix allows for detailed sound sculpting. The Waldorf Wave is revered for its ability to produce rich, textured sounds thanks to its multitimbral performance capabilities, which let you layer multiple patches simultaneously.

Whether you're an electronic music producer, film composer, or sound designer, the Waldorf Wave offers a wealth of possibilities. Its robust build and premium components ensure reliability and longevity, making it a worthy investment for any serious musician or producer.

Key Features:

  • 32-voice polyphony
  • Advanced wavetable synthesis
  • Multitimbral performance capabilities
  • Large high-resolution display
  • Expressive keyboard with aftertouch and velocity sensitivity
  • Extensive modulation matrix
  • Robust build with premium components

Product specs

Brand Waldorf
Model Wave 61-Key Synthesizer
Finish Black, Blue
Year 1993
Made In Germany
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 16 Voices

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Waldorf Wave use?

The Waldorf Wave employs wavetable synthesis, allowing users to manipulate and morph between different waveforms for a versatile and rich sound palette.

Is the Waldorf Wave polyphonic?

Yes, the Waldorf Wave offers 16-voice polyphony, enabling complex layered sounds and full chordal playing.

What kind of keyboard action does the Waldorf Wave have?

The Waldorf Wave features a synth action keyboard, providing a responsive and smooth playing experience suitable for expressive performances.

How many keys does the Waldorf Wave have?

The Waldorf Wave comes with a 61-key full-size keyboard, offering ample range for both bass lines and high melodies.

Does the Waldorf Wave support MIDI connectivity?

Yes, the Waldorf Wave includes MIDI Input, Output, and Through, ensuring compatibility with other MIDI-equipped instruments and devices.

Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit

Waldorf Wave Demo

Video thumbnail for Waldorf Wave Demo by Perfect Circuit

Waldorf Wave Demo

Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit

Video thumbnail for Waldorf Wave by MrFirechild

Waldorf Wave

MrFirechild

MrFirechild

Video thumbnail for Waldorf Wave Sounds by Perfect Circuit

Waldorf Wave Sounds

Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit

Video thumbnail for Waldorf Wave Demo & Review by musictrackjp

Waldorf Wave Demo & Review

musictrackjp

musictrackjp

Video thumbnail for Mike Huckaby - Talks & Plays the Waldorf Wave at Devon Analogue Studio by The Devon Analogue Studio

Mike Huckaby - Talks & Plays the Waldorf Wave at Devon Analogue Studio

The Devon Analogue Studio

The Devon Analogue Studio

Video thumbnail for WALDORF WAVE - Synth Demo by synth4ever

WALDORF WAVE - Synth Demo

synth4ever

synth4ever

Video thumbnail for Waldorf Wave - Eric Mouquet - Deep Forest Studio | SynthFest France by SynthFest France

Waldorf Wave - Eric Mouquet - Deep Forest Studio | SynthFest France

SynthFest France

SynthFest France

Video thumbnail for The iconic Waldorf Wave by synthlegends

The iconic Waldorf Wave

synthlegends

synthlegends

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Waldorf Wave.

Features and functionality

  • The Waldorf Wave could import 16-bit WAV files via 3.5" floppy and extract wavetables, although it struggled with complex sounds like distorted guitars.

    Source
  • The Waldorf Wave has 16 voices, expandable to 48, along with an abundance of analog ins and outs, offering greater flexibility than its Microwave counterparts.

    Source
  • Unique to the Waldorf Wave, users can create wavetables directly on the synth, a feature not commonly found in other synths of its era.

    Source
  • The Waldorf Wave offers a unique blend of lush and liquid tones that are also capable of sounding sharp and frizzy, giving it a versatile sonic palette.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Wave's analog filters are described as lush and squishy, providing a rich sonic character.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners report maintenance issues due to failing display, encoders, switches, and gas shocks, with parts becoming increasingly hard to find.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Waldorf Quantum is seen as a worthy successor to the Wave, offering modern features while maintaining some old-school charm.

    Source
  • The Waldorf Wave is noted for having digital oscillators with artifacts, and while it excels in usability due to its comprehensive knob layout, its sound quality is often ranked below the PPG Wave and Blofeld.

    Source
  • The Argon 8 is seen as a more aesthetically pleasing and easier-to-control alternative to the Blofeld, offering similar capabilities without the complex interface.

    Source
  • The FLAME MÄANDER offers replaceable wavetables and an analog filterbank, appealing to live performers with its user-friendly sequencer.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite its imposing presence and capabilities, the Wave was considered too cumbersome and maintenance-heavy for regular use by some owners.

    Source
  • It's acknowledged for its superior usability thanks to its abundant and well-laid-out knobs, making it more user-friendly than the Microwave XT.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Microwave 2 is a more affordable alternative to the original Wave, priced around $800 but lacks analog filters.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Waldorf Largo is noted as a VST version of the Blofeld, offering similar capabilities at a lower price without hardware limitations.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Waldorf Wave

soundonsound.com

The Waldorf Wave is a stunning blend of digital and analog synthesis that combines a rich, dynamic sound with a user-friendly interface. Its impressive physical design and powerful capabilities, like 16-voice polyphony and Dynamic Spectral Wavetable Synthesis, set it apart from other synthesizers. While it offers a uniquely immersive experience, the Wave isn't without its drawbacks. The lack of internal effects and the necessity of a boot disk for operation may deter some users. Additionally, its hefty size and price cater more to studio professionals and affluent musicians. Despite these minor setbacks, the Waldorf Wave stands tall as a dream machine for synth enthusiasts seeking unparalleled sonic innovation.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Hans Zimmer uses Waldorf Wave

Hans Zimmer

Composer, Music Producer

Hans Zimmer, Lisa Gerrard & Klaus Badelt

...
Verified via Photo

A Waldorf Wave synth can be seen in Hans Zimmer's studio.

See how Ulrich Schnauss uses Waldorf Wave

Ulrich Schnauss

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Tangerine Dream

...
Verified via YouTube

At 4:33 in this studio tour with MusicTech, Ulrich says "On top is another one that I can't move just by myself because it's too heavy, so that's why it's permanently set up - the Waldorf Wave - which is usually, I think, considered as probably the ultimate wave table synth. It's quite lucky actually, I bought two of these in a very very bad state, completely broken. Sent them to Germany to a technician who had worked for Walforf previously and out of the two broken ones, he assembled this working one."

See how Leftfield uses Waldorf Wave

Leftfield

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In a Facebook post, Leftfield refers to the Waldorf Wave as their "dream machine," highlighting its significance in their music production.

See how Mark Bell uses Waldorf Wave

Mark Bell

Music Producer

LFO

...
Verified via Photo

The Waldorf Wave can be seen in the left side of this photo of LFO in the studio.

See how TIM SIMENON uses Waldorf Wave

TIM SIMENON

Keyboardist, Composer

Interference

...
Verified via Gearslutz

as listed by tim simenon used for ULTRA lp of DEPECHE MODE

See how Firechild uses Waldorf Wave

Firechild

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

Video of Firechild performing on the Waldorf Wave in his studio.

See how Mike Huckaby uses Waldorf Wave

Mike Huckaby

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

This synthesizer never fails to amaze me. Listen to the chords and solo's i play as i adjust a few parameters and add a bit of modulation to a few things. The sound morphs into something completely new, and becomes very rich and colorful.

This is what i like about this synthesizer. It is suitable for any style of electronic music, or production. I try to push its boundaries towards deep house and techno.

But you gotta know your SH*T in order to get sounds like this from the wave. This is the big boys club.

This is a grown man's sport.

taken from mike's you tube channel... intro remarks in the upload comments of his demo of the synthesizer he owns and loves.

See how Michael Münzing uses Waldorf Wave

Michael Münzing

Composer, Music Producer

Snap!

...
Verified via Muzines

Source: Interview with Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti about SNAP! in mu:zines.co.uk from 1994.

See how Drew Neumann uses Waldorf Wave

Drew Neumann

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via SoundCloud

"SEA WITCH VS THE ALIENS" by Drew Neumann c2010 Droomusic ASCAP

"The story so far--fresh from their easy victory over the brainless Zombies, the Aliens dive into the Pacific Rim of Fire to raid the earth's resources and steal Methane Hydrates. They encounter something deep underwater that can actually fight back, and she is on her own home turf...

This cue features the Euro and Frac system set up in this simple patch--the one on the left is called Morbeus, it is an Emu/Paia homebrew made from Emu SSM evaluation boards and Paia EKX series boards. On the right top to bottom is an Encore Expressionist, Analogue Systems modular, Blacet, and Doepfer A100 modulars. Below that is a Powertran Digital Delay and an Alesis Quadraverb. These synths are backed up by 2 Waldorf Microwave 1, WAVE, and Q+, a Minimoog, 2 Minimoog Voyagers, Studio Electronics Omega 8, 2 Oberheim SEMS, a Tom Oberheim New SEM, Access Virus B and C, Arturia Origin, 2 MacBeth M3X, Jomox Sunsyn, Alesis Andromeda, and the 5U Knob Grotto. Mixed live off of all of the synths, this used 63 tracks and a couple of hundred voices. It probably should be titled the battle against noise floor and ground loops, but I won that battle!"

Album Usage

The Waldorf Wave has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Waldorf Wave, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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2
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2
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E-mu Vintage Keys Sound Modules
2
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2
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2

Community setups

Show yours
M

mandatorygnome

Gear IQ 210

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