I'm considering getting a Blofeld... I don't really know why, but it just feels right. Actually, any old Waldorf unit would do, but I can't find second-hand waldorf stuff in my hometown these days... Anyone got a,n advice about it ?
Industrial Music forum » Music tech forum
is there a Blofeld topic somewhere ? couldn't find it
(14 posts)-
vx cheerleader 69
offlineMemberPosted 1 year ago # -
the keyboard version seems to be pretty cool. My friend has it and it's working pretty nice for him. Problem is, it's actually just revamped Q. It means that you can get micro-Q which will allow you to make similar / same sounds.
but I'd say if you havn't got any waldorf yet, it'd be a nice choice, especially that it ain't really that expensive.
Posted 1 year ago # -
soillodge
offlineTech ModeratorWe had a topic a long time ago. Most the reviews were mixed. Like kr-lik says, if it is in your price range and you need an introduction to Waldorf, it is a good VA.
`michael
Posted 1 year ago # -
i'd rather have a Q for VA work over the blofeld.. way more knobs on the Q and I already have a microwave XT.
i think the blofeld looks kickass and i like the sound of it, only real complaint is the anemic outputs. i wouldn't mind the interface and lack of knobs.. since i've found that i still use the menu a great deal when programming my microwave.. the knobs are excellent for live manipulation though
i think everyone deserves a waldorf. wonderful sounding synthesizers. the blofeld can be had at really nice prices used too. lately the micrwave XT has been selling for more than usual.. just saw 2 sell for over $700, but I wouldn't even consider selling mine
Posted 1 year ago # -
vx cheerleader 69
offlineMemberI just found a guy who sells a Microwave 2 for 230 euro, (which is approximately, I think, 275 USD (?)), is it worth that price in your opinion ?
Posted 1 year ago # -
soillodge
offlineTech Moderator230 Euro is roughly 300 USD. Yes that would be worth it. The Microwaves go for around 500 USD on EBAY.
Just keep in mind the Microwave 2 is entirely digital-I do not know if that is a factor for you or not. Some people comment that the original Microwave had a better sound because of the analog low pass filter. Personally I do not think it matters that much. The later Microwave had more polyphony and the digi filters were very flexible.
`michael
Posted 1 year ago # -
vx cheerleader 69
offlineMemberThe sound "demos" I listened to on youtube sounded VERY Pink Dots to me... And I like that. That maybe not the kind of sound I would choose in the end, but as an additionnal expander to add to my setup, looks cool... Gonna get it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
@vx, i know several people who own blofeld, and they are all pissed at waldorf because of the faulty OS, rare updates and whatnot, as i gathered it, it has some occurences when it hisses and fucks up the sound, so investigate that before you buy
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have a Blofeld.....
the Little beast is nice....but there are a lot of problems with it imho:- veeery low output....without a preamp boosting your signal at least 6-12Db you are lost...upon request, Waldorf told me that this is due to the fact that if you use overdrive on the filters that the output does not clip....somehow a bit a lame excuse I think...my Arturia also allows filter overdrive and is around 12Db louder...
I use a Mindprint Envoice Mk1 which i hard-wired to the Blofeld's outputs....otherwise with A/D Conversion only, the signal was almost not audible...- OS faults...as others already said the OS is not programmed very properly...when you turn the knobs too fast the system won't react, and sometimes also the knob values jump pretty uncontrollable....very annoying sometimes..
- limited I/O....the Blofeld offers a MIDI IN, 2 Analog outputs and a USB plug ( which is only for system updates and the SPECTRE uplink if you enabled the sampling option)...automation stuff must be done via a Masterkeyboard or within your DAW with the drawing tools... I honestly would really like to have a TI-like VST option or so...but according to Waldorf this won't come...
you can optionally enable the so called License SL which enables 60MB of Sample ROM which you then can use for you own stuff....
I use it quite a lot for house-basses, and screaming leads...it has some kind of warm grittyness which i do really like....it is more aggressive than my Nord Rack...also for Pads it is pretty cool, but I would not consider it as THE pad machine...but for basses and Leads I really like it....also for percussive stuff it really rocks....
honestly if you want a Waldorf, check ebay for a used Q...they go around the same price as the new Blofelds go....
I personally would tell you to save 100 or 200 bucks more and go for a used Virus TI Snow on Ebay....imho the snow offers a lot more for the money...(e.g. the atomizer, TI Integration etc)Posted 1 year ago # -
I agree with Yade. Looks like a promising little beast but it looks like an unfinished product because of the issues mentioned above.
The SL option is great but SPECTRE is very disappointing for sample management.
Please note that USB can also be used for MIDI and not just for updates.
I use a behringer ultramizer on the output otherwise you can't hear the Blofeld in the mix.
It's good for pads and very interesting arpeggios that I have created but for basses I prefer my Microwave XT, no doubt.Posted 1 year ago # -
marsofcrowdkontrol
offlineMemberYade covers it easily, I would just add that mine has a bit of noise/hum, but that may just be mine. Since the volume output is sooo varied, and most of the time too low, I boost that noise/hum sometimes when I use it on tracks. So that is my main beef with it. Otherwise the sounds are interesting and I take it for what it is. I also have a Snow and would turn to the Snow, Mopho or a soft synth for more harder edged sounds (though it does have them too). It's all about how much you want to modify and dig into it, like all other hardware and software.
Posted 1 year ago # -
vx cheerleader 69
offlineMemberWell actually I found a Microwave XT priced 450 euros... Ordered it instantly. I won't need the Blofeld then.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Good choice! I'm sure you'll have fun with the Microwave XT, it's worth it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
the XT is all sorts of badass
best site for the XT on the net
http://www.carbon111.com/mwxt.htmlPosted 1 year ago #
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