Open Box Waldorf Blofeld Desktop Synth Module Cream

Comments about Waldorf Blofeld Desktop Synth Module:

I own a number of synths including a Roland JP-8080 and Virus Snow, but this is my favorite along with the DSI Tetra. I have had it for about eight months and use it constantly. The unit is compact but solid as a rock. It is also the best looking desktop synth on the market. It sounds beautiful, and its patches range from harsh basses to shimmering pads. While it is digital, it can be warm, too. If you want something that can mimic natural instruments like a guitar or a flute then forget it. This little beast is meant to sound synthetic and is great for emulating later day Kraftwerk-style songs (think Tour de France). Despite the limited number of knobs, programming is easier than I first expected. The display is big and the programming matrix benefits from a logical layout. Most parameters are easy to access, and it is especially fun to mess with the wave forms to create moving effects. Even so, my biggest complaint is that it lacks a VST interface like the Virus Snow. Also, the operating system tends to be buggy, although the latest software revision has fixed a number of minor problems. Overall, I would recommend the Blofeld to anyone interested in making music that ranges from minimal tech or dance anything to industrial to ambient to eighties revival.

Comments about Waldorf Blofeld Desktop Synth Module:

First of all, the reason why i choose the Blofeld is that even Virus TI has good sound and powerful, I find that the virus sound is everywhere nowadays as well as the nord sound. I want to get something which is a bit different and unique sounding. I find that the Blofeld has a unqiue sound of itself. At the same time, it gathers different synthesis approach in one box which is good. The best part of the synth must be the wavetable and the filter (the comb filter). Built like a brick! Quality Product and Good Sounding. Best Synth i have used.

Comments about Waldorf Blofeld Desktop Synth Module:

This is one of the few virtual analog synthesizers that actually does what it claims to do: It sounds analog (Roland could learn something from these guys). It has three oscillators, is multitimbral (can play more than one sound at a time), has lush effects, and is deeply programmable. It has a solid build quality and a nice LCD screen.

The only drawback, and it's a pretty big one, is their choice to use a matrix editor. I do understand it's a small piece and there is really no way to pack all the needed sliders and buttons, but it needs to be known that if anyone wishes to engage in sound creation that the ease of use is as good as it can be. It may sound like a small thing but the placement of the primary edit knob on this unit is high and to the left, so you can't use your right hand to edit without blocking the screen, so you have to always use your left hand. The screen should be at or above any commonly accessed buttons. The other drawback is you can't quickly switch on or off oscillators. Again, sounds small but when making sounds turning oscillators on and off is something you do a lot, and to do this requires menu diving. Managing multiple stereo filters can be just a royal pain as well. While they did a reasonably good job with the editing, it could have been a lot better (they could learn a bit from Dave Smith here).

However, it does need to be stated that if one can get past the matrix interface, the sounds that can come from this unit are warm, lush, and deep. This unit still survives in my studio among some legendary titans, and that says a lot. In closing, this is likely one of the best sounding virtual analog synths, and you will enjoy listening to the sounds if you can get past some of the annoying drawbacks of the interface.

Comments about Waldorf Blofeld Desktop Synth Module:

A great little synth with lots of features, 3-osc, many LFO's, complex routing possibilities, wavetables, ability to load samples (with a $100 add-on), etc etc. Plus it sounds great.

I would recommend with enthusiasm, but this thing crashes *all the time*. A quick google search reveals that this is a widespread problem. Waldorf just released a new firmware (1.24), and to be honest I think it has made it worse.

Caveat emptor.