Waldorf QUANTUM User manual
Waldorf QUANTUM – a hybrid path to the future
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Multi-technologies are trendy. Not only in the automotive industry, where hybrid automobiles will be part of our
future. In the music electronics industry, hybrid systems are omnipresent as well.
Especially at Waldorf, where the symbiosis of DIGITAL and ANALOG has a long tradition. QUANTUM goes one step
further and pushes sound synthesis to its extreme …
Rarely a synthesizer has been awaited with such high expectations as the Waldorf Quantum. Announced in 2017,
great buzz words were soon glittering through the media: “Granular Synthesis”, “Re-Sampling”, “Wavetables”, “Dual
Analog Filter”, “Digital Shaper”, “Complex Modulator”, and so on and so on … The hype was further enhanced by the
exquisite design of the instrument. Graceful and noble: The Quantum quickly became an object of desire.
Whether the synthesizer meets these high expectations is the subject of this report.
Key word “body mass index”
The Quantum’s relation of size to weight is almost perfect. 100 cm wide and 40 cm deep, the instrument offers
enough space for a multitude of switches and knobs. Its 18 kilos indicate massive hardware. Once the Quantum is on
the table (or on the keyboard stand), it won’t move – no slipping, no wobbling!
Waldorf QUANTUM – a hybrid path to the future
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Well, simple specifications are just one side of the coin. But it’s the design that turns an instrument into an
instrument. And as so often, Axel Hartmann has once more demonstrated his skills by creating one of the most
elegant synthesizer designs of all time.
Quantum looks stunning! High-tech-layout in absolutely every single aspect. The unusual connecting rod on the
underside (ideal for carrying the Quantum!), the myriad of LEDs (individually color-adjustable), the aluminum wheels
(ribbed inwards – an adaptation of the classic Moog design?), the luxury display with touch function and through-the-
glass-plate-mounted pots.
The latter point – the display – was one of the two main problems during the first production batch (the keyboard
being the second problem). Quite a few instruments had to be returned, as, after several hours of operation, strange
stains appeared on the display. But those teething troubles have long been solved …
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Waldorf has spared no expense in coming up with one of the most stylish and elegant synthesizers available. But in
fairness it must be admitted that Quantum does crash from time to time (it simply stops operating for seemingly no
reason). A side effect of our digital age …
By the way, the Quantum’s user guidance is absolutely exemplary. Be it the oscillators, LFOs, envelopes, modulation
assignments, the sequencer or the routing of the signal path: the programming procedure – a mixture of hardware-
operation and touch-display-operation – is always clear and straightforward.
The inner core
Quantum is an 8-voice synthesizer. This might raise questions as to whether such limited polyphony is justifyable in
2018. The clue: the question behind the question is sound quality, not sound quantity!
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Synthesizers with 16, 24 or more voices are of little use if their sound seems to be emiting from a Coke tin. We
prefer 8 voices of excellent sound to a myriad of voices of questionable quality.
The key question is: IS the Quantum sound good enough to justify its restricted polyphony? We’ll try to give an
answer … and time will tell if we’re right. But first, a few more facts …
Quantum sound-path features:
3 oscillators per voice, with four synthesis algorithms each
(Wavetable / Waveform / Particle = Granular, Sampling / Resonator)
2 analog filters per voice (12dB / 24dB Lowpass)
1 digital filter -“Digital Former” – per voice (23 filter types!)
6 envelopes (Amp / Filter 1 / Filter 2 / Free 1 / Free 2 / Free 3)
with Loop- and EnvelopeVar(iable)-Function
6 LFOs (each with Sine / Triangle / Square / Sawtooth Down /
Sawtooth Up / Sample & Hold)
Various amplifiers
Further sound-path aspects:
Flexible routing system (Osc, Filter, Digital Former, Amplifier …
the signal path is freely routable)
Comprehensive modulation matrix
Komplex modulator
Effekt unit (with a maximum of 5 effects slots)
Compressor
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Performance Tools:
Pitch-/modulation-wheel
(digital) modulation-pad
Glide function
Hold function
Chord function
Mono function
Unison function
Arpeggiator
Sequencer
Audio-recorder
x
61 keys with VEL and (monophonic) AT
(incoming polyphonic AT messages are recognized)
Microtonal pitch configurations capable of importing Scala scl files
Single / split / layer sounds
Oscilloscope / Analyzer
Further Global Features:
Patch capacity of up to 10,000 (!) sounds
Favourit lists for quick recall of sound patches (e.g. set-lists)
Export and Import of presets, samples and wavetables via SD card
Sample recording (Audio Input or “internal” sampling of own sounds)
All parameters with MIDI CC function
Visualisation and in-depth sound editing via multi-touch display
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At this point, it would make little sense to explain every single feature of the Quantum in detail. Technical
explanations are of limited use when talking about the actual “value” of an instrument. Instead, we would like to
contrast the – from our point of view – welcome special Quantum features with its few peculiarities that may require
getting used to. And to recommend those musical uses for which the Quantum is in our estimation the most suitable.
The many positive aspects
“Flexible” Sound-Design
This is obvious. Wavetables, classic waveforms, sound design using particle elements, multi-sampling or resonators
… all in a 3-way oscillator design and in any imaginable combination. In addition, a myriad of sound shaping details
(analog / digital filters / flexible routings / tons of modulation options and effects). Such a comprehensive
“Synthesizer Engine” is almost exclusive with the Quantum.
“Quick” Sound-Design
Not obvious, on the other hand, is Quantum’s quick sound-design. The instrument may abound in details and
features, but the user will never get lost in a jungle of choices and menues (or so we find). The combination of
hardware and software, of real buttons and touch display is a nearly perfect work environment for the accomplished
sound-tinkerer and programmer alike.
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A few inadequacies concerning the Touch Display will be discussed later …
Intuitive Performance
Broad stereophony, massive unison, ascetic monophony … Single Mode, Double Sounds … everything a question of a
few seconds. Arpeggiator with direct access, a step sequencer as simple as it is flexible to handle. Pattern-transpose
in realtime via the keyboard. Here’s the chord function, there’s hold, then the freely assignable modulation wheel,
and much much more. Not to forget the audio recorder – for spontaneous recordings of your performances, or to
create your own samples and then re-process the sound through the numerous forms of synthesis.
Sound-Pool Luxury
Quantum offers up to 10,000 sounds … who needs 10,000 sounds? But actually, the number is irrelevant. All sounds
are organized in groups / sound areas, so searching for sounds is easy and access to the huge sound-pool is as simple
as can be – via a central dial button or a (virtual) numeric keyboard. By setting favourites / set lists, you can limit
yourself to a few dozen sounds, should the myriad of presets be more frightening than enjoyable for you. And sounds
as well as samples can be easily imported / exported via SD card (key words: extension of sample material, sound
backup). Everything is taken care of, everything is simple to operate.
Waldorf QUANTUM – a hybrid path to the future
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Workplace Design Of High-Quality
Both its exemplary layout and its excellent feel contribute significantly to the intuitive operation of Quantum. After a
relatively short training period – after 2 or 3 days, we’d say – operation of this complex instrument should have
become a familiar work process to you. Familiar and pleasant, that’s important. No wiggling knobs here, no
inadequate and annoying hardware … Apart from those rare system crashes, working on Quantum is a thoroughly
relaxing and, yes, sensual activity. The possibility to adjust the LED colors according to your own needs (your own
logic) is another advantage of its intuitive operational system. Renewed praise!
What might need some getting used to
Stereo – Mono – Stereo … Huh?
One great surprise: The analog filter acts monophonically. Although the oscillators can be individually positioned in
their panorama – a big “hurray” – the soundpath is anything but stereo. Once sound passes the analog filter, you’re
stuck to mono. Ok, ok, special signal routings – oscillators via the digital filter or routed directly to the amplifier(s),
for example – do allow for stereo images. And double sounds can be adjusted just as comfortably within their
panorama. Last, but not least, stereo effects (ping-pong delay, etc.) are there, too. So, there “is” some sort of stereo
quality available, but (sadly) not in the instrument’s inner core, in its plain osc-ANALOG filter-amp signal path.
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Harsh basic sound?
True, “harsh sound” is a very personal opinion. If you don’t agree, please skip this paragraph and go on. What we
do know for certain is that the basic Waldorf sound is clear and digital rather than warm and analog. It’s harsh and,
well … shrill. Full of exciting acoustic moments, sure, but tiring and exhausting at the same time, affording little
relaxation for your ears*.
Part of the “problem” is the effect section. Especially the reverb algorithm, producing a hard digital sound of
somewhat disturbing character. There will be an indication later of how the harsh Quantum sound might be perfectly
suited to the “overall” studio sound, when combined with other synthesizers / sound modules.
[* By the way, sound quality in its historical context is interesting. The unique sound of those great-great-great-
grandfathers PPG Wave 2 / 2.2 / 2.3 has never made it into the new millennium. Wavetables with all their
refinements: Yes. Warm and vivid (dynamic) sounds: No.]
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Touch-Display – perfect for “slim” fingers?
The touch-sensitive display is an excellent tool. It is the key to effective operation and detailed sound design of the
Quantum. Graphic Waveforms, Filter Resonance Peaks, Envelope Forms, Samples, Routings, Active Voices – it’s all
visualized. The display (including its silver pots) is a wonderful tool.
But then, long thin fingers would be a real asset. Some of the “digital” buttons on the display are devastatingly small,
hart to hit and sometimes a little stubborn (how “firmly” should you press?). Furthermore, scrolling down a drop-
down menu or through a list of options sometimes unintentionally leads to the selection of unwanted functions.
Slipped off, not precisely scrolled, wrongly wiped – everything is possible.
Acoustical experiences: Presets and Performance
Those first hours with Quantum were exhilarating. Many, many hundreds of sounds, uncountable presets (a good
part of which sound really good) styled by well-known specialists and sound-designers. And we found ourselves –
albeit unintentionally – amused. Because so many of those elaborate sounds were reminiscent of times long ago.
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