It's funny that it took around 40 years for us to rediscover polyphonic aftertouch! Yes, people, the Yamaha CS-80 had polyphonic aftertouch in the late 70s!!! I think it should be a must have feature for every new synth now. After testing the Iridium in a music store I came home and instinctively tried to apply poly aftertouch on a string sound of my old Roland XP30 :-) That said it all for me! Great review as always, Mr. Loopop!

@markschweter6371

2 жыл бұрын

My Ensoniq EPS and SQ80 also have polyphonic aftertouch !

@reginaldbraithewaite5833

2 жыл бұрын

I still remember having poly AT on my Roland A-80 controller decades ago. Why did the implementation suddenly become so difficult?

@MichaelCoombes776

2 жыл бұрын

@@reginaldbraithewaite5833 my thoughts exactly. It seems like most keyboards (both synths and MIDI controllers) had poly AT but now you have to search for it and models with poly AT are much more expensive than those without. Most technology gets better, cheaper or both over time, but not polyAT apparently. Yes, there are MPE surfaces which do polyAT as well as other stuff like per-note pitchbend but those are actually new tech (and therefore very expensive)

@CommodoreCrush

2 жыл бұрын

Digitone Keys is so great with aftertouch.

Your gear demo & tutorial videos are simply the best! Comprehensive indexed details with excellent visual explanation and no screen space wasted on face time ego. This one convinced me to acknowledge my strong preference for hardware sound sources, overcome my risk aversion, and take the plunge of ordering an Iridium Keyboard from Thomann (who's shipping support and customer service have proven exceptional). My Iridium arrived just a few days ago and I will be using your excellent tutorials to start the deep dive into the capabilities of possibilities of this amazing instrument. It will be the crown to a lifetime of found sound improv and electronic music appreciation that started with a brief job wiring up Steiner Parker synths in the '70's. THANK YOU! (I'm off to your patreon page now to show my appreciation in earnest...)

@loopop

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to right, not to mention joining my Patreon!

This is SUCH A GREAT Tutorial! really next level from all the other out there (no disrespect :) - Awesome work as ALWAYS LoopPOP!

Loopops videos remain unrivaled! Thanks man.

I love the Iridium, capable of some very dreamy sounds!

@scamculture

Жыл бұрын

yooo whats up bro

@scamculture

Жыл бұрын

can jamiroquai make an ambient album

@enterprisesoftwarearchitect

11 ай бұрын

The PRO is here!

This is my dream synth for sure! It has everything and more (sounds, layout, tactile screen, poly aftertouch). Though the price tag is up there. This is like the Hydrasynth but much better.

Świetna praca. Doskonała . lubię te brzmienia.

Iridium is a stunning machine, but you're right, it needs a little more support for workstation style workflows. I think it's an update or two away from reaching its full potential. Some different reverb flavors would be nice. Also I'm really happy with the pad section of the desktop model! great video as always :)

Awesome analysis video as always from Loopop. Not sure about Waldorf's development vs market strategy, it looks like the current keyboardists like to show of their "classic" gear, old OBs, Prof's, Moo's, Jupiters, and I've seen a lot of the red painted keys too. Surely this machine is recording studio gold.

Awesome... best review yet of this beast

Beautiful looking synth. I love anything Waldorf makes. The sounds that they produce are always silky smooth.

Great review! This looks like an amazing synth. I wonder how it would compare to the new Groove Synth 3rd Wave.

id love it if you could start implementing your opinion best use cases for some gear. i feel like you mention it with some synths. but its always so helpful to help wrap your head around what a synth can be used for

That opening sound is so beautiful

Hey I'm really wanting to get one, does it have randomizer built in?

Thanks helps me to find my way on the IRIDIUM Keys as i got one...:)

it would be good if you could compare the keyboard version against the standard keyboard hydrasynth

Looks insanely complicated. Thanks for the vid!

As a synthesizer, not including the bread and butter acoustic sounds, whats a better synthesizer to learn on and grow with, the iridium or the montage m?

Please do a nord wave 2 review. Love your reviews by the way. Amazing.

Thanks for another interesting video. You really are well worth the Patreon subscription. I’m mostly a guitar and bass player and what I’d like you to cover one day is using a guitar as an input to a synth. Not a synth stomp box but either a euro rack and or a desktop synth like my Korg Monologue XD. It would be great to put my guitar through the XD filter for some interesting effects. Sadly the XD lacks an audio input but you get the idea.

@RizzlinHD

2 жыл бұрын

The Korg Monologue has an input jack, and I really wish they put one on the Minilogue XD too since it has built-in effects. Really seems like a missed opportunity.

@GizzyDillespee

2 жыл бұрын

MS-20 and its iterations and knock-offs have ESP. That's an external signal input to process thru the synth. It seems to have been designed for guitars and bass in particular. It's a very rough sound. I'm sure there are videos (including Behringer K2 examples)

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for your support and noted!

It's an amazing keyboard, too rich for me, but I can appreciate the beauty of what it can do. Thanks for the upload.

I have a Virus TI original which has a Fatar keybed. I expected this to have the same feel (which I guess was really good then but I never was wow'd by it). The Iridium is surprisingly great. As a keyboard player, I find it fast, responsive, soft (yet fast). It's like an organ with a soft piano landing. It's really special. If you can get to a store to try it, do so. :D

@Gigosula

Жыл бұрын

Hey how does sound compares between those two machines? I have impression that TI sound a bit mp3ish? roundish? lacking some resonance?

Can you please make a video of the best plugins for the minilogue XD? Some of those are entirely new synth engines which make a fantastic synth probably the best value for money machine ever created.

Looks great but I don't understand why they gave a synth with so many onboard modulation options cv ins? Surely it would make more sense to have cv outs so you could use all those modulators to control outboard or modular gear?

@Morberis

2 жыл бұрын

It would be nice if they made them configurable as in or out.

Caught a cold? Hope you're feeling better already!!

@JimRobb44

2 жыл бұрын

I was going to say the same thing. Last couple of videos were "Voice Compromised"

Great video 🔥 Is the sound „Arp 3“ for Iridium keyboard only?

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It's a preset I made (based on one of the factory ones if I remember correctly but quite modified) so it's not available on either one

Hi! Though by any means out of reach, I'll surely enjoy your review of the Iridium Keyboard. After getting started with my brand new Hydrasynth Explorer, I know how awesome polyphonic aftertouch can be, so I'm curious about the Fatar version you will present in this video. And by the way: Although the timbre in your voice is very pleasant in this review, you better get well soon 😉 All the best 👍

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes finishing up recovering from a cold :)

I never found what the "all amounts" setting is for in the lfos page, it has absolutely no effect!... and you, did you find?...

Would polyphonic capabilities exist for an external synth on the desktop?

I owned an Iridium desktop but I sold it. I sold it to buy the keyboard Iridium. I think the Iridium is one of those pinnacle instruments that comes along every decade or so. I cannot imagine ever getting bored with it. I own several respected synths and I’ve been using synths professionally since 1988. The only instrument I’ve found that matches the sonic expanse of the Iridium is the Novation Summit. I got lucky and bought my Iridium Keyboard for $2000. I would have paid more considering it’s incredible sonic capabilities and the interface and its built like a tank. It was quite a surprise when I first picked it up. It feels permanent! Same for the Summit. I’d highly recommend an Iridium desktop or keyboard.

@lukeautosymbol2668

4 ай бұрын

The Iridium looks awesome--I've been looking into it for a while. It doesn't make the best sounds I've ever heard, but they're nonetheless great. What really makes me interested, however, is the interface. For a digital synth, it looks the like best ever made. And that means a ton when it comes to digital synths.

Nice to see polyaftertouch!

Any sense or news as to whether MPE will ever make it to the Iridium family?

@browe

2 жыл бұрын

The current OS version I have on my Iridium desktop supports MPE. I use my LinnStrument controller with Iridium regularly, and they make a great pair--very expressive!

This synth really has it all ... if you can stump up the price of admission .. not trying to be a workstation .. just trying to be a very good synth .. got one just after its release and combined with some analog gear really does everything I could possibly want .. always impresses me with the new things I discover

Thank you for this. I have wanted this review so bad! The only thing I want to know is if I can hook up a MIDI keyboard with POLY AT to achieve the same effect on the desktop version.

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It should work but I've not tried it.

@yorkvogel

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it works fine! Hydrasynth Deluxe and Iridium Desktop.

Thanks for the review! I own the keyboard version and I'm happy with it, however I feel like it is missing some really essential performance features, for example there's no way to properly configure voice stealing and it will be annoying on longer pads for example. Also don't feel like the presets really make it shine although there's more than a thousand I think?

@GizzyDillespee

2 жыл бұрын

That's weird about voice stealing. They should do it like choke groups, where you choose priority for which timbre the synth will choke first. That's what I'm used to with multitimbral synths that have dynamic voice allocation.

@vgmandstuff1381

2 жыл бұрын

@@GizzyDillespee To be clear about it, there's no voice stealing issues between the two layers in split mode, they each have their allocated voices, it's mainly an issue with longer releases and unisono for example

@pitherh8059

Жыл бұрын

There's no voice stealing issue with Waldorf Kyra :D

The only bad thing I have to say about my Iridium desktop is the firmware update policy of Waldorf (or the lack thereof). There are some nice additions in the keyboard version that would also make sense in the desktop (AT settings etc). There are still quite a few bugs in the current firmware and some major annoyances that definitely should be fixed with an update (eg no arp latching with external keyboards). But there is total silence from Waldorf if they ever going to release a new version. I doubt it when I look at the state of discontinued Waldorf devices and the history of the Quantum 3.0 update (aka Duke Nukem Forever of firmware updates). So only buy an Iridium you can live with the current state of the firmware. Don't expect to get new functions or bug fixes in firmware updates. That said, the Iridium is still a fantastic synth.

@peterldelong

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve been impressed so far with Waldorf support. The link to download the keyboard version factory patch list PDF was broken and I opened a ticket w/ Waldorf support over the July 4th weekend, fixed by Monday afternoon. Found a bug in the Poly AT settings, opened a ticket over that same holiday weekend in Uncle Samville, they replied back acknowledging and verifying my bug report on Tuesday. Fingers crossed

@geneschwartz5422

2 жыл бұрын

you might be right, but i haven't yet reached the conclusion that they are not going to release updates. I know that they seem interested in a (rather obscure) situation that causes my iridium to crash, and obviously if there was no intention to release further firmware updates they wouldn't bother. I don't know. But other (very) circumstantial evidence is that, and i realize that this doesn't apply to the iridium versions, they are working on an update for the quantum that will increase the # of voices. The one that most interests me is that apparently they have one setup working where you can have 8 voices with the analog filter and 8 using only digital. But yeah, overall, i was a waldorf user back in the late 90's, and they were very engaged with users. There was a mailing list and i remember that one Waldorf guy in particular would participate a lot. Now they don't communicate much publicly which can make it seem like they aren't interested. but i suspect that there will be further updates, possibly big ones. no evidence. just a feeling....i know that the developer of the M is a frequent contributor to the thread about that synth on Gearspace, and that there will be a big upgrade coming soon for that. it's not unusual for companies to be somewhat silent about their future plans....hah, i do remember them being very forthcoming about the Q before it came out, and succumbed to mailing list sentiment which was to release it in the state it was in. Well, that turned out to be a batch at the time, and bad reviews and reactions contributed to them going out of business. Sorry - blabbing on a bit. I agree that it would be great if they were more forthcoming.

@EvilDragon666

2 жыл бұрын

Aftertouch settings are supposed to be on your MIDI controller in case of desktop, not the desktop itself. It makes sense for Iridium KB to have these options since it actually has keys attached. Not the case with Iridium desktop.

@alfonsocastillodelgadillo3676

Жыл бұрын

Wich do you prefer? Waldorf iridium or Waldorf iridium keyboard?

@joseluishernandezseptien

Жыл бұрын

After reading this about firmware updates… none 😳🫢

How does this compare to Quantum MKII?

Hi Ziv, hope all is good. I bought hydra synth with keyboard in January 2022, and after short time Iridium keys poped out.. So in terms of engine, is it better than hydra ? can it do things that hydra does and more? or are does hydra have something special in its sleeves that Iridium cant do?

@loopop

Жыл бұрын

All's well thanks and I hope the same is with you! I really don't know what I can add in a comment to my videos about Iridium and Hydrasynth. I mean, the short answer is yes, Iridium has more engines, but the filters and effects on Hydra sound different, the experience is different, cross mods are different and I certainly can't sum up everything Hydrasynth does in a comment, otherwise my very long videos wouldn't be necessary :)

@dazisk5355

Жыл бұрын

@@loopop thank you as always😊 , yes I also checked hydra video, but since I want to get rid of GAS syndrome, so I thought I can sell it and get Iridium instead. And about effects and filters I usually go through a pedal board so not sure if it will help to cover iridiums lack of on-board effects compare to hydra, but yea, then Iridium it is😆.

@loopop

Жыл бұрын

@@dazisk5355 iridium does have effects btw - plenty of them! Just a bit different

Thank you in advance for your advice. The money is not the concern for the following: Which one offers more in terms of features and what you can get out of it? A)Opsix MKII + Wavestate MKII + A software granular synth, B) Iridium Desktop. In terms of cost, the option A is less costly. Which one would you go with?

@loopop

29 күн бұрын

Sorry, that's a 2 hour comparison video... there's no right answer and what I'd pick would have no relevance for your situation - if you've seen my videos about the above (except the software granular synth) you'd have all the info I do

Off topic question: as a Patreon, is it normal to have multiple ads (injected by YT) interrupting your video?

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your support - and yes, unfortunately there's no way for me to disable ads for patrons only (patron benefits are the book and content downloads)

@NicleT

2 жыл бұрын

@@loopop thanks. No problem, it doesn’t affect my interest for your great content anyway.

Waiting for the Quantum MK2 that looks like a beast and end game synth for me.

Did you twist the output chords on purpose?

@loopop

Жыл бұрын

no

DMPM thanks u for your non bias insight on this comparison. What’s the advantages, sound wise between a 2-3k iridium and a $400 plugin like Omnisphere, NI Massive or even Serum?

@kaarefestvog6540

2 жыл бұрын

Or Hydrasynth

@RikMaxSpeed

2 жыл бұрын

No computer. Hands-on controls. A massively powerful sound engine - OmniSphere does not have all these synthesis modes and filters. But only a 4-octave keyboard… 😢 even if it has poly aftertouch.

@MarkoDeLaVoota

2 жыл бұрын

really?

@GizzyDillespee

2 жыл бұрын

Omnisphere is better if you want thousands of presets for your DAW compositions. Iridium is better if you want to program and play with these synthesis styles in a good hardware UI with a polyAT keyboard. I might look to Falcon as a better software replacement, but I'd rather have Iridium than either🙃

@geecen

2 жыл бұрын

You still need a decent computer to run it, plus a midi controller with poly afterthouch (nor sure whether there even is one).

Remember it's not an MPE keyboard but it does communicate with MPE so go buy an Osmose and pair it with the desktop Iridium for a far better total package. Just wait until you can wiggle your finger to pitch bend the Iridium which is fantastic. Since Osmose is available there's no reason to buy the keyboard Iridium unless you want an all-in-one setup. My Osmose & decktop pair perfectly for the ultimate rig plus Osmose adds another engine to the mix that on its own merit might be better than all 5 of the Iridium engines combined except that you can't yet build custom voices until they normalize/simplify the software. Point is they are the greatest deal and pairing available currently IMO as long as you don't need a workstation.

Does the Waldorf Iridium 49-Key Synthesizer from 2020 support poly aftertouch?

@loopop

Жыл бұрын

There's no Iridium keyboard from 2020 to my knowledge, if you're referring to the Quantum the answer is its keyboard does not have poly AT

@fatal_ism

Жыл бұрын

@@loopop that was a typo! 2022* there’s one in close proximity that thinking of making an offer but wanted to make sure if the poly aftertouch is an updatable feature

@loopop

Жыл бұрын

@@fatal_ism it’s not an update it’s just built in from the factory in all Iridium Keyboards

@fatal_ism

Жыл бұрын

@@loopop thanks a lot for the clarification! pulling the trigger then

@loopop

Жыл бұрын

@@fatal_ism enjoy!

Intriguing. It’s like Absynth with a physical interface.

I'll take three!

Ok Fatar... Where is your Studiologic Masterkeyboard with polyaftertouch... OK Novation, Where is your SL MK4 with this keybed?

whats the best midi keyboard with aftertouch to get for desktop iridium😍

@MFitz12

Жыл бұрын

A keyboard Iridium or the new Quantum Mk 2 which has the Iridiums keybed with an extra octave. Hydrasynth is next, keybed not as nice.

@sudhanva-bhat

6 ай бұрын

S88 mk3

thank you

300 extra euros in Spain in thomann, respect the prices shown in the video.

I think the reverb is very weak. Every patch with the reverb has the same granular plastic shrink wrap sound on it. Like a cheap cheap reverb. Other than that it's pretty nice.

digital and sweet 🥰

Well I bought one today, and its fantastic, shame it does not cook the dinner, it does everything else!.

Had to come back

From what I could tell, customs from Germany to New York could involve over $2,000 for a weighty keyboard like the Iridium, which makes that really tempting price on Thomann's out of reach. Please, please correct me if I'm wrong. I've been wanting to buy one of these ever since I read about the specific Fatar keybed feel and the poly AT. I've played with the Iridium module, but I really need a synth controller with poly AT and CV outs, and I highly doubt the Hydrasynth feels as good as the Iridium. And I much prefer the sound of the Iridium as well.

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

From what I've seen in other comments customs end up much less, but obviously I cannot promise anything

@Morberis

2 жыл бұрын

Here in Canada what I've done is call up Customs ahead of time and ask them what they think the fees will be. Usually they've been pretty dang close. It's possible that US customs would be as helpful...

@reginaldbraithewaite5833

2 жыл бұрын

@@loopop Thanks for that, loopop. I appreciate your response, and of course I wouldn't hold you to a guess made on the basis of anecdotal experience. I'm just grateful that you're trying to help people who can't afford the U.S. price for the keyboard -- people like me.

@reginaldbraithewaite5833

2 жыл бұрын

@@Morberis: In Canada, voters tend to trust, empower and fund institutions that are necessary, and you have actual democracy as opposed to fine-print democracy, so yes, I'd imagine U.S. customs will have fewer answers on a person-to-person basis. But I'll definitely try contacting them, so thanks.

@Morberis

2 жыл бұрын

@@reginaldbraithewaite5833 eh we've been slowly sliding into the American way for a long time.

I bought my Iridium keyboard from Thomann and the UPS import duty to USA was only $179.00. If you’re in the USA, save yourself $1000.

@alexandrebaroni1057

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting. Do you know why so low tax? I´m in Florida. It will works in the same way here ?

@peterldelong

2 жыл бұрын

@@alexandrebaroni1057 Yep

@alexandrebaroni1057

2 жыл бұрын

@@peterldelong Gret to know. I bought one Jaspers Stand (paid US$ 1,000.00 and 140 Fedex shipment). It arrives here. I paid US$ 22.00 for customs. I believe that Electronics would be much higher. So, the only problem will be if it breaks correct? You will need to return to Thomann? Not USA warranty that is made by Korg correct?

@peterldelong

2 жыл бұрын

@@alexandrebaroni1057 Duty rates for musical instruments are published in chapter 92 of the United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule. It’s basically 5.4% if it comes from a country with Normalized Trade Relations with the US. Stuff from China is higher due to the Trump tariff increases, I believe they add 14% on Chinese manufactured musical instruments. If it breaks during the warranty, it would have to go back to Thomann, but even if that happens and there’s shipping costs, it’s still cheaper: keep the boxes. I highly doubt it’s going to fail as it’s built like a tank and made by Germans who build gear as good or better then the Japanese.

@blpfrk

2 жыл бұрын

@Benjamin Willard how many days did it take to arrive after you ordered it?

As for poly aftertouch, I’m very happy with the Hydrasynth Explorer.

“No other synth has has many engines” you mentioned that twice and I kept sayin KRONOS! Haha As far as raw synthesis goes I think its only real competitor is a Kronos.

@loopop

11 ай бұрын

I differentiate between synth engines and specific instrument sounds. Kronos is awesome but many of its engines are virtual analog, and others are models of specific instruments (piano, e-piano, organ) which many other workstations have (Fantom, Montage, etc). As a matter of fact, any workstation, not just Kronos as more built in sounds than Iridium. None has a granular synth, none have a proper wavetable synth, none as comprehensive physical modeling options as this

@CharlesFerraro

11 ай бұрын

@@loopop I appreciate the polemic. As far as granular and wavetable go the Kronos does wave sequencing which can approximate both. I have a video detailing granular vs wavetable vs wave sequencing. The maths of each are comparable: snippets of cycles. Of course doing “granular” with wave sequencing is only like having a single grain and certainly not optimal. And it is a similar story with approximating a wavetable. The Kronos does however have a grainshifter insert which would be akin to the Iridium’s live mode. Not as robust as a true sample based granular engine but still nice. You already know I’m going to bring up STR-1. It’s honestly an excellent physical modeling engine! You can wrap and stretch harmonics in there too. One thing that confuses me though is that the engine seems to be based on a Karplus-Strong algorithm whereas Iridium seems modal. I’ll DM you to my wavetable/granular/wave sequencing video on Facebook.

Hi @loopop, thanks for the video, it's priceless and excellent as usual

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for the kind words! I never send my pros and cons, or review video for company approval. One of the good things about the comment section is people that disagree with me or point mistakes I make :) That said, to the points you mention, like I specifically mention in the video I don't have access to a Quantum, so it's hard for me to compare the quality of materials or build. I don't think the Iridium Keyboard is ugly or feels cheap at all though! Of course that's a matter of personal opinion. It's hard for me to talk about future firmware updates because I don't know if it's coming for sure and what's going to be in it, and who knows how long it will take. Have they committed to a date?

@VEsound

2 жыл бұрын

@@loopop Watching lots of your videos I already know you don't send your pros & cons or review video for company approval so that's not what I was saying. It could have been possible for you to contact Waldorf about this "vs. Quantum" section, just to know / check if something was coming from them or not. If you missed something important. As usual with Waldorf there's no date, they are beta testing it right now if I have the latest info, but I remember some of your videos on which you mention updates that can come, especially when they are already talked on the internet like it's the case for this Quantum update. And for the materials, again, that's not what I said: I never said the Iridium Keyboard was a cheap / ugly synth, I just focused on the wheels (cheap plastic compared to the aluminium ones of the Quantum, and you can see that on pictures even if you don't have the synth in from of you, and if you're not sure about the exact material used for these wheels that's once again possible to ask Waldorf about it, or on online reviews like the one from greatsynthesizers.com clarifying this -> greatsynthesizers.com/en/review/waldorf-quantum-a-hybrid-path-to-the-future/ ) and the absence of real sides (ugly looking for me vs. Quantum's sides which are nice with a special mix of aluminium and wood, and pratical by the way with a hole on each side in order to help when you are moving it).

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

@@VEsound regarding the plan for 16 voices - it’s impossible for me to be aware of every forum discussion on a synth a review (though I do often check!). Anyway like I said this is exactly why we have a comment section - for additional opinions and insights

@VEsound

2 жыл бұрын

Yes @@loopop, no one knows everything of course, and that's exactly why I asked you initially if you contacted Waldorf or not. 😉 I knew the answer to be honest but my comment was there for your thoughts on future videos. I like your videos as I said at the beginning, it's not about being mean but about potential improvements on your (aluminium! 😜) side. Take care and never stop. 🙂

The Quantum concept has ALMOST fully matured. Those 4 octaves are however quite meagre. Fatar already produced keyboards with poly touch decades ago. GEM S2 and S3 had it in 61 and 76 key versions. I presently use an Elka MK88 (88 keys indeed!) so I'd still go for the Iridium desktop (if it was more affordable!). Anyway. The real question is: Why did it take a chinese company to bring poly aftertouch back again at last.

@EvilDragon666

2 жыл бұрын

It doesn't at all matter which company brought it back, as long as it was brought back.

Looking at how much time you have to spend touching the screen, you might as well be using a computer and software.

@geneschwartz5422

2 жыл бұрын

have you used one?

that keybed is nice. sounds great, better than hydra. i still cant justify the cost of this giant VST in a box just quite yet. i'll wait for the next iteration of this concept once the copycats get released or maybe the next gen of hydras if they get them to sound a little better. the hydra performance features are outstanding on the keyboard versions. PSA: if u r thinking of buying stuff from europe in USA, the euro now is about the same value as the US dollar. i'm eying a harley benton 2x12 cabinet with the celestions and some MIDI gear that sweetwater doesnt even carry. speakig of euro...

How much for 89% fewer oscillators? I really want this but I can barely pay for my cat's suicide... or water for that matter.

The oscillator buttons to the north of the display didn't trigger your OCD this time? ;) 5 synths in one, but only 2 concurrent voices, still hurts a bit. I don't see why your comparing the Iridium with a workstation to be honest. The desktop version is still on my personal GAS-list.

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

Ha yes seems like they did better this time…

@GizzyDillespee

2 жыл бұрын

Iridium is a powerful keyboard performance synth, not a gimped music production center workstation. You'd use it to play your expressive synth parts into your mpc/workstation/daw, but not as a replacement for them. So far, I've seen these used mostly for live ambient performances, in tandem with other gear. Come to think of it, I can't think of any other scenario where I've seen it used🤪. I think Martin Sturzer (spelling?) has both a Keys AND a module👀

While the Thomann price to USA makes this a relatively good deal for an "all in one" I have never personally cared for that in a studio environment. I would rather have a set of focused design/workflow/engine synths. Particularly for granular I prefer a computer based engine. If one does want a digital/broad synth perhaps the decision boils down to the top Hydrasynth or this if you can get it for less than a grand more and have the coin to do it?

Why can't Waldorf just make a Blofeld 2

@elarielo

2 жыл бұрын

Waldorf 2feld

@GizzyDillespee

2 жыл бұрын

Because they put tons of effort into Quantum/Iridium. To me, it would make more sense to put an engine or 2 of that into a Blofeld/STVC chassis, rather than to develop the Blofeld code further. Especially if they plan to eventually port the Quantidium synths to software...

Just wish it had analog filters. The way that Waldorf went about product segmentation for this line of models makes no sense to me. Sure I'd be happy with any of them, but none of them really checks all the boxes. Heck I'd be happy with a 4 voice monotimbral version with no pads, no keys but with real filters. A product that makes perfect sense to me but nobody at Waldorf.

As it stands July 2022 both the desktop and keyboard version CRASH and FREZE (melting screen) constantly in any random mode or operation, Waldorf is not acknowledging the issue which makes me believe it won’t get fix… as it has happened before like the sync, Arpeggiator and multi mode on the blofeld Buyers BEWARE

Hopefully Behringer will bring a V-Synth clone

How can thomanns beat sweetwaters price by over $1400 there is too much going on with this board.

Okay, who is this imposter. What happened to your voice?! Lol.

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

true - it's a test to see if people like my voice better when I have a cold... might have to record all my videos this way!

The thing I cannot get over about these fpga (field programmable gate array) synths is that they are basically a VST inside a (admittedly) nice casing. Sure musicians just value the thing for what it is, a synth with great sounds and features (Juno X I'm looking at you), but a growing significant part of us who are technically savvy understand that $3800 can get you A LOT more mileage. Yes, software R&D is very expensive but this is nice enough to have an Onmisphere price and many more (myself included) would buy it (albeit in Splice installments). To each their own I guess. Great review as always!!

@leotook4064

2 жыл бұрын

There is no FPGA inside. Also, it's an instrument with a keybed you can take on stage or play in your studio. It's not a computer with a sound card. Nothing wrong with the latter, but just a different beast.

@obshaky

2 жыл бұрын

@@leotook4064 Defying what you expect from digital synthesis Even when pushed to its sonic limits, the Waldorf Kyra synthesizer holds its own without unwanted artifacts. That’s largely due to the ****FPGA-based**** processing, which boasts 32-bit digital conversion at a 96kHz sampling rate. That gives Kyra analog-like resolution to prevent common digital shortfalls like oscillator aliasing and filter stepping. The high-res performance even extends to the wavetables, with 4,096 18-bit, 32x oversampled PCM wavetables onboard for rich and dimensional sound generation capabilities. Funny enough there is no mention of the engine inside Iridium. Waldorf already invested in developing the FPGA engine, they will not reinvest in whatever magic you think is inside. This synth is an overpriced VST inside an overpriced MIDI controller. Dont be mediocre by just saying nothing, try harder and find proof.

@MrCcfly

3 ай бұрын

@@obshaky overall it is same to use cheap fpga with sound chip or cheap arm 4 core with sound chip integrated like mpc use orrest workstations ,, and they still charge for memory arm and leg ,like this specific memory is super different from ssd (same chips micron make btw for them and ssd ) it is vst afterall with bunch of samples .. k2700 workstation cost to build under 400$ ,sw cost more i guess . but it is vst ..

Sounds good but I think akai 61 keys 🎹 is going to be the keyboard ya get if ya get any from now on

@dmpmmediagroup3988

2 жыл бұрын

Akai MPC 61 Key is a beast and a producer dream - all in one workstation.

@demolitionkid2

2 жыл бұрын

Decent controller but akai always feels off

@Lordxfx

2 жыл бұрын

Why?

@karmsnigguh

2 жыл бұрын

@@Lordxfx akai dosen't take care of their customers after the sale, and their hardware seems cheap.

@GizzyDillespee

2 жыл бұрын

Does the Akai keyboard feel like their MPK line? Those keys were so stubby and springy, and they had the wrong physical response curve (not a software setting - you'd have to modify each key's spring mechanism). There was too much initial resistance to get the key moving, but then after that, not enough to help you to be subtle with velocity, once you've broken that initial inertia. But they did rerurn back quickly and firmly, with no bounce, so there's that. You would approach sound design and live ambient differently on Iridium and MPC. On the Akai, you would sequence, layer and use fx. On the Iridium, you'd build those complex evolving sounds within each timbre's synthesis architecture... I'm not really explaining the different paradigms very well. On the Iridium, the synth engine will turn a Minimoog sample into a 5 minute evolving alien swamp world. On MPC, you'd probably make those soundscapes by sequencing different layers of simpler timbres, and bringing them in and out, with fx for added movement. You wouldn't be using a single sample and granularizing it, putting it thru the resonator and komplexer and FMing it etc. OTOH, you couldn't produce an entire hip-hop or pop song, drums and vocals included, on an Iridium. In that situation, an Iridium would only make sense if you use a lot of synth pad and lead sounds, and like to live-play those parts in on an expressive keyboard. Or if you only do that a little bit, but you can afford and have the space to keep a special keyboard for that. Tho, you'd be surprised how many producers like to do that, and who keep a few specialty keyboards. And this one is actually pretty versatile and capable for a specialized keyboard. I would think of it that way, rather than as a not very well-specced "music production center". There, I buried the lede at the end again. Why do I always do that?

Nice but just another software synth with buttons added.

Why only 4 octaves? 😢😢😢

@GizzyDillespee

2 жыл бұрын

I don't know if these are Waldorf's reasons in particular, but... physically, it seems like with a shorter chassis, it's much easier for modern polyAT to be consistent across the keybed while on a crossbar support keyboard stand. When the keyboard is on a desk or other flat surface, it's not an issue. The usual solution throughout recorded history is to divide the poly aftertouch sensor strip into 2 separate units with a flimsy connector placed in between, right at the worst stress point on the keyboard (middle), but whatever. I'd even bet (I haven't checked) that Hydrasynth Deluxe uses a 49-key section from the original and then a second one, from the Explorer, for the rest of the keys. That's just a guess, but... you know? The other reason, that's a little bit of "it sounds right, but it's probably somewhat specious": it seems to be aimed towards chord pads and leads, and only has 16 voices and isn't a piano, so, like the old string synths, 4 octaves is enough. You could argue that the 1990 88-key digital pianos only had 16 voices, but the repertoire is also much different, if you know what I mean.

@RikMaxSpeed

2 жыл бұрын

@@GizzyDillespee That’s a good insight: the original Seaboard RISE had the same design of being multiple sensor boards next to each other.

what happend to your voice?

@loopop

2 жыл бұрын

I had a bit of a cold last week...

@ionut.negulei

2 жыл бұрын

@@loopop been listen to your reviews for so long &got so used to your voice timbre i knew something happen, hope is all good, have a nice day/night, ps. show off your "face" more often :)

NONONONO!

@GizzyDillespee

2 жыл бұрын

yay-essa YAY-essa YAY-ESSA!!!

Way to expensive toy imho

Ridiculously expensive. Get the best MIDI keyboard money can buy on the best VSTs available and it's still a fraction of this price.

Everything is perfect in this synth, except - sound. I wish there was a real deal analog engine inside

@EvilDragon666

2 жыл бұрын

Meh. It sounds great either way.

I am sorry...you are not the go to for electronic devices.

@loopop

Жыл бұрын

I never said I was. So, just curious, do you leave this comment on every video you watch or was there a particular reason you picked me