Waldorf has released Quantum and Iridium firmware 3.0, adding eight more digital voices, new wavetable effects, and more.
Earlier this year, Waldorf released the Quantum Mk2 with a new version of its flagship multi-engine Synthesizer with a polyphonic aftertouch keybed. At the same time, they announced firmware 3.0 for the entire Quantum and Iridium series.
Today, the good news for all Quantum/Iridium users: the new firmware 3.0 is now available as a free download.
Waldorf Quantum/Iridium Firmware 3.0
All devices get the same new firmware. Because they are different “hardware”, they require different firmware files. On the Waldorf website, you can find the firmware for your synth.
One of the highlights for Quantum MK1/MK2 users are the new eight additional digital voices in the engine, turning both synths into 16-voice synths. The Iridium already had 16 voices right from the start.
There is also a new voice allocation mode on the layer/voice page to choose from various analog, digital, and mixed modes. Waldorf also fine-tuned the gain staging to match the new 16-voice polyphony. A new mix screen provides levels, pans, and destinations for all three oscillators of the synths.
New Wavetable FX & Noise Oscillator Types
Both the wavetable and waveform (VA) oscillators also got upgrades. The wavetable benefits from two new built-in FXs called Truncate and Reduce. They give you value quantizations similar to bit reduction.
Firmware 3.0 also introduces two new fascinating noise modes, “Pings” and “Geiger” with a phase reset option. The new modes give you some very interesting crystal-like timbres reminiscent of physical modeling-based sounds. Also, the noise oscillator is now in stereo width width control.
Other new features and changes for the oscillators
- Control” renamed to “Pitch & Tools.”
- new “min note” and “max note” parameters per oscillator.
- for mono mode: new “mono retrig” parameter to force oscillator to retrigger when the previous note is still in release.
- reorganization of some parameters into new sub-screens (mode & exciter) for the wavetable and resonator oscillators. Now all parameters from hardware controls are also available on the display
- track pitch” option for samples to disable pitch tracking (in Samples->Edit).
More Sequencer Steps, FX, & More
Firmware 3.0 has even more new goodies. The built-in sequencer now has 64 instead of 32 steps and new popup selector styles for quick access. They also increased the maximum samples per round-robin zone from 8 to 128.
Then, the LFOs now offer a new “polarity” parameter for unipolar option, and the heart of the modulation, the matrix has new presets.
Both the Quantum and Iridium also benefit from new FXs. First, you get new tremolo FX supported by new effect routing algorithms. You can find seven topologies with up to three parallel lanes. Secondly, it includes a new drive type “Cuff” for the FX and digital former sections.
Finally, the synth got a MIDI makeover with new options, including NRPN settings, MIDI CC for the XY pads, and more. The complete change log for the new firmware, you can find here.
First Impression
This is anything but a small firmware update. Besides the 16-voice, there are many excellent goodies for the Quantum/Iridium synth family. I particularly like the new noise oscillators, which produce very special timbres.
Waldorf Quantum and Iridium firmware 3.0 is available now as a free download for registered users.
More information here: Waldorf Music
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Thomann
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