Waldorf has released Quantum and Iridium firmware 3.0, adding eight more digital voices, new wavetable effects, and more.
There is also good news from Waldorf before the Christmas holidays. In the official beta group, you can explore the new firmware 3.2 for the Waldorf Quantum and Iridium series.
It introduces three new formant filters from the Largo 2 update into the digital former section of the engine. They mimic the frequency response of the human vocal tract. By using the cutoff knob, you can morph between the vowels a-e-i-o-u.
Another new addition is the ability to title the amount parameter of the digital former between left and right channels. According to Rolf, chief developer of the engine, it’s a new parameter that also comes with a new modulation destination. So you can modulate it by an LFO. He says:
This opens up very interesting sound design possibilities esp. when using comb filters or the new formant ones. Or try playing with left-right detuned ring modulation.
The level parameter of the digital former section also goes up to +12 dB gain. There is also an update for the ARP/sequencer.
The ARP/sequencer now has triplets and dotted step lengths. By combining them with another ARP/SEQ running in the other layer when using “layered mode,” you can do cool polyrhythmic sequences or ARPs.
You can check out the new firmware in the official beta testing group that you can join here for free.
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Article From September 7, 2023
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
Available at my partners
Thomann
Imagine being a Kyra customer.
Update after update for their other devices and yet you’ve paid over €2000 for the Kyra and Waldorf have basically extended the finger to you.
The creator of the Kyra, not Waldorf, refused to update it. Hence it was discontinued. A real shame. I think they should open source the firmware. Synthstrom did that with the Deluge and it’s been very successful.
I hope Waldorf will continue to update it in the years to come. The Iririum is the most amazing piece of hardware produced since a very long time. The music of this thing touches the heart and the soul with endless variations and possibilities.