Waldorf M 1.10, new update brings new algorithmic oscillators, MPE, and more

Waldorf M 1.10 is a new free firmware update for its “microwave”-style hybrid wavetable Synthesizer with new algorithmic oscillators, MPE, and more.

With the M, Waldorf has a spiritual successor to the popular microwave Synthesizer in its portfolio. Like the original, the M is a hybrid Synthesizer with digital oscillators and analog filters. It has eight voices. If that is not enough, Waldorf offers users the option to upgrade to 16 voices from 2023.

Today, it was announced that Waldorf is working on a major firmware update. The new M 1.10 firmware has not yet been officially released but is in beta.

Waldorf M 1.10

The new Waldorf M 1.10 firmware adds several new features. First, it ships with a new third oscillator mode that introduces algorithmic oscillators.

They are based on the famous open-source algorithms from Emilie Gillet from Mutable Instruments. Vladimir, the developer, shared a more detailed look at these four new algorithms on Gearspace. It includes:

• M Virtual Analog that generates three waveforms simultaneously – saw, pulse, triangle. Wave regulates the mix of these 3 waveforms, next way – from 0 to 32 is crossfading between saw and pulse, from 33 to 63 is crossfading between pulse and triangle. META set the pulse width (5%-50%) mapped on 0-127 range of the META parameter.
• CSAW – CS-80 Saw adapts the CS-80 saw algorithm from the MI Braids module. Wave parameter regulates the width of the “overpeak” in the beginning of sawtooth from 0 to 5%, mapped on 0-63 of Wave parameter.
• Wavefolding oscillator: it’s an oscillator based on a modified Braids algorithm. Wave parameter control crossfade between sawtooth and triangle, and META parameter controls Waveshaper’s depth.
• 3x Sawtooth is a stack of three sawtooth, mutually detuned (<,0,>). Wave regulates a mix of the 0th (i.e. not-detuned, aka middle) saw with another two. META regulates detune between saws. Used for emulating supersaw.

In this new algorithmic oscillator mode, the Waldorf M’s digital VCFs are all enabled. This also applies to the ring and hard sync.

So, until now, the M Synthesizer was a modern Waldorf microwave Synthesizer. These new algorithmic oscillator modes significantly expand the synth’s sound spectrum, especially in combination with the analog and digital filters.

Then, you can work with more modulation on the extra parameter of the digital filters, allowing you to route an envelope or LFO to it.

MPE support is the third and last major addition to the new Waldorf M 1.10 update. It seems that this is still very simple to implement. The full implementation will follow later. Plus, you can benefit from fixes on minor performance issues.

First Impression

I am pleased to see that the development of the Waldorf M Synthesizer is not finished. The new digital oscillators is a great addition and will give the synth even more sound possibilities. 

Waldorf M 1.10 is available now as release candidate 3 for beta testers. The official release is TBA.

More information here: Waldorf Music 

Available at my partner 

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