Waldorf has released the Blofeld plugin, a software version of its best-selling desktop wavetable Synthesizer with hardware editor functionality.
Waldorf has been teasing its upcoming plugin since the weekend. After the microwave 1 emulation, they are now bringing the Blofeld into the DAW.
It’s out now, and we will take a closer look at it together. Waldorf kindly provided me with a version that arrived yesterday. So last minute and so it wasn’t enough time for a review and comparison.
Waldorf Blofeld Plugin
The Blofeld plugin is a 1:1 emulation of the original Waldorf Blofeld hardware with the same features and functionalities.
Three versatile oscillators form the foundation of the Synthesizer. They can load classic waveforms (sine, saw, triangle, etc.), wavetables, or samples. With parameters like wave scan or FM, you can go deeper into the oscillators.
The developers also considered the hardware’s sample function. The plugin includes this function, but the hardware requires the Blofeld License SL sample option as an extra purchase.
The Blofeld plugin’s highlight is its management of wavetables and samples. It includes a built-in wavetable tool that loads user wavetables into the synth. It supports .syx, .mid, or wav files and allows you to determine their index and cycle length.
The same tool also has an export wavetable function to hardware. So, you can upgrade your hardware Blofeld with new wavetables.
Working with samples is also more straightforward in the plugin than in the hardware. Waldorf has integrated a dedicated sampler manager into the Blofeld plugin, which allows you to import, tweak, and manage your samples.
Then, you have a mixer with a ring modulation option between oscillators 2 and 3, plus sync and a multi-color noise generator.
Filtering & Modulation
From here, it goes straight into the dual multimode filters. Each filter has various modes, including an emulation of the PPG lowpass filter. The switchable drive adds warmth and character to the sound, and filter FM makes it more unpredictable.
Like the hardware, it has four multimode envelopes (amp, filter, and two mappable) and three LFOs. They can be routed directly to the parameter in the respective section or via the built-in advanced modulation matrix.
The Blofeld hardware’s arpeggiator is one of the most powerful in a Waldorf Synthesizer, and it’s also available in the plugin. In addition to 15 basic patterns, it offers a complex pattern editor for creating variations, making it a powerful tool.
From a visual side, the implementation is very minimal. I would have liked to see a more beautifully designed version of it.
Multitimbral, Sounds & Editor
In a dedicated multi-page, you can access every layer with individual detune, transpose, pan, and volume controls. You can also set the MIDI channel, velocity, and keyboard zone for each part, allowing you to create complex layer sounds.
Further to the left in the tab bar is a powerful preset browser with a database structure and built-in extensive sorting and filter options. It is filled with all the original hardware factory sounds from 2008 and 2012.
The key question is: Can I use the Blofeld plugin to edit my hardware? Yes, you can! The plugin features a Blofeld hardware sync function that enables you to control your hardware. Additionally, it allows you to import individual sounds or sound banks directly into the plugin.
There is also a MIDI files to hardware function. Click on this dedicated button to send a Blofeld sound bank (.mid) located on your computer hard drive to your Blofeld hardware. The user wavetable section and sample manager also offer export to hardware functions.
First Impression
I used the plugin for almost 24 hours and got a first impression. Soundwise it is Blofeld I know. I’ve been using the hardware version for nearly 10 years, and the sound is very authentic and on point. The hardware communication works, too, but I haven’t had time to investigate further.
The only thing I dislike is the GUI, which lacks inspiration in structure or colors. The arpeggiator, in particular, is super minimal and could be improved. Otherwise, it’s an excellent-sounding synth plugin at first glance.
It’s great that there is now an official editor for the Waldorf Blofeld after 16 years that also bears a complete emulation of this classic synth. I’m looking forward to rediscovering Blofeld over the holidays in software.
The Waldorf Blofeld plugin is available now until January 2, 2025, for an introductory price of 119€ (incl. VAT) instead of 149€ (incl. VAT).
Blofeld hardware owners will receive an extra 30€ voucher by entering the hardware serial number in their Waldorf account, making the plugin 89€ during the intro period. It runs as a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
More information here: Waldorf
Available at my partner
Article From December 14, 2024
The music tech companies are slowly getting ready for the holidays. Some are still working hard. This includes Waldorf, who already brought us the excellent Microwave 1 as a plugin and iOS app this year.
Now, the next classic Waldorf Synthesizer will come as a plugin. In a new video called “No time to die!”, Waldorf is teasing the upcoming Blofeld Synthesizer as a plugin for macOS and Windows.
Teaser
In the new teaser video you can see the first elements of the Blofeld Synthesizer plugin GUI. There are no official details about the plugin yet, but you can already see a lot of things besides an AI-generated Blofeld villain
Suppose Waldorf makes it as authentic as the Microwave I plugin. In that case, we expect the same feature set as in the original synth, including three oscillators with all wavetables from the microwave II, XT/XTk, and all Q oscillator models, two multi-mode filters, filter FM, three LFOs, four envelopes, and more.
At the top of the GUI, you can also see tabs for “samples” and “multi” that give both the sample support and the 16-part multitimbrality of the hardware.
One problem with the Blofeld hardware synth so far has been a lack of quality editor/librarian software. Many were good but always had their weaknesses. I hope that Waldorf has considered this functionality in the plugin.
Hopefully, they also developed an iOS version as they did with the Microwave 1.
If the plugin comes out this year, it would be a nice end-of-year release. I can only say to stay tuned for all the details.
More information here: Waldorf
Blofeld hardware also is frequently used in education of engineers as a classic example of bad UI design. The display uses the most available space for showing just the preset number. This is so bad, it’s already comical. So many values available in a synth to be shown to the user, instead it just displays a very big preset number, totally useless. Unfortunately until today Waldorf still do terrible things in hardware UI, but I leave it as an exercise to the reader to find the bugs.
you are confusing that with the display of the Pulse 2 which indeed shows a large preset number
That is incorrect. Blofeld shows the preset number and name, category, category filter and bank. If you hold down the buttons on the mod matrix it shows 4 values for the current parameter. I think you mean the Pulse 2 which just shows the preset number that cover the screen.
What is comical is your comment. You obviously don’t have a Blofeld because if you did you wouldn’t have come out with such a rediculous statement!
Yeah, you’re confusing the Blofeld with the Pulse 2, so this is either a bit silly or a bit flame baity. And indeed, perhaps the UI wasn’t the best, but it definitely wasn’t “bad” considering the extensive synthesis capabilities the synth houses, especially not at the time or for this price range.
I’ve often felt that the Blofeld – perhaps because of being a budget synth – doesn’t get the praise it deserves, while even by today’s standards it’s very capable and sports an immense sonic range (from sounding particularly screechy ‘Waldorf’ to wonky vintage). Also, it still looks good.
And despite its flaws I still have it around – next to the coming and going of many a Moog and Prophet; synths that despite being much more coveted have always felt much more limited by comparison. If my Blofeld were to die, now after 16 years, I would buy one again. No second thoughts.
Also your fictitious UI engineering class could perhaps look at the nightmare that is the FS1r instead (19 inch, 1000+ parameters, no data slider)
If the Blofeld VST also works as an Librarian for the Original it´s an instant buy (and maybe allow for the hardware to work as controller)
lol. what’s next? the quantum?
Get ready for version 1.0 and no update ever in classic Waldorf fashion. Also: who needs this with a million alternatives on the market?
Waldorf just released V1.1 of the microwave plugin. Anyone who wants an affordable software version of Blofeld will be interested.