Orgeldream WOAS is a compact, generative drum machine featuring interchangeable engines that include synthesis and sample playback.
Instruments with generative sound or pattern generators are all the rage. The latter, in particular, are increasingly found in modern sequencers.
A product that also follows this concept and keeps popping up on my news radar is the Orgeldream WOAS. I’m featuring it now because the developer is also at the Machina Bristronica event in Bristol. Plus, a new batch is coming soon, so this is a perfect timing.
Orgeldream WOAS
WOAS is a drum machine with a wild generative soul. Orgeldream describes WOAS as an aleatoric drum synth/machine designed for those who embrace the unexpected in music creation.
At its core, real-time drum synthesis is used which is combined with generative algorithms, allowing to create unpredictable, evolving patterns. No preloaded samples or sequences are used, everything is synthesised in real-time as you play, says the developer.
However, you can turn the internal engine upside down by replacing it with other alternative ones. At the moment, Orgeldream offers three extra engines, which can be download for free or purchased on a pre-loaded SD card for 17,95€ each.
- BRECAN bypasses all the internal synthesis of a standard WOAS and replaces it with breakbeat snippets plugged into aleatoric processes. It also has a slight different feature set.
- HIERDAN is a tight, responsive synthesis system featuring enhanced sync and MIDI capabilities.
- FEARM turns the WOAS drum Synthesizer into a drum machine with sampling functionality. With the firmware, you can load samples in each voice or sample into it (1sec per voice).
With a few simple steps, the Orgeldream WOAS becomes a sample-based drum machine. The evolving generative pattern engine remains the same across all engines.
Playability
The hardware is very compact and offers a good selection of hands-on controls for its size. It all starts with four sound buttons, allowing to program in patterns for each sound indepently.
Then, each sound has its own switch for muting or clearing the pattern for the dedicated sound. Above the switches, each sound has a versatile shape parameter with a dedicated CV connection that controls the amount of synthesis the engine captures/samples.
Bend and Effect are two additional parameters that influence the sounds. Bend is a pitch bend parameter inspired by the beviour of pitch bends of circuit bending machines.
Effect, on the other side, is a multi-FX that is a low pass filter (CCW) and a tempo-locked delay (CW) with a randomised rate according to the resolution setting.
The other parameters of the Orgeldream WOAS can be used to actively influence the generative process of the patterns. This ranges from two different mutations, an evolve parameter, populate, and more.
If’s that’s not wild and unpredictable enough, you can use the various CV sockets (multiplier…), allowing to launch the maximum probability pattern generation fun.
On the connection side, it has a main output, headphone out, USB-C port, a SYNC24 input, and MIDI.
First Impression
WOAS is a fascinating instrument that isn’t a classic drum synth or drum machine, or does it claim to be one. The generative pattern engine invites musicians to explore it and break out of their usual idea of what a pattern should look like.
Orgeldream WOAS is out of stock, but you can pre-order a unit from the upcoming batch 531,95€ incl. VAT (depending on the country). Shipping starts in early November 2025.
More information here: Orgeldream
Pretty cool, I want it! Out of my price range though, but it def looks cool.
Some real Kraftwerk type beats in that second vid. Love it!