Waldorf M: The new firmware 1.11 expands the oscillator section with more Mutable Instruments algorithms and micro-tuning support.
Shortly before the end of the year, Waldorf released the Protein Synthesizer with modeled microwave oscillators. Anyone seeking the full spectrum of the original microwave sound, plus a hybrid architecture, will inevitably come across the Waldorf M.
In June 2024, Vladi Salnikov (VladiS), the developer, released firmware 1.10, introducing algorithmic oscillators based on the Mutable code, MPE support, and more. Now, just before New Year’s Eve, the new Waldorf M firmware 1.11 is ready, continuing these oscillators and adding even more.
Waldorf M Firmware 1.11
The new firmware 1.11 is not yet officially released by Waldorf, but the developer has made the release candidate available to testers. Therefore, an official release is imminent.
As a reminder, firmware 1.10 from June 2024 added four new algorithmic oscillators based on open-source Mutable Instruments code: M Virtual Analog (Varywave), CSAW, wavefolding oscillator (Waveshpr), and 3x Sawtooth (TriplSaw).
The new Waldorf M firmware 1.11 builds on this, adding additional algorithms. Once installed, you can explore the following new algorithms:
- S/T Fold: a sine wave folding oscillator that folds the chosen crossmixed wave between sine and triangle waves
- FM 2OP: classic simple two-operator FM synthesis
- FM Fback: classic simple two-operator FM synthesis with feedback
- DuoNosie: a white noise source filtered by a pair of 12dB resonant LP/HP filters set to the same (static) cutoff frequency
The Waldorf M now includes eight algorithmic oscillators, further expanding its sound spectrum. Don’t forget, these can be routed through the characterful analog filter.
Micro-Tuning Support
Another major feature of firmware 1.11 is the introduction of micro-tuning support, available for any possible frequency for any MIDI note. This functionality allows loading and saving scales from simple, hand-editable .txt tuning files placed in the TTABLES folder on the SD card.
The tuning table file can contain any number of notes, from one up to 127. Only the notes listed in the file will be applied to M’s actual tuning table. Over 5,000 interesting modern and historical scales in .scl format are available for download from this website.
Furthermore, the Waldorf M firmware 1.11 included a document detailing all new features since update 1.05. Among other things, it includes a detailed new overview of the often-criticized multi-mode approach of the M.
Here, the developer explains how to use it, its advantages and disadvantages, and, most importantly, why he implemented it this way.
There’s no demo for the new 1.11 firmware yet. Here’s one from 1.10 that showcases the VA mode.
I’m pleased to see that the Waldorf M is still receiving updates.
The new Waldorf M 1.11 firmware update is now available for free download as a release candidate for existing users via this Google Drive link. The official release is TBA.
More information here: Waldorf Music
Available from my partner
I’m undecided between this and redshift 6
After the inevitable fixes, this will turn out to be the final releasd 2.0. The developer has teased alternative firmware.
Also, his polivoks filterboard for the M will be releasded after Vladi(s) has finished his work with Elta and their upcoming Polivoks 8 release. Same engineer, two different flavors of polyphonic polivoks’.