Waldorf Iridium mk2 desktop is the second generation of its multi-synthesis Synthesizer with more power, more synthesis, and an Aphex Twin feature.
Good news from Waldorf at Superbooth 2026. After the company released the Iridium Mk2 in March, an upgrade option is now also available for Mk1 users.
Starting mid-August, the new features of the Iridium Mk2 desktop will also be available as a hardware upgrade for all Iridium models, including keyboard, Core, and desktop.
This upgrade includes a new SOM board, offering increased RAM and flash memory, but the same CPU. These are the same specs used in the Iridium Mk2, unlocking the Seeds synthesis method, per-note parameter locks, 4-layer multi modes, and the flavor parameter.
Waldorf’s service team will begin performing hardware upgrades from mid-August 2026, and it costs 598€ incl. VAT, installation, and return shipping within the EU. If you are outside the EU, please contact your distributor to purchase it.
And also good for Quantum users. They will also benefit from this upgrade, but it hasn’t been announced officially yet.
More information here: Waldorf
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Article from March 5, 2026
After a leak about the new Waldorf Iridium Mk2 late Sunday evening, it was clear that the official release was imminent.
Now it’s official. Waldorf has released the Iridium Mk2 desktop Synthesizer, and it’s more than just a facelift.
Waldorf Iridium Mk2 Desktop
The Iridium Mk2 Desktop is the official successor of the original Waldorf Iridium. It’s again based on the same powerful multi-engine of the Quantum and Iridum product line. They describe it as a new generation that innovates even further.
Looking at the unit, the changed look is immediately noticeable. 98% of the controls are the same, apart from a few extras, but above all, the color is new.
Looking at the design, the changed look is immediately noticeable. 98% of the controls are the same, apart from a few extras, but above all, the gray color is new. The major upgrades, however, take place internally.
More Power, More Engine Features
The new Iridium Mk2 features an upgraded CPU board (not the CPU itself) with expanded RAM and flash storage (user samples 6 GB in total), enabling larger sample capacity and a whole new world of synthesis capabilities.
One change is on the layer level. Thanks to the new power, the Mk2 now offers multi-timbral support for up to 4 layers, up from 2. Also now onboard are new, inspiring multi-timbral modes that we already know from the Protein: round-robin and random-robin.
These additions bring greater timbral richness and variety, allowing users to build deep, complex sonic landscapes.
A highlight is the new vector-synthesis inspired Seeds engine, available for each of the three oscillators. Waldorf, in which each wavetable represents a timbral journey.
According to Waldorf, they found a way to base these timbral journeys not only on static waveforms but also to dynamically synthesize each waypoint from sub-oscillators called Seeds.
These can be controlled and recombined in different ways. Techniques such as ring modulation, FM, wavetable, and partials are available. Alternatively, you can enrich them with noise and other non-pitched materials.
Similar to wavetables, while a set of predefined timbral journeys is included, users can also edit and create their own. With a single knob turn, you can travel through 12 different points, each with a different synthesis technique.
Aphex Twin Feature
There is one more Protein ingredient now available in the Iridium Mk2. The new hardware Flavour knob adds sonic liveliness using Waldorf’s new concept of micro-variations in timing, timbre, pitch, and a whole set of additional parameters.
According to Waldorf, electronic musician Aphex Twin is a heavy user of the Iridium. Now, in the Waldorf Iridium mk2 desktop, they teamed up for a special feature called Per-Note Parameter Locks.
With this, each of the 128 notes can be assigned up to 16 individual parameter variations by simply holding a note and turning knobs. This system allows each note to have a different set of parameters.
Users can even change the synthesis mode of oscillators for each note or change effect parameters. Per-Note-Parameter-Locks are saved with each patch and can be inspected and edited on a dedicated page.
On the connection side, everything remains the same: stereo I/O, CV connectivity, MIDI interface (in/thru/out), USB-A port, USB-host, and a microSD card slot.
New OS For All Users + Hardware Upgrade
In addition to these new features, there will be a new firmware update that benefits all Quantum and Iridium users.
The upcoming version 4.0 adds new features, including a mutator patch randomizer, initially introduced in the Microwave plugin; a new polyphonic arpeggiator; new microtonal features saved in patches; and more.
In a conversation with Rolf Wöhrmann, the developer of the Iridium, he also told me that Waldorf is currently exploring ways for existing Iridium Mk1 users (desktop, keyboard, and Core) to upgrade to the Mk2 hardware.
This would require a CPU board upgrade, for which they currently cannot provide any information on the cost to the user. If you are interested in upgrading, you should contact Waldorf.
Waldorf Iridium Mk2 Desktop First Impression
After six years on the market, the Iridium just got a mk2 version. I think Waldorf’s chosen solution is the right one. It’s neither a completely new product nor just a minor cosmetic upgrade either.
It offers many welcome improvements, such as more power, more memory, more layers, and new synthesis options. The possibility of a hardware upgrade for Iridium Mk1 users is also possible, even though we don’t yet know what it will cost
The Waldorf Iridium Mk2 desktop is now available from international retailers for 2399€ (incl. German VAT). Availability and price of a hardware upgrade from mk1 to mk2 is TBA. Please contact Waldorf if you are interested.
Article from March 1, 2026
The German synthesizer company Waldorf Music has been very active over the past three months. In November, they released the Protein wavetable synth, and in February, the Attack 3 drum synth plugin. The wave of new Waldorf products shows no signs of slowing down.
Yesterday, they released a teaser video for another upcoming product. According to a leak on the Elektronauts forum, the Waldorf Iridium mk2 will be announced very soon.
Waldorf Iridium mk2
The Iridium is the desktop version of the Waldorf Quantum without the analog filters but with 16 voices. The Quantum Mk2 is currently out of production, and therefore, the focus is entirely on the Iridium series.
According to a leak, Waldorf is releasing a Mk2 version of the Iridium, following the similar release they did for the Quantum a few years ago.
The differences between the Mk2 and the Mk1 are unknown. So, there is no information on whether it uses a new CPU to deliver a performance boost or offers other improvements compared to the first version.
I can imagine a CPU upgrade, especially now that the Iridium is the unofficial flagship product after the Quantum MK2 was discontinued. One thing is certain: the Iridium Mk2 stands out with a new grayish color.
Also, it will feature the same engine, comprising virtual-analog, wavetable, granular, resonator, and modular FM (Kernel). But it looks like there will be a new “Seeds” synth engine. That can be seen on the button used to select the engines.
Plus, on the bottom right side, it has borrowed the Flavour feature from the Waldorf Protein Synthesizer.
And you can see that this is the product in question because there is always a website page, which is still password-protected.
All details, such as features and price, will surely be announced soon. Until then, please be patient.
Stay tuned for all the details.
More info will follow here: Waldorf
i thought they wanted to make something in similar size to the Protein?
Looks much bigger.
developing something similar sized to the Protein also need many months of developing and from the ground up. This is an mk2 version of an existing product. Probably new color and some little changes.
true😎🤘
I was really thinking about Kyra version 2.
What a shame.
Since the Virus Ti2 is no longer in production, it would have been great news to see a new version of Kyra.
I suppose Iridium version 2 can’t incorporate all of Kyra’s features?
Depends on what you mean by ‘features’. The FPGA/DSP hardware combo+specs will probably not even remotely come close to Kyra performance (which also doesn’t really belong to Waldorf in terms of code). Now Kyra is out of production and has some little bugs sure but it has never crashed/frozen or something at least in my experience and contrary to Iridium, so… maybe it’s better to have a ‘simple’ 8-part engine rather than filling 5kg of metal with old cpu stuff and big algos? We shall see.
I was thinking of a complete integration of the Kyra.
Since Kyra production has also been discontinued, which is a real shame, it could have been an excellent alternative to the Virus ti2.
Even though the Virus ti2 is and will remain the best synthesizer, one that has never truly been equaled.
It’s surprising that no one has taken over its production, it was still selling very well.
My wording was poor.
I didn’t mean to say “what a shame,” but “what a pity.”
looks like a Kyra 2 or something that could take the role of a Virus Ti 2
It’s the Iridium mk2 🙂 Iridium mk1 is still on the market
Hopefully they go with a true analog filter. I think digital through analog filter is the sweet spot.
Iridium is all digital. The Quantum MK1/MK2 have analog filters
I just want 16 (or 32) multitimbral voices that can be output through multichannel USB, so I can do away with my audio interface.
Bring back the old Waldorf logo.
I personally don’t mind the logo. the old was did scream 90s though, for better or worse.
I love my Iridium. No plans to upgrade, given it’s going to be around $4,000 based on prices here for mk1. I have no shortage of eurorack filters I can use if I want.
If you are in the market for a flagship synth, though, it would be hard to find a better one than this. I love my Novation Peak, but I’d take my Iridium over it any day.
Had the Iridium for a few days, kept crashing on me every 10 minutes. Returned it for another which did the same thing. Crap quality control. If this one is stable, might be worth the buy.
I hope some of the new features are backported to the quantum/iridium mk1. But my hopes are not high.
Maybe with the release they will add something interesting to the Quantum MK2 which I recently bought and I am delighted with the sound…
This Aphex Twin mode where each key has its own set of parameters is pure genius. I wish all synths could do that
interestingly the Bass Station 2 also Has it. thats good!
Passed up on a great opportunity to add an analog filter.
that’s part of the Quantum Synthesizer. Iridium lineup is all digital so didn’t make sense. And if they add analog filters, these would be 32 or so, and it would massively raise the price.
I hope that Waldorf will release Iridium Core MK2 soon.
as an owner of the Core, you can upgrade the hardware in the near future
please Rocket mk2!
Wish i Had bought one Back in the day.
This thing is impressive. Since the original Quantum released there are a lot more digital “Super Synths” in the 2k-3k range but these updates to Quantum/Iridium feel worthy of the MK 2 name IMO. Table-like scanning through engines, a randomization based on the old school Waldorf synths, Aphex mode.. neat stuff.
My budget has me really leaning towards the Protein, especially now that the Polyend Synth is seemingly “discontinued” (Zzounds quote from late last year) and cost hundreds more than when it launched! In the US anyways, elsewhere price is unaffected.
Polyend Synth is now 777 to 815 euro new @Thomann & MusicStore
Couple of French retailers still have it at 500 euro, but I’d recommend to get one now second hand while you can. It’s a great machine.
So is the Protein of course.
And so is the Iridium MK2, but that’s a different league alright (albeit complementary)
The upgrade for MK1 Iridium users is brilliant.
What I’d love to see from Waldorf is Drum Machines now, both in Protein and in Mothership format
They have the know how with their Attack3 VST
Glad they are going to provide an upgrade path to MK1 owners. I also read they’re going to have a sticker layover on gearspace. Well done Waldorf.