Is Waldorf's Next Gen synth worth the upgrade?
Hi!
Almost every time I review a synth, the pros and cons section mentions Iridium as a comparison for a synth that ticks most of the boxes. Waldorf's Iridium Desktop MK2 is the first of a new generation of synths, introducing a new oscillator (generator type) called seeds, per-note locks (not per step, per keyboard note...), four timbres instead of just two, and more.
Waldorf is also offering an upgrade path for existing MK1 users - you'll need to send your synth in, and it's not cheap, but it's better than none at all.
All the details are in the video! Meanwhile, as I was programming a drum synth using note locks, a shocking thought came to mind that I've not yet included a drum synthesis chapter in my book - so that's coming tomorrow!
All my best,
Ziv (just when I thought we'd run out of oscillator types, covering yet one more on a YouTube channel called "Loopop"...)
Iridium Desktop MK2 // Is Waldorf's Next Gen synth worth the upgrade? // Review & tutorial (YouTube)
Comments (13)
Nice review. Got mine the other day. Loving it so far!
Thanks and glad to hear!
I wish I used my Iridium more than I do, but almost nothing. I have no idea why, either...
Hi, thanks for the review. Great one! I'm looking to invest in a very capable synth after having been disappointed by the Synclavier REGEN — due to the user interface, a quite tangled workflow, and not so many options to modulate in a predictable and easy fashion. I'd like to have a "workstation" type of synth so that I can try things out, and the Iridium Mk2 seems to be one of the synths that would fit this idea. - Does anybody maybe know or recommend any other synths that can be as versatile as this one? - In anyone's experience here, do Waldorf listen to user requests for new features? - I am also looking forward to using it with the Neuzeit Drop controller, but I'm not sure if there would be a way to create a template for the Iridium for the most important performance parameters that would always be active on initialization of patches. Does anyone know a workaround ? Thank you.
Hey - I'm not familiar with a synth that goes as deep as this one with its engines. Nautilus has a few interesting ones as does Minifreak. In my experience, Waldorf doesn't flood the synth with updates. They fix bugs and, every now and then, add something fun. MIDI control works differently here, there's no default MIDI implementation, you just MIDI learn the parameters you want to control, it should work with Drop just fine, and yes including parameters that always stay mapped
it’s crazy how ugly the graphics are on such a pretty sounding piece of hw
After the memory and storage increase, the seeds oscillator type is probably the main improvement, which is not a big upgrade on the Mk1. I don't own an Iridium, but I am considering a second hand Mk1. In effect, Seeds is a more structured and precise way of constructing a wavetable. I'm wondering how much it would be used since the Iridium is already a very powerful wavetable synth. Nice to have though, if you have the time to go down that particular sound design rabbit hole. Per note locks I do like very much. An Iridium Core Mk2 would be good, if they decide to do that.
Thanks for the kind words. For sure a MK2 core would be fun! I've asked the company but didn't get a final word about what the specs/price of that would be
Good review, as usual.
Havent had a chance to watch through yet but I have a question that I haven’t seen answered yet. The Iridium Core has only 12 voices, and my understanding was that this was not a deliberate downgrade but rather had to do with thermal management. If we do the upgrade on the Core (which is by far my preferred form factor in my limited space), are we still going to have a 12 voice limit? Upping the voice limit would definitely be a strong motivator for doing the upgrade but it’s really hard to justify otherwise.
That's a great question, I don't know. I'll ask them
Nice overview. I bought the Iridium Mk1 five years ago, and while I like and still use it, I rarely feel like I use even 10% of what it can do. Kernels, for example, is a crazy deep generator. I tend to just grab a simpler synth when I want a given timbre than engage with the clinical experience of creating on the Iridium. Using my Twisted Electrons MEGAfm II, for example, is a far more satisfying way to explore most FM than doing the same on Iridium. Overall, Mk2 strikes me as "oh, somebody at Waldorf noticed the Korg multi/poly." I wouldn't buy a new Mk2 at nearly $4000, but I may send my Mk1 in for that upgrade.
Oooh, Op talking about a new Waldorf… rabbit hole imminent 😜👌