Waldorf Micro Q Keyboard

The Waldorf Micro Q Keyboard is a smaller and less versatile version of the regular Waldorf Q keyboard. The Micro Q Keyboard has 37 keys, which is about three octaves. It has both pitch and modulation wheels and 1/4" outputs for pedals and most of what you'd expect from a synthesizer. This synth isn't an analog one, but is indeed made up of digital components. It doesn't have full polyphony, but I've never had a problem playing it because of this...

UTILIZATION

The Waldorf Micro Q Keyboard certainly has a ton of parameters to work with. While off the bat this can make it a little bit confusing to get used to, in time you'll find that this helps more than anything as it gives you complete control over your sounds. The keyboard has a ton of filtering options, as well as a built in vocoder and a ring modulator. You can expand the keyboard as well to give you more polyphony and other features. A manual might be a good thing to have around when trying to learn this versatile synthesizer.

SOUNDS

While not a true analog synth, as far as digital synthesizer emulating analog sounds, I haven't heard a much better one than the Waldorf Micro Q Keyboard. You can get some seriously awesome sounding synth sounds to start with, and then they can be manipulated in all sorts of cool and interesting ways if you so choose. All of the sounds are extremely realistic sounding for a digital synth, and I'm a pretty big critic when it comes to digital synths. The sounds are pretty unique to Micro Q, but this isn't a bad thing at all as I think most users will find this to be a big plus...

OVERALL OPINION

As far as compact synthesizers go in this price range, they don't come much better than the Waldorf Micro Q Keyboard. They also make this keyboard in a rack mountable version if you want to just have the sounds and use a MIDI controller. I'd definitely encourage those interested to also check out the Waldorf Q, even though it is more expensive to see if it might suit you needs better, as it does have some things to offer that this synthesizer does not. A must see for anyone looking for a great synthesizer at a great price...