Waldorf Micro Q

Lots of features for the money IMO, plenty of options in the synth engine but the FX could have been better, there are some midi syncing bugs with the LFO's and the delay FX but i can live with them

Price paid usd 800

UTILIZATION

Hmmm, The µQ is not the most intuitive synth out there IMO, it takes a while to know it, and there are lots of menus which can be confusing for some folks, I got sound diver to program it so I don't really care if it's difficult or not

So far mine is in perfect shape, but the knobs can get jumpy if you don't use them so twist them from time to time to make sure they work ok

SOUNDS

A nice little synth with a very unique sound, more on the agressive side of things but it can also sound very smooth, some wonderful lush pads can be obtained with the Micro Q with some programming, the comb filters are great for dreamy sounds, the synth engine is also quite powerful, fast envelopes, lots of options, decent enuogh efx without any realtime modulation capabilities, it has a sound which you'll like or not, personally I dig it, but it's sometimes difficult to make it cut thru a dense mix, the sound is more hyped on the highs and lows so sometimes you have to eq it a bit to make it stand out

OVERALL OPINION

I like the µQ very much ... I don't think I'll sell mine, it's not perfect but it has that mojo, and now that waldorf is dead it's more of a collectors item for me

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: MusickMan (January 0-, 2005)

Virtual analog synth hardware
2U rack
300 presets in memory
For specifications see the Q
is almost the same except for:
Dsp-one instead of 3 on the Q
Routing-filter is fixed
Them dynamically allocate 25 votes (depending on the complexity of sounds)
-Effect can be a little worse (g unable to verify)
(These are the main differences with the Q)

UTILIZATION

Edition of the matrix is ​​not that bad, but a little time to adapt
is necessary
There is a freeware editor MQQ Pc (Q quick editor)
+ Scrambler to change the "pseudo-random" (it remains in digital) a preset

Remember that 6 + 2entrees separated out, it is not negligible for a synth
of this award

SOUNDS

With up to five wavetables and oscilloscope with 2 filters per voice, I will say that one has
the margin
The sounds are obviously synthetic analogue with a penchant "cold"
Excellent for the New Wave, industry or "electro-clash" style 80's revival
However, we can make it sound pretty hot playing on multiple modulations
and routing filters
The oscilloscope is excellent in quality and harmonic richness general
And modulations!
: Lfo addition to a sin LFO2 saw a module that modulates osc 2 osc ....
There's even drum maps for those in need of kicks / snare
Finally, the vocoder, it's even more for the Q

OVERALL OPINION

550 euros for a nine "almost Q" at home: the microQ (6 letters not better)
Its strong point is the sound Waldorf, this synth can do, but certainly from analog
that a.

I have a 25-way version, for now it is enough for me, the features are allchantes (2 multimode filters, envelopes 4 3 LFO + matrix)
Most are in sync oscilloscope and multi-mode filters with Comb.
Obviously the matrix permits full of DLIR.
LFOs can sync to the tempo.
Arpeggiator.
Vocoder.
Between audio.
Multi, drumMap, multiple outputs.

UTILIZATION

The edition on the synth itself is quite galley because you have to pass parameters directly to constantly shift parameters so it's difficult to get a hand on the keyboard and the other to change the settings, despite 4 pots.
For the matrix is ​​the horror, we do not visualize, so unless you go through all we do not know what was programmed.
You have to go through a program editor to draw sounds. I am a right now to MacOSX.
The manual is very good, with examples and tips.

SOUNDS

The sound is generally good trs. The distortion of the filters can get dirty sounds.
Obviously it is not worth a lot but it is analog. The possibilities are standard.
The effects are pretty gadgets, it's better without it, except the phaser that I find quite a bit.
For solo sounds, I have mixed feelings because the filter has a funny running on the keyboard follow.
If I compare with my Matrix1000, it has many more sounds possible, but it is a little colder. As against the envelopes are faster and is better for sound sequences.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for several months, in fact I spent more time programming the editor so I have not done a lot of sounds.
I bought it 350 euros. I think for that price it has a lot of opportunities, obviously no longer Waldorf j'espre so he will not let me go ...