Gear Hunter

Waldorf - IRIDIUM KYBD

Description

The Iridium Keyboard boasts a 49-key FATAR TP/8SK semi-weighted polyphonic aftertouch pressure-providing keyboard, an expanded front panel with one-knob-per-function control, and six freely-programmable Macro buttons which can define functions from a wide range of features for additional performance control.

Iridium Keyboard comes with powerful modulation options thanks to a powerful Mod Matrix offering 40 independent modulation assignments, each with individual settings for Source, Amount, and Destination. Notably, Iridium Keyboard is also capable of processing MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) data, making multiple parameters of different notes separately controllable to effectively enable it to behave more like an acoustic instrument in terms of spontaneous, polyphonic sound control.

Iridium Keyboards contains 1680 sounds programmed by a group of well known sound designers like: Howard Scarr, Richard Devine, Kurt Ader, BT, Matt Johnson, Reinhold Heil, Jorg Huttner, Mike Huckaby, Thorsten Quaeschning and Sascha Dikiciyan. Sounds from Waldorf's Quantum synthesizer flagship can also be conveniently loaded into Iridium Keyboard and vice-versa.

The Iridium Keyboard features five different synthesis models for each of its three oscillators (OSC 1, OSC 2, and OSC 3):
Wavetable - a table consisting of single-cycle waveforms;
Waveform (virtual analogue) - a standard oscillator model to create typical analogue waveforms;
Particle (sampling and granular sampling) - allowing for extensive manipulation of sample-based sounds;
Resonator - manipulates multi-samples from the internal (2GB) sample flash memory or noise via an exciter and various spectral parameters that can be modulated
Kernels - effectively enabling one oscillator to become up to six sub-oscillators that can be interlinked through FM at audio rate and arranged in user-definable constellations.

Other features include three true stereo path digital filters per voice that convincingly cover all conceivable classic filter variants - various digital filters are additionally offered by the FORMER section, such as Comb, classic Waldorf high- and band-pass, and notch filters from the Largo and Nave software synthesizers, plus PPG models, alongside signal enhancer effects, such as Drive and Bit Crusher, and more; six envelopes, six LFOs, and much more besides are available for use as sources in the Mod Matrix, routable to almost any numerical value in Iridium Keyboard.

Connectivity-wise, the Iridium Keyboard includes two audio inputs (for processing external signals); CV inputs as well as Gate In and Trigger In connections (for forwarding external signals to the Mod Matrix); Clock In and Clock Out connections (to synchronise with other gear); USB and DIN MIDI connections; USB Host port (provided for MIDI devices and also handling data exchange); Control and Sustain Pedals inputs; a headphone output (with dedicated volume control); and two audio outputs.

Specifications

* 16-voice polyphony, duo-timbral
* Compatible with the Waldorf Quantum synth engine

3 Oscillators
Oscillator Modes:
* Wavetable
* Waveform (VA)
* Particle (Sampling and Granular Sampling)
* Resonator
* Kernels (up to 6 sub-oscillators which can be interlinked through FM at audio rate)

3 Stereo Filters per voice
True stereo path Dual Digital Filter:
* Two filters with independable modes
* 12/24dB LP/HP/BP in all combinations
* Nave, Largo, PPG, Quantum and StateVariable models

Digital Former:
* Filter models from Waldorf Nave, Largo and PPG in HP/LP/BP/Notch
* Comb filter
* Bitcrusher
* Drive
* RingMod
* StateVariable mode
* Analyzer displayed in Filter view
* Filter curve moves when modulated (optional)
* Sophisticated filter routing options with modulatable panning and levels

Modulators:
* 6 Envelopes
* 6 LFOs
* Komplex Modulator (LFO/Envelope combination with user-definable shape)

Mod Matrix:
* 40 slots
* Fast assign mode
* One additional control amount per slot
* Identical Sources and Destinations can be used multiple times until the matrix is full

Keyboard:
* 49 keys Fatar TP/8SK keyboard
* Semi-weighted sensitive keys with polyphonic aftertouch
* Latch mode

Performance features:
* Arpeggiator
* Step sequencer with up to 32 steps for notes and parameters
* Favorites screen for quick patch recall
* Mod Wheel, Pitch Bend and Poly-Aftertouch
* MPE capable
* 6 Macro buttons (six freely-programmable buttons to switch on and off functions)

Screen:
* Industrial-grade highly responsive touch screen

Patches:
* Over 1000 factory sounds
* Capacity of 7000 patch memory slots (numbers 0000-9999 can be used)
* Patches from Quantum can be loaded and vice-versa
* Category filter for patch list
* 2GB user sample flash memory

Connections:
* 2x TS output
* 2x TS input
* Headphones output with Gain control
* DIN MIDI In/Out/Thru
* USB Type B for MIDI connection to computers / DAWs
* USB Type A for direct connection of storage devices and MIDI controllers
* MicroSD slot

CV connections:
* 4 CV inputs plus Gate In, Trigger In, Clock In, Clock Out
* Inputs can be used as modulation sources in the Mod Matrix

Physical:
* Sturdy metal case
* Dimensions: 851 mm wide by 355 mm depth by 110 mm height (including controls)
* Weight: 14 kg