[biete] Waldorf Pulse, fetter monophoner analog-synth Einstellungen

[Delegoano]

So, da ich meine station nun um einen dritten synth, einen access virus erweitere, werde ich mein analoges schatzi hergeben. Mein waldorf Pulse ist die geheimwaffe für scharfe, dominante und frickelige sounds, mit einem analogen X-Pole Filter und mächtig durchsetzungsvermögen die ideale Rakete für bässe, Flächen und gefrickel

WALDORF PULSE

The Pulse features three analogue oscillators, an analogue noise source, two low frequency oscillators, two ADSR envelopes, a powerful resonant low pass filter and a flexible modulation matrix. Performance tools include portamento, and an arpeggiator which can sync to MIDI. But the absolute killer feature is that every parameter change generates (and responds to) MIDI controller messages.
LAYOUT

One of the first things that strikes you about the Pulse is its physical depth (sadly not immediately apparant from the picture accompanying this review); it's almost as deep as it is high, lending it the appearance, cuteness and charm -- though sadly, not the taste -- of a large rectangular Toblerone. Furthermore, the grey chassis and white/orange lettering recall the mighty Wave or Microwave, and indeed, anyone who has programmed the latter will be instantly at home with the Pulse's matrix method of parameter access: a mode button steps downwards (upwards too would have been nice) through six levels, current position being indicated by a green LED. Six knobs are then used to access the options on that level. These are reassuringly solid; more substantial than those on, for example, the Korg Prophecy. An additional six levels are accessed using the shift key (and the relevant LED flashes to remind you of the fact). Overall, navigation is both simple and effective.

Presumably to keep costs down, the Pulse has no LCD. Instead, a small 3-character readout shows all status information. Initially, I felt this was a shortcoming, but soon decided it didn't make much difference to the use and programming of the synth. Indeed, the status was actually pretty clear when compared with most tiny 'letterbox' displays. My only lingering reservation is with the method of checking existing values by holding the mode button and twirling each knob. This is cumbersome, requiring two hands for the rightmost controls. Also, there is no overview of all current settings, such as would be possible with an LCD. A temporary edit buffer ensures that if you change patches mid-way through creating that kickin' bass, you won't lose a thing: simply return to it and carry on. The edit buffer is lost if you start to edit a second patch before saving the first.

No LCD means patch numbers, not names. This is not so bad as it might sound -- at least you are spared the bother of thinking them up in the first place! Don't look for an on/off switch, headphone socket or dedicated volume control -- Waldorf have concentrated on the things they consider important, and dispensed with the stuff they don't. Completing our quick tour, the back panel holds the obligatory three MIDI sockets, 12V power input and stereo outputs. Although the review model was powered by a 'Euro-type' mains adapter, I am assured production models will feature an anglicised plug.

For me, the only real downer was the fact that of the 99 patch locations, only the first 40 are user-programmable. I queried this with Wolfram Franke of Waldorf, who said it was due to the processor used, and that the addition of more RAM would have required a dedicated memory management unit, significantly increasing the price.
ROAD TEST

Flipping through the factory sounds was a puzzling experience. Several conventional (and usable) analogue patches are intermingled with many wailing, ring-modulated and discordant offerings, often quite low in volume and brimming full of portamento. I checked to see whether the review model's brains had somehow become scrambled, but apparently Waldorf's idea was to show that the Pulse is not simply another TB303 clone capable of only bass sounds. They certainly made their point! I think that filling the permanent memory locations with more conventional fodder (and the user locations with the weird stuff) might have been a better way of attracting the masses. Nevertheless, it's a brave move in these days when everyone's so used to relying on presets (would Korg have sold so many Prophecys had they followed the same philosophy, I wonder?).

Fortunately, programming is a breeze, and in no time at all I was able to create interesting, overloaded lead sounds reminiscent of the Microwave, as well as recreating many of my favourite, old-fashioned synth timbres with remarkable accuracy. Just a few edits away were rich filter sweeps, beautiful solo patches, chirpy sequencer fodder, lush pulse width modulations, clangorous noises, warbly 'shooting star' sounds, rumbling thunder, thumping basses and dynamic sync leads.

The Pulse's repertoire is impressive, ranging from conventional analogue through to complex stuff that might have been knocked up on a modular system with yards of cable and a ladder. If you're stuck for a sound effect or two, selecting a program beyond 99 generates a random patch each time, and while these tend towards the wild and frightening, they can provide fun starting points. Oh yes, and you can make it sound like a TB303 if you really want to...

MODULATION MATRIX

As well as hard-wiring some of the more obvious modulation connections to filter, amplifier and pitch, the Pulse has four extra independent modulation sources (they're printed on the front panel, see right), which can be any of the following:

MODULATOR SOURCE
• Off
• LFO1
• LFO1 & Mod Wheel
• LFO1 & Aftertouch
• LFO2
• LFO2 & Env 1
• Env 1
• Env 2
• Velocity
• Keytrack (note number)
• Pitch follow (note number but with portamento)
• Pitchbend
• Mod Wheel
• Aftertouch
• Breath Control
• Control X (globally defined additional controller)

MODULATION DESTINATIONS
• Pitch (overall)
• Osc1 Pitch
• Osc2 Pitch
• Osc3 Pitch
• Pulse width 1
• Pulse width 2
• Osc 1 level
• Osc 2 level
• Osc 3 level
• Noise level
• Cutoff
• Resonance
• Volume
• Panning
• LFO 1 Speed
• Mod 1 Amount

pros
• Great range of analogue sounds.
• Every program parameter accessible directly by MIDI Control Changes -- that's every parameter!
• You don't need to bother searching out ageing second-hand relics with no guarantee they'll last longer than a week. With a Pulse, you have the best of both worlds!

cons
• Wall wart power supply.
• Only 40 user memories.
• Three-character display gives no 'instant view' of current settings.

summary
Don't let the strange factory sounds put you off -- this is an excellent monosynth module which can deliver first-class analogue sounds. The capability to send and receive MIDI control changes for every parameter rather than SysEx makes it incredibly versatile, and full of possibilities.

gefunden bei: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1996_artic...ldorfpulse.html


Verhandlungsbasis 360 €

Angebote AUSSCHLIESSLICH via PM, Angebote im thread werden nicht beachtet.

Der Beitrag wurde von Delegoano bearbeitet: 21 Sep 2006, 12:46

[Delegoano]

DANKE - und schon weg...

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