Waldorf Iridium: the Quantum in a desktop

12 Jun 2020 by Robin Vincent | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

Waldorf Iridium · Source: Waldorf

· Source: Waldorf

Waldorf Iridium · Source: Waldorf

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Iridium features all the synthesis elements of the Quantum synthesizer in a solid metal desktop format with more polyphony but without the analog filters, keyboard and premium price tag.

Iridium

It shares the same engine of five forms of synthesis as the Quantum to the point that you can move patches from one to the other. The sound engine offers Wavetable, Virtual Analog, Particle (Sampling and Granular), Resonator and Kernals which also feature 6 sub-oscillators and audio rate FM.

The 16 voices get to use 3 oscillators and 3 stereo digital filters per voice. Each oscillator can use a different form of synthesis. There are 6 envelopes and 6 LFOs plus a user-definable Komplex Modulator. There’s also a “Digital Former” which applies processes such as more filter models, bitcrushing, ring modulation and drive. A powerful modulation matrix provides easy routing of sources and destinations.

Something that’s not on the Quantum is the 4×4 RGB backlit silicon pad matrix. This acts as a keyboard of sorts providing notes, chords, arpeggiations and sequences. It seems a bit limited and possibly superfluous because you are more than likely going to have a keyboard controller or DAW connected to the Iridium. But I guess it gives a bit of instant playability.

Waldorf Iridium

The other new addition is a range of CV inputs covering Trigger, Gate and Clock but more interestingly there are 4 CV inputs that are routed directly to the modulation matrix – that’s very cool.

Iridium is an immensely powerful synthesizer dripping with sound-generating possibilities that brings the best of digital technology to the tabletop. The touch-display and the field of knobs offer a wonderfully interactive and responsive feel and the additional CV inputs gives it more places to play within your setup.

At £2,059 it’s £1,500 cheaper than the Quantum and becomes something of a possibility for people looking for big synthesizer sounds.