Waldorf intros Iridium Keyboard with Polyphonic Aftertouch
Waldorf Iridium Keyboard is a “high-class synthesizer” with polyphonic aftertouch.
Waldorf has introduced a keyboard version of its Iridium synth which comes with polyphonic aftertouch.
The Iridium Keyboard includes a 47-note Fatar TP/8SK keyboard, with the polyphonic aftertouch meaning that each note can respond to pressure individually when it is applied after notes have been played. On a standard aftertouch keyboard, all notes respond in the same way.
The Iridium interface has also been given a makeover, and now offers a one-knob-per-function control panel. There are also six programmable Macro buttons.
Inspired by the PPG Wave synths of the past, the Iridium Keyboard features five different synthesis models for each of its three oscillators; -wavetable, waveform, particle, resonator and kernels. In addition, there are three stereo digital filters per voice, effects, six envelopes, six LFOs and many more.
Performance demo by synthesist Matt Johnson:
The mod matrix offers 40 independent modulation assignments, each with individual settings for source, amount and destination. There’s support for MPE data, too.
Connectivity options include two audio inputs for processing external signals, CV inputs, gate and trigger in, clock I/O, USB and DIN MIDI, a USB host port, control and sustain pedal inputs, a headphone output with dedicated volume control and two audio outputs.
What Waldorf say about it:
“Tremendous tonal changes flow freely when playing the Iridium Keyboard live, since polyphonic aftertouch is transmitted individually for each note played.
Performers can conceivably play and hold down any number of keys simultaneously, subsequently moving each finger individually. In other words, individual keys are affected by the pressure applied by each finger, thereby creating, for instance, individual data streams for modulation purposes, whereas with monophonic (Channel) aftertouch all notes played will respond in the same way.
With a powerful Mod Matrix offering 40 independent modulation assignments, each with individual settings for Source, Amount, and Destination, Iridium Keyboard comes with powerful modulation options — just like the Iridium desktop synthesizer namesake. Notably, Iridium Keyboard is also capable of processing MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) data, duly 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.”
The Waldorf Iridium Keyboard is available now for €2,849. via Waldorf dealers.
Find out more on the Waldorf website.
