Iridium Keyboard – A new milestone in wavetable synthesis

Following on from the powerful Iridium synthesizer in desktop format, we are continuing Waldorf’s successful concept with the Iridium Keyboard.

Iridium Keyboard features a new FATAR TP/8SK keyboard with 49 semi-weighted, polyphonic, aftertouch keys, which is used for the first time in this instrument.

The extended front panel offers one-button operation per function, which significantly improves the intuitive use of this high-quality synthesizer. The clearly structured, logically laid out user interface and the high-quality display also guarantee a musically goal-oriented workflow and lead you to great sonic results in no time at all.

Performance control redefined

In addition, six freely programmable macro buttons provide access to a wide range of features to redefine performance control. Together with the polyphonic aftertouch, impressive tonal changes are possible in live performance, as individual modulations per key are also possible with every single finger press.

Speaking of modulation: Iridium Keyboard offers a powerful modulation matrix that allows 40 independent modulation assignments with individual settings for source, amount and destination – and even supports the integration of external CV signals.

In addition, Iridium Keyboard can also process MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) data and thus control several parameters of different notes separately, so that the playing feel is almost like that of an acoustic instrument in terms of dynamic, polyphonic sound control.

Compatibility upwards and downwards

Sounds from our flagship Quantum synthesizer can be easily loaded into the Iridium keyboard and vice versa. The Iridium Core, the smallest of the Iridium family, can also be used without any problems, as the sound synthesis features are 100% identical.

Legendary basis and state-of-the-art features

Iridium Keyboard – with its Axel Hartmann-inspired design – is another direct descendant of the legendary PPG Wave synthesizer, which made the unmistakable sound of wavetable synthesis famous in the 1980s and occupies an important place in the history of German synthesizer development.

Musically, however, the Iridium Keyboard – like the Iridium desktop synthesizer – offers much more than its celebrated ancestor: it has five different synthesis models for each of its three oscillators:

• Wavetable
• Waveform (VA)
• Particle (Sampling and Granular Sampling)
• Resonator
• Kernel (enables up to 6 Kernel-sub-oscillators, which can be linked by FM, AM, PD, Ring-modulation or wavetable positions and influenced by modulating at audio rate)

Two digital filters with a real stereo path per voice are responsible for sound shaping, which convincingly cover all conceivable classic filter variants and can be flexibly configured. In addition, the DIGITAL FORMER section offers various filter models such as comb filters, classic Waldorf high/low/band pass, notch filters from our Largo, Nave and PPG software synthesizers. This extensive section is rounded off by various drive modes and bit crushers.

Modulation – completely detached

The modulation matrix offers 40 possible links for modulation.  Among other things, six envelopes, six LFOs and a complex modulator (freely drawable progression in the manner of an LFO or an envelope including morphing), as well as the integration of external control voltages into the modulation matrix, can be freely linked.

Opulent effects menu

A generously dimensioned effects section with 5 slots per layer and the most flexible routing options for the high-quality effects enables not only the refinement of internal sounds but also the processing of external audio signals, which can be fed in via two audio inputs.

Perfect connections

With further extensive connection options, such as USB and DIN MIDI connections, a USB host connection (for MIDI devices and for data exchange), inputs for control and sustain pedals, clock in & out, gate & trigger in, a headphone output (with its own volume control) and two audio outputs, the Iridium keyboard can be connected immediately in any setup.

The memory of the Iridium Keyboard contains over 1500 sounds, programmed by top-class sound designers such as: Howard Scarr, Richard Devine, Kurt Ader, BT, Matt Johnson, Reinhold Heil, Jörg Hüttner, Mike Huckaby, Thorsten Quaeschning , synth_nyc and Sascha Dikiciyan.

Specifications

• 16-voice polyphonic, duo-timbral
• Compatible with the synth engine of the Waldorf Quantum

3 oscillators

  5 oscillator modes

• Wavetable 
• Waveform (VA)
• Particle (sampling and granular sampling)
• Resonator 
• Kernels (allows the combination of up to 6 kernel operators, which can be linked by FM, AM, PD, ring modulation or modulation of the wavetable positions and can be influenced by modulation at audio rate)

3 Stereo filters per voice

2 Digital filters

• True stereo signal processing, independently adjustable
• 12/24dB LP/HP/BP in all combinations 
• Nave, Largo, PPG, Quantum and StateVariable as models
• Flexible routing options for filters with modulatable panorama and level

1 Digital Former   

• Filter models from Waldorf Nave, Largo and PPG in HP/LP/BP/Notch, Comb Filter, Bitcrusher, Drive, RingMod, StateVariable

• Analyzer display in the filter view
• Filter curve moves with modulation (optional)

Modulators

• 6 envelopes
• 6 LFOs
• Complex modulator – LFO/envelope combination with freely drawable shape for LFO/envelope and morphing

Mod Matrix

• 40 slots
• Quick assignment
• 1 additional control amount per slot
• The same sources and destinations can be used as often as required until the matrix is full

Effects

• 5 slots per layer
• Various parallel and serial routing options
• Reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, drive, EQ, compressor, tremolo

Keyboard

• 49-key Fatar TP/8SK keyboard
• Semi-weighted keys with polyphonic aftertouch
• Performance features
• Extended arpeggiator
• Step sequencer with up to 64 steps for notes and parameter progressions
• Favorites display for quick patch recall
• Modwheel, pitch bend, aftertouch and velocity can be simulated via touchscreen and their MIDI assignments can be controlled
• MPE capable
• 6 macro buttons (six freely programmable buttons for switching functions on and off)

Display

• Robust quality according to industry standard
• Responsive touchscreen with brightness control
• 1024×600 pixels

Patches

• Over 1500 factory presets
• Capacity for up to 7000 patches (slot numbers 0000-9999 can be used)
• Patches from Quantum can be loaded into Iridium and vice versa
• Category filter for patch list
• 2.6 GB user sample memory

Connectors

• 2x 6.3mm jack output (TS)
• 2x 6.3mm jack input (TS)
• Headphones output with gain control
• DIN MIDI In/Out/Thru
• USB Type B for MIDI connection with computers / DAWs
• USB Type A for direct connection of storage media and MIDI controllers
• MicroSD slot

CV connections

• 4 CV inputs plus 1 x Gate In, 1 x Trigger In, Clock In, Clock Out
• Inputs appear as sources in the modulation matrix

Overall

• Sturdy metal housing
• Dimensions: 851mm wide, 355mm deep, 110mm high (including controls)
• Weight: 14kg