Vintage Synth Explorer

Waldorf • MicroWaveXT

The MicrowaveXT is a great big orange polyphonic rackmount synthesizer. While combining the power of the Wave and the compact design of Waldorf's Microwave 2, the XT adds a bit of knob-laden heaven. At first glance the top section completely resembles the 2-space rackmount version of the Microwave 2. And then there are three more rack-spaces full of knobs and lots of knobs means lots of control.

As far as enhancements, the XT model has 20-bit DSP functions but that's about it. Its true power and features lie in the 44 hands-on knobs which make editing in real-time quick, easy and perfect for performance and studio work. All of the knobs transmit MIDI information as well!

The Synthesizer engine is relatively the same as the Microwave 2 and Wave synths that came before it. Digital wavetable synthesis and FM synthesis in which there are 64 waves that are mixed and combined into new sounds. The MicroWaveXT can easily emulate the sounds of the PPG wavetable synths as well as create squelchy acid-303 lines or boomy Moog bass. Also onboard is a nice arpeggiator, digital effects and more. The MicroWaveXT is definitely a powerful rackmount synth that can generate some highly unique and quality sounds. It is used by Astral Projection, The Crystal Method, Mirwais, and Cirrus.

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Berlinpuls

Posted 12 days ago

The MW XT was also used by Art of Noise (album entitled The Seduction of Claude Debussy).

Crab Nebula

Posted 22 days ago

I was originally going to buy a Microwave II but ended up deciding to pay extra and get the XT. This synth is truly amazing it only when you get into the menus you realize the power of this beast and the attention to detail things like ability to set the phase of oscillation on each oscillator and both of the LFO all independent of each other delay of the LFO's keytracking on everything you can think of.

Its only when you spent months with this synth you start to realise the true reality of what your working with and then theres the creating your own wavetables the sky is the limit its a sonic wonder of the world a master piece.

Chris Faur

Posted 30 days ago

Very nice and unique synth. I have the 30 voice expansion but I wish I had a keyboard version. I would trade my 30 voice rack for a 10 voice keyboard if I could. Solid quality..you know the Germans make good stuff...And the sound is simply incredible.....Extreme character and lushiness....8 stage envelopes....for insane evolving textures....if you like synths that you must have this one....Forget the Virus TI or other VAs....this is better sounding and more fun. One of the best digital Synths out there....

Richard Leon

Posted 136 days ago

Insane programmability and mad sounds - it comes alive with patch randomise, which is when you realise that it sneaks out of its rack at night travels around the galaxy having illicit drugs and sex with aliens.

The one downside are the floppy envelopes. It's hard to get a clean snap and kick out of them, becuase they're digitally calculated and too slow.

It's also not a PPG clone - the PPG sounds ballsier and less gritty. But otherwise this is a truly unique synthesizer, and an adventurous option for anyone who's not looking for another pseudo-analog me-too box.

mike

Posted 141 days ago

thanks for the specs...

i was between this and the micro q. i dont like the idea of diving through a ton of menu's tho. i love twisting and turning knobs.

only thing is the i have only been able to find the 10 voice version. hopefully i dont get to silly with it

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