Waldorf Micro-Q

I really like to use this machine because of the parameter matrix which helps You to reach most funktions very fast. Some preset sounds are useful but they are getting more interesting if You start to tweak the parameters. I never felt the need for a patch editor with this device.

I use it as a solo synth and therefore the polyphony is enough but it can also be expanded by a special card. The onboard effects are ok and easy to use if You play only the first four multi instruments which have their own effects (I personally don't use more instruments). Otherways You have to rout the additional sounds through the first four effect blocks. Full midi capabilities in both directions.

This instrument can play very strange sounds but also nice arpeggio themes. I can really recommend it for all kinds of electronic music.

I never had a problem with it.

I never needed support.

I would buy it again because it is not too expensive and it really a Q synth in a little box but with a very intelligent user interface.

Its not the best, but then I would have got the Q if I wanted more nobs and stuff. It does however have enough controls to do a good job on budget

I like the Mod matrix, its very versatile. There is a certain lack of data input, I don't think that using MIDI SyEx data does the trick very well, also it might just be me but it loses synch on transfer sometimes. But for the price I paid I got more than I expected.

Unsurprisingly it does a german house style very well, but then Waldorf do do good hard sounds. It can produce very good sounds when you work at it and find all the little things in the menus.

Mine has a tendancy to throw loads of Delay on everything from time to time, this can be solved by turning the delay to bypass and touch the power then restore the original sound. It only does it when I have been editing, and only once in a while.

Sorry, never used it.

I use OS 2.14 (latest at the moment) and the menu and knob matrix makes it easy to handle even with those view knobs. The presets are very mixed styles but there are quite some nice soundsets downloadable at the Waldorf page. Creating or editing patches needs some synth knowledge and for newbies (but also pro's) I recommend the very good mQknobs editor from www.mixedmodemusic.de - it makes editing much better and provides a great overview of all settings. The mQ manual provides lots of infos also for newbies and there are addendums available for later OS versions.

The polyphony is enough for everyday use. At least 5-7 sounds can be played at the same time (using a normal song). When using unisono sounds or thick pads you rather go for the 75 voice upgrade which should be available soon (hopefully). The FX section is georgious! Chorus, Phasers, Overdrive, Delay and a great sounding reverb. Unfortunately only available on one FX routing (the mQ has 2 FX routings). The mQ is expandable to 75 voices and OS uprages are available frequently. The overall features are very good imo.

Dont expect realistic sounds from the microQ! But the synth sounds are very, very fat and it goes perfectly for dance! (maybe check out the dance soundset at the Waldorf page) But the factory sets show that it can do lots of other styles as well. (hiphop, jazz, pop, rnb, etc.) The modulation sources are very sophisticated and lots of expression aids are available (aftertouch, modwheel, and many more)

The overall sound is great! It is comparable with SuperNova, Virus, JP8080 and other VA synths but imo the microQ is a little beast that can do very fat sounds.

Absoulutely reliable, never let me down.
> Would you use it on a gig without a backup?
Would you drive a formular 1 racecar without a helmet?

Their user forum is unique! People help out quickly and there is even help available from Waldorf staff.

Upgrades are available online.

If I would lose my whole studio the microQ and my sampler would be the first things I would buy at the first day. My studio exists for a few years and I own SuperNova, Virus, microQ, JV1080, Oberheim Matrix 1000, Waldorf Pulse, BassStation, some other synths and drummachines and lots of FX.

Facit: If you have an editor like mQknobs it makes the fattest sound you can imagine.

Hello gang. I'd just like to say, this micro Q is fairly easy to use once you get a grip on it. It's not the mindless pleasure of twisting knobs on a nord lead or jp 8080 though, it requires some thought.
I wonder if this is due not because of the interface but the deep architecture?
Once you find where all the functions lay you can get quite artful in integrating FM and Wavbetable's and Combfilters with traditional analog subtractive sounds. Figuring out how to do this effectively requires a slightly steeper learning curve of course.
Beyond that the matrix editing is a snap. Though its one more thing to think about that in the heat of the moment can be a drag.

The synthesis offered here is unbeatable at this price currently.
This synth has 25 voices, but if your like me you used the comb filter and FM a lot and that amount of voices can get dynamically allocated into a more humble 12, or the lowest possible amount...6.
It is 16 parts multi timbral, that is excellent
Its architecture, with all those cool filters, lfo's, modulation matrix, Analog modeled and wavetable oscilators, fm, 3 oscilators and 2 sub oscilator, 4 envelopes, 3 lfo's yada yada on and on...
This is the big daddy. Its modulation capabilities are beyond both Novations and Accesses synths.
What this thing sorely lacks though are quality effects. if you want that all in the same box you might want to check out Novations synths wich are very nice as well.

This can certainly sound like an analog synth. It was modeled on waldorfs pulse, and if you build up a patch just using the low pass filter and analog modeled oscilators doing a garden variety bass or lead it will sound analog.
But many of the presets, and my own patches as well make use of some of its other things, namely the comb filter and FM.
Subtly integrating these and messing with the mod. matrix you work your way to more digital sounds.
The effects are there, they are disapointing and I never use them.
If you want a synth with effects look elsewhere.
And also if your buying this without trying it extensively first(shame on you ;-)
Make sure its what you really want. It has its own unique identity and some people may not like it.
personally I prefer the Q over most synths.
To me its oscilators are lively, its filter is silky smooth with a liquidic sheen.
As has been mentioned it can sound uncannily like a waldorf pulse...though this synths sounds are more clean then an analog sound.
Its sonic integrity really cant be touched, you wont find any aliasing here.

Its certainly a sturdy piece of gear. I havent really had much trouble with bugs either. I would use this anytime anywhere any place.
But as far as the voices dynamic allocation goes, that can be a pain.
Its nice to know no matter what sound you use that you have 16 notes like on the big q, so you dont have to worry about that when working out an arrangement.
But I really havent had any problems with it overall. I cant complain.

Waldorf has support with a human touch. Check out their mailing list on the waldorf homepage. They seem like a great group of fellows, and have a positive presence on the list.
Os updates are frequent, and they are not some evil corporation that abandons their product line of crappy groovebox's, these guys care about quality synthesis.

I love this synth. I only wich I would have waited and gotten a Q rack instead.
If you think your going to fall in love with the Q wait and get a Q rack.
But personally I am not rich, and this was the best bargain I could find for a great sounding instrument.
if you want a synth thats the heart and soul of your set up... the Q is it. The micro Q offers much of what the Q does, at a fraction of the price.
And sometimes I am lazy and wish I had a synth with built in efx, this has them, But theyre not even worth using.
Overall I'd buy this again, sure, but as a Q rack...

0S 1.0: This was my very first hardware synth and I barely new much of anything about the VA's when I first picked one up. Havingspent some time with it, and learning a great deal about synthesis all the while, I can honestly say its very easy to program even with the 4 knobs. The layout on the front panel (parameter matrix) is contructed very intuitively, so as the user can access any parameter he or she wants with just a touch of scrolling. Editing is fun once you spend a couple days with it and figure what button does what, and the manual is detailed and VERY well written. Programming is definetly NOT a concern for this synth.

25 voices soon to be expanded to 75 but why? 25 is most certainly enough for even the most complex of patches. The effects are a little dull and OK at best, best to have an onboard effects proccessor with this if you really want them...Flanger isn't to bad though, the chorus doesnt have enough kick to it though, very dull, but this makes no difference as a good effects processor will probably be your best choice for any of the analogue synths. Arpeggiator functions seem fantastic although I have barely used them. 16 part multi timbrality is all you'll need, midi in out thru is pretty much standard...Built in 25 band Vocoder just makes some other synth users who didn't get this jealous! Haven't delved into that yet as well but here its top quality. If the effects were somewhat powerful I would have definetly given this a ten but.

Don't buy this machine trying to emulate a real piano or anything even semi real for that matter. The presets on this baby are a delight to the ear, some are probably very useful as well. 20 drum kits provide VERY NICE electro/trance drums, good hi hats, bass drum, etc. etc. Bass can get very fat and very very punchy indeed. Soaring darkwave pads, warm sweeps, filters are just a delight to work with on this as well...Can get cold, dark, strange,bright, chimey, whatever you want it to be...the modulating capabilities are virtually endless, great sounds for techno/industrial darkwave...sound quality is top notch...

Very solid synthesizer, haven't had a problem, very reliable.

Haven't dealt with any Waldorf people yet but judging from there web site and Manual they seem very down to earth and customer oriented people.

I sold mine because I'm a synth newbie and needed something with a sequencer, I miss it very much so and plan on buying another one in the relatively near future. The word here is Versatile, and this synth is just one quality beast in providing you with everything you could possibly want at a low low price...The wavetable synthesis it introduces is quite amazing and very respectable, if your a VA kid like me you can't afford to not have this in your line up... A very inspiring synth, if you have trouble with its lack of knobs just get a knob box...

OS 1.17. The OS is not bugfree, I had the machine crash on me once, and could not shut it off without pulling the plug. Apart from that, the machine is very easy and intuitive to use.

It is quite a feature rich machine, with it's dual filters, many filtertypes, arpeggiators that are very cool, usable effects and the very very cool randomize sound function..

This machine sounds great. It can sound warm. It can sound cold. It can sound fat. It can sound thin. It can sound weird. The spectrum of sounds you can make with this thing is amazing, it is a machine which can sound analogue, but also can sound digital or hybrid if you wan it to.

The machine is with it's current OS not 100% reliable, although I had only one crash and some minor glitches when doing programme changes. I thing I would use it on a gig.

The forum on their website is quite helpfull, and they are quite cool: in the manual they state:" we recommend you to read this manual in your favourite bathroom... we recommend 5 pages per sitting.."

Love the machine. Very versatile. Unlike many virtual analog synthesizers, you're not stuck with "only" analogue sounds. A pleasure to use, full of sonic surprises, this machine is so full of possibilities.

I've had this thing for a couple of months now, so I figured now would be a good time to review. It's software version 1.17, and I must say that the Factory 2000 soundset is killer! There are so many thick, fat sounds you'll be beside yourself. And the sub-bass is excellent--much better than a Virus. Now for the tough part... editing sounds. Having owned a Pulse in the past, I was already used to Waldorf's Matrix editing, so this wasn't extremely confusing to me. Most everything you need to tweak is right there; you just have to arrow down to the parameter you want. However, hidden within each parameter group are additional parameters which can only be accessed by hitting the "edit" menu. Now this may seem like a drag, but it's no better on the big Q... you still have to use edit menus, so in my opinion, the Micro-Q really isn't that much more difficult to program than the big Q, plus you save a TON of money for the same sounds. After reading the manual, everything became clear as it's very well written.

25-voice polyphony, though you won't always get it depending on how complex the patches are you're using. But I didn't really buy this thing expecting to play 16 parts, so for me this is not a drawback. You can buy a 75-voice expansion later if you really need it. The onboard effects are OK. The first FX is retained with each Patch, even in Multi mode which is cool. Unfortunately, the second FX (which is Global) is the only one with delay. Delays can be synced to MIDI using note values or BPM, plus they can swing. Cool. No onboard sequencer (you'll have to get a big Q) but there is Waldorf's killer arpeggiator. Everyone knows this is the best arpeggiator out there, so it's great that even the Micro-Q gets the full editing.

The sounds of the MIcro-Q, like its big brother are top-notch. Very "German" sounding and great for trance/progressive house. The bass sounds have plenty of low end, the strings and pads are H-U-G-E, and the leads and arpeggiated sounds have plenty of grit and motion. There's also a Drum Map with some cheesy-sounding electronic drums, but some of the hi-hats and kicks might be useful.

Seems like it's well-built, except for the noisey headphone output and the wall-wart power cord. That's why it gets a "7".

Waldorf support is the best. Visit the Forum or send in a question, and you'll get a personal response the next day. Updating the Micro's system software is extremely simple. Jus download and play it in from a sequencer.

If my Micro was lost or stolen, I would most definitely get another. It's good the fat Q sound at a minimal price, and you really don't have to sacrifice much. Personally, I see no reason to buy a Q-Rack as it's twice the money and only gives you a Step Sequencer, memory card slot, and now Reverb/PPG filter. Yeah, it has more knobs, but like I said, you still don't get a knob for everything so you're still gonna be pushing extra buttons and using Edit menus to tweak all the parameters. At that point, you might as well just get a Micro-Q and use the money you saved to buy another synth like a Virus!

Using version 1.17, just released as of this writing.

Preset are mostly just awesome, though some sound simillar to each other. Most are of the holy s*#@! variety.

Patch editor can help you get started if you're new to the editing matrix Waldorf throws at you. Once you get your mind around it though, it's go dog go.

25 note polyphony looks good on paper. In practice though, expect that number to drop drastically depending upon the DSP load your patch puts on the synth. Not a bad thing, just one of the rules of the road you have to adhere to.

This is a rack synth, and best used in the studio with outboard effects. Internal effects range from the passable to the god-awful. Most are god-awful. I like the reviewer who said that they gave the synth sound a metallic wash sound. Very true. Outboard effects needed, as it has no reverb. A lot of the sounds really don't need effects anyway.

Expansion is supposed to be available "real soon now" to bring the voicing up to 75 notes. This will no doubt mean you'll have to ship it back to Germany for the upgrade. No biggie, though, as the present voicing is fine for most use.

No on-board sequencer really (for that you'll have to get it's big brother), but the on-board apeggiator is to die for. Very musical.

Hey, it's a Q, and it sounds unlike anything else other than what it is. It CAN be warm (in that German Electronica kind of way), but it sounds best the more you tweak it. And you can spend hours tweaking...

Audio output from this thing just sounds incredible. It can tear you speakers to shreds (not to mention your ears), so you have to be easy on the resonance. Comb filters are just too cool, as are the wavetables.

Drum Maps are also a very neat feature, and it has some really great sounds.

Seems reliable. Just put it in the rack and forget about it. Wall wart doesn't fit well in the back, and all of the inputs/outputs are not connected to the case, so you'll need to exercise some caution.

Good user support forum has just released an additional 300 sound set for the MicroQ with more bread & butter sounds.

Waldorf support good through their forum, and they've been pretty regular in updating the tempermental OS.

If it were lost or stolen, I'd cry a tear or two and then go out and get another one. Worth every penny I paid for it.

The used market for this little baby is coming down, so you should expect to pay around $600 USD for this little yellow monster.

I'm currently using the MicroQ controlled by a CS6x, with a PLG-150AN Virtual Analog and DR-770 drum machine.

Ugh, this is not the easiest synth in the world. After reading some of the earlier comments, I figured this would be an easy synth to setup, program, etc... but its not easy at all. The manual is certainly the best manual I have ever seen and its a good thing too. Just doing multi-timbral work is a pain in the butt as you have to setup instruments for ALL the channels in advance. That just seems like an archaic method and not very intuitive. Sound editing is weird if you have ever programmed another analog or VA synth. It just does not respond with expected results and thats fine, but I guess i was expecting traditional results from this "VA". More on that later. Using Sound Diver is a nicity and there are some other decent editors out there. Maybe I just need to get the hang of sound design on this thing because my AN1X is MUCH easier to program than this beast. The modulation matrix is a great tool but SO HARD to use for anything but mundane tasks. Great feature, difficult use.

Some pretty good features here. 16 channel, 25 Poly, cheesy effects, 4 assignable knobs, Drum map... Pretty much what you'd expect. There are some things here that separate it from other synths in its class though, thus the high score. 3 oscillators (with 2 subs), 6 outputs, 2 inputs, 2 assignable filters, vocoder, 4 envelopes, 2 Wavetables (128 waves) and of course, the ubiquitous modulation matrix. There are a TON of sound mangling tools here and that is why I bought it. To me, THATS the best feature. I feel like I'll be able to make ANY sound I want... After I figure out how to program the %&@# thing...

Brilliant Arpeggiator. I rarely use it but its pretty good. Not as good as on the An1X IMO but lots of good options... Plus it can use Q sounds which is VERY nice.

One strange thing, there is no factory reset on the synth. You can only re-upload the original set via midi. No huge deal, it just seems like an odd thing to leave out. BTW, mine is blue not yellow (a GREAT feature. That yellow is AWFUL!)

The range of sounds this synth produces is AMAZING! Very smooth sound with a grittiness when you want it. The filters are probably the best I ever heard on a VA. The presets are great for auditioning just what the ?Q can do, but they are nothing to write home about but its GREAT to hear something that doesn't just cater to the house/techno crowd in its presets. Even with the presets, just play with one for awhile and you'll hear the stunning range of sounds it produces. It just blew me away. So far, I have only really modified existing sounds and I can't wait to really create sounds from scratch but so far, this is easily the best sounding I've heard in quite some time.

Using real time controls on this synth REALLY makes it shine and also makes it perfect for the industrial/darkwave music I write, though it would be good for most any electronica. The effects are generally cheesy but the flange and delay are decent. The ring mod, is more part of the synth engine than a stand alone effect which is how it should be... The chorus and phaser just plain suck.

Following what most everyone else here has said, the bass sounds really thunder, the pads are huge and beautiful and the oddities are great. The drums are sort of weak but they are just presets. There are some good sound sets out there that have better drums but they are hard to find. Some of the oddities on this synth exist because of the wave table sounds and mostly due to the comb filters. I have never used comb filters before but they create some GREAT weirdness as they create a very "tubey" or hollow metal type sound. No other synth I have tried out has been able to produce sounds like this.

As far as the analog vs. digital debate goes, I think it truly has its own sound. It sounds like no other VA I have used and sounds nothing like any digital synth I have used (and thats alot). It just has its own character and thats a big plus to me.

So far so good (only for a month and half though). It has given me a divide by zero error a time or two when using the patch randomizer and it required a re-boot. No big deal, but sort of silly.

Well they are producing new O/S's and hopefully adding features as they go ala the Q and Q-Rack. Plus they were very responsive to some questions I asked. The real downer is that there are still some bugs and while they aren't deal breakers, they are annoying. Waldorf seems more interested in supporting the Q's rather than the ?Q's and that makes sense as they must make more money on those. You never know, they may add all those cool features they added to the Q (PPG filter, reverb, etc...). Eventually, a 75 polyphony update will be available according to Waldorf's website. When and how much remains to be seen.

i keep hearing how great the user community is and I have no idea why. The community is VERY small and there are not very many sounds being shared or many discussions either. The AN1X community is FAR more active and that synth is 4 years old. I have yet to find free sounds away from Waldorfs website and the only ones there are factory sets. The Yahoo group is ok but not very active at all.

The ?Q fits in perfectly with my AN1X, MU100R, TX81Z (Too much Yamaha), and Akai S2000. It blew away every other synth I tried out. Especially the Roland JP8080. How Future Music called that the "best synth ever" with out a little kickback from Roland is beyond me. That aside, it was really hard to compare it with the Nova, Virus, Nord, etc... because it just sounds different. Feature wise they were all pretty good but this one sounded unique, the others just sounded alot like my AN1X. The ?Q with my AN1X sounds great though and any other VA would probably play great with the ?Q too. So its really difficut to compare this with other synths, therer doesn't seem to be any other synth like it.

If I lost my ?Q, I'd probably bite the bullet and buy the Q-Rack instead, which seems to get better support and has better features.

It really is an inspiring instrument and just mangling some of the presets gave me MANY musical ideas. I love when an instrument just inspires you in that way. Few have for me but this has repeatedly.

I wish there was more of an online presence for this synth. It would be great to share ideas on programming and of course to share sounds, but the community seems very weak IMO.

Overall, a great synth at an incredible price. I really hope Waldorf pursues improving it as these type of products could really be the future of synth music. A great sounding synth with multiple synth techniques wrapped up in an affordable box. Who could ask for much more?

i'm using the OS 1.14 and must say that it works superb! the manual is outstanding! they dive into every little corner of this beast! they give hints about HOW to make those phat leads etc.! impressive!

This song has a polyphony of 25. There'll soon be an upgrade available for 75 voices and soon you come to realize that it whoops ass when it competes with synths like th Korg Ms2000 which has 4 polyphony. The microQ has an outstanding 16 multitimbrality and 6 analogue outputs!

The presets has the width from the nice pads from any analogue synth to the phat leads that the Roland Jp-series is so famous for.

Yes.
yes.
YES!!!

I asked some question per e-mail, got answers/ help that made me come ron the right track again! Very friendly!

For what you get it's VERY cheap! But then again, if there is 5000 in polyphony, 1000 analogue outputs it doesn't matter to me unless it sounds great! This syntheziser might give a wrong picture just looking at this little yellow synth, but try it out, listen to the onboard demos and realize that it is truly an amazing piece of equipment!