Waldorf M Gets FM and Braids!

NB: Here is a link to the latest firmware:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nFK1JQbaFhcjNBkgLw5xU3GUpl0zczSO

Vladi - the main developer behind Waldorf's M, has just dropped a major firmware update for the blue beast. Writing in a thread on Gearspace, he outlined the latest developments:

• First and major improvement - the M now supports micro tuning! One can load scales from SD card, send and receive MTS real-time messages.
• Linear FM modulations from Osc1 to Osc2 for the Modern mode.
• 4 new algorithms (now 8 algorithms) for MVA mode (where a wavetable oscillator is replaced with an algorithmic one) - including 2 Operator FM, 2 Operator FM with Feedback and a Variable Noise oscillator.
• Implemented modulator for Glide Time (for all modes).
• Implemented software resonance drop compensation (as a new "Resocomp" digiVCF type. It is not compensate a drop fully, but provides some slight -3dB loudness compensation, tracks actual resonance of the analog VCF.
• Fingered portamento as new voice allocation mode for monophonic patches
• MPE pitch bend override and settings for using Master Channel PitchBend together with notes pitch bends.
• Lot of bugfixes for multitimbral mode + "Part's Mode" guard.

As an M owner, this news is huge. The new MVA oscillators have the potential to add incredible sound design variety to Waldorf's blue machine. Elsewhere, "Resocomp" is very much welcomed - the 2044 really does lose a fair amount of Oomph at high resonance. And wow, FM! Not simply in those "Braids"-derived algorithms, but true Linear FM between oscillator 1 & 2. This always seemed an odd omission, being that both the Microwave XT and the Blofeld had FM, so the new addition seemingly makes the instrument "complete".

Those new MVA algorithms give you a good chunk of Mutable Braids, by the way:

• Varysaw: A VA oscillator ranging from SAW through PULSE to TRI. Wave (red encoder): Mixes from 0 to 31 from SAW to PULSE; 32 is pure PULSE, and 33 to 63 mixes from PULSE to TRI. Meta parameter: Pulse width for PULSE, adjustable from 5% to 95%.
• CSAW: A famous Yamaha CS-80 saw oscillator with mutation towards a parabolic oscillator. Wave : Controls the amplitude of the "step" component of the saw wave. Meta parameter: Mixes between this saw wave and the parabolic saw wave.
• Waveshpr:  A SAW to TRI oscillator fed into a mild waveshaper. Wave : 0 is pure SAW, 1-62 mixes between SAW and TRI, and 63 is pure TRI. Meta parameter: Depth of the waveshaper.
• TriplSaw: A stack of three SAW oscillators; two are detuned slightly higher and lower than the third. Wave : Controls the amplitude of the "central" SAW oscillator relative to the two "side" SAWs. Meta parameter: Detuning factor, from 0 to maximum detune.
• S/T Fold: A SIN wave folding oscillator that folds the chosen crossmixed wave between SIN and TRI waves. Wave : 0 is pure SIN, 1-62 mixes between SIN and TRI, and 63 is pure TRI. Meta parameter: Folding depth.
• FM 2 OP: Classic simple two-operator FM synthesis. OP1 (modulator) generates a sine wave that modulates the phase of OP2 (carrier). Both operators generate sinewaves; the algorithm's output is the carrier signal. Wave: Maps values from 0 to 63 to harmonics ratios of 1 to 8 in stepped increments. Meta parameter: Amount of phase modulation applied to the carrier.
• FM Fback: Classic simple two-operator FM synthesis with feedback. OP1 (modulator) generates a sine wave that modulates the phase of OP2 (carrier). Both operators generate sinewaves; the algorithm's output is the carrier signal, which modulates the modulator's amount in feedback loop. Wave : Maps values from 0 to 63 to harmonics ratios of 1 to 8 in stepped increments. Meta parameter: Amount of phase modulation applied to the carrier.
• DuoNoise: A white noise source filtered by a pair of 12dB LP/HP filters set to the same (static) cutoff frequency. The cutoff frequency differs between the first and second oscillators of M; it is 2 kHz for OSC1 and 4.4 kHz for the second oscillator. Combined with variable resonance, this allows generating different noise flavors to shape your sound. Wave : Blends from 0-63 between low-passed (0) and high-passed filters (63). Meta parameter: Q factor of the filter.

Of course, some things in the long "laundry list" of user requests didn't make it:

What was NOT implemented from APPROVED features: ( because I populated the ROM fully, preserving place for bugfixes only)

• MPE support in multi mode. Sorry, it requires lot of new adding to the code, and potentially leads to new bugs. So I decided to not implement it.
• Exponential FM for oscillators - I did it, but M's DSP has not enough power to provide it for all 8 voices, so linear FM only was implemented.
• Fingered glissando - again, M DSP has not enough power to implement it properly + I do not understand really how it should work for microtonal tuning.
• Calibration for "VCA leak issue". This one WILL be implemented separately if it will be possible. I need to have access to the M with this issue because it is not reproduce on my! Will try to check it out with real M of real user. Actually I spent lot of time trying to reproduce it and even discussed it via WhatsApp with some users, but it just don't happened on my M! Still, I am thinking that it could be hardware problem of improper components tolerances (5% instead of REQUIRED 1% was installed by producing boards)
• Parameter to link analog cutoff pot to digital filter - this one was approved but I ran out of free reserved parameters for sound. If somebody wants, I can implement it as a global option, here I need your opinion. But new sound parameters (i.e. per patch) are not possible to add anymore.
• OSC as a mod source - impossible to implement it properly, due to performance restrictions of the M's DSP too.

 

Just to remember, what was NOT approved by Waldorf Music, and, hence will be not implemented: 

• Save multi + singles together on SD card.
• Ability to rename user wavetables.
• Patch category.
• Indication current / default value of sound parameters .
• Setting for inverse lite-on of LEDs on buttons.
• Indication of the OSC mode on display.
• Using two parts in modern mode on 16 voices M's.
• Knobs "catch" mode
• Some graphics for the digiVCF.

Whilst some of these are a little disappointing - what we got is staggering development upon the M's initial feature set. The OSC as a mod source was originally my idea IIRC, but I now feel that the M doesn't really need it. Audio rate processes can now include oscillator FM, Digital filter FM, Ringmod AND in case you should need it - you can always loop an envelope at audio rates to modulate other parameters :D

So anyhow, now the Beta testing begins:

Let we test the last firmware together! I am dedicating next 2-3 weeks explicitly to the M, as I want to finalize it and make as stable and bug free as it is possible. New project (Polivoks 8) waiting me and other stuff too.

But M will be never forget and until I am in synth world, there will be always attention to the M from my side, even if it will not be produced.

Still, the Polivoks expansion is calling. It will be released after releasing of ELTA Polivoks 8, where I am principal designer too. So this will guarantee the best possible solution for the Polivoks expansion too.

And I have some ideas about totally alternative firmware, making a different system from the M as my own pet project.

Journey will continue guys.

Thank you all for your patience, advices, help and support. I am deeply appreciate it.

Happy new year to all of you and your families.
Love and light!

your Vladi.

What a journey this has been, I can't wait to hear that Polivoks filter expansion! :D

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