Beating at M’s musical heart as an eight-voice polyphonic, four-part multitimbral WAVETABLE SYNTHESIZER — as boldly blazoned in red across its full-metal bluecoloured casing, itself hinting at its illustrious Microwave heritage — are two wavetable oscillators with independent wavetable-generating Classic Microwave 1 and Modern Microwave II/XT modes, meaning that the wavetable oscillators behave differently in both of those modes (accessible by pressing the Mode button beside the helpful high-resolution graphic display with four endless encoders for yet more hands-on control). Consequently, there is no hard Sync or ring modulation available in the Classic Microwave I mode, where 16-bit wavetables are bit-reduced to 8-bit and a 240 kHz non-anti-aliased sample rate is offered, whereas the Modern Microwave II/XT mode offers a 40 kHz sample rate with band-limited wavetables, although both oscillators — OSC 1 and OSC 2 — offer the same panel parameters.
Put it this way: with no fewer than 45 knobs — with Wavetable (outer black ring dial) selecting the 96 factory wavetables and any user’s custom wavetables (UWT 1-31) for the corresponding oscillator and Wave (inner red dial) determining the start point of the wavetable that is used when the sound starts clearly combine to stand out from the crowd — and buttons spaciously spread across that eye-catching full-metal housing, hands-on control certainly speeds up working with Waldorf Music’s M.
Meanwhile, two LFOs — LFO 1 and LFO 2, each generating a periodic waveform with adjustable frequency Rate and Shape that can be used for modulation purposes, are also always at hand. However, unlike other Waldorf synthesizers, there is no modulation matrix in M. Making a conscious design decision to set up M’s modulation facilities directly on the corresponding display page, its creators are again playing at paying tribute to the 1989-vintage Microwave. But back in the here and now, M takes performance to a whole new level fresh for 2021, thanks to that advanced ARP with 16 preset patterns, chord mode, and an ability to synchronise to MIDI clock. Furthermore, four programmable ENVELOPES allow adventurous users to manipulate sound parameters via rate or timed modulations.
Review by David T. on 7 Apr 2025review stating Great choice
I was tired of lifting heavy speakers out of my house, then into my car, then out of my car, into the venue and up onto stands and then having to run leads to everything, all before a performance. My son recommended the JBL eon mk2, as he had hired the same for his gigging. I can be set up in less than 10 minutes and pull down in the same time. I ...Read MoreRead more about I was tired of lifting heavy speakers
run two iPads wirelessly, so everything is easy to transport, sounds great and looks very cool. Very pleased with every aspect of the rig. Read LessRead less about I was tired of lifting heavy speakers
Review by Robert P. on 6 Apr 2025review stating SSL E Dyn
Loving the SSL E Dyn. Apparently this was on every channel during sessions with the console. I can see why. Great way to get a clean punchy signal into your DAW. Love the extender circuit as well, it does a great job of keeping any unwanted background noise out of your recording.
