Waldorf Pulse 2 ... take the first look

[rockmanrock]

I think the new features are worth waiting for - multimode filter, better interface (more buttons on the matrix), better screen with patch naming, 8 mod slots instead of 4, paraphonic poly mode. I'm pretty tempted. Lots of good little synths around now though.

[divemedia]

Yea, it sounds like it is worth waiting for. Out of curiosity, what else would you consider for the same type of sounds? I don't need anything crazy. Just something that can do bass and do it well. The pulse seemed almost like a no brainer.

[rockmanrock]

Originally Posted by divemedia

Yea, it sounds like it is worth waiting for. Out of curiosity, what else would you consider for the same type of sounds? I don't need anything crazy. Just something that can do bass and do it well. The pulse seemed almost like a no brainer.

Probably the Minitaur, limited but it looks like it does one thing (bass) very well. The Pulse is a lot more versatile but some people really don't like the tone and I can see why. I like it but it's not the classic purring, fuzzy analogue sound, it's far more precise and slightly sharp/harsh sounding.

The new Studio Electronics Boomstar looks like it's going to be really good too if you're after classic analogue bass.

[jarlywarly]

Originally Posted by divemedia

Yea, it sounds like it is worth waiting for. Out of curiosity, what else would you consider for the same type of sounds? I don't need anything crazy. Just something that can do bass and do it well. The pulse seemed almost like a no brainer.

The original Pulses can still be picked-up pretty cheap and they seem to be holding their value. Worth a punt IMO.

The filter often gets a bad rap. OK it's not the juiciest filter but it's pretty good. The trick is to understand that it quickly becomes overdriven (Osc values >30%!) and that's why it has a reputation for being harsh and metallic. But keep those Osc levels mixed at reasonable levels and it's capable of sweet tones as well as the overdriven (and overpowering) bass monster it can be.

If the 2nd hand value does plummet after release of Pulse 2 then I may be tempted to buy a few more units an polychain them. If other people do the same the value may well go up in the short term.

On the other hand I must admit that I recently built myself a Shruthi-1 and the stock filter on that is delicious. As a result it has supplanted the Pulse in my setup for now.

Though I'm still very curious to hear the Pulse2. Here's hoping it gets released. Waldorf is a company I really hope will survive.

[zerocrossing]

Originally Posted by rockmanrock

Probably the Minitaur, limited but it looks like it does one thing (bass) very well. The Pulse is a lot more versatile but some people really don't like the tone and I can see why. I like it but it's not the classic purring, fuzzy analogue sound, it's far more precise and slightly sharp/harsh sounding.

The new Studio Electronics Boomstar looks like it's going to be really good too if you're after classic analogue bass.

Word from SE is that the Boomstars will be hitting the street at the end of August but it wouldn't surprise me if it's September. Either way I bet it's a sweet synth.

[SSquirrel]

Originally Posted by zerocrossing

Word from SE is that the Boomstars will be hitting the street at the end of August but it wouldn't surprise me if it's September. Either way I bet it's a sweet synth.

So that makes 2 recommended synths that aren't out yet (Pulse 2 and Boomstar). Plus the Minibrute's limited availability

[rockmanrock]

Originally Posted by SSquirrel

So that makes 2 recommended synths that aren't out yet (Pulse 2 and Boomstar). Plus the Minibrute's limited availability

[CoolColJ]

Hope they improve the envelopes from the first Pulse, have better shapes.

[energizer bunny]

I thought I was only going to be buying a MiniBrute and a BoomStar (or two). When will this madness end?.

[divemedia]

haha, srsly. They all look like amazing synths! I'm going to stick with my gut though and wait for the pulse.

[zahush76]

Originally Posted by divemedia

haha, srsly. They all look like amazing synths!

Sure.
But how do they sound?
No one knows yet.

[divemedia]

Yea, and it's killing me!! I am this close to just buying the old Pulse for $400. ahhhh!

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by divemedia

Yea, and it's killing me!! I am this close to just buying the old Pulse for $400. ahhhh!

i would hold off another 3 months.

[analogaddict]

Originally Posted by divemedia

Yea, and it's killing me!! I am this close to just buying the old Pulse for $400. ahhhh!

I just bought an old Pulse for $200. Thinking of pairing it with a Voyager for live purposes - 6 oscs, separate filter settings, B O O M...

[divemedia]

If i could find one that cheap, it would be a no brainer and I would buy it immediately.

[energizer bunny]

Waldorf Pulse 2 - YouTube

Lovely tidy little unit.

[depulse]

Originally Posted by analogaddict

I just bought an old Pulse for $200. Thinking of pairing it with a Voyager for live purposes - 6 oscs, separate filter settings, B O O M...

I bought a Pulse for 200 Euros recently. It seems to hoover around 200-250 Euro price here in Europe.

[networkacid]

Originally Posted by depulse

hoover

[jarlywarly]

Originally Posted by depulse

I bought a Pulse for 200 Euros recently. It seems to hoover around 200-250 Euro price here in Europe.

I've seen them go for even cheaper.

If you get a Pulse you should try this vst controller:

Pulse Control VSTi | Homegrown Sounds

Not only does it allow you to program and save patches from from your DAW, but it adds extra modulation sources - LFO's envelopes, step sequencers and a fantastic arp. It hugely expands it's capabilities.

[djshire]

Originally Posted by depulse

I bought a Pulse for 200 Euros recently. It seems to hoover around 200-250 Euro price here in Europe.

Well that sucks

[newguy1]

Is there a release date or any updates at all on this?

[memristor]

they published new hi res pictures in the downloads folder today
I guess its for a press release or something

[sorgenkind]

I heard from a waldorf-source "end of summer" which is approaching.
in the meantime I swapped some rack gear with a yellow Q so ended up not buying the blofeld.
still thrilled about the pulse II, even if the complexity of the Q will keep my busy for a while.

[newguy1]

Originally Posted by sorgenkind

I heard from a waldorf-source "end of summer" which is approaching.
in the meantime I swapped some rack gear with a yellow Q so ended up not buying the blofeld.
still thrilled about the pulse II, even if the complexity of the Q will keep my busy for a while.

I love the Blofeld. So easy to get incredibly nasty sounds out of it, the filter overdrives are amazing and it has just enough harsh digital waveforms to get great current Massive-sounding tones, but much better than Massive, with great E6400 sounding filters. Loading it up with Massive's waveforms to get even more harsh tones makes it the most unstoppable relevant digital synth of the moment.

Which is why I can't wait for the Pulse 2. I bet they knock it out of the park.

[sakamoto]

Originally Posted by newguy1

Is there a release date or any updates at all on this?

very soon in Thomann Shop.
Waldorf Pulse 2 - Thomann UK Cyberstore

[energizer bunny]

The price is right, wow I cant wait for this. Reviews and demos should be incoming soon. Good times for affordable analog.

[newguy1]

Originally Posted by sakamoto

very soon in Thomann Shop.
Waldorf Pulse 2 - Thomann UK Cyberstore

That would be great if they arrive in shops next week.

Only one store out there saying 2-5 days seems fishy though. We'll see.

[newguy1]

Originally Posted by newguy1

That would be great if they arrive in shops next week.

Only one store out there saying 2-5 days seems fishy though. We'll see.

Yep check the site I was right. Thought so.

I hit up Waldorf, they said early autumn, which leaves open a nice vague window and probably actually means summer 2013.

[bitleyTM]

September - October somewhere. Looks really interesting but needs to be road tested.

[heckahecka]

thomann.de have updated it to say they are arriving 30.10.2012 (hover over the availability icon).

This used to say something to the effect of "not yet available"
I was checking just about every day

The 2-5 days delivery is just what they put for estimated delivery time once it's actually available and in stock. And it is fast! I got my KRKs shipped to Sweden in just a few days.