Blofeld love

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#587

Sorry to hear so many problems with Spectre. It is working for me fine now, uploading samples without converting them to MIDI first. Selecting MIDI in as Blofeld was the trick (the instructions all tell you not to, but that’s what works for me). Using Blofeld OS 1.25, Windows7. This allows me to only upload new/missing sample programs to a sample set, while also keeping the already uploaded samples on the Blofeld.

EDIT: the video I linked above, as well as this, helped me figure it out. https://modulatethis.com/2014/12/15/must-read-waldorf-blofeld-synthesizer-new-1-23-firmware-blofeld-new-spectre-app-secret-sauce-sample-transfer/

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#588

I have mixed results, It seems to work sometimes but not always. I will have to test further.

edit: Yes it works, I use both Spectre and sendSX through loopMIDI virtual midi port to see what it is going on. Sometimes though, I do not know when, sysex gets corrupted and there is no “please be patient…” screen on hardware and the hash check will just blink, and then the unit will froze with ( ? question marks) as osc sample names. If hash check is showing numbers then it will probably work. Sometimes there is not a “restart” option, you have to restart blofeld and spectre and reload the xml file and start again, but samples have been uploaded, not the presets, the 2nd attempt loads the presets also. Really weird stuff but it can work. But not always! Sometimes it can get easily corrupted, repeat/restart and pray.

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Thanks for the link / solution

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#589

Studiologic Sledge 2.0. This “brother” synth has the same sample engine, even the 60MB flash ROM appears to be the same. The mapping software is the same but re-budged.

2020-03-27 00_05_04-Sample Program Extended Content Transmitting Remote Editor
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Spectre automatically moves loop starting point 225 samples forward from the first sample. That is probably used to avoid latency clicking noises.

A difference observed between them is that the key note has different position in keyboard mapping. For the Sledge version, I am not sure if you can use this to transfer sample/midi files, probably not, as those that will be created might have different manufacture id sysex data not recognised by blofeld.

https://www.studiologic-music.com/support/sledge/#6-0
###### Release note

**1.01**
Improved conversion of Stereo to Mono samples, with anti-clipping protection;
Optimized conversion of short Loops in various format, with anti-click protection.

**1.0**
Initial release.
#590

What are your experiences using the blofeld as mono synth? I am finding it great for techno, elektro, and ebm basslines :wink:

#591

Great as a monosynth - especially since you can get 16x in mono mode. I still marvel at the time I wasted owning this synth but not using it.

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#592

Hey don`t know if this’ been cleared up, but the reason these encoders end up being jumpy/jittery, is that the grease that makes the encoder turn nicely slowly leaks in under the knob and onto the conducting material beneath the encoder, where the encoder data is read. Just open up the synth, carefully pry the small metal tabs that keep the encoder in place (after removing the knob ofc) and lift the actuator off the base of the knob. Underneath here you can swipe with a q-tip, you’ll notice how greasy the plastic disc has become. Just wipe it dry and re-assemble, encoders work perfectly afterwards :slight_smile:

8 Likes
#593

Had a Blofeld in the past and regret selling it, now I’m pondering a second one and I have a question about the wavetables.
If I remember correctly, scanning through different wavetables is not smooth, but scanning the position on a wavetable doesn’t have any stepping, correct?

I pretty much never used the wavetables, now I know what I missed…

#594

Scanning through a wavetable is pretty smooth, depends on the wavetable of course. You can introduce steppiness in the matrix if you want it.

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#595

So Ive been granted the pleasure of loaning a Blofeld just to get a feel for it and try and make some Neuro Bass patches.

Does anyone have any tips on where to start with this black hole of synthesis?

#596

I guess you have to explore it, there’s no way around.
But to get a glimpse of what is going on in that synth I would start with a pure oscillator patch listening to all sorts of wavetables and the basic waveforms. With wavetables use the ppg filter typ, it’s more pleasing to the ears than the standard filters from Waldorf.
But be aware in a mix, the Blofeld eats up the whole frequency spectrum … get an analyzer and watch the spectrum and you’ll see all sorts of things going on, even when you use just one oscillator. This synt is more digital than others.
At least use the filter distortion curve on that thing, it beefs up the volume and you will get some punchy in da face bass patches.

There’s so much to say about…

2 Likes
#597

In addition to what Noisebuddy said, I would create your own init patch as a starting point. Osc 1 only, set to one of the wavetables, pw 0, mod +63 by Mod Wheel, Brilliance 127. This will allow you to change wavetables and quickly scan them for sounds you might be interested in.

I have also noticed that the basic waves (e.g. saw) at the end of the wavetables sound different than the ones in the osc selection.

Not sure that helps with your bass patch though. :slight_smile:

1 Like
#598

Hi guys! I have been looking for some more info about the different type of “Drive” curves with no luck, as in a drawing or so to better understanding in waht cases use the different ones… anyone to bring some light over this? :slight_smile:Thanks+

#599

hello everyone
so i got me a blofeld, im trying to update the firmware to 1.25 with c6 but no luck so far, im following the instructions as specified here:

how ever it does not seem to work, ports are selected in c6 and midi is received, any ideas?
<3

EDIT: seems to work with spectre so all good

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#600

Anyone have any tips on making convincing dub tech chords on Blofeld? I tried for a whole day and all I could come up with were chords that were quite metallic sounding. Useable but not really the sound I was after. I started to think maybe the init patch has already got something baked in but I couldn’t find anything.

Any tips appreciated! I love my Blofeld, it’s the perfect partner for OT and I’d rather not use another synth if I can get this sound on the Blo :slight_smile:

#601

The blofeld can definately do dub tech chords. Do you maybe have too much FM mod on the oscillators? Normally you would probably use a lowpass filter with env modulation. That also takes away some harshness.

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#602

so another quick question, one of the matrix encoders is not very responsive, it works ok on slow movements but not fast ones, i know its a known issue and im thinking of just replacing it, but before i do that, did anyone ever did this and is it solvable at all or im most likely to encounter the same issue with a replacement encoder?

#603

Yeah the Waldorf wavetable sound screams dub techno to me! Try a bit of wavetable index modulation (also great for those deep dubby pads) and experiment with drive curves and filter types maybe. May be obvious but you want the cutoff right down and to be using the env mod to create the sound, then experiment with the envelope.

Don’t forget that a lot of the typical dub techno sound is effects, especially reverb and delay. I don’t think the Blofeld effects are that great, so try running it through nice either outboard or DAW effects - personally I tend to just use my DAW for this, good ones for dub techno include Soundtoys Echoboy and Little Plate, Ableton’s Echo and the Surreal Machines plug-ins.

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#604

Before you do any hardware surgery it’s worth checking you are on the latest firmware, I believe later firmware issues tried to address encoder skipping issues in software - not sure how effective this is but worth checking

#605

I use the Monstrumfeld VST Editor to edit. Do you work in a DAW? I can really recommend the editor. Its very well layed out.

I cant answer your encoder question, but maybe it wouldnt matter after you had this

#606

thanks @tdmusic , im already on the latest firmware (1.25) before it was 1.22 and it was acting the same, not that this means that its not a software issue that was never resolved :confused:

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