Microwave xt

reeloy · 2024-08-06T10:47:15.604Z

…it comes down to the simple question, do u prefer direct twiddleabilty via heaps of knobs or clean logics via matrix column editing…

that microwave xt in orange was the most beloved synth of an old collegue of mine in the 90ies…
and it’s a great catch and addition alongside something like the ot for sure…

but u can’t be too much into flawless looks, since this rough orang coating tends to show any heavy use pretty soon…getting one nowadays, means it will look used for sure…

but it’s defnitly the last synth of waldorfs truu original hey days…
microwave one, digital osc’s meet truu analog filters, was my all my heavy bottom basslines back then…

Mumdad · 2024-08-06T13:42:41.722Z

It’s a little weird they went with ‘Xenia’ as the name considering that’s already the biggest Xbox 360 emulator around. Maybe that’s only potentially confusing to quite a small subset of their users

I spent quite a bit of time with Largo a few months back when I was deciding whether or not to get a Blofeld keyboard and I’m surprised at how similar the core tone is. The XT always sounded very distinctive to me in demos but scrolling through presets on this I’m not quite hearing it jump out of the speakers the same way. Just me?

Great to have this to complement the M though, especially for the wavetable FM.

J3RK · 2024-08-06T15:18:06.390Z

Not to mention the name of at least three or four DJs.

rydan · 2024-08-27T06:39:57.974Z

The M has both the analog filter, and a digital filter which when in MW2 mode, has all the digital filter models of the XT + a few added variations (Like HP+FM). Both filters can be used at the same time, with the digital filter running in series before the analog one.

rydan · 2024-08-27T06:55:19.007Z

Not really. It was more intended to be a modernised MW1 with some of the MW2 thrown in for good measure, and updated to be vintage-sounding-digital but modern synth. Then a very VERY devoted and communicative FW-developer happened, and things got a bit messy, but pretty great. The M specification on the waldorfmusic page is FAR from up to date. (Omitting “small” details like: Waveterm-style sample playback on OSC2 in Microwave1 mode, the digital second filter with all the modes from XT and then some in MW2 mode, a third in-progress OSC mode with algorithmic oscillators, basic MPE support, and well stuff…)

Compared to the XT, it does sadly lack the Osc FM (atleast so far…), and it uses the MW1-style of modulation routings, so no modulating-itself-mod-matrix/modifiers-shenanigans.

zollenz · 2024-12-17T22:01:01.111Z

It’s alive! My XT has been tucked away for years due to ye olde disintegrating knobs. Finally found a set of knobs that fit technically, aesthetically and weren’t super expensive. And now it’s back in business

IMG_20241217_2237042024080×2296 1.72 MB

IMG_20241217_2241579044080×3072 1.49 MB

zollenz · 2024-12-17T22:01:52.635Z

Crumbling old knobbos

IMG_20241217_2229423714080×2296 2.58 MB

tr909 · 2024-12-19T03:36:09.928Z

What knobs did you get?

mode-seven · 2024-12-19T06:21:35.479Z

What a gorgeous device.

zollenz · 2024-12-19T13:08:16.664Z

tr909:

What knobs did you get?

It’s a Sifam:

uk.rs-online.com

Sifam 12.5mm Black Potentiometer Knob for 6mm Shaft D Shaped, K70105 | RS

Buy Sifam 12.5mm Black Potentiometer Knob for 6mm Shaft D Shaped, K70105 . Browse our latest Potentiometer Knobs offers. Free Next Day Delivery available.

This other Sifam model is also a candidate (though a bit wider at the base and taller):

uk.rs-online.com

Sifam 17mm Black Potentiometer Knob for 6mm Shaft D Shaped, 3/07/DRN170 006...

Buy Sifam 17mm Black Potentiometer Knob for 6mm Shaft D Shaped, 3/07/DRN170 006 BLACK . Browse our latest Potentiometer Knobs offers. Free Next Day Delivery available.

I considered it, but decided to go for the slimmer one. Should probably check if the wider base will cover the labels on the interface. Don’t think so though.

The color is darker than on the original knobs. More black than grey. But I think it looks fine. And I am not particularly fond of the one that people usually recommended for Waldorf (ALBS?).

Like these: Waldorf XT Potentiometer Knob Set | Ocsidance Pro Audio

Also not a fan of paying that much for a set of knobs

You could use any knob that:

Is for 6 mm D-shaft
Has an internal depth of minimum 12 mm (IIRC)
Is meant for encoders (i.e. with no pointers)
Fits the design

pmags · 2025-01-11T01:52:35.768Z

Tempted by the beautiful yellow XTk at Perfect Circuit:

Perfect Circuit

Microwave XTk Wavetable Keyboard Synthesizer

A used condition Waldorf Microwave XTk Wavetable Keyboard Synthesizer, fully tested and ready to go. Buy used gear you can trust from Perfect Circuit!

Price: 2340 Brand: Waldorf

bwo · 2025-01-11T03:46:00.426Z

Wow that price isn’t even that bad for the rarity of those XTKs

J3RK · 2025-01-11T05:11:38.962Z

I miss mine… XTk is the only synth I miss that I no longer have.

shroom · 2025-01-11T10:22:13.820Z

If you can swing it, do it. I only had the Xt but it’s one of the few things I really regret letting go of.

guga · 2025-01-11T17:20:41.955Z

this happened to mine as well; luckily the knobs are still intact but they did feel slightly sticky. i removed the white coating and some have pretty much lost their stickiness but it seems like they are turning white again.
i will probably have to change them at some point i think, i would like to find a non-tapered version which i prefer over these ones…and use the XT a bit more as it hasn’t seen much love recently.

bwo · 2025-01-11T18:11:20.305Z

IMG_54645712×4284 2.69 MB

There is a guy doing custom Waldorf Q knobs on reverb I wonder if he would do a set for XTs also, I will say his method of casting I guess has some slight tolerances so I was surprised to get a bottle of nail polish with them to build up a bit inside the cap if any were loose (they were all loose) still felt worth it in the end to me… really nice feel to it

pmags · 2025-01-11T18:57:16.962Z

Too many gear purchases on my part recently, so this is just idle day dreaming on my part. One day perhaps!

shroom · 2025-01-11T19:08:32.338Z

I see, yes hopefully one day it’ll be yours!

J3RK · 2025-01-11T21:22:11.235Z

That is such a beautiful Q!

Muu · 2025-01-12T14:15:43.710Z

IMG_82844032×3024 1.87 MB

I got that reverb guys custom knobs, too.

And yes, it took a good bit of nail polish to secure them.