MUSEWIRE – Music Tech news: Waldorf Music has announced their latest invention for electronic musicians, the Protein, an affordable and compact desktop-friendly 8-voice polyphonic wavetable synthesizer based on the original Microwave 1 ASIC oscillators and combined with modern features of Iridium heritage. like a sophisticated arpeggiator, a step sequencer, chord mode, diversity of effects and more.

According to the company, “‍Protein’s 8 voices can be organized into up to 4 layers, allowing for complex sonic layered arrangements, suprising round robin modes, or simply split by MIDI channels for poly timbral operation. With the Load Layer feature new sonic arrangements can be created in seconds by simply recombining existing layers from the extensive preset collection.”

This “small but powerful” machine comes with more than 150 factory presets of huge variety and can store up to 250 user presets. Using the 4-layer concept, users can mix and match from the existing library and create new combinations with the intuitive Load Layer feature.

Each layer features an eight-slot modulation matrix, offering a multitude of modulation possibilities for shaping sound. The Protein also supports polyphonic aftertouch modulation, allowing musical expression to be rendered in manifold ways. A mysterious “Flavor” knob adds an extra layer of organic behavior from tiny micro-fluctuations up to sweet disturbances to keep digital sound lively.

Protein will be available through Waldorf Music’s growing global network of distributors (https://waldorfmusic.com/distributors/) at an introductory price of 329 EUR (including German VAT) until 31 December 2025 — rising thereafter to 379 EUR (including VAT). U.S. pricing will be announced.

COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS:

Waldorf Protein – Authentic Wavetable Synthesizer

Oscillators
• Two oscillators based on unique Waldorf Microwave ASIC chip.
• Internally running with 250 kHz sampling rate to match original ASIC sampling rate.
• Modeling of digital-to-analog converters for each voice (DAC).
• Unique digital noise generator based on ASIC technology.
Wavetables
• All original wavetables of Microwave 1 based on the original coding and bit-identical to original.
• Including algorithmic and speech wavetables.
• Beautiful recreation of 8-bit quantization and aliasing.
• Full waveform catalogue of original Microwave.
Filter
• Faithful modeling of CEM analogue filters.
• Adjustable de-calibration of cutoff and resonance to model detuned hardware.
• Cutoff and resonance modulations.
• Additional „Dirty“ types: Noise, crackle, click, geiger and bursts.
Modulation
• 3 Envelopes
• 2 LFOs with tempo sync and sample & hold
• 8 slot modulation matrix
• Poly-aftertouch capable
• MPE modulation sources.
Effects
• Two effect slots
• Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Drive, EQ, Compressor, Tremolo
Voices
• 8 voice polyphony
• 4 timbral layers
• Stacked, round robin and MIDI-split layer-modes.
• Mono & Legato modes
Performance features
• Advanced Arpeggiator
• Step-sequencer with up to 32 steps
• Chord & Scale modes
• MPE Compatible
• MIDI CC Learn
Patches
• Over 150 factory patches
• Capacity of 250 patch memory slots
• Category filter for patch list
• Import- and export of patches via MIDI Sysex
Connections
• Stereo Audio Out with 6.35 mm jacks with optional mono and TRS stereo connections
• Headphones mini TRS output
• DIN MIDI IN & Out, mini-TRS Type A (two adapters to DIN MIDI sockets included)
• USB Type C for power supply and USB MIDI connection
• Firmware updates via USB
Overall
• Sturdy metal front plate on a colorful plastic case
• Dimensions: 252 mm wide by 170 mm depth by 48 mm height (including controls)
• Weight: 0.9 kg
• Power Supply via USB (not in the box)
What’s In the Box?
• Waldorf Protein Synthesizer
• Two MIDI adapters: mini TRS to DIN sockets
• USB C to C cable
• Printed Quick Start Guide

LEARN MORE: https://waldorfmusic.com/

WHO THE HECK IS WALDORF?
The well-known Waldorf Music brand has been synonymous with high-quality synthesizers for over 30 years; indeed, its innovative position in the electronic musical instruments marketplace dates back to 1989 with the release of the wavetable synthesis-based Microwave, an amazing ‘reincarnation’ of the legendary PPG Wave series — arguably amongst the most coveted high-end synthesizers of the early Eighties — that was instrumental in providing some called-for counterbalance to the dominance of Japanese and American designs.

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This version of news first appeared on MuseWire.com and is copr. © Christopher Simmons. Images courtesy Waldorf Music, with collage image created by Christopher Simmons.