
Waldorf 16 voice all-digital Iridium Keyboard
In a nutshell the Waldorf Iridium Keyboard Synthesizer is everything a Waldorf Iridium Desktop is, with a 49 key Fatar semi-weighted polyphonic aftertouch keyboard instead of the pads (which can still be accessed digitally on the touch screen).
Good move Waldorf! With the Waldorf Quantum Keyboard cruising over $5k with tax, I am sure a lot of people will elect to save $1000 and grab the 49 keys digital Iridium instead of the 61 keys hybrid analog/digital Quantum.
Personally, I’m still seeing the extra value in the Quantum, but I am certain a lot of Quantum users are going to be hoping they can replace their monophonic aftertouch keyboard with a 61 key polyphonic aftertouch keyboard.
Notably the Iridium Keyboard, like the Iridium Desktop has CV, and a little more panel real estate, and the same touch screen as the Iridium Desktop. The side panels are also reminiscent of the Iridium Desktop.
Firmware progress
We don’t know yet which version of firmware will ship with the Iridium Keyboard, but if it is OS 2.5.x, the following applies.
In my opinion, until recently the Iridium was more of a studio synth than a gigging or performance synth. Most of all, OS 2.5.x, the newest ‘official’ OS release isn’t fully performance stable and never will be.
OS 2.5.x is a huge improvement over previous development efforts, wonderful, a joy, rather amazing, but it is still capable of an occasional loud digital pop/bang. A very minor nuisance in a studio synth but unacceptable for a gigging or performance synth. The OS 3.0 Beta 12+ may have fully overcome that hurdle though.
Currently I am running OS 3.0 Beta 12 (Quantum), which is publicly available for Iridium/Quantum by asking Waldorf to add you to the Beta. If you are waiting for the official release of OS 3.0, don’t. OS 3.0 Beta 12 is much more stable, bug free and feature rich. There are also many great patches that require OS 3.0. There is no downside to running the Beta, none. Running OS 2.5.x massively cheats you out of the very best Iridium has to offer. Have I said this clear enough? Ha!
Thanks!
-Yehuda





Manufacturer’s website
https://waldorfmusic.com/en/iridium-keyboard
Facebook user groups
Waldorf Quantum & Iridium Synthesizer Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/184475775419027
Videos
Useful Links
Apple systems pages
Updated periodically – Apple MacBook Pro M1 Pro & M1 Max
Updated periodically – Apple Mac Studio M1 Max & M1 Ultra
Waldorf related posts
Jun 30, 2019 – Waldorf Quantum joins “Studio”
Jul 28, 2019 – First month thoughts about Waldorf Quantum
Oct 2, 2019 – Inside the Waldorf Quantum Synthesizer
Dec 15, 2019 – 6th month thoughts about the Waldorf Quantum
Apr 20, 2020 – New Waldorf Quantum Synthesizer is a Beauty
Waldorf related pages
Updated periodically – Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave or Waldorf Quantum/Iridium?
Updated periodically – Wavetable Synth Comparisons
Updated periodically – Sequential Prophet X or Waldorf Quantum?
Updated periodically – Wavetable Editing Tools
Updated periodically – Quantum/Iridium Presets
Updated periodically – Quantum/Iridium Wavetables & Utilities
Updated periodically – Waldorf Quantum Keyboard
Updated periodically – Waldorf Iridium Desktop
Updated periodically – Waldorf Iridium Keyboard
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Manufacturer Specifications: click to open/close or jump to comments
Specifications
Waldorf Iridium Keyboard
- 16-voice polyphony, duo-timbral
- Compatible with the Waldorf Quantum synth engine
3 Oscillators
Oscillator Modes:
- Wavetable
- Waveform (VA)
- Particle (Sampling and Granular Sampling)
- Resonator
- Kernels (up to 6 sub-oscillators which can be interlinked through FM at audio rate)
3 Stereo Filters per voice
True stereo path
Dual Digital Filter:
- Two filters with independable modes
- 12/24dB LP/HP/BP in all combinations
- Nave, Largo, PPG, Quantum and StateVariable models
Digital Former:
- Filter models from Waldorf Nave, Largo and PPG in HP/LP/BP/Notch
- Comb filter
- Bitcrusher
- Drive
- RingMod
- StateVariable mode
- Analyzer displayed in Filter view
- Filter curve moves when modulated (optional)
- Sophisticated filter routing options with modulatable panning and levels
Modulators:
- 6 Envelopes
- 6 LFOs
- Komplex Modulator (LFO/Envelope combination with user-definable shape)
Mod Matrix:
- 40 slots
- Fast assign mode
- One additional control amount per slot
- Identical Sources and Destinations can be used multiple times until the matrix is full
Keyboard:
- 49 keys Fatar TP/8SK keyboard
- Semi-weighted sensitive keys with polyphonic aftertouch
- Latch mode
Performance features:
- Arpeggiator
- Step sequencer with up to 32 steps for notes and parameters
- Favorites screen for quick patch recall
- Mod Wheel, Pitch Bend and Poly-Aftertouch
- MPE capable
- 6 Macro buttons (six freely-programmable buttons to switch on and off functions)
Screen:
- Industrial-grade highly responsive touch screen
Patches:
- Over 1000 factory sounds
- Capacity of 7000 patch memory slots (numbers 0000-9999 can be used)
- Patches from Quantum can be loaded and vice-versa
- Category filter for patch list
- 2GB user sample flash memory
Connections:
- 2x TS output
- 2x TS input
- Headphones output with Gain control
- DIN MIDI In/Out/Thru
- USB Type B for MIDI connection to computers / DAWs
- USB Type A for direct connection of storage devices and MIDI controllers
- MicroSD slot
- Kensington® lock
CV connections:
- 4 CV inputs plus Gate In, Trigger In, Clock In, Clock Out
- Inputs can be used as modulation sources in the Mod Matrix
Overall:
- Sturdy metal case
- Dimensions: 851 mm wide by 355 mm depth by 110 mm height (including controls)
- Weight: 14 kg