Polyphonic Rack Synth

The Micro Q is a 16‑note polyphonic virtual analogue synth. It features the usual 'analogue' waveforms but incorporates elements of Waldorf's wavetable synthesis too. A powerful dual‑filter design has the expected low‑pass and high‑pass modes (and others too), but also boasts positive and negative comb filters. With three LFOs, no less than four envelopes, a modulation matrix, and an effects section, it's a synth of considerable complexity. The list goes on to include 16‑part multitimbrality and digital output.

Instead of the Q's three DSP chips, the Micro Q has just one processor (albeit one of increased power). Thus it has a unique Operating System not shared with its bigger brothers (by contrast, the Q and Q Rack share the same OS). The Micro Q can import Q patches (although they may end up sounding slightly different), and te Micro Q's single‑DSP design also means that the number of simultaneous effects are reduced from the Q's eight to five and the delay effect can only be used in the Global effect slot. The maximum available delay time is 1.48 seconds.

Unlike the its larger relatives, the Micro Q uses a dynamic voicing method, and so can produce up to 25 notes of polyphony (the unexpanded Q is fixed at 16 notes). Waldorf have filled the Micro Q with sounds that are (mostly) very good and a few that are excellent. There are impressively deep basses, thick flanged strings, dirty organs and shimmering pads, plus snappy sequencer‑ish patches, courtesy of the highly versatile arpeggiator.

Feature Summary

• Six audio outputs.
• One stereo audio input.
• 16‑part multitimbral mode.
• 300 sounds.
• 20 drum maps.
• 100 Multis.
• Three oscillators per voice with pulse, saw, triangle, sine and two wavetables with 128 positions (two additional sub‑oscillators are available when wavetables are used).
• Frequency Modulation of all oscillators and filters is possible.
• Oscillator sync (Osc 2 to Osc 3).
• Two filters with 24dB/octave and 12dB/octave low‑pass, band‑pass, high‑pass, and notch and comb types.
• Three LFOs (at up to audio frequencies).
• Four envelopes.
• 16‑entry modulation matrix.
• Arpeggiator.
• Glide (portamento, glissando).
• 25‑band Vocoder.