Synth is not reviewed until Nick does it.

I have to say: oscillators on Pulse 2 are one the best analog oscillators what I heard. You can tune them very low without any artefacts. This is excellent for bass :-)

for some reason i never bothered to research the pulse 2...this video blew me away! thanks for highlighting it!

I've been checking KZfaq everyday for a month waiting for this!

Nice one. I've been waiting a long time for this review.

Try to find a todays synth with analogue 3 Oscs, FM, Ringmod, Drive, 24 db LP + BP + HP, Mod Matrix, snappy Envelopes, Paraphony to an affordable price......2020 still a Top module!!

Great review, excellent synth. Sounds even better, than my new minilogue

a great synth with massive potential, i use it mostly for polyphonic things and sounds that are more on the heavy side couldnt find any bugs since V1.13

to me this synth has the best presets...it's absolutely amazing for a mono synth...I really have no idea how they make the paraphonic sounding but overall it's awesome for the 700usd

This thing is incredible. I want this now , along with a Rocket but maybe I should save my money for a Pro 6. The modulation is insane.

Very well made and detailed Pulse2 showcase. It really tells you everything. Very recommended, even if you own the Pulse2, as this gives you a full overview.

That low-pass is indeed quite nice! With such a good filter, filter CV would have been nice.

Probably the most underrated and overlooked Synth ever.

Nick what are you using to view the waveform it will help me out alot with school work hahaha

Please do the Waldorf Blofeld!

Nick must have been really happy during this. I'm 5 minutes in and the amount of PWM on this thing is so much that I just can't stand it anymore, even though pwm is the best thing to happen to mankind.

Nick is jazzed as hell in this review. And I’m glad because I just ordered mine ;)

Excellent review as always! A general question, I know they are no longer 'new'.. but you don't seem to have any reviews on the ION, Micron .. or the new'ish' Miniak... Perhaps a review of the Miniak, to help people really see what it can do? Also, would you consider reviewing a more retro VA like the AN1X?

Great review as always Nick. I was wondering if you could answer a question for me: With MIDI, is it possible to control/modulate more parameters than the unit is naturally capable of? I'm wondering if I can basically expand the number of knobs with a MIDI controller, something like a Behringer BCR2000. Also, is there any sort of a MIDI "Teach" function in the Pulse 2?

My travel synth since 2013, have one in Mexico with me right now - the presets don't even begin to show the depth and capabilities of the engine - the oscillator functions and routing are incredibly versatile - AM, sync, filter FM, drive modulation, XOR. Basic monosynth sounds are easily achieved with no menu diving. The filters are not too exciting, but plenty versatile, its a portable sound design laboratory.......

what's really weird about that lovely display not showing greater detail is that the blofeld (which is almost exactly the same form factor) shows all those details - it makes programming it a joy, because you get amazing visual feedback. of course, the blofeld has a lot more parameters, but it's so strange that waldorf didn't do same on the pulse 2. maybe it's something they'll patch later down the track?

Dat sync-osc-face @8:10:D

Is it possible to use waldorf CV outs to control other gear?...I would like to connect Akai MPK 25 to midi in with waldorf and then CV outs from waldorf to moog werkstatt...would it work with these connections? Would like to know before i will buy this synth. Many thx !

The best sounding synth Waldorf have ever produced.

Great demo !

with stuff like this (at 8:40 ) I always hope they will fix that in a firmware update. But I doubt that will happen. Still gonna snag one of these. Love how it sounds!

re: polyphonic operation.. I wonder if it is a divider type running at a higher frequency. whatever method they are using would be interesting to know.

quite the impressive synth.

Nice looking knobs - too bad they didn't include them as mod sources by providing a user assignable performance page in the matrix, like the Yamaha AN1x and Electron Analog 4

sounds great... I have not more desk space is there a rack version?

Thank you Nick for the review (as always). This synth surprised us. Very smooth and clean synth. How does it compare to the original?

How does the noise sound WITH the osc?

Any chance you could assign the mod wheel output to a kordbot's touch strip?

Great review. Sound on Sound are my go-to for written reviews; Sonic State are my go-to for video reviews.. :)

not sure why we got a review for this synth and never got one for the Blofeld..

Alexander Chopelas it is a different screen than on the blofeld though. It would make sense if it was the same screen I could rationalize them just using what they have (they used the blofeld body and knobs) but it's a bit larger than the screen than blofeld uses, yet it gives less visual feedback. I'm hoping they fix this in the next update as its still a fairly new product I'm sure they have their kinks they want to work out.

also is every modulation source available on the cv out or is it just pitch/gate?

Can I hook up an MS 20 on the Waldorf?

What about syncronisation via MIDI clock? Did you test it, Nick? This still isn't working on the Blofeld..

Why cv outs but no cv ins on a desktop? So weird.

What evs, I'll get onto the CVs myself.... Might post something as I just picked one up today :) I really like it - the presets are crazy dynamic in volume (really insane) - I've added external FX to help boost, sounds wicked.

Once again very thorough. If I had the money to burn on something like this it would be at the top of the list. The sound is great and the fake polyphony is cool. $800 give or take here in the states at stores and eBay still outta reach for me unless my situation changes.

There are too many analogues for me to choose between these days. Wish I could afford them all.

I have a Pulse plus and the bass from this synth can shake my house. Waldorf Pulse sounds great but the front panel matrix is horrible to work with so I always use a software editor.

My main concern is that I hope they didn't use the same cheap endless encoders as in the Micro Q.

8:05 Add a bit of fuzz..........Ooh! (suits you sir) OOh! Cool review! :-)

How's the stepping?

Ive tested the pulse lots of presets that are noisy quiet or empty? But build better than the blofeld

Very nice sound

Yeah sounds great, but im a little disappointed by the display. i thought that was a brilliant part of the Blofeld. i used to screen on my Blofeld as an educational tool for friends that were new to synthesis, it really helped them understand what was going on. Why make a bigger screen just for a couple numbers???!!!! Hopefully there will be an update later fixing this.

Why no Blofeld review?

i have this synth it is a monster. the band pass and low pass filters sound very nice, main weakness for me is not being able to tweek envelope and filters at the same time. easy way around this is a cheap midi controller so u can bring out access to those controls.

Sounds very good. You'd have your basses covered with this and a blofeld

about the digital/analog debate, i found this text (youtube/lesindes) : " I have talked to the Waldorf service engineer now. And he was confirming what was in mind always: The basisc sound generators of PULSE 2 are 3 digital controlled anlog oscillators we use to call DCO by they named them DO. Same as in PULSE 1. In addition there is a digital sound chip built in that is providing at maximum 8 digital voices (for paraphonic, unisono stuff) that are lead through the regular analog VCA-VCF of PULSE 2. So the MONOphonic sound generation is ANALOG and the PARAPHONIC, UNISONO sound generation is purely digital." So yes their is DSP

That menu system looks similar like the one on the sequential multi-track.

dont know if anybody still comments here but is it possible to access to pulse's oscillators on separate midi channels? in other words could i play 3 sequences via my sequencer simultaneously?

Great review as always - thanks!

Hold on let me get this right because I'm confused. I'm 14 mins into the video so far and not sure I got this right but it hasn't crashed yet? Is this normal operation? C'mon Waldorf, get with the program and stick some bugs in it to keep in line with your other products

wow. very music filters!

7:51 ye man you feel it

back again, still no demos on the cv?

I can't believe Waldorf didn't do a full 49 key version of the Pulse 2 like they did for the Blofeld or at least a 37 key version jeez. That's mental, the only reason i never bothered with the Blofeld is that is fully digital, good sounds but 10 years old digital but I love the white version keyboard, plus the keybed is also amazing. The Pulse 2 with 3 DCOs (analogue) in a 49 or 37 key body would be here in my room already... not a big fan of modules...

What is that device being held together with three elastics?

Now to wait for Waldorf to make a keyboard version similar to the MicroQ Keyboard maybe.

What’s the MIDI keyboard you're using? Is it the M-Audio Axiom Air 49?

Nice sound, but I don't think I like this paramater matrix, indeed what is the defenition of paraphonic I'm not shure I get that. Nice review Nick as always!!

NICK FOR PRESIDENT!!!

"Obviously, if it had all the whole thing laid out on knobs, it would be an AWESOME synthesizer"... Totally agree... Why won't Waldorf bring back something like the Q??? Even an "extended" version of the Blofeld Keyboard with about 40 knobs would be outstanding! This matrix stuff is cool, but the tactile control is what Waldorf seemed to be doing best just before they disappeared :( Truly stellar review as always sir!

He said there's not too much menu diving, but it's still too much for me.

This would look great on the Blofeld keyboard.

Love the Thermin patch :)

Seems a nice synth, however I can't believe the supreme idiocy of having a huge LCD display and then only utilising the bottom 10% for all the most important editing functions. It is beyond me why they did this. Is there any chance Waldorf will redesign the display in an OS update?

The only thing I dont like on the new Waldorf synths like Blofeld, which is an awezome great synth by the way: I hate the feel of the sleek metal encoders. I helped myself with rubber thimbles. Looks very odd and funny, but makes programming really enoyable! :-)

Which keyboard controller is that?

It sounds nice!

mr nick, would you prefer this synth or the bass station 2 ?

i owned a Waldorf Pulse a few years back. i sold most of my synths. korg minilogue, sub phatty, JDXA, blofeld, King Korg and System 1. i am about to buy another Pulse 2. i miss it the most. for Electronic Dance Music it is hard to beat. just add effects and Nothing can touch it. i also SURPRISINGLY miss my King Korg. another undervalued synth. i did keep my JDXA because the filters are so good. but again the Pulse2 is amazing and IM VERY ANGRY AT WALDORF FOR MAKING A DAMN BLOFELD KEYBOARD AND NOT A PULSE KEYBOARD. blofelds are LOADED with Bugs. i tried to love mine but didnt. THE PULSE2 is ROCK SOLID AND WAY WAY MORE WORTHY OF A KEYBOARD!!! if waldorf made a polyphonic Pulse KEYBOARD id pay any price!!!!! you germans are crazy

Waldorf Pulse 2 or Behringer Neutron for monophonic sound design?

Old-school Midi cable ;)

hi is it multitimbral please?

what's all this then?

There is some clipping on your video.

Doesn't it sound amazing? Could it be a DSI contender?

I prefer BassStation II because of the more powerfull filter, more knobs and sequencer.

The synth looks like it is build to last, but as a matter of fact the knobs of all synths produced by Waldorf have a chronic problem, doesn't matter if it is the last generation (Blofeld) or the generation prior to that (Micro Q), it seems that the encoder technology is the same for all Waldorf synths. At a certain point the encoders stop responding when you turn them. It is a shame 'cause these synths have a wonderful sound, with a distinguished personality. I have a Blofeld and I had to take it to a synth artisan wich repaired the knobs, who did a terrific job, but wasn't able to get it 100% perfet (maybe 85%), the same with my MicroQ. It is not just me saying that, just Google "Blofeld encoders fix" and you'll see. The synth technician told me that this problem is caused by the sample rate at the encoder is sampled, combined with the fact that the lubricant inside the encoders dry (worse if you are in a hot or tropical country), the contact plates gets deslocated, and it fails to respond. Imagine buying an ultra expensive Q keyboard and the encoders stop respoding...And my experience is that the crashes are rare, but they exist, and there are issues with updating OS as well.

Is there a parameter jump when you switch a pot from one bank of settings to another, then move it a little bit? Say I used knob 1 to set the VCF Cutoff to max, then switched it to controlling LFO1 Speed. If that was previously set low, but I now move the knob a tiny bit to the left, doesn't it jump to nearly all the way up / nearly full speed? I would have thought sharing knobs between different parameters meant they'd use rotary encoders, so they could pick up where they left off, but Nick seemed to be saying they use pots.

8mins 9seconds... :)

Is it sad that instead of searching youtube for videos of hot chicks I'm searching for clips of the Waldorf Pulse 2?

Few knobs... at least they could use led encoders like Slim Phatty

Classic face @ 8:10

it kinda looks like a giant calculator though. GIMME MORE KNOBS PER PARAMETER PLEASE OKAY

the original pulse BLOWS this thing away

holy crap if its not dsp based maybe the unit uses RERAM instant speed memory =D

its such a pity they stick such gorgeous knobs on such gorgeous panels but use those wobbly af plastic pots

Many good synths have poor displays. It's how it sounds tat counts ;)b 9:00 sounds like "Humming" by Portishead! (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nOCdZKeKmM6ufGw.html) Great review Nick.

Wow i want 6 at least sweet mother of jesus this synth is the shit de la bomb !!!!

Lol at 8:07 :D

音のザラつきや　揺れが　ないから　つまんねーなぁ

Is this better than the bass station 2 and mini brute/micro brute??

How come can he say that the filters are not "charismatic"?? Damn it we're talking about WALDORF FILTERS, maybe the most genuine and classy filters ever... he should study his classics...