Waldorf KB37 Eurorack and nw1 (Review)

A day like today can be perfect for talking about synthesizers: instruments that generate electrical signals which end up being turned into sounds played through speakers or headphones. They are usually controlled via keyboards, although other systems can also be used.

If we think about which names are in the spotlight in the "synth" world, one of the most important is Waldorf. This company has been crafting sounds for a long time, more than 20 years. Based in Germany, they have been and remain one of the world's benchmarks when it comes to synthesizers. Worth highlighting is their contribution to the market of the PPG synthesizer, which has become an icon in this little world.

Today we are very happy to share two new offerings in synthetic sound, though they really complement each other. They are the KB37 and the NW1: a very special and attractive Eurorack controller in the first case, and a sound module in the second. So each one needs the other. Let's dive into today's two protagonists.

General description

Let's look at what Waldorf's two creations contain. As we were saying, the KB37 is a Eurorack controller and the NW1 is the sound module. The first gives us a 3-octave keyboard, as well as many important controls for operating the modules. For those venturing into the "synth" world for the first time, it should be said that it is the modules that actually provide the timbre. Among the controls we can use are modulation wheels, gate control, arpeggiator control, various inputs, various outputs, etc. And all of this is meticulously designed so that a module can be housed inside the controller's own frame.

The company offers more options (such as the MOD1, CMP1 or DVCA1), although today we will look at the NW1. It is a wavetable module, that is, a wavetable (a term well known in the jargon), where we will find, among other options, the brand's classics, the MicroWave and the Wave Synthesizers. At the same time, it gives us the opportunity to create our own sounds in an easy but very effective way.

They are not standalone products, since each needs the other. In fact, they are designed to live together and form a winning team without any gaps. Designed for perfect understanding between the two, getting the most out of what they contain, especially the NW1.

KB37 Eurorack

Let's move on to analyzing the controller to find out how it works and what elements it gives us. We can't talk about sound in this case. Obviously it adds nothing to our ears, but it does add to how we control the modules and to our touch.

The top front panel and rear panel

a) CV Panel: Located at the top left. Here we can see jack inputs and some illuminated buttons that let us configure parameters associated with the module we insert. We can connect the Clock, assign the modulation and Pitch wheels, and 4 outputs, X, Y, Z and a fourth one, to assign whatever MIDI information interests the user: note velocity and aftertouch. That is, once you are holding down a key, you press harder on it and it generates another instruction for the synthesizer, so you can send another instruction to the module, for example to trigger another sound, etc.

b) Audio Panel: This section of the controller is at the top right and handles the overall sound, that is, the audio inputs. We have two jack inputs (L/R) and a master output control for the system, as well as a headphone output with its own separate volume control.

c) Control Panel: Located at the bottom left, it lets us: turn the arpeggiator on or off; control the tempo to set the clock and the arpeggiator; control the octave applied to the central keyboard; a note selector as well as the portamento time; and two wheels, one for pitch and one for modulation, which any keyboard needs.

d) 3-octave keyboard: In the center is the 3-octave keyboard, with which we can play passages using the sounds of the inserted module.

On the rear panel we find the outputs and inputs needed to connect the system in any situation. For this we have two outputs (L/R) to connect to any desk, sound card, etc., a sustain pedal input, conventional MIDI OUT, MIDI IN and MIDI THRU, a USB connection for the computer, etc.

That concludes the description of the controller. Now let's analyze the filling that completes the controller, that is, the NW1, in today's lab test.

nw1 module

The NW module is the real brain of the sound. It is one of the options we can assemble inside the Eurorack to shape our system.

The nw1 is not outrageously large. It is 3U (133.3 mm) (3 units), 32HP (162.6 mm) (4 screws), and weighs about 500 g. In other words, portable and very manageable, considering it is a unit that will be inserted into our system. Let's start describing the options the module offers:

a) Gate input: As we know, the Gate input is a control input; with it we can perform operations on the wavetable.

b) Pitch CV input (pitch control voltage): Here we have the control voltage input for communicating with and assigning pitch control. The values are 1 V per octave, from 0 to 5 V, or octaves.

c) CV inputs for modulation: there are 3 CV inputs for modulation. The destination is chosen with 3 small levers associated with each input, with 3 positions (Tune, Position and Travel). To select the amount of modulation we want for each input, we have a Gain control that lets us choose how much of the input signal is added to the destination selected with the destination lever. It is a completely responsive and very musical potentiometer. This lets you be very precise with the desired effect, since it doesn't behave the same depending on where you are in its travel. You should spend time checking its range and internalizing it to get everything it has to offer.

d) An oscillator output.

e) USB interface: used to save and load wavetable data, or to update the firmware (the micro-instructions a system uses at the lowest level to carry out its work).

f) Spectrum control: Spectral envelope control for changing the pitch. Its range goes from -64 to +64 semitones.

g) Brightness control: Basically, it is "a peak-to-flat management control" for modifying the waveforms in the EQ of your tone.

h) "Noisy" control: A potentiometer for choosing how much noise you want in your tone. From something periodic, controlled and sustained, to something more random and therefore "noisier," or as I would say, "dirtier."

i) Travel mode/Travel Speed: With these parameters we can move around within the wavetable (Gated/Step/Free). And the speed has two positions, PlayBack or Recording.

j) Wavetable position: Likewise, two positions, PlayBack or Recording.

k) Pitch and Range selector: From C -4 to C -2. And the pitch selector covers 12 semitones.

In terms of connections, the NW1 holds no unpleasant surprises. Everything is thought out in detail, in keeping with its ability to adapt to any situation. For example, for power, it uses the bus input / ribbon cable to connect to the Eurorack. And of course the patch cables to handle the audio.

The sound

As for the sound, I have to say the NW1 surprised me very pleasantly, for many reasons, but mainly because of its great musicality. In the world of synthesizers, getting synthetic sounds is not the hardest task; however, achieving very musical tones is really difficult. Well, in this case the NW1 achieves it and then some. It brings an "extra warmth" to the timbre that means that, whatever the scenario, you are always well within musical territory. At the same time, I was surprised by its great vocal quality. It very easily resembles voices, something I personally value highly in any instrument. On the other hand, it lets you go to extremes without any problem. You can get very subtle sounds or twist them and get very extreme timbre

s, but without losing the musicality I mentioned at the beginning. It is in the subtler side of the sounds where I think very contemporary timbres are found. Within the first 5 minutes of having the module, you will be able to get several sounds you will recognize from several current songs.

From very clean sounds to very dirty ones, from very linear sounds to near-sawtooth sources. From aquatic concepts to screeching sounds. A whole, wide palette of colors.

Conclusion

Following on from what can be gathered from the previous paragraphs, I must say I have been fascinated by the system Waldorf presents. Both the KB37 and the NW1 have delighted me.

The Eurorack for its ease of use, how well thought out it is, its solid look and, at the same time, its modular concept. As for the NW1, for itself as an overall concept. It struck me as "the module your arsenal can't do without." Being very musical is its main feature, and I think that is the most any music-related product can aspire to. In conclusion: To me, they are simply the way to go.

KB37 RATING TABLE