Waldorf takes the Microwave into the DAW

The Microwave was the first unit created by German manufacturer Waldorf, a rack module that preceded the high end Waldorf Wave that has become so closely identified with Mike Huckaby in electronic music over the last 15 years.

Released right at the end of the 1980s, the Microwave represented in a way the transition away from the icy spiked sound of the previous decade into the more euphoric and hedonistic vibe of early ’90s dance music.

Waldorf has now emulated the Microwave with a new plugin.

The Waldorf Microwave 1 Plugin was designed by the company that made the original hardware to preserve all the original rack-mounted synth’s quirks and its “wonderful singularities.” After a painstaking process, Waldorf claims that the waveforms created by the plugin have been compared “bit-by-bit” to those generated by the hardware module and were found to be “100% identical.”

Sounds on the Microwave were notoriously difficult to edit and Waldorf takes full advantage of digital music’s increased capability of easily editing not just sounds but also wavetables. You can also create new ones.

⚪️ more music making apps and plugins /

⚙  Generating dreamy delta waves with ZAK Sound’s Skyridge plugin
⚙  Syncussion Mania: For the Love of Synth Drums
⚙  Carving icy soundscapes with Tundra
⚙  Breaking out of the box with Catalyst
⚙  Sononym makes sample sorting simple

While there was a large amount of effort put into re-creating some of the limitations of the hardware of the era that defined the Microwave’s sound, Waldorf also looks forward here. Up to 8 instruments can be quickly layered for more complex and robust output (impressive considering that the original Microwave’s basslines could already be described as “huge”).

The work that went into the Microwave 1 Plugin is obvious and the quality is extraordinary. But it’s not cheap: €149 or $165. The Microwave 1 plugin comes as a VST, VST3, AU and AAX and works with macOS and Windows machines with your preferred DAW.

Subscribe

5 Mag Issue 217
Out Now

HOUSE OF FOUK: Originally published in 5 Mag Issue #217 featuring Dutch deep house DJ and production duo Fouk, Paris Cesvette, Azaad, Thando and more. Become a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right now…

Don't Stay In

Get on our guest list for news from 5 Mag and you'll never miss a thing. It's free and we don't sell your shit.

SUBSCRIBE