street priceThe Waldorf Kyra is an FPGA-based virtual analogue synthesizer that offers impressive sonic capabilities in a robust, well-built package. While technologically innovative, the Kyra represents a continuation of Waldorf's synthesizer development following their acclaimed Quantum. The unit features reassuring size and weight along with smooth, wobble-free knobs, though its small monochrome screen and protruding 1970s-style black plastic quarter-inch sockets with ring nuts on the rear panel may disappoint some users.
The Kyra's architecture is based around Patches, Parts, and Multis. Each Patch represents a basic unit of sound, which must be inserted into a Part to be played. Parts contain additional parameters such as MIDI channel, level, pan, transposition, and output routing. Eight Parts are contained within each Multi, which can be split across keyboard ranges, layered on the same MIDI channel, or used multitimbrally with different MIDI channels. There's no voice stealing between Parts, effectively making the Kyra eight individual virtual analogue synthesizers sharing a common pool of Patches.
A unique aspect of this architecture is that you're always in Multi mode; Patches are accessible only within Parts of a Multi. Additionally, Parts don't contain copies of Patches but rather point to the originals, meaning modifications to a Patch in one Multi will affect that same Patch in all other Multis that use it.
The Kyra's memory holds 128 Multis and 3328 Patches distributed across 26 banks. Most banks are described as ROM, but they actually function as flash RAM that can be overwritten with bank transfers. The user RAM is maintained by a rechargeable battery that will sustain memories for only a few months without mains power, which may be concerning for users accustomed to synths with much longer battery life.
Instead of conventional VA oscillators, the Kyra utilizes two Oscillator Groups (OGs) per Patch offering two sound generation modes:
In Wave mode, each OG can generate three simultaneous waveforms: a ramp (labeled as sawtooth), pulse, and Wave. The Wave option accesses a library of 4096 public domain single-cycle waveforms (not true wavetable synthesis). Hard sync of OG2 by OG1 is available, as is frequency modulation of OG1's Wave by OG2's. An Auxiliary oscillator control in OG1 can either control white noise volume for both OGs or the output level from a ring modulator using the Waves from OG1 and OG2 as sources. Each OG also includes a detunable sub-oscillator with four waveform options.
Hypersaw mode disables OG2 and causes OG1 to generate six detuned sawtooth waves as partials, with controls for spread, loudness distribution, and stereo width. A sub-oscillator function can repurpose two of the six partials and detune them by an octave. This mode produces classic ensemble sounds and pads but may require reduced volume settings to avoid distortion.
The Kyra offers two filters with six types each: low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass, with both 12dB/oct and 24dB/oct variants. While described as "accurate emulations of classic analogue ladder filters" that can self-oscillate at high resonance, actual self-oscillation doesn't occur in a conventional manner.
The default signal path mixes outputs from OG1 and OG2 equally before passing through Filter 1. Alternative routing options include:
Each Patch contains multiple effects units in a fixed signal chain:
A final compressor/limiter ensures the signal stays within bounds before reaching the Output Mixer, which controls level and stereo positioning.
The Kyra provides three contour generators per Patch that feature ADSR parameters plus an additional Slope control allowing the Sustain phase to rise or fall while held. Contours 2 and 3 include a Bass Delay parameter to offset initiation slightly.
Three programmable LFOs per Patch offer 128 waveforms each and can be synchronized to MIDI Clock. They can be programmed monophonically (per patch) or polyphonically (per note). LFOs 1 and 2 include delay, Dual antiphase, and Dual quadrature options. The frequency range spans from 0.1Hz to 51.2Hz, which limits very slow sweeps and audio-frequency modulation.
The modulation matrix provides six slots, each with one source and three destinations. There are 34 available sources and 82 destinations, but no controller column or cascading capability.
The rear panel features:
Each Patch includes an arpeggiator with five modes (up, down, up/down, random, and chord) and 128 Patterns offering various beats and accents. The Kyra responds to a limited subset of MIDI CCs and RPNs, with performance automation recorded and replayed using SysEx.
The Kyra offers considerable synthesis power with its eight-part multitimbral capability and comprehensive effects per part. Its strengths lie in creating rich ensembles, huge pads, and panoramic textures. However, the unconventional architecture, sometimes unintuitive programming workflow, and various operational quirks can make it challenging to master. With continued firmware development and potentially a software editor, the Kyra could become a more polished instrument.
Country of origin / production: Germany
Recommend product to a friend| Usage area | |
|---|---|
| Synthesizer | |
| Usage Design/ Form Factor | |
| Without Keys, Desktop | |
| Production start | 2020 |
| Production ended | |
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On the eighth of June came out a teaser of the Waldorf Kyra synth - the result of cooperation between a cult German company and an independent talented developer Manuel Caballero. They promised to show the working instrument and the NAMM exhibition next year.