Based on the other reviews from 2014, you'd think this synth was a failure. Then why would an analog synth enthusiast who sold all of his digital synths to start purchasing analog synths purchase a Blofeld... In 2019?

Blofeld released new firmware in February 2018 and a whole bunch of new sounds as well. I do agree in the wild variations of volume between presets, but I bought this synth for the sound design functionality, not the presets. I could not find another synth that had the capability of sounding so massive, with 25 voices, a comb filter, 3 LFO's, 3 oscillators, built in effects... Yet that also had the capability for me to design a whole sound around a phrase my kids said using wavetsble synthesis.

Analog? No. But the "new" freshly updated 2018 Blofeld has helped me realize that sound is what matters, not analog vs. digital. I made some pads, a sample-based piano sound I loaded, some hefty bass and searing/soaring lead sounds, and this heavy synth with an amazingly deep yet simple sound design matrix is exactly what meets my needs.

My first analog synth was a Minilogue, which has great character and I love it- not selling that. But it can't do this stuff... Not even the XD can do everything the blofeld can do, although I want that too... :)

Read More Show Less

What is great about it is the build quality. Great key bed, rugged chassis, knobs and switches, no wall wart and nice display. What's not so great is the sound. It is fairly easy to program, and has a lot of nice features, but the oscillators and the filter are lack luster compared to other digital and hybrid synthesizers that are currently available, even some others by Waldorf. If you like the sound then you won't be disappointed in the unit, but if you are expecting a lush rich classic synth sound, consider carefully. I wanted to love it, but I didn't.

Having a long, multi-decade history with Waldorf synths, the Blofeld sadly comes off as an inexpensive imposter. This "synth" feels more like a sample-playback device than a true synthesizer - complete with samples that vary DRASTICALLY in volume and tuning, choppy loop points, hundreds of presets that are built from the same small set of actual raw samples, etc. Just switching between patches, you will notice how both volume and pitch vary dramatically. This keyboard lacks the spectral excitement and fatness of some of the previous Waldorf synths like the XTk or the Q. Having used those synths extensively on numerous techno tracks in the early 2000's, i was expecting so much more from this keyboard. There are still OS issues that cause this keyboard to randomly freeze or become unresponsive with no warning. Rebooting is the only way to solve these issues. I understand the Blofeld costs 1/3 the other synths I have mentioned. However, Waldorf no longer offers upper-end synths so I purchased what they manufacture today. The Blofeld is useful for special effects, mental soundscapes, and throwback patches from the early Depeche Mode era. However, if you are looking for a well-crafted synthesizer with sounds that are actually useful and full front-panel controls, look elsewhere. Waldorf - please create something down the road besides plug-ins and special effects toys like this model. People will buy it.

Read More Show Less