Protein is an affordable and compact 8 voice polyphonic Wavetable synthesizer based on the original Microwave 1 ASIC oscillators combined with modern features of Iridium heritage like the sophisticated arpeggiator, step sequencer, chord mode, effects and more.

Protein links back to the very beginnings of Waldorfs instrument makings but interprets the original ideas in a contemporary and surprising way. It is a powerhouse packed into a compact and portable form factor with an easy to use and hands-on interface.

A multitude of knobs invites for creative sound explorations and happy accidents. And under the surface lives another word of even more sound aspects to tweak than you see on its front-plate. You may never want to go that deep, but there is a world one day you might want to explore.

While being affordable, Protein can carry you away into new and surprising worlds of sound. With its portable form factor you can take Protein with you everywhere you go and be creative whenever you feel so.

The 8 voices can be organized in up to 4 layers allowing for complex sonic layered arrangements, surprising round robin modes, or simply split by MIDI channels for poly timbral operation. With the Load Layer feature new sonic arrangements can be created in seconds by simply re-combining existing layers from the whole preset collection.

An eight slot modulation matrix per layer gives a multitude of modulation capabilities to shape your sound. Capable of poly-aftertouch modulation your musical expression will rendered in manifold ways.

A mysterious “Flavour” knob adds an extra layer of organic behaviour from tiny micro- fluctuations up to sweet disturbances to keep your digital sound lively.

We recreated to original gritty and beautifully 8-bit quantized and aliased sound of the Microwave 1 ASIC oscillators running at 250 kHz sample rate like the original. You will experience the wonderful digital vintage sound with all its cute and tasty artifacts especially in the lower octaves and higher ones.

Protein comes with over 100 factory presets of huge variety and is capable to store up to 250 presets. With the 4 layer concept you can mix and match from the existing library and create new combinations with the easy to use „Load Layer“ feature. Build rich and surprising sonic complexity from simple parts within seconds.

There was never a more affordable and easy entry into sonic world classic Waldorf Wavetable synthesis. Let Protein be your starting point to explore and being carried away. Start the music now.

Oscillators

• Two oscillators based on unique Waldorf Microwave ASIC chip.
• Internally running with 250 kHz sampling rate to match original ASIC sampling rate.
• Modeling of digital-to-analog converters for each voice (DAC).
• Unique digital noise generator based on ASIC technology.

Wavetables

• All original wavetables of Microwave 1 based on the original coding and bit-identical to original.
• Including algorithmic and speech wavetables.
• Beautiful recreation of 8-bit quantization and aliasing.
• Full waveform catalogue of original Microwave.

Filter

• Faithful modeling of CEM analogue filters.
• Adjustable de-calibration of cutoff and resonance to model detuned hardware.
• Cutoff and resonance modulations.

Modulation

• 3 Envelopes
• 2 LFOs with tempo sync and sample & hold
• 8 slot modulation matrix
• Poly-aftertouch capable

Effects

• Two effect slots
• Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Drive, EQ, Compressor, Tremolo Performance features
• Advanced Arpeggiator
• Step-sequencer with up to 32 steps
• Chord & Scale modes

Voices

• 8 voice polyphony
• 4 timbral layers
• Stacked, round robin and MIDI-split layer-modes.
• Mono & Legato modesPatches
• Over 100 factory patches
• Capacity of 250 patch memory slots
• Category filter for patch list
• Import- and export of patches via MIDI Sysex

Connections

• Stereo Audio Out with 6.35 mm jacks with optional mono and TRS stereo connections
• Headphones mini TRS output
• DIN MIDI IN & Out, mini-TRS Type A (two adapters to DIN MIDI sockets included)
• USB Type C for power supply and USB MIDI connection
• Firmware updates via USB

Overall

• Sturdy metal front plate on a colorful plastic case
• Dimensions: 252 mm wide by 170 mm depth by 48 mm height (including controls)
• Weight: 0.9 kg
• Power Supply via USB (not in the box)

What’s In the Box?

• Waldorf Protein Synthesizer
• Two MIDI adapters: mini TRS to DIN sockets
• USB C to C cable
• Printed Quick Start Guide