Waldorf STVC – String Synthesizer

STVC String synthesizer with a vocoder. The string section starts with an oscillator bank using octave dividers, followed by a complex mixer, an equalizer and the ensemble effect, just like string machines from the 70’s. A single registration knob sweeps through mixer and EQ settings for Violin, Viola, Cello, Brass, Organ, Choir and more for creating rich and creamy sonic textures. The Solo section is a 16-voice synthesizer that complements the string sounds. A single Tone knob sweeps through many useful settings. Solo is the sidekick to the strings, but it is powerful enough to be the lead character every now and then. The Vocoder replaces the equalizer in the string section with the filter bank that models the vocal tract from the speech input. This can produce quite intelligible speech or singing using the fully polyphonic oscillator bank. Formants can be modified, which can result in a perceived change of gender. Adjustable jitter of the string oscillators renders the voice hoarse, creaky or a complete whisper. Solo can pass through the Vocoder or play in parallel. The Freeze button lets you freeze a short speech fragment, which is then repeated by the Vocoder whenever a key is pressed. Change of playback speed, like faster, backwards or a complete stop are possible and fun, as well as formant change. A novel Tweak function allows for modification or modulation of details, like eg the solo cutoff frequency or the Chorus LFO rate. It is similar to a modulation matrix, but it also allows to alter implicit settings with a fixed value or an offset.   Specifications Hardware: Full metal case Keyboard with 49 keys, aftertouch and velocity Keyboard transpose +/- 24 semitones via dedicated switch Pitch bend and Modulation Wheel 128×64 pixel OLED 10 potentiometers, 1 encoder, 9 backlit buttons, 5 switches 44 cm gooseneck microphone with indicator LED Connections: MIDI in/out USB/Power 6.3 mm Sustain Pedal input 6.3 mm Expression/Ext. signal 3.5 mm Headphone out 6.3 mm Line out Left/Stereo 6.3 mm Line out Right/Mono XLR Microphone jack on front panel Sound engine: Fully polyphonic String section Continuous morphing of String Registration 16 Voice polyphonic Solo section Continuous morphing of Solo sounds Tremolo for Solo 126 programmable patches in three banks Tweak for modulation and specific adjustments Vocoder: 256 Filter bands Excellent intelligibility Formant modification Freeze mode Fully polyphonic carrier Optional jitter for string carrier Continuous morphing of Registration Effects: Animate Effect for modulation of Registration Ensemble/Chorus Effect for Strings and Vocoder Phaser Effect for Strings and Vocoder Reverb Effect All Effects available simultaneously Dimensions: Width: 740mm Depth: 280mm Height (including knobs): 100mm Total weight: 7.5kg Three Effects operate simultaneously – Animate is in fact a modulation of the string or vocoder registration , while a Phaser is a must for any decent string machine. A high quality Reverb with adjustable size can be mixed to the output. STVC comes with a high quality gooseneck microphone that plugs right into the front panel where it belongs.