Waldorf Music Releases Crema

Waldorf Music releases Crema, a compact polyphonic string and pad synthesizer designed for creating string ensembles, layered pads and evolving sound textures. Based on the synthesis architecture of the Waldorf Streichfett, Crema expands this concept into the digital era. While Streichfett captures the character of the analog string machines of the 1970s, Crema adds the digital pads of the 1980s and 1990s. It enlarges the sound palette through wavetable, FM synthesis and dual effects, including a dedicated shimmer reverb.

Two sound sections – Texture and Lines – each with their own envelope and mix controls, plus an ensemble stage, Effect, Shimmer and Reverb, and a dedicated Flavour knob. Source: Waldorf Music

As the latest addition to Waldorf’s compact product line, alongside Protein, Crema features two sound engines, Texture and Lines, both offering flexible routing to the dual effects section.

Texture: Strings, Wavetables and FM

The Texture engine offers 24 selectable sound generation types based on three synthesis approaches: Strings, Wavetables and FM. Its string section is based on the full polyphonic original Streichfett and uses the Variation control to move smoothly between violin, viola, cello, brass, organ and choir sounds. The same knob goes through 1 of 17 Waldorf wavetables, from Resonant to Vibes, each one modulated by envelope and LFO, expanding the range of sound possibilities. In addition, six FM types cover bells, keys, brass, bass, woodwind and organ sounds, these are playable with a 12 voice polyphony. All 24 sound types go through the characteristic Streichfett Ensemble.

Lines: Polyphonic Virtual-Analog Synthesis

Lines offers an eight voice polyphonic virtual-analog voice based on Waldorf’s Streichfett Solo engine. It features two detunable oscillators, Pulse or Saw, and extra modulation options including stereo tremolo, vibrato and PWM.

Lines can be used to add contrast and character to any sound by adding basses, leads and complementary synth layers to the main textures.

Around the back: stereo audio out, headphones, USB-C, power switch and MIDI In/Out – everything needed to slot it into a studio or live setup. Source: Waldorf Music

Flavour & Performance Features

Like Protein, Crema features Flavour, a dedicated control that adds subtle variations in pitch, waveform position and other to create a more organic instrument sound. An integrated arpeggiator and step sequencer take the creative movement further, both supporting external clock synchronisation.

Dual Effects & Shimmer Reverb

Crema features a dual effects section with serial and parallel routing. The first effects processor offers six effect types, including chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, drive and delay. Alongside it, the second effects processor offers reverb with an optional Shimmer that transforms simple pads into expanding soundscapes.

Crema will be available through Waldorf Music’s growing global network of distributors (https://waldorfmusic.com/distributors/) at a price of 345,45 EUR (including German VAT).