Waldorf - Protein

The Waldorf Protein is one of a series of instruments designed for creators who want to rediscover the unique grain of historic wavetables while taking advantage of the flexibility of today's digital techniques. With its compact format and dense yet accessible interface, it offers a direct approach to sculpting sound textures that are as quick to achieve as they are rich to explore. The oscillator comes from the original Microwave 1 design, a choice that immediately anchors Protein's identity in the brand's sonic heritage, while benefiting from the improvements brought about by Waldorf's more recent developments.

The presence of the 'Flavour' mode adds an organic dimension to the sound engine, with slight variations inspired by analogue behaviour, useful for adding movement without the need for a complex modulation system. The four possible layers can be used to stack a variety of sound colours, configure splits or create a round-robin articulation for evolving performances. This block-based approach makes it easy to create very broad sonic universes, without ever requiring deep navigation through menus or sub-menus.

Protein includes an arpeggiator, a step sequencer, a layer modulation matrix and a full effects section, providing a stand-alone instrument capable of delivering accomplished results without external additions. The 'Load Layer' system lets you combine elements from existing presets in a matter of seconds, a quick way to renew your sonic vocabulary. With over 150 factory sounds and 250 user slots, the instrument is equally suited to experimental exploration or more structured studio needs.

Housed in a sturdy metal chassis, the Protein is equally at home in a home studio set-up or on the move. Its lightweight design, compact dimensions and simple power supply make it easy to integrate into a modern production environment. The whole unit is designed for fluid use, with attention paid to the sense of immediate control that is always appreciated in a sound design-oriented synthesizer.