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Waldorf Rack Attack

 


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the updated version HERE with sample pack


Waldorf Rack Attack

info Country: Germany
Weight: 1,7 Kg
Dimensions: 483 (w) x 92 (h) x 89 (d) mm
audio demo trend price : 250€
manual sound factory free samples demo video comments

Waldorf Rack Attack
Percussion Synthesizer (2003)

 

Rackmount drumsynth based on virtual synthesis aimed to emulate electro percussive sounds from analog drum machines.

The rack Attack is the VST plugin ATTACK hardware's version - totally compatible as they can be linked by Midi for patches exchange.

filter edit
waldorf rack attack

info RACKMOUNT 2 units, 2 versions: green / blue.
The main panel features a backlit display, 15 buttons, 6 knobs and a classic Waldorf red rotary data encoder found on the Waldorf Microwave.

Rear panel terminal connectors:
- Midi interface
- audio signal input for external line processing
- 2 main signal out
- 4 assignable AUX that can be either 3 stereo / 6 mono.


ac Power supply
12V external PSU +)- polarity 1,2 mA.





edit
TECH Motorola core handles 24 voices polyphony assignable to a single sound or kits programs. Each voice is composed by 2 digital oscillators that can be set to either:

filter edit - virtual analog modeling synthesis

- PCM waves




edit
FM The oscillators can be ringmodulated and OSC1 is able to modulate the OSC2 by FM frequency modulation. Relative frequency amount is set by either LFO or EG.

fm



edit
VIRTUAL MODELING synthesis generates 6 shapes (triangle, sinewave, square, sample&hold, noise and saw) with variable or random start phase.
TIP: Sounds can be also played chromatically using the SPECIAL TUNED CHANNEL mode (only latest OS only).

filter edit demoHEAR bass sound exemple

 




edit
WAVETABLE
ROM contains only 3 PCM samples: 2 x hihat (open + close) and crash internal.
TIP Special XOR function avoids to play some sounds at the same time like open/close hihat.

samples demo HEAR SAMPLES sound


 

edit EDIT INTERFACE just a few knobs for edit, quite intuitive matrix control

diagram



edit ENVELOPE each sound has 2 freely assignable EGs (4-segments ADSR each) + special SHAPE function switches DECAY and RELEASE values to exponential or linear mode.

select

Most common EG routings are :
- oscillators pitches
- amplitude
- filter cutoff
Special CRACK function creates some analog clap-like sounds: basicall it simply applies a kind of configurable saw-shapped Envelope
demo HEAR crack


 

edit FILTER up to 6 resonant filter models for each sound, in addition the filter system mananages an effective cutoff KEYTRACK function from -100 to 100% range.

filter

Filter Modes: lowpass, bandpass, highpass, notch, EQ shelving, type bell EQ and S&H type.




edit LFO each sound features 2 digital modulators freely assignable (typical routings: pitch, filter, amplitude and stereo panning) and triggered by velocity, wheel or breath controller.

filter

The LFO structure features 6 shapes (sine, triangle, square, saw, noise and random chaos) relative frequency can be synched to clock at different time dividers demo HEAR LFO





edit SEQUENCER
the PATTERN PLAY is not really a sequencer but a kind of quick 128 steps editor with variable time dividers, shuffled playback and gated note length. Each entered note can be assigned to 3 different velocity levels displayed on the LCD.

128 steps SYNC created sequences can be synched to external MIDI clock.

 

edit MIDI very limited implementation: just a few controllers like breath or modulation, but latest 1.05 OS adds some extra parameters like panning, volume and fx amount- full Midi Sysex system is supported.





edit EFFECT
4 fully editable engines FX1 / FX2 / FX3 / FX4 each of these handles a single effect between: phaser, flanger, reverb, chorus, overdrive, delay (with divider tempo sync) and the LOFI a mix of bit reduction decimator and overdrive saturation demo HEAR delay exemple




edit MEMORY
- 1200 kits (programs) each contains 24 assigned sounds
- 50 programs performances to manage the kits in different configurations.
TIP: Sometimes internal memory must be defragmented using the REORGANISING FLASH option, right into the UTILITY section.

mb

LEFT- Rack attack motherboard

-CLick to enlarge pic -



edit
EDITOR there are some computer-based editors:
- Rack attack for CTRL (LINK)
- RA editor: free (LINK)

rack attack editor

 


edit
RELATED FAMILY:

Rack attack Blue Blue - same with different outfit

Rack attack limited edition

limited edition: from waldorf website, not sure about this one.

waldorf microq MicroQ rackmount synth version of Q series. Similar design (engine?) VIDEO


 

effet VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there are some free and commercial samples set:

emu proteus x ATTACK
VST VERSION
PLUGIN commercial.
very similar and can be stand-alone or used as hardware editor
free tr8 samples

demo FREE

ATTACK SAMPLES

25 samples, 16 bits, 44kHz - stereo

demo

gift from polynominal.com




demo
AUDIO DEMO

demo big mix Rack attack
demo Minimax rack attack mix
demo rack pattern 1
demo rack pattern 2
demo rack various noises
demo VST demo 1
demo VST demo 2
demo Offical Waldorf Demo




video VIDEO SELECTION

Waldorf RackAttack Waldorf Q, mQ, blofeld, rack attac Monster from the Depths
demo1 Waldorf Q, mQ, blofeld, rack attack Monster from the Depths


Company: Waldorf
Model: Rack Attack
Dates: 2003
Class: Sound Module
Synthesis: PCM + VA
Polyphony: 24 voices
Oscillator: 2
FM: yes
N.waves: 3 PCM
Filter: Digital 6 modes
LFO: 2 modulators
Envelope: 2 EGs
Sequencer: 128 steps
Sync: Midi
clock
Effect: 4 engines
Memory: 50 programs
OS: V1.05 latest
PSU: 12VDC
Demo: 6

 

manual
MANUAL


factory
FACTORY PATCH

manual
-SERVICE MANUAL
- More Demo

 

cat synth

 

 

 

rack attack cat
info attack with Mimi

 

WALDORF RACK ATTACK FOR SALE

rack attack for sale
CHECK OUT EBAY OFFERS

 

cat synth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

waldorf motherboard l repair
PIC with: Korg Wavestation AD, Yamaha Tg55    
awardSPECIAL AWARDS:
solid solid
rare original idea

comment

REVIEW "Too bad edit is so limited ! some sounds are really surprisingly good and modern for the time. The VST is really close and it is a cheaper choice""

manual manual
-rare -edit interface
-cool bleeps -limited midi

"Thank you for purchasing the Waldorf RackAttack. You now own a percussion synthesizer that will inject a new life into your rhythm patterns." - Waldorf

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all snapshots*, sounds, texts copyright Polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci -polynominal.com is not associated or affiliated with Waldorf in any manner.
*Envelope and LOGO drawing is based on original WALDORF manual

Waldorf Rack Attack module Waldorf Rack attack
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