After introducing Iridium as a high-class synthesizer in a compact desktop form factor, Waldorf take the concept further forward with the Waldorf Iridium Keyboard. It’s boosting an 49-key FATAR TP/8SK semi-weighted polyphonic aftertouch pressure-providing keyboard as the first such implementation of that keyboard in the world, with an expanded front panel proffering one-knob-per-function control as a workflow-raising result of this high-class synthesizer’s palpable physical makeover, also allowing for six freely-programmable Macro buttons with which users can define functions from a wide range of features for additional performance control. 

Tremendous tonal changes flow freely when playing the Iridium Keyboard live since polyphonic aftertouch is transmitted individually for each note played. Performers can conceivably play and hold down any number of keys simultaneously, subsequently moving each finger individually. In other words, individual keys are affected by the pressure applied by each finger, thereby creating, for instance, individual data streams for modulation purposes, whereas with monophonic (Channel) aftertouch all notes played will respond in the same way. With a powerful Mod Matrix offering 40 independent modulation assignments, each with individual settings for Source, Amount, and Destination, Iridium Keyboard comes with powerful modulation options — just like the Iridium desktop synthesizer namesake. Notably, Iridium Keyboard is also capable of processing MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) data, duly making multiple parameters of different notes separately controllable to effectively enable it to behave more like an acoustic instrument in terms of spontaneous, polyphonic sound control. 

Clearly, the 851 mm (W) x 355 mm (D) x 110 mm (H) physical dimensions of Iridium Keyboard has resulted in some marked differences to the original Iridium desktop design, with a one-knob-per-function control approach afforded by its naturally expanded front panel, albeit aided still by its industrial-grade highly-responsive touchscreen display to provide an interactive overview of the Mode page selected (via associated LFOS, OSC 1, OSC 2, OSC 3, FILTERS, MOD, and EFFECTS buttons), parameter changes, and additional information. Indeed, Iridium Keyboard also incorporates six freely-programmable Macro buttons adjacent to the Pitch and Mod (modulation) wheels with which users can define functions from a wide range of features for additional performance control, combining to further enhance its performance pedigree. 

Sounds from Waldorf's flagship the Quantum, can conveniently be loaded into Iridium Keyboard and vice-versa. 

Waldorf Iridium Keyboards contains 1680 sounds programmed by a group of well known sound designers like: Howard Scarr, Richard Devine, Kurt Ader, BT, Matt Johnson, Reinhold Heil, Jörg Hüttner, Mike Huckaby, Thorsten Quaeschning and Sascha Dikiciyan.

Key Features:

• 16 voices polyphony; dual-timbral in split or layered mode
• 49-key Fatar keybed offers polyphonic aftertouch for expressive playability
• 3 stereo digital oscillators per voice, each capable of five synthesis algorithms
• Wavetable creation from audio and sample-based synthesis
• Digital dual resonant filter with selectable 2-pole and 4-pole slopes
• Visualization and deeper sound editing via multi-touch display
• 6 LFOs, 6 envelope generators, and multi-curve LFO
• 32-step sequencer and arpeggiator
• 40-slot modulation matrix and 4 x 4 pad matrix
• Master FX section with time-based and modulation effects
• Internal Memory plus expandable SD slot for firmware and samples

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