Waldorf STVC 49-key String Synthesizer and Vocoder

The Waldorf STVC is a beautifully engineered string synthesizer with a built-in vocoder. Building on their popular Streichfett formula, it offers everything from smooth pads to abrasive chordal textures, ‘80s synthwave to apocalyptic soundscapes. The addition of the vocoder, along with a 49-key aftertouch keybed, makes this a wholly performable synthesizer with huge digital flexibility.  

Key features

• Advanced modelling 16-voice polyphonic sound engine with morphing
• 49 Keys with aftertouch and velocity
• 44 cm Gooseneck microphone with LED
• Keyboard Transpose in +/- 24 semitones
• Stainless steel control knobs
• MIDI in/out

Here’s what Waldorf say:

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 e.g. 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.

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.

Specifications

Hardware

• Full metal case
• Keyboard with 49 keys, aftertouch and velocity
• Keyboard transpose +/- 24 semitones via dedicated switch
• Pitch bend and Modulation Wheel
• 128x64 pixel OLED
• 10 potentiometers, 1 encoder, 9 backlit buttons, 5 switches
• 44 cm gooseneck microphone with indicator LED

ConnectionsConnections

• 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