Waldorf Kyra Desktop Virtual Analog Synthesizer
Waldorf Kyra is a powerful hardware virtual analog synthesizer capable of creating a wide range of contemporary sounds for live and studio musicians. As a truly multitimbral instrument, Kyra features eight independent parts with up to 32 notes per part, each effectively a complete synthesizer with oscillators, filters, modulators, a multi-effects unit and a USB 2.0 connection that can exchange both MIDI and audio information, sending the audio from each of Kyra's parts to a computer as eight stereo 24-bit streams at 96kHz (with 48kHz downsample mode available) and one stereo audio return from the computer supporting a single 24-bit stereo audio stream from the host DAW.
The only other resource Kyra's parts share are its four balanced stereo output pairs using a 32-bit DAC running at 96kHz connected to four internal stereo busses and a powerful pool of 128 hardware voices. Versatility further abounds as each part has a dedicated multi-effects unit comprised of nine stereo effects modules – three-band EQ, formant filter, input limiter, distortion, delay, six-stage phaser, chorus/flanger, stereo reverb and output limiter – with dedicated audio streams via USB.
Patches
Each part hosts a patch from the pool available to the system. Kyra has a generous patch storage capacity of 26 banks, A through Z, each containing 128 patches for a total of 3,328. The first seven banks are 'user' patches stored in RAM, meaning users can change them quickly and individually. The remaining 19 banks are ROM patches that users can recall and use just like RAM patches but cannot be replaced. You can copy whole banks between RAM and ROM, though, so all are user-editable. Any patch can be recalled via MIDI program changes and bank select commands.
Oscillators
Kyra has two primary virtual alias-free oscillator groups (OSC GROUP 1 and OSC GROUP 2) per voice, each with saw, wave (waveform), pulse and noise simultaneously available. Wave has no fewer than 4,096 18-bit linear PCM 32× oversampled waveforms covering a huge range of synthetic and emulated sound sources with two wave sources per voice. Also, OSC GROUP 1 and OSC GROUP 2 each have an independent detune-able oscillator with four selectable shapes and two selectable octave intervals. Real hard sync, ring modulation and FM are available among those oscillator groups.
Switching from Wave mode to Hypersaw mode configures the voice to use a special algorithm comprising six real oscillators to quickly create lush-sounding soundscapes. Digging deeper, Hypersaw mode replaces Wave mode's two oscillator groups with a single source whose tonal content is constructed with just two adjustable controls: Hypersaw Intensity and Hypersaw Spread (geometric detuning). Built entirely out of multiple harmonically-rich sawtooth waves or 'partials,' each adjusted to that special algorithm, Hypersaw provides characteristic soundscapes ideal for a wide range of uses, from high-impact lead sounds through to lush, animated pads. In Dual Mode, Hypersaw has 12 real oscillator sources with an additional adjustable stereo spread.
Filter
Kyra's FILTERS front panel provides powerful control, creatively implementing accurate emulations of classic analog ladder filters with 2-pole (12dB/octave) low pass (12dB), band pass (12dB) and high pass (12dB), plus 4-pole (24dB/octave) low pass (24dB), band pass (24dB) and high pass (24dB) configurations. Overall, 128 filters are configurable for single or dual parallel true stereo operation.
Envelope and LFOs
Three fast-response ADSR envelope generators with EG Slope setting are also at hand. One is assigned to the VCA, another to the filter, while the third can be freely assigned. All are available in the MOD MATRIX, a six-channel affair with up to three destinations per channel, offering a maximum of 18 routings. It is also worth noting that the three LFOs with 128 waveforms, monophonic, polyphonic, random, anti-phase and quadrature stereo phase settings are also available in the MOD MATRIX and additionally as a MIDI clock sync source.
Arpeggiator
Each part has its own arpeggiator with 128 preset patterns, up, down, random and chords modes and the option to synchronize to MIDI clock. Arpeggiators are primarily aimed at live performance but can also complement composition. Kyra's arpeggiator is considered an integral part of a patch, so settings are always stored.
Display and connections
Kyra has a high-resolution 256×64 pixel graphic OLED display alongside the traditional array of 5-pin MIDI in, out and thru connections and USB 2.0 as well as full-key microtuning capability with MTS support.
Original: $1,999.00
-70%$1,999.00
$599.70
Description
Waldorf Kyra is a powerful hardware virtual analog synthesizer capable of creating a wide range of contemporary sounds for live and studio musicians. As a truly multitimbral instrument, Kyra features eight independent parts with up to 32 notes per part, each effectively a complete synthesizer with oscillators, filters, modulators, a multi-effects unit and a USB 2.0 connection that can exchange both MIDI and audio information, sending the audio from each of Kyra's parts to a computer as eight stereo 24-bit streams at 96kHz (with 48kHz downsample mode available) and one stereo audio return from the computer supporting a single 24-bit stereo audio stream from the host DAW.
The only other resource Kyra's parts share are its four balanced stereo output pairs using a 32-bit DAC running at 96kHz connected to four internal stereo busses and a powerful pool of 128 hardware voices. Versatility further abounds as each part has a dedicated multi-effects unit comprised of nine stereo effects modules – three-band EQ, formant filter, input limiter, distortion, delay, six-stage phaser, chorus/flanger, stereo reverb and output limiter – with dedicated audio streams via USB.
Patches
Each part hosts a patch from the pool available to the system. Kyra has a generous patch storage capacity of 26 banks, A through Z, each containing 128 patches for a total of 3,328. The first seven banks are 'user' patches stored in RAM, meaning users can change them quickly and individually. The remaining 19 banks are ROM patches that users can recall and use just like RAM patches but cannot be replaced. You can copy whole banks between RAM and ROM, though, so all are user-editable. Any patch can be recalled via MIDI program changes and bank select commands.
Oscillators
Kyra has two primary virtual alias-free oscillator groups (OSC GROUP 1 and OSC GROUP 2) per voice, each with saw, wave (waveform), pulse and noise simultaneously available. Wave has no fewer than 4,096 18-bit linear PCM 32× oversampled waveforms covering a huge range of synthetic and emulated sound sources with two wave sources per voice. Also, OSC GROUP 1 and OSC GROUP 2 each have an independent detune-able oscillator with four selectable shapes and two selectable octave intervals. Real hard sync, ring modulation and FM are available among those oscillator groups.
Switching from Wave mode to Hypersaw mode configures the voice to use a special algorithm comprising six real oscillators to quickly create lush-sounding soundscapes. Digging deeper, Hypersaw mode replaces Wave mode's two oscillator groups with a single source whose tonal content is constructed with just two adjustable controls: Hypersaw Intensity and Hypersaw Spread (geometric detuning). Built entirely out of multiple harmonically-rich sawtooth waves or 'partials,' each adjusted to that special algorithm, Hypersaw provides characteristic soundscapes ideal for a wide range of uses, from high-impact lead sounds through to lush, animated pads. In Dual Mode, Hypersaw has 12 real oscillator sources with an additional adjustable stereo spread.
Filter
Kyra's FILTERS front panel provides powerful control, creatively implementing accurate emulations of classic analog ladder filters with 2-pole (12dB/octave) low pass (12dB), band pass (12dB) and high pass (12dB), plus 4-pole (24dB/octave) low pass (24dB), band pass (24dB) and high pass (24dB) configurations. Overall, 128 filters are configurable for single or dual parallel true stereo operation.
Envelope and LFOs
Three fast-response ADSR envelope generators with EG Slope setting are also at hand. One is assigned to the VCA, another to the filter, while the third can be freely assigned. All are available in the MOD MATRIX, a six-channel affair with up to three destinations per channel, offering a maximum of 18 routings. It is also worth noting that the three LFOs with 128 waveforms, monophonic, polyphonic, random, anti-phase and quadrature stereo phase settings are also available in the MOD MATRIX and additionally as a MIDI clock sync source.
Arpeggiator
Each part has its own arpeggiator with 128 preset patterns, up, down, random and chords modes and the option to synchronize to MIDI clock. Arpeggiators are primarily aimed at live performance but can also complement composition. Kyra's arpeggiator is considered an integral part of a patch, so settings are always stored.
Display and connections
Kyra has a high-resolution 256×64 pixel graphic OLED display alongside the traditional array of 5-pin MIDI in, out and thru connections and USB 2.0 as well as full-key microtuning capability with MTS support.
