Members T71 Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 First off, I'm not in retail. But secondly, don't be so quick to bash the retailers or distributors. There could be many reasons for a higher price, not all of which involve gouging. You may be right, perhaps Waldorf is selling the hardware to the US distributor cheaply, the distributor sells it to retail cheaply, and retail is doubling the price so that they can live large and retire early. But that's not my guess. I'm guessing that Waldorf is fighting against a number of factors. First is the currency exchange. The dollar isn't as low as it used to be, but it's still low compared to the Euro. The second is that Waldorf doesn't ship massive numbers (meaning, thousands and thousands) of units here to the USA. This means that they don't get that big of a shipping discount to their distributor. And remember, they're paying shipping in Euros, which are higher than the dollar. So I think that it's simply not cheap for Waldorf to get product to the USA. I remember from another thread that desktop Blofeld in Austrialia was very expensive, and assuming I'm on the right track with my guesses, that makes sense. So I'm going to reserve judgement on Waldorf, the distributor (MV Pro Audio), and the retailers, and assume that their pricing is fair, based on the economy and Waldorf's market position. Orren On the contrary. I think getting stock to the US market was a priority for Waldorf. These things really aren't expensive to ship. They usually travel by container on a cargo ship. US retailers had the Blofeld in stock before many shops in Europe. The Blofeld certainly isn't scarce here. All the Waldorf dealers have them. As for the Euro versus the Dollar: 399.00 EUR = 562.862 USD. Jacking that up to $900. street is one hell of a markup. The Dollar has been up and down, despite this, online retailers have been steadily inflating the price. Musician's Feind was selling these for $599., Sweetwater and zzounds started advertising them for $699., Musician's Fiend followed suit. Then someone jacket it up to $799. the rest followed. Sweetwater finally got it up to $899., the rest followed. Wankers. To be fair, dealers like Nova Musik have an everyday price of $799. and will do $699. if you email them, so they're not all sharks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T71 Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 $1499. it is: http://www.jrrshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=8005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 $1499. it is:http://www.jrrshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=8005 Ouch. I paid $600 for the tabeltop version and can probaly get that for it on eBay. Now to decide if the kb version is worth $900 more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members evildragon Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 This thing will rock. Here in Croatia there's a preorder for 777 euros cash (around 1000$). That's a nice offer. I'm gonna get myself one of these instead of tabletop version. But, if stacking would be possible, 50 poly of this beast surely will sound insane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 Looks like it will do D50 type structure: ''spice-up a virtual-analog solo sound with a strong attack sample'' Hope they post more on the Sample spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 Sorry ... not enough controls to get excited over ... not really crazy about the look, either ... and though I'l admit my experience with Waldorf synths is limited to a short session with a Wave, I wasn't really captivated by its very digital sound ... Any really good Blofeld demos out there?but the price ... $850 U.S. ... Is that about right? Worth listening to all their product demo's plus these: http://support.waldorfmusic.de/soundcorner/?lang=en There are a few Arp and Atmosphere ones you may like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jez Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 not enough keys, and light wood side panels would make it prettier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChristianRock Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 If it ends up looking like the picture, adding a wood side will be really easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Qwave Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 Common! Yes, it works like a charme when I play live from the internal keyboard. But I cannot even play into a midi sequencer and have it played back right with the aftertouch engaged. You think that is acceptable??? I don't use midi sequencers. I only play live into the recording machine or on stage. So this was never a real problem to me. But if you are using midi sequencers, this bug is of cause a major reason not to buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundxplorer Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 The Nord Wave is still more attractive for me, just because of the UI. This is tempting though, and I bet it will sound killer with the sampled waveforms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members carbon111 Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 Unfortunately the Nord Wave is by no means a Wavetable Synth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundxplorer Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 Unfortunately the Nord Wave is by no means a Wavetable Synth. Oh yeah, I know. It's the whole "samples as oscillators" trick that I'm interested in, not wavetable stuff. So this new Blofeld KB interests me on that level because it has that feature and it is cheaper. I just want more KNOBS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members carbon111 Posted September 9, 2008 Members Share Posted September 9, 2008 Everytime I hear Thomas Dolby's "Windpower", the bassline reminds me why wavetable synths are so damn amazing! The addition of samples is just a scoop of vanilla on an already delicious wavetable pie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernard Posted September 10, 2008 Members Share Posted September 10, 2008 Tut, the original source has put it's price up: ''Web Price: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cjoy Posted September 10, 2008 Members Share Posted September 10, 2008 I emailed Waldorf and asked if there were any plans to have the 60 MB Sample memory feature made available to the Blofeld tabletop module and received the following reply from Holger Steinbrink: This is a good question ;-) All the Best, Holger---------------------------Waldorf Support Team Do you think the wink is a positive sign? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members evildragon Posted September 10, 2008 Members Share Posted September 10, 2008 I think that was a little sarcastic remark from him I also e-mailed them with 7 questions. I'll notify you when I get the reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members depulse Posted September 10, 2008 Members Share Posted September 10, 2008 Maybe the 60 Mb memory is already built-in in the desktop version? Has anybody opened up a Blofeld desktop yet? Is there memory there or an expansion connector somewhere? I could check my own Blofeld but I don't really know what to look for. Edit, one screwdriver and 4 screws later, my Blofeld is open. I think this box is using some kind of magic. I never seen a synth that contain so little inside. Extremely clean, with the exception of the screen and the dials it's almost empty. There is a kind of 20 pin connector just below the screen that could maybe be used for some kind of expansion (looks a bit like the connector for the IDE harddisk found on old motherboards), but I'm not an electronics wizard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members evildragon Posted September 10, 2008 Members Share Posted September 10, 2008 Here's the response! > 1. Let's start with a stupid question. Why 60 MB of sample RAM, > instead of 64? 64 is a nice power of 2, and practically all RAM > modules are powers of 2. We need nearly 4 MB for our wavetables, that is the reason. > 2. Connected to question 1, will the sample RAM be volatile or non- > volatile? That is, will it preserve the samples after the synth is > turned off? Yes! (I love them! - ED) > 3. Since that RAM is introduced, does that mean that it will be > possible to import new wavetables in Blofeld, or will it only be > able to play samples in the standard (rompler) way? We think about implementing new wavetables in a future OS version, but not in the first firmware of the Blofeld Keyboard. (I love them even more!) > 4. OK enough about RAM Will it be possible to edit and save the > multis onboard, without the use of external editing software? This > option will mean A LOT to most of the people buying this machine and > actually knowing how to use it Yes, we are working on a "real" Multimode for the Blofeld series. (Finally!) > 5. Will the keyboard have release velocity? It would be a shame to > have rel. velocity as a modulation destination, and not have the > keyboard that sends it. I see for example Novation X-Stations, they > all send release velocity, and it's not stated anywhere in the > manual! Also, release velocity seems to be simpler and cheaper to > implement than poly aftertouch, so... Please think about this as a > welcome suggestion OK, I will forward this to our developers. > 6. Too bad it still has 4 knobs. 2 or 4 more knobs would mean a lot > more tweakability. Not that I'm saying that matrix editing sucks, it > rocks actually, but it would be a shame not having some more hands- > on control on the Blo-key. More knobs = higher price ;-) (T_T) > 7. I think this is the last question, and I think it's an > interesting one. Will it be possible to daisy-chain Blo-key with > several Blofeld modules, increasing the polyphony? I reckon the only > problem would be playing sounds that utilize the new sample RAM of > Blo-key, but otherwise it would indeed be a VERY powerful feature > (something that Pulse had), and would also be a great competition to > other synth manufacturers (and we all know on which ones I think, > they come from Germany too ) - at a fraction of the cost of the > infamous V***s This sounds interesting. I will ask our developers if this is possible. > If not, will it be possible to add a voice expansion board to Blo- > key, similar to what older Waldorf synths had? Definetely not! The Blofeld was not designed with an expandable board. This is because of the cheap price. > By the way, how on Earth is it possible that on the website of our > local music store here in Croatia they ALREADY have an option to buy > Blo-key, and the price is already set?! Is it a pre-order or > something? Here's a link (it's in Croatian, but you get the > picture): http://www.audiopro-croatia.com/mex/artikal.php?art=5895 This is a preorder option. The Blofeld Keyboard will be available at the end of October 2008. EDIT: I think he meant September 2008, heh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T71 Posted September 10, 2008 Members Share Posted September 10, 2008 Here's the response!... Hmm, no mention of the Blofeld desktop already having the same 64mb onboard chip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members evildragon Posted September 10, 2008 Members Share Posted September 10, 2008 I guess it's there. Somebody got the balls to open the Blofeld up and see? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members davidplasti-k Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 Now that I have a better job I will definitely get one of these. The demos are excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members robotsquid Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 Maybe the 60 Mb memory is already built-in in the desktop version? Has anybody opened up a Blofeld desktop yet? Is there memory there or an expansion connector somewhere? I could check my own Blofeld but I don't really know what to look for. That's what I thought too when I first heard about this. Now that Waldorf have said it's 60MB cause their wavetables take up 4MB it makes me think this even more. Unless of course the original Blofelds were using a 4MB (or some other smaller size) ROM chip that that can be directly replaced for a 64MB one, ie same pinouts, just substitute the part on the production line, no new PCBs needed. Edit, one screwdriver and 4 screws later, my Blofeld is open. I think this box is using some kind of magic. I never seen a synth that contain so little inside. Extremely clean, with the exception of the screen and the dials it's almost empty. There is a kind of 20 pin connector just below the screen that could maybe be used for some kind of expansion (looks a bit like the connector for the IDE harddisk found on old motherboards), but I'm not an electronics wizard. Any chance of some pics? Someone who knows about such things might be able to spot something. I know what you mean about empty synths, I opened up the Micron to replace an encoder and the thing is almost completely empty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ElectricPuppy Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 I'm betting the'Felds already have 64MB flash chips in them. Back when I was helping design a printer controller, it was actually more expensive to get a smaller cpacity part because production of them had been replaced with the bigger parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members robotsquid Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 I'm betting the'Felds already have 64MB flash chips in them. Back when I was helping design a printer controller, it was actually more expensive to get a smaller cpacity part because production of them had been replaced with the bigger parts. That's a good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blakeq Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 So this is looking good, I'm just bummed that it doesn't have an audio input and no audio over USB... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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