Waldorf Streichfett Reviews

Good emulation of vintage string machines

This is a nice sound module if you're looking for that vintage 70s string-machine sound. It's compact and very easy to use — what you see on the panel is what you get, and it's quite intuitive. The build quality is, overall, decent but not amazing. The knobs have a lot of wiggle room on them and the chassis is made of both plastic and metal — it would be preferable if they'd made it entirely of metal. That said, it feels solid enough for everyday use.

Sound-wise, the Streichfett serves a VERY specific purpose and it does that extremely well — basically, an approximation of the 70s string machines by Solina, Eminence, ARP, etc. You get some nice tonal variations with the registration dial, allowing for some interesting sonic textures (within the realm of its intended purpose). The solo synth section is a nice bonus, with some very nice synth sounds. Unfortunately, you can't really control or alter that sound (same with the main string section). I often find that I'd like to have access to the filter, specifically, to open things up a bit, but it's just not possible. This means that if you're trying to fit it into a mix, you'll likely have to do some serious EQ'ing.

Still, at the price point, it is what it is and it does it very well.

Beautiful sound for your music

I love it. This high quality box contains very unique sounds but inspiring with every knob touch. Slow strings then hard, short leads, multiple sound layers that can be simply changed. If you want to add more space, mood, ambiance and vibration for your electronic music, more high quality sound that are hard to find in other synths - you have to try Streichfett from Waldorf.

Pros: Quality, Sound quality, sound morph options, with easy, logic interface, Reverb quality

Cons: n/a

Amazing bang for the buck

This little box has an amazing range of sounds. It is very easy and gratifying to tweak and play with. A great addition to any rig at a very affordable price.

With a Startone MK-300 it is a wonderful choice(because i have Startone)). Great surround sound. A great lot of overtones. In short, I advise.

Small but useful synth

Not very diverse, not with many options.

But sound really great and just the job for moderate price.

Recommended.

Classics in one box

For all Jarre- but also Abba, Queen en whatnot- fanatics.

A small box with a giant heart that emulates about every string-machine ever produced from the Eminent to the Roland VP pretty close.

Add a delay stomp box, and it's in Vangelis territory, Couple it with a cheap analog 2-stone Phaser, run that phaser on a lower voltage.. pooff. Instant Jarre.

Having said that. The Streichfett also has an excellent reverb and phaser on-board. The reverb even has a bit of delay added at its max-setting. Spaceyyy!

Every knob has just one function. There's no menu-diving whatsoever. Full midi and midi via usb ( no audio)

I'd say for the money it's a no-brainer for everyone looking for a classic StringMachine sound without the weight (and expense! ) of an actual vintage Solina or Roland VP

A great option for strings

This is an awesome and efficient synth for getting beautiful swell pads.

It's ok.

So this is cheap which is good , and limited which most that bought it would already know ., however not only i found it boring and only usable in particular circumstances , this thing is very strangely eq'd so there is a lot of Mid range which is unpleasent and i would recommend cutting in your DAW , then only the sound is nice and round. Quality of the knobs is horrible and there are some parameters that could have been implemented better,

Very cool product if you need a 70s style string synth.

First let me say that the Streichfett definitely has it's limitations. It will be a completely redundant, even useless product if you aren't specifically looking for 70s string synth sounds. That's basicially all you're getting here, although with some very cool features like a REALLY nice sounding delay and some sweet sounding modulation effects.

The Solo section didn't do much for me (but then I don't make music for vintage porn movies...) but the String section is really, really nice. I absolutely love the way it allows a continous sweep through different voices and combinations of voices.

The sound does have a slightly hard edge in the extreme highs that I always find myself eq'ing out. I'm not sure if this is due to the Streichfett being a digital DPS based synth and not analog like the classics that inspired it. Not a big problem though and easily sorted out with a touch of eq.

I absolutely love the Streichfett and highly recommend it but make sure you understand what you're getting before purchase. It is not very versatile, it's very much a niche product.

Amazing string desktop synth!!

This is an amazing retro string desktop synth at an affordable price! Simple & easy panel! You can get sound that reminds J.M.J. & Vangelis, among others! All in all, very well done! Bravo Waldorf! :-)

Great synth

I really like the overall feel of this instrument. It is simultaneously easy to use and full of features you would expect from a string machine.

Although it doesn't have the raw sonic sound scape of real analog string machines (some analogs sound a lot worse though), it is coming pretty close and all that in a really portable format.

It also has on board effects (chorus, reverb), which allow you to create a heavy wall of rain with thunderstorm or a mist of snow.

Especially I like the left pot, which controls the timbre. And more specificly the choral section, which allows to create sounds similar to Tibetan throat singers.

So all in all for that price, a must have.

Digital strings.

Perfect for home usage.

I have no idea about live gigs with this string machine, but construction looks quite robust.

Keep in mind, that it is purely digital, don't expect "that special analog vibe".

Sound is decent, no hiss or anything unexpected.

Controls are quite clear.

Pots are plastic, so don't use this synth as stompbox. :)

All in all, this little box is more or less one trick pony, but if you need a taste of 70's, that's a way to go.

Everything promised

I've been thinking about getting the streichfett for a while and a week or two ago I finally did it.

I've spent more than a year watching youtube videos of it and I just felt the need that this was a must have.

With some extra effects on it, it's just a beautiful ethereal ambient machine.

Wasnt the biggest fan of the sound and design of the waldorf streichfett

Didn't have anywhere near as much functionality as I was hoping for. Not much control over attack on the string side and an overall disappointment.

It seemed to be a load of presets really. Could be good if its your first one but id recommend starting analogue.

Cool string sounds from the 70's

I have an old string machine from the 70's. I bought this box because i was somehow impressed by the reviews and sound clips.

You can emulate really cool string sounds on a solid metal box. Hi top quality by waldorf.

The Porn-Sound Machine, and much more...

unbox, connect and have fun - yes, it is that simple. Nearly everything you do sounds good. It is no indeep configure me synth, its an easy to use device for having fun while playing around. And it isn't a Solina emulation or similar, its a concept of its own. If you want an exact emulation of an other String machine, go and get it as VST or something like that. This synth is for people who want a synth not sounding like many others, you get an easy way to create a 'porn' style sound at your fingertips. There are many reviews out there, and i think it is hard to say if everybody will love the sound, but if you want a 70's Porn Sound, thisone will help you out. The only thing i miss is a seperate Volume knob for the Headphone output.

Overall a good synth for people knowing what sound they will get for a fair price.

Excellent strings at an excellent price

Very happy with this purchase. It lives up to all the rave reviews on the web, and is very simple and hands-on to operate. And there are a wide range of sounds possible. Overall, a total bargain, and a sweet-sounding one. Very happy!

Not so analogue

Nicely made. Lots of features. VERY big sound.

But unfortunately it doesn't sound particularly analogue. I think something like G-Media Virtual String Machine does this far better and more authentic sounding. I don't see myself using this in recordings. However, as a live polysynth its pretty cool.

Great value, but I'm not hearing vintage in this, and I'm not hearing analogue. It sounds quite digital, but that could be the FX. If that doesn't bother you, then its a bargain bit of kit with a fairly epic sound.