Waldorf Rocket Synthesizer

Description

The Waldorf Rocket Synthesiser is a compact analogue synthesiser designed for standalone use and integration into any studio setup. The device consists of a sound synthesis section with an oscillator switch that generates either a pulse or a sawtooth waveform. A wave knob controls the sync envelope, pulse width, and allows you to combine up to eight sawtooth waves together in unison. Within this section, a tune knob enables you to adjust the pitch of the signal and a glide knob enables you to connect one note to the next for a continuous portamento effect.

The synthesis section is followed by a Voltage-Controlled Filter section that features a switch for low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters with adjustable cutoff frequency control, resonance control around the selected frequency, and an envelope mod knob that controls the influence of the filter on the signal. The synthesiser features a 1/4" mono input for the VCF audio line input signal, and a keytrack switch allows you to control the correlation of the cutoff frequency to an incoming MIDI note from the computer or keyboard.

The filter section is followed by an envelope section with a boost switch that aggressively adds harmonics to the signal, a 100% sustain switch that holds the envelope as long as the note is pressed, and a release switch connected to an adjustable decay knob. A launch button in this section re-triggers the last MIDI note that the synthesiser received.

The fourth section of the synthesiser features a low frequency oscillator with adjustable frequency, shape, and depth controls. The LFO is useful for a periodic modulation of the signal. The LFO target switch can also be switched to arpeggiator mode, causing incoming MIDI chords to be broken into their respective notes and played rhythmically in time.

Features

Oscillator Switch
The oscillator switch allows you to select between a pulse and sawtooth waveform. A pulse waveform has only odd harmonics of the fundamental frequency. A sawtooth waveform has both the odd and even harmonics of the waveform

Wave Knob
For sawtooth waveforms, the wave knob allows you to change the sync envelope time for the waveform or add up to eight sawtooth waves playing in unison. For pulse waveforms, the wave knob adjusts the pulsewidth of the oscillator from a needle impulse to a square wave with 50% pulsewidth

Tune Knob
The tune knob allows you to detune the waveform in cents and control the pitch of the synchronisation start

Glide
The Glide knob gives you control over the glide time between notes, similar to the way notes can glide continuously on fretless stringed instruments or certain brass instruments like a trombone. To use the glide effect you must play the synthesiser legato

VCF Filter Selection
You can select low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters from the VCF type switch. You can then adjust the cutoff frequency, resonance of the cutoff frequency, and the influence of the envelope modulator on the cutoff frequency

Envelope Section
The envelope section of the synthesiser allows you to switch on harmonic boosting, control the sustain of the note, the release, and the decay value which determines the amount of time it takes for the signal to reach its sustain level

LFO
The LFO on the synthesiser generates a periodic waveform that modulates the signal. Within this section you can adjust the pitch of the oscillation, the filter cutoff, the depth of the modulation, the speed of the oscillation, and the shape of the waveform. You can select either square, triangle, saw, or diverse waveforms.

Arpeggiator
The LFO section can also be switched to operate as an arpeggiator, wherein incoming MIDI chords will be broken into their respective notes and played rhythmically in sequence. You can adjust the range of the arpeggiator to play the notes up to four octaves wide. You can also select whether the arpeggiator will play up, down, or randomly with the pattern of the notes

Headphone Out
For monitoring, the synthesiser features a 3.5mm headphone out with an adjustable output level

MIDI Launch Button
The synthesiser features a MIDI launch button that will re-trigger the device using the last MIDI note that the synthesiser received