Waldorf Music has expanded the capabilities of its compact Iridium Core synthesizer through a new firmware update that increases the instrument’s polyphony. Gearnews reported that version 4.1.0 raises the voice count from 12 to 16, aligning the smaller unit with the specifications of the manufacturer’s larger Iridium and Quantum models. This development is notable because hardware constraints usually stop such performance gains via software alone. However, the article indicates the CPU appears to have enough capacity to allow this specific expansion without needing new physical components.
The update is currently available through the Waldorf Quantum and Iridium Beta Program, with an official public release expected soon. The Iridium Core remains available for purchase through retail partners Thomann and Sweetwater. While the hardware retains specific distinctions from its siblings, including two digital filters instead of three and the absence of the Komplex Modulator, this upgrade brings the voice count in line with other versions. The synthesizer features three oscillators per voice, six LFOs, and six envelopes. It remains patch-compatible with the bigger Iridium and Quantum units. The front panel utilizes a screen-led interface, offering a neat, powerful digital synthesizer option that does not dominate workspaces while maintaining core sound generation engines.
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