Waldorf Edition - Manual (Page 6)

Waldorf Edition
User Manual 6 Waldorf
Waldorf Attack Percussion Synthesizer
Introduction
The Waldorf Attack offers a straightforward sound structure that faithfully emulates a
wide range of percussion sounds, from those of well-known classic drum or rhythm
generators to new, unique drum sounds such as bass drums and snare drums over
shakers as well as heavily modulating synth effects. In addition, the Attack offers
ways to create amazing bass and lead sounds.
To understand how to create these sounds, you should know a little about how the
classic drum machines worked. Basically, those drum machines had special analog
circuitry for each drum sound they could produce. These analog circuits were often
built in a very strange manner, sometimes consisting only of a handful of filters
without any kind of oscillator or envelope, or perhaps simply a noise generator with
one envelope. Each was made to create just one particular drum sound in a more or
less authentic way. But it was just this assertiveness and distinctiveness of character
which are responsible for the fame and popularity of these sounds that endures
today.
For the coming Millennium, the Attack will continue this story!
Besides the regular manual, the following sections offer some insights as to how par-
ticular sounds were built, and give information about how to achieve similar results
with the Waldorf Attack.