Pulse

The Waldorf Pulse was introduced in 1995 by Waldorf Electronics GmbH, a German synthesizer company founded by Wolfgang Düren in 1988. Düren had previously served as the German distributor for PPG (Palm Products Germany), the pioneering company behind wavetable synthesis. When PPG ceased operations in 1987, Waldorf carried forward the legacy of innovative synthesizer design.The Pulse represented Waldorf's entry into the analog monosynth market, offering an affordable yet powerful alternative to vintage analog synthesizers that were becoming increasingly expensive and unreliable. Designed by Wolfram Franke, the Pulse was specifically engineered to combine the warmth and character of classic analog circuits with modern digital control and MIDI integration.The synthesizer's architecture centers around three analog oscillators with digital control, a design decision that provided stability while maintaining authentic analog character. The filter design was particularly notable—Waldorf implemented a 24dB/octave cascade filter inspired by the legendary Minimoog, but with improvements for thermal stability and keyboard tracking across 10 octaves. This filter could be overdriven via the mixer section, allowing users to shape tones ranging from Roland-like smoothness to aggressive Minimoog-style saturation.One of the Pulse's most innovative features was its comprehensive MIDI implementation. Every parameter on the synth could be controlled via MIDI controller messages, making it exceptionally well-suited for integration with sequencers and external controllers. This was a significant departure from many contemporary synthesizers that relied on SysEx for parameter control, which was cumbersome to implement in studio setups.The Pulse found favor among electronic music producers across multiple genres. Notable users included Hardfloor, the German techno duo famous for their acid house productions; 808 State, the British electronic music group; Sneaker Pimps, the trip-hop band; Nine Inch Nails, who used the Pulse extensively on their album 'The Fragile' for arpeggiated bass sequences; Moby, the electronic music pioneer; Jimmy Edgar, the IDM and electro-funk producer; and Bushflange.The original Pulse was succeeded by the Pulse+ in 1996, which added a MIDI-to-CV/Gate converter, external audio input for processing signals through the filter, and expanded OS features including LFO MIDI synchronization. This made the Pulse+ particularly attractive to musicians with vintage analog gear who wanted to integrate modern MIDI control with their older equipment.Production of the original Pulse and Pulse+ continued until the late 1990s. In 2013, Waldorf released the Pulse 2, a paraphonic analog synthesizer that expanded on the original concept with additional features while maintaining the character that made the original Pulse popular.The Waldorf Pulse remains a sought-after synthesizer on the used market, prized for its distinctive filter character, robust construction, and exceptional MIDI implementation. Its combination of three oscillators, flexible modulation routing, and that distinctive overdriven filter sound continues to make it a favorite for bass and lead sounds in electronic music production.