Product Overview
Setting a New Standard for Digital Synthesis
With alias-free oscillators, non-stepping filters, and huge 128-voice polyphony, the Waldorf Kyra FPGA synthesizer module is a powerhouse when it comes to sound design potential. Thanks to its cutting-edge sound engine — with oversampled 32-bit/96kHz processing — Kyra delivers rich, fluid sound quality that rivals analog synthesis. And Kyra is a joy to work with, featuring four stereo pairs of analog audio outputs that are ready to feed individual channels on your mixing desk or audio interface. Or skip the analog connectivity and tap into eight stereo channels of USB audio, including a high-quality audio return from your DAW. Whether you prioritize sound quality, multi-timbrality, or workflow, the Waldorf Kyra synthesizer module will exceed your expectations.
Play eight independent sound parts simultaneously
Hearing just one voice on the Waldorf Kyra is enough to hook you — playing eight simultaneously can be a transcendent experience. Kyra offers eight-part multi-timbrality, with 32 note-polyphony per part. By loading up parts for synth percussion, bass, leads, pads, and sound effects, you could be producing full tracks based entirely on Kyra sounds. And thanks to its individual audio outputs, it's easy to record individual parts into your DAW for editing and further processing. Synth experts at Sweetwater are often asked which synth modules offer the biggest bang for the buck when it comes to multi-timbrality, and it's clear to us that the Waldorf Kyra synthesizer is high on that list — you get a lot of parts with high polyphony, plus the analog outputs needed to use them effectively.
Defying what you expect from digital synthesis
Even when pushed to its sonic limits, the Waldorf Kyra synthesizer holds its own without unwanted artifacts. That's largely due to the FPGA-based processing, which boasts 32-bit digital conversion at a 96kHz sampling rate. That gives Kyra analog-like resolution to prevent common digital shortfalls like oscillator aliasing and filter stepping. The high-res performance even extends to the wavetables, with 4,096 18-bit, 32x oversampled PCM wavetables onboard for rich and dimensional sound generation capabilities.
USB connectivity done right
Connect the Waldorf Kyra to your computer via USB, and it's like this synth module and your DAW were meant to be together. USB 2.0 connectivity gives you access to eight stereo audio streams from Kyra, at 24-bit/96kHz resolution (with a 48kHz downsampling mode available to reduce CPU load). It allows you to record eight sound parts from your Kyra simultaneously for a smoother production workflow. And USB connectivity also allows you to return a stereo 24-bit audio stream from your DAW back to Kyra for processing through its filters, effects, and other faculties. All this capability is yours without connecting a single analog audio cable, making Kyra a powerful synth solution for laptop producers.
Waldorf Kyra Synthesizer Module Features:
- 128-voice, FPGA-based, virtual analog synthesizer module
- 8-voice multi-timbrality with 9 effects modules per part — vast sound design potential
- Two alias-free oscillator groups per voice with saw, pulse, wavetable, and noise available simultaneously
- Frequency modulation, real hard sync, and ring modulation available between the oscillator groups
- 4,096 onboard wavetables with 18-bit/32x oversampled sound quality cover a vast sonic range
- Filter section emulates a range of classic filters with LPF, BPF, and HPF configurations — up to 128 configurable filters available
- 3 "fast response" ADSR envelope generators — one for the VCA, one for the filter, and one freely-assignable (all available in the Modulation Matrix)
- 3 assignable LFOs with 128 wavetable shapes for evocative modulations, plus mono, poly, random, anti-phase, and quadrature stereo phase settings
- Modulation Matrix features six channels with three destinations each, for a total of 18 modulation routings to play with
- 9 stereo effects modules per part, with effects including 3-band shelving EQ, a Formant Filter, 5-mode distortion module, dual limiters, stereo delay module, 6-stage phaser with dedicated stereo multishape LFO, chorus/flanger module supporting comb, chorus, flanger and doubling effects, and reverb
- All 72 effects modules can be used simultaneously without affecting polyphony
- Sound engine with 96kHz floating-point processing and 32x-oversampled 32-bit sound generation — sounds more analog than digital
- Four balanced stereo outputs with top-quality 32-bit/96kHz digital converters for multitrack recording and performance
- USB 2.0 supports eight stereo streams of 24-bit audio (96kHz or 48kHz) from Kyra to your DAW, plus a stereo 24-bit return from your DAW to Kyra in soundcard mode
- 128 voice channels make it unlikely you'll ever run out of polyphony or hear sounds drop out
- MIDI input via DIN or USB
- Hi-res OLED display for precise visual feedback of parameter tweaks and menu navigation
- Supports full key microtuning and MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS)
- Arpeggiator offers 128 preset patterns, plus chord mode and MIDI clock sync
- 3,328 patch storage locations — patches can be recalled manually or via MIDI program changes and bank select commands
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- Envelope Generator:3 x ADSR with Slope Setting
- LFO:3 x LFO, 128 Wavetable Shapes ; Monophonic, Polyphonic, Random, Antiphase, Stereo Phase Quadrature
- Filter:Classic Ladder Filter Analog-style Emulations ; 2-pole (12dB/octave), 4-pole (24dB/octave) ; Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass
- Effects Types:9 x Stereo Effect Modules ; 5-mode Distortion, Stereo Delay, 6-stage Phaser, Chorus, Flanger, Doubling, Reverb, Formant Filter
- Arpeggiator:128 Patterns, Chord Mode, MIDI Clock Sync
- Analog Outputs:2 x 1/4" TRS (main L/R), 6 x 1/4" TRS (3 x stereo L/R)
- Headphones:1 x 1/4"
- MIDI I/O:In/Out/Thru/USB
- USB:1 x Type B 2.0 (stereo 8 x 1)
- Power Supply:12V DC power supply (included)
- Height:3.35"
- Width:17.32"
- Depth:12"
- Weight:12.5 lbs.
- Manufacturer Part Number:Kyra
