Too busy for the full read? Here is why you should buy Waldorf KB37 Eurorack.
✅ Comes with a strong and durable construction
✅ Offers excellent aftertouch
✅ Provides enough space for the assembly of a full Eurosack system
✅ The eight CV outputs come with a MIDI interface
✅ The headphone output will offer its own level control
As a beginner, I was intimidated by Waldorf KB37 Eurorack at first. It is definitely a large instrument that comes with the option of a lot of inputs. But my Church minister had high hopes from me. He wanted me to get a Eurorack case for the upcoming festival. Our local Church, one of the biggest ones in the area, had organized a huge festival to commemorate the 50 years of the Church’s history. Everyone was really excited about it, and the last thing I wanted to do was disappoint them.
The Waldorf KB37 seemed like an impressive unit that offered a lot of diversity. It was also within my price range, so I decided to take the leap of faith and buy this unit. And luckily, I was not disappointed. It came with a smooth modulation wheel glide that can move up and down and make any adjustments to the sound that you want. It also allowed me to collect any sound modules in a fun way so I could customize the setup according to my preference.
The Waldorf Eurorack allowed me to seize the day and get the praise for everyone at the festival. A lot of people also inquired about the features, and I didn’t have to lie because the model actually offers some of the best benefits in the market. The keyboard is both fun and intuitive and can be used by beginners and professionals with the same ease.
It is also a very solid build and offers great durability. This means that regardless of how many hours you use it, you will still get consistent performance out of it. Moreover, the rugged design also houses around 107 HP of modules and has a very smooth panel. This is conveniently paneled and can sit on top of the keyboard comfortably.
It also offers a relatively high resolution that comes in handy when you are dealing with intense inputs. Moreover, its ability to provide temperature stability also helps you program units easily. I also found it to be equally suitable for both studio and stage. But I didn't just stumble upon this unit and bought it instantly. Before choosing, I did ask myself these questions.
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You need to ask yourself a few basic questions before you can make a choice.
Only when I found a comprehensive answer for all of my questions did I move forward to the next step. My church had entrusted me with a fixed budget, so I couldn’t exceed that. I also knew that my church would allow me to use the instrument for my personal usage as well, so portability was not something I could compromise on.
One look was all it took for me to fall in love with Waldorf KB37. The massive keyboard came with a lot of knobs and input sections, properly and evenly spaced. I knew that anyone who beholds the model would be lucky, but its exteriors weren't the only thing that impressed me. It came with a 16-bit CV interface that provided better control over the modules. The MIDI channels were easily handled and could be programmed according to your individual requirements. Another feature that fascinated me was its ability to provide real-time control elements for both the mod and pitch wheels.
✅ Comes with a strong and durable construction,
✅ Offers excellent aftertouch,
✅ Provides enough space for the assembly of a full Eurosack system,
✅ The eight CV outputs come with a MIDI interface,
✅ The headphone output will offer its own level control.
❌ Quite heavy.
This keyboard-based modular is one of the best ones in the market that offer MIDI compatibility. I was impressed with its relatively sleek body that allowed for easy handling. It also comes with touch-sensitive knobs that offer better accuracy and precision. There are also a plethora of other features that attracted me to the design. Here is what I loved about Waldorf.
The heavy-duty construction is the first thing I looked for in my Eurosack. I was instantly impressed by its completeness and its full form. It was definitely heavier than many other models; however, that was expected from a model with 37 unit keypad. I also noticed that the modules are mounted tightly against the chassis, thus allowing for better durability.
The model offers a very fast synth-action that will transmit the best aftertouch and a superb velocity. In addition, you will also get a smooth and full range of voltage outputs that offer good compatibility with all MIDI units. The output pitch goes as high as 7 volts, and there are more than six different octaves that you can use and achieve diverse functions. There is also a section that will contain the octave transposition and increase the range of the unit.
The KB37 will singlehandedly support multi-triggering modes. It also allows you to use single triggering modes, but those aren’t as attractive as the multi-triggering modes. These come in handy, not just for triggering switches on the panel, but also for allocating different note priorities. The duo phonic performance is another excellent feature of Waldorf. It is supported by the assignable outputs that are specially included in the model.
This is an important element of Waldorf and something almost all buyers appreciate a lot. This requires you to press a setup button along with pressing the choice buttons on the keyboard. The notes that are then generated by the model can be used with any MIDI unit. You can also use a range of different channels for this purpose. You can change the values on the arpeggiator by the incoming CCs of MIDI. This boosts your performance drastically.
Reference: https://www.amazon.com/Waldorf-kb37-Eurorack-Controller-Keyboard/dp/B01LW73PB1?th=1
There aren’t many good Euroracks in the market, and the only people who invest in these models are the ones who really need to enhance their performance. So, I knew I had to scour the internet to find only the reviews from serious buyers. Luckily, I found a lot of sites where these buyers had praised the system. Most comments implied that buyers liked the diverse options for modules. They also praised the strong and durable build that prevented any damage over time. A lot of them also complimented the MIDI compatibility that the unit offered. After reading all these comments, I was convinced that I was making a good choice.
and,
This was the part I was dreading the most. I have always been an impatient person, and I knew that my final decision depended on the result of this section. The Waldorf offered me amazing connectivity and high diversity. However, there could be other models that offered much more than that. This seemed quite impossible, but I wasn't going to leave anything to the imagination.
I chose three very similar models for this purpose. I wanted to draw comparisons to help me reach an informed decision. Since I had a fixed budget, I didn't include very expensive models in my review. After comparing the features, I was convinced that Waldorf was what I really needed. It offered me a good over touch and good velocity.
However, I realize that some people might have different needs; I am attaching a short overview of my research to help you make the right decision.
| Waldorf KB37 Eurorack Keyboard | Roland GAIA SH-01 Synthesizer |
| Keys are more sensitive to touch | Features harder keys |
| Offers 8 CV outputs | Offers 6 CV outputs |
| Weighs 16 pounds | Weighs 9 pounds only |
| Waldorf KB37 Eurorack Keyboard | Novation MiniNova |
| The multi-colored body looks more attractive | Only available in a single color |
| Offers double effects per voice | Only 5 effects per voice |
| Is relatively expensive | Is cheaper |
| Waldorf KB37 Eurorack Keyboard | Korg Minilogue |
| Easily programmable | Programming keys requires time |
| Allows for gradual updates | Offers relatively less flexibility |
| Difficult to carry around | Provides better portability |
Like many other synthesizer enthusiasts, I, too, was looking forward to a great Eurosack design. Waldorf delivered on its promise of excellent and unmatched durability. Compared to its size, it wasn’t very heavy, and I could easily carry it around in my car. Once I was done with the Church festival, I brought the model home and experimented with the different modules. I noticed that the design included around 37-note keypad that ensured amazing diversity. It also had a rugged design, which meant that it wouldn’t break easily.
By the end of my research, I concluded that there are good models in the market, and then there are models that take your breath away. Waldorf is definitely the latter. And honestly, what more could I have asked for?
