The Waldorf STVC is a 49-key string synthesizer and vocoder for players who want a dedicated string-machine keyboard with a serious vocoder path. A gooseneck microphone plugs into the front panel; string, solo, and vocoder sections can work together for pads, leads, and speech-driven textures.

String and solo sections

The string path follows the classic oscillator-bank and octave-divider approach, then a complex mixer, EQ, and ensemble. A single registration control sweeps Violin, Viola, Cello, Brass, Organ, Choir, and related blends. The solo section is a 16-voice synth with continuous Tone morphing and tremolo so it can support or lead the strings.

Vocoder

A 256-band vocoder emphasizes intelligibility, with formant modification, freeze (hold a speech fragment and retrigger it from the keys), and optional jitter on the string carrier. Animate, ensemble/chorus, phaser, and reverb can run at once. Tweak functions act like fixed offsets into hidden parameters for fine control.

Specifications

• Type: 49-key string synthesizer / vocoder
• Keys: 49, velocity and aftertouch; transpose ±24 semitones
• Strings: Fully polyphonic; continuous registration morph
• Solo: 16-voice polyphonic solo section
• Vocoder: 256 filter bands; freeze; formant modify; gooseneck mic (44 cm)
• Patches: 126 programmable patches in 3 banks
• Effects: Animate, ensemble/chorus, phaser, reverb (usable together)
• I/O: MIDI In/Out, USB, sustain, expression/ext, line L/R, headphone, XLR mic
• Power: 5 V DC via USB or adaptor (adaptor often sold separately by region)
• Dimensions: 740 × 280 × 100 mm (29.13" × 11.02" × 3.94"), including knobs
• Weight: 7.5 kg (16.5 lb)

In the Box

• STVC keyboard synthesizer
• 44 cm gooseneck microphone