REMAGEN, GERMANY: On October 29, 2026, Waldorf Music releases Crema, a compact polyphonic string and pad synthesizer designed for creating string ensembles, layered pads and evolving sound textures. Based on the synthesis architecture of the Waldorf Streichfett, Crema expands this concept into the digital era. While Streichfett captures the character of the analog string machines of the 1970s, Crema adds the digital pads of the 1980s and 1990s. It enlarges the sound palette through wavetable, FM synthesis and dual effects, including a dedicated shimmer reverb.
As the latest addition to Waldorf’s compact product line, alongside Protein, Crema features two sound engines, Texture and Lines, both offering flexible routing to the dual effects section.
Texture: Strings, Wavetables and FM
The Texture engine offers 24 selectable sound generation types based on three synthesis approaches: Strings, Wavetables and FM. Its string section is based on the full polyphonic original Streichfett and uses the Variation control to move smoothly between violin, viola, cello, brass, organ and choir sounds. The same knob goes through 1 of 17 Waldorf wavetables, from Resonant to Vibes, each one modulated by envelope and LFO, expanding the range of sound possibilities. In addition, six FM types cover bells, keys, brass, bass, woodwind and organ sounds, these are playable with a 12 voice polyphony. All 24 sound types go through the characteristic Streichfett Ensemble.
Lines: Polyphonic Virtual-Analog Synthesis
Lines offers an eight voice polyphonic virtual-analog voice based on Waldorf’s Streichfett Solo engine. It features two detunable oscillators, Pulse or Saw, and extra modulation options including stereo tremolo, vibrato and PWM.
Lines can be used to add contrast and character to any sound by adding basses, leads and complementary synth layers to the main textures.
Flavor & Performance Features
Like Protein, Crema features Flavor, a dedicated control that adds subtle variations in pitch, waveform position and other to create a more organic instrument sound. An integrated arpeggiator and step sequencer take the creative movement further, both supporting external clock synchronization.
Dual Effects & Shimmer Reverb
Crema features a dual effects section with serial and parallel routing. The first effects processor offers six effect types, including chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, drive and delay. Alongside it, the second effects processor offers reverb with an optional Shimmer that transforms simple pads into expanding soundscapes.
Presets, Connectivity & Design
Following the compact design introduced with Protein, Crema measures 252 × 170 × 48 mm (including controls) and weights 0.9 kg, making it suitable for both studio and live setups.
Crema is powered via USB-C and features MIDI via USB and mini TRS input and output, stereo audio outputs and a headphone connection. It also supports MPE and allows the two sound engines to be controlled via separate MIDI channels.
It includes over 130 factory sounds created by sound designers including Christian Kleine, LimbicBits and others, and provides 360 preset slots, with easy preset management and transfer available through the free Chutney Librarian application.
Some sounds never go out of style. The swelling string machines of the seventies, the shimmering ensembles, the pads that fill a whole room. Crema was made for exactly that, but true to Waldorf’s spirit, it takes these sounds a step further.
The best part rises to the top. Enjoy Crema.
Crema will be available through Waldorf Music’s growing global network of distributors (https://waldorfmusic.com/distributors/) at a price of 345,45 EUR (including German VAT). For more information, visit the dedicated product page: https://waldorfmusic.com/crema/.
