Blofeld Keyboard

2026-02-02

Fitting, that the 3rd and most recent Waldorf Blofeld I've purchased arrives on Groundhog Day. After a white and then black desktop unit, this is the first keyboard version I've owned. I really like it.

The Blofeld will temporarily replace the Quantum as the display heads back to Germany for repair. It suffered from the dreaded oil stain issue — which nagged me so incessantly, when powered off, it was as if a giant neon arrow pointing towards the minute imperfection was strobing in the corner of the room.

When I purchased my Quantum, the first unit I received got pretty banged up in transit. It didn't ship in a protective outer box and the display was already experiencing the oil stain issue. I was bummed to have received this (then $4300) purchase in such a state that I decided not to send the next one back, despite the center octave LED refusing to light. Everything else looked and worked perfectly so I kept it. I was way too excited to dive in to wait any longer.

I've ordered a new pitch/mod board to come with the repaired screen and will install them both.

In the meantime, I will be getting reacquainted with the Blofeld. The keyboard looks great in black. I am excited to have this paired with the new Blofeld plugin. I expect this combination will unlock faster patching and I am excited to do that while reclining in my desk chair.

"That which is perfect should not have come into being." —Nietzsche