The Streichfett resurrects a sound that nearly disappeared from music production—the lush, orchestral character of 1970s and early 80s string machines, but with modern connectivity and control. Waldorf engineered this as a digital recreation that captures the warmth those vintage units were famous for, delivering what the company describes as rich and creamy pads unlike any other instrument.
The dual sound engine splits into two distinct sections. The strings side offers 128 voices of full polyphony with continuous morphing across violin, viola, cello, brass, organ, and choir registrations, each with dedicated crescendo and release controls for shaping the envelope. The solo section runs eight voices and morphs between bass, electric piano, clavinet, synth, and a character called Pluto, with its own tremolo control. You can layer both sections together or split them across your keyboard's range. Three footages—8', 4', and 8' plus 4'—let you dial in the harmonic weight you need.
Effects include an ensemble effect for the strings, plus a three-way toggle between phaser, reverb, and animate (which modulates the strings registration for dramatic sound movement). The control layout is refreshingly straightforward: organic preset selectors for both sections, a balance knob for layered sounds, an octave switch, sustain toggle, and a memory system that stores twelve patches across three banks. The compact desktop format measures 185 by 185 millimeters and weighs under a kilogram, making it easy to integrate into any setup. Both USB and hardware MIDI connectivity give you full control over every parameter.
Since its introduction, the Streichfett has become a go-to choice for producers seeking authentic string machine character without the hunt for aging hardware. It's particularly valued for film scoring, ambient work, and anyone wanting those orchestral textures that sit naturally in a mix without sounding synthetic.
