Launched in 2013 as Waldorf's surprise entry into affordable desktop synths, the Rocket packs a punchy hybrid design that's perfect for bass lines, leads, and wild sound experiments without breaking the bank.
Its digital oscillator section delivers flexible waveforms with pulse-width modulation, hard sync, and unison up to eight voices for thick chords or ultra-dense sawtooths, all shaped by a genuine analog multimode filter offering low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass modes with resonance that screams into self-oscillation. A dedicated LFO modulates pitch or filter cutoff with triangle, saw, or square waves, while the arpeggiator swings through rhythmic patterns and glide adds smooth portamento; envelopes handle VCA, VCF, and sync with instant attack, adjustable decay, and switchable sustain/release. The booster circuit cranks out aggressive distortion, and you'll find nine knobs, eight switches, and a launch button for hands-on tweaking across its compact plastic chassis topped with metal for durability—measuring just 2.6 by 7.3 by 7.3 inches and weighing 2 pounds. USB-powered with MIDI in/out, stereo TRS outs, headphone jack, and even a VCF input for external processing, it stands alone or slots into any setup.
Players love its immediate fun factor and that lively analog filter for trance-y leads and acid bass, often calling it a budget gem in Waldorf's lineup alongside pricier siblings—though some wish for more envelope controls like adjustable attack.
