Waldorf Attack 3

Attack is back. And it’s more powerful than ever.

We are proud to unveil Attack 3, the next evolution of one of Waldorf Music’s most iconic and longest-running instruments. A true classic reborn, Attack 3 redefines what a modern percussion synthesizer can be.

At its heart lies a mighty analogue-style synthesis engine, delivering 24 individual sounds per kit, with 12 sounds playable polyphonically as pitched instruments. From punchy kicks to melodic percussion, Attack 3 is built for rhythm that moves both bodies and speakers.

Attack 3 captures the unmistakable spirit of legendary 1980s analogue drum machines and the driving electronic club sound of the 1990s — and propels it boldly into today’s productions. It’s a future-ready instrument designed to shape the drum sounds of the next decade.

Every sound is alive

Every parameter can be tweaked in real time and fully automated in your DAW, inviting hands-on exploration and deep expression. While sampling capabilities have been expanded, Attack stays true to its philosophy: pure synthesis first, allowing you to create unique percussion sounds from scratch.

Redesigned for Faster Drum Creation

With a completely redesigned, scalable interface and a vastly expanded synthesis engine, Attack 3 proves that after more than 25 years, it remains the go-to tool for producers who want total control over their drums.

The new user interface adapts effortlessly to any screen size, while enhanced MIDI Learn lets you define minimum and maximum parameter ranges for expressive performance. Dedicated browsers for kits, sounds, samples, and MIDI mappings keep inspiration flowing without interruption.

Advanced Sample Playback

The oscillator section has been refined for absolute precision, featuring accurate phase control for synthetic waveforms and powerful sample playback options, including user samples, velocity mapping, round-robin playback, and flexible start positions. Whether you want surgical accuracy or organic variation, Attack 3 delivers.

New Filters, Rich Drive Character

The filter section has been supercharged with new flavors, including 24 dB filters, positive and negative comb filters, and sample-rate reduction. A rich selection of new drive types — Clip, Transistor, Diode, Crunch, Pickup, and Overdrive — adds grit, weight, and character exactly where you need it.

Each sound now features two advanced envelopes with a modern multi-stage ADBDSR mode and adjustable curves, offering extreme precision and musical feel. For the first time, all envelope times and levels are fully modulatable, opening the door to dynamic, evolving percussion textures.

Creative Motion, Constantly Evolving

Attack 3also introduces two fully featured LFOs per sound, with classic waveforms, sample-and-hold, noise, and tempo sync. Fine-tune your motion with adjustable start phase or free-running behavior, bipolar or unipolar modes, plus delay and fade controls for perfectly shaped modulation.

Modulation has been taken to the next level. With expanded routing options and an extensive list of modulation sources — including multiple random modes — Attack 3 invites experimentation and rewards creativity with constantly evolving rhythms.

Total Control, Maximum Impact

The effects section has grown into a true sound-design powerhouse. Each of the 24 sounds features its own insert effects, while six output busses provide additional processing. Per sound, a dedicated compressor and EQ are paired with a freely selectable effect from Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Drive, Phaser, or Flanger. Each output bus adds its own compressor, EQ, and three additional effects, allowing you to sculpt your entire kit with studio-grade depth and polish.

What's new?

• Redesigned, scalable UI, and vastly expanded synthesis engine.
• Enhanced MIDI Learn and dedicated browsers for kits, sounds, samples, and MIDI mappings.
• Refined oscillators with accurate phase control for synthetic waveforms and powerful sample playback options: user samples, velocity mapping, round-robin, and flexible start positions.
• New 24 dB filters, positive and negative comb filters, sample-rate reduction, and a wide range of drive types for added gritty character (Clip, Transistor, Diode, Crunch, Pickup, and Overdrive).
• Two advanced envelopes per sound with a modern multi-stage ADBDSR mode and adjustable curves. All envelope times and levels are now fully modulatable.
• Two fully featured LFOs per sound, with classic waveforms, sample-and-hold, noise, and tempo sync.
• Next-level modulation with expanded routing options and multiple modulation sources such as many multiple random modes.
• New 24 sounds per kit, 12 playable polyphonically, insert effects per each sound plus six output busses. Per sound, a dedicated compressor and EQ are paired with a freely selectable effect from Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Drive, Phaser, or Flanger. Each output bus adds its own compressor, EQ, and three additional effects, allowing you to sculpt your entire kit with studio-grade depth and polish.