8.7Great
Phase Plant is a semi-modular software synthesizer combining wavetable, sample, and noise generators with modular modulation and built-in effects.
Plugin comparison
Phase Plant vs Waldorf Microwave 1 Plugin
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which synth to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
8.3Great
Waldorf Microwave 1 Plugin is a software recreation of the classic Microwave hybrid wavetable synth, with V2 expanding polyphony to 32 voices.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, Phase Plant comes out ahead (8.7). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Phase Plant | Waldorf Microwave 1 Plugin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | €99 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.7 | 8.3 |
| Formats | VST2, VST3, AU (Audio Unit), AAX | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Type | Semi-modular software synthesizer (softsynth) | — |
| Generators | Regular waveforms, wavetables, samples, and noise | — |
| FM/Modulation | Cross-modulate and self-modulate volume, frequency, and phase between all signal generators | — |
| Effects | Three effects lanes; includes Kilohearts Essentials effects | — |
| MIDI | MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) support | — |
| Operating systems | Windows and macOS, 64-bit x86 with SSE3; macOS Apple M-series supported | — |
| Instrument type | — | Hybrid wavetable synthesizer recreation |
| Version | — | Microwave 1 Plugin V2 |
| Polyphony | — | Up to 32 voices (V2; original plugin was 8) |
| Price | — | €99 promotional / €149 regular (confirm on Waldorf store) |
| Formats | — | VST3, AU, AAX (per Waldorf distribution) |
| Heritage | — | Based on the 1989 Waldorf Microwave hardware |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.