Waldorf Music has announcerd Waldorf PPG 3.V, described as “the reincarnation of the legendary PPG Wave Synthesizer“.
The PPG Wave was one of the most influential synthesizers of the 80s. Developed by Wolfgang Palm, the instrument was featured on countless records.
The PPG Wave 2 was the very first digital Wavetable synthesizer with analog filters. The successor, PPG 2.2, featured a gigantic arsenal of waveshapes and could not only reproduce known analog sounds, but also brilliant choirs, bells and whistles.
Wolfgang Palm, the inventor of Wavetable Synthesis, assisted during the development process in order to recreate the PPG as close as possible. “We are very thankful for Wolfgang’s very informative advice and insight during development.” Says Waldorf CEO Stefan Stenzel.
The Waldorf PPG Wave 3.v
The combination of digital waveshapes and analog filters of the PPG was responsible for its character. This has been recreated in PPG 3.v “up to the smallest resolution of detail”, according to Waldorf.
Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V is capable of delivering up to 256 voices of polyphony, depending on the host computer. Each voice offers two Wavetable oscillators with optional sample playback with either 8, 12, or 32 bits of resolution. Samples can easily be loaded by Drag & Drop. An 8 part multimode allows multisamples to be used with the same charme and ease of use that the original offered.
Sound is further shaped by a selectable 12 or 24 dB lowpass filter, which is an authentic recreation of the classic PPG Wave 2.2/2.3 Filter, followed by an optional overdrive for extra fuzz. Besides the LFO, three envelope generators serve as modulation sources, either for the original rude or the contemporary smooth modulation.
The up to eight parts can be arranged in poly, dual, quad and mono unison modes, with separate semitone adjustments for automatic chords or melodies. Thanks to the multimode with eight stereo outputs, the instrument is well suited for both studio environment or live on stage.
The Arpeggiator offers up and down modes, besides this an alternate mode and with “cascade mode” a true PPG specialty. For further refinement, several effects are available simultaneously, among these a 4-band equalizer, several overdrive modes, a phaser with up to 12 stages and a chorus with up to six taps. Flanger, stereo delay and reverb are also available.
The original PPG featured a unique user-interface, the “Analog Control Panel” offered direct access to many parameters, while digital menus were edited with somewhat cryptic acronyms that you had to look up in the manual in your lap.
PPG 3.v features the very same concept, with the slight enhancement of comprehensible parameter names and values. Almost all parameters can be subjected to host automation and convenient MIDI regulation by assigned control numbers. This makes it very easy to integrate PPG Wave 3.V into any existing production environment.
Thie Waldorf PlugIn runs on both Windows and Apple computers. On Windows, it requires Windows XP or better, on Mac, OS X version 10.3.9 or higher is needed.
Waldorf PPG 3.V will be available middle of November for a MSRP of 169,- Euro.
how is this different from the old ppg vst?
Not better or worse, completely different. PPG = Wavetable oscillators and analogue filters. They're completely different beasts.
And i'm not sure why the M1 is such a bonus, m1's kind of suck.
Wavestation is the bonus. According to wikipedia, Korg m1 remains the best selling synth of all time. I have korg legacy and personally I think m1 is fantastic. Personal fav all digital synth.
I also really like ppg wave, they just didn't explain why people who already own the old vst need a new one? I assume it will be more accurate compared to the old vst but I wish they'd explain the improvements.
The m1 was so popular because it was The first Rompler. The Dx7 is the most popular FM synth of all time. But it isn't the best by a long shot.
The m1 is very limited in both it's sample size and it's modulation options.
Judging from this description the new version has sample playback and built-in effects. Not sure about how the other specs differ and what improvements they might have implemented under the hood without telling anyone. But from where I'm sitting the sample playback is the only interesting new feature. Why this warrants such a sharp increase in price (the Waldorf Edition which also includes a drum synth and effect plugin can be had for roughly a third of the price) I don't know. Maybe we are all missing something or Waldorf just figured that they were selling a product for much less than it is worth.
I've always thought M1s kinda sucked, even in 1988. I got an M1Le as bundled software with my Korg MicroX and it kinda sucks. It's great that there are people who think it's cool, though.
If you ask me what my fave all digital synth is, it would be the D-50, hands down.
The M1 is horrible…. it sold a lot at the time, because back then it was a pretty good product in that it had a decent sequencer, a decent sampled piano (listen to the happy mondays sometime), and had onboard fx, all of these things which were out of reach to most of back in the late 80's…. the esq1/sq80 by ensoniq filled a similar niche, and were better synthesizers, but the onboard fx on the m1 blew people away in the music stores…. it sounded "expensive"…… i don't mean to bag on it, but i would never go near one now unless i was pining away for a sad transitional period of synthesis…..
The 3.V version has more accurate reproduction of all the original PPG's digital artifacts – more convincing replica of the aggressive, grungy sound. Also a better filter than 2.V, over 90 completely new wavetables not seen in 2.V, some onboard effects, and the ability to play back samples (with the PPG Wavterm B sample library included in the new plugin). Hope that helps.
The 3.V version has more accurate reproduction of all the original PPG's digital artifacts – more convincing replica of the aggressive, grungy sound. Also a better filter than 2.V, over 90 completely new wavetables not seen in 2.V, some onboard effects, and the ability to play back samples (with the PPG Wavterm B sample library included in the new plugin). Hope that helps.
The 3.V version has more accurate reproduction of all the original PPG's digital artifacts – more convincing replica of the aggressive, grungy sound. Also a better filter than 2.V, over 90 completely new wavetables not seen in 2.V, some onboard effects, and the ability to play back samples (with the PPG Wavterm B sample library included in the new plugin). Hope that helps.
The 3.V version has more accurate reproduction of all the original PPG's digital artifacts – more convincing replica of the aggressive, grungy sound. Also a better filter than 2.V, over 90 completely new wavetables not seen in 2.V, some onboard effects, and the ability to play back samples (with the PPG Wavterm B sample library included in the new plugin). Hope that helps.
The 3.V version has more accurate reproduction of all the original PPG's digital artifacts – more convincing replica of the aggressive, grungy sound. Also a better filter than 2.V, over 90 completely new wavetables not seen in 2.V, some onboard effects, and the ability to play back samples (with the PPG Wavterm B sample library included in the new plugin). Hope that helps.
The 3.V version has more accurate reproduction of all the original PPG's digital artifacts – more convincing replica of the aggressive, grungy sound. Also a better filter than 2.V, over 90 completely new wavetables not seen in 2.V, some onboard effects, and the ability to play back samples (with the PPG Wavterm B sample library included in the new plugin). Hope that helps.