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Average Price: $9,607
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Description
The PPG Wave 2.2 synthesizer is a timeless bridge between digital brilliance and analog warmth, heralding a new era in music production. With its unique wavetable synthesis and hybrid architecture, the Wave 2.2 offers a soundscape that inspired countless musicians and producers. Its distinctive blend of digital oscillators and analog filters allows for the creation of complex, evolving textures and tones that are as relevant today as they were in the '80s. Whether you're looking to recreate the iconic sounds of the past or forge new sonic territories, the PPG Wave 2.2 stands as a testament to innovation and quality in sound design.
Key Features:
- 16 oscillators per two voices for rich, layered sounds
- Unique wavetable synthesis for creating up to 8000 distinct waveforms
- Analog SSM-based filters for warm, musical tone shaping
- 8-voice polyphony for complex arrangements and textures
- Integrated 8-track sequencer for intricate compositions
- 21 parameter knobs for hands-on control over sound design
- Digital patch storage for preserving your sonic creations
Videos
RetroSound
PPG wave 2.2 Wavetable Synthesizer 1982 - sound demo
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about PPG Wave 2.2.
Features and functionality
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Real-time scanning through the wavetable offers unique sonic possibilities, enhancing the PPG Wave 2.2’s sound range.
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The PPG Wave 2.2's analog SSM filters provide a warm crunch, effectively complementing its digital elements.
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The PPG Wave 2.2's internal sampling rate is 195312.5 Hz, contributing to its smooth sound compared to standard DSP approaches.
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The PPG Wave 2.2 only changes the wavetable index on waveform period boundaries, ensuring zero crossings to avoid unwanted clicking noises during wavetable sweeps.
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Software and compatibility
Comparisons
User experience
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The PPG Wave 2.2’s modulation retains the original's quirky and semi-broken characteristics, resonating with the nostalgic charm of early digital synthesis.
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The PPG Wave 2.2's unfiltered waveforms are described as noisy and metallic, contributing to its unique sonic character, though they may sound monotonous if overused.
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Critic Reviews
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
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John Mayer posted his PPG Wave 2.2 synth in an Instagram story, with the quote:
How to get fellow nerds to DM you
Calvin Harris is shown using the PPG Wave 2.2 synthesizer in an Instagram post related to his track "Slide" featuring Frank Ocean and Migos.
In the YouTube video "Behind the Track|« Neverender » by Justice & Tame Impala" by Mix with the Masters, Gaspard Augé mentions that he used a PPG Wave 2.2 synthesizer for his solo project. Justice appreciated the synthesizer so much that they acquired it and incorporated it into their fourth studio album, Hyperdrama. At the 1:51 mark, Xavier de Rosnay notes that many of the sounds on Hyperdrama originate from this synthesizer. Although the synthesizer is not named verbally, the label "PPG Wave 2.2" is visibly identifiable on the front right side of the instrument at 1:59.
In this photo from 1983, Stevie Wonder is spotted playing a PPG Wave 2.2 synthesizer. Possibly appears on Woman In Red soundtrack.
The PPG Wave 2.2 is featured in the "Studio Equipment List" on Vince Clarke's website.
List of equipment used by Klaus Schulze, from the February 1993 issue of Sound on Sound:
4x Akai S1000PB (32MB) 2x Akai S1000KB (32MB) Akai S900 Akai S612 Akai S7000 Moog Modular CIII 2x Moog MiniMoog Studio Electronics MIDIMini Mellotron Yamaha CS80 Yamaha CP70 Yamaha TX81Z Yamaha SY99 Korg M1 Korg M1 EX Korg T1 Korg T3 Korg DVP1 Roland U110 Roland U220 Roland D50 Roland S50 sampler & monitor Roland Planet S & editor Roland Super Jupiter & editor 2 Roland TR505 Roland Octopad Roland JD800 Roland Super JX10 4x Hohner HS2/E sampler 5x Hohner HS1/E sampler Hohner HS1KB sampler Waldorf Microwave GDS computer synth Misc. Crumar keyboards Fairlight CMI Series II SCI Prophet 2000 SCI Prophet 2002 Emu Proteus/2 Emu Proteus/3 World Emu Emulator II Kurzweil K1000 Kawai K4 EMS Synthi A PPG Wave 2.2 Linn 9000 4x Oberheim DPX1 Yamaha RY30 drum machine Sonor timpanies and octo toms Paiste gongs and cymbals Martin 12-string guitar
Accoring to this article Roland Orzabal used a PPG Wave when recording Tears For Tears classic album Songs From the Big Chair
Ulrich shows us his PPG Wave at 3:56 in this studio tour with MusicTech. Ulrich says "It's a bit difficult to see: the PPG Wave. Another digital classic." This accompanying article confirms this as the 2.2 specifically.
Edgar Froese of Tangerine Dream with his Wave 2.2 and Waveterm around the time of their European Tour in 1986.
Sleazy mentions this classic synth in the Keyboard Magazine interview from 1987.
During the "Bark At The Moon" album era, Don Airey stated: "I have two keyboard sets, one is over here, and one is always in the States. There's a CS80 which is the basic keyboard, a MiniMoog, the Roland Vocoder Plus, Yamaha CF70, Oberheim OBXa, and a MemoryMoog. To them I'm adding a DX7, another MemoryMoog (because I use it so much), and the Wave 2.2 and the Waveterm." This confirms that Don Airey used the PPG Wave 2.2, as documented in the article "Wizard Of Oz" (Electronics & Music Maker, Feb 1984).
Album Usage
The PPG Wave 2.2 has been featured on the following albums:
Lament (2024 Steven Wilson Mix)
Ultravox & Tigerlily (2024)
Hyperdrama
Justice (2024)
Stationary Traveller (2023 Remastered & Expanded Edition)
Camel (2023)
Brilliant
Ultravox & Tigerlily (2012)
The Final Countdown (Expanded Edition)
Europe (1986)
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears for Fears (1985)
Hunting High and Low
A-ha (1985)
Wouldn't It Be Good
Nik Kershaw (1984)
Points On The Curve
Wang Chung (1984)
Selections From The Original Soundtrack The Woman In Red
Stevie Wonder & Dionne Warwick (1984)
Bark At The Moon (Expanded Edition)
Ozzy Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne (1983)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use PPG Wave 2.2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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