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PPG Wave 2.3

5.0 (5)

2 Critic Reviews

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Page last updated Apr 09, 2026

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Description

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Step into the world of digital synthesis with the PPG Wave 2.3, a classic synthesizer that has carved its niche in the annals of electronic music history. This iconic instrument combines the best of both worlds, marrying the warmth of analog filters with digital wavetable oscillators, offering a unique sound palette that has captivated musicians for decades. With its distinct sonic capabilities, the PPG Wave 2.3 is not just a synthesizer but a creative tool that empowers artists to explore new dimensions of sound.

The PPG Wave 2.3 features a 61-key keyboard that provides a responsive and expressive playing experience, making it an ideal choice for both studio recordings and live performances. Its interface is intuitive, allowing users to dive deep into sound design without getting lost in complexity. The synthesizer is renowned for its ability to produce lush pads, dynamic leads, and intricate textures, contributing to its status as a favorite among electronic musicians and producers.

Whether you're looking to recreate the classic sounds of the past or craft entirely new sonic landscapes, the PPG Wave 2.3 stands as a testament to the enduring power of innovation in music technology.

Key Features:

Digital wavetable synthesis combined with analog filters
61-key keyboard for expressive performance
Intuitive interface for deep sound exploration
Capable of producing a wide array of sounds, from lush pads to dynamic leads
A staple in electronic music production and live performance setups

Videos

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Torsten Abel

PPG WAVE 2.3 Sounds

Torsten Abel

PPG wave 2.3 pure, dry and raw (no FX)

synthlegends

PPG Wave 2.3 - quick demo

ymarcc

PPG wave 2.3 Sequencer and Arpeggiator Quick Tutorial

synthlegends

PPG wave 2.2 vs 2.3 are there any differences?

synthlegends

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about PPG Wave 2.3.

Value and pricing

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Despite modern alternatives, the PPG Wave 2.3's unique sound appeals to enthusiasts, especially for those seeking '80s Tangerine Dream tones.
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Features and functionality

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The analog filters in the original and reissue PPG Waves differ, with the reissue using different filter chips, impacting their sonic character.
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The PPG Wave 2.3 offers a choice between recreating its classic aliasing or using interpolation to reduce aliasing for smoother wave transitions.
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The PPG Wave 2.3's aliasing, a result of technical limitations in its processor and converters, contributes to its distinct pitch tracking sound, which some synths now simulate.
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The PPG Wave 2.3 uses 12-bit samples, unlike its predecessor's 8-bit, enhancing sound depth and richness.
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The PPG Wave 2.3's keypad is used for selecting wavetables and modes, potentially being replaced with MIDI capabilities in newer versions.
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Originally lacked filters; SSM filters were added due to unexpected grunge from buggy waveform calculations.
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The Waveterm module, with its screen and disk drives, facilitates sample and waveform editing, directly transferring data into the PPG's RAM.
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Use cases and applications

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PPG Wave synthesizers, while distinct in sound, may not be the best choice for creating a wide variety of vintage and modern sounds, as other synths like the Blofeld might.
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The PPG Wave's bright and strident sound is ideal for standout leads but may require complementary synths like a Prophet to mitigate harshness in a mix.
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Known for its use in '80s music, with distinctive sounds in albums like Tangerine Dream's "Exit" and Patrick O'Hearn's work.
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Comparisons

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The Behringer Wave, though not as close to the PPG 2.3 as the Waldorf M, is considered excellent value at a third of the cost.
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The Waldorf hardware and Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave offer modes that replicate the original PPG 2.x aliasing, differentiating them from other products using PPG waveforms.
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The Waldorf Blofeld, with PPG wavetables and filter models, offers a modern alternative to the vintage PPG Wave 2.3.
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The PPG Wave 2.3 is noted for its unique ability to create glassy sounds and digital noise, unlike traditional subtractive synthesis.
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Mods and upgrades

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Allowing users to load custom waveforms could bypass copyright issues while maintaining the PPG Wave 2.3's unique sound character.
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User experience

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Some enthusiasts prefer a modern PPG-inspired synth with additional features, suggesting a mix of vintage sound and contemporary capabilities would be desirable.
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Owners note the UI is archaic and cumbersome, reflecting its vintage nature, making modern alternatives like the 3rd Wave more appealing.
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Other

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The PPG Wave's grainy sound results from harmonic-rich waveforms due to a buggy sinewave routine, not low bit-depth alone.
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Critic Reviews

PPG Wave 2.3 & Waveterm B

soundonsound.com

The PPG Wave 2.3 is a groundbreaking piece of synth history, lauded for its innovative wavetable synthesis and analog warmth. While the technology may seem dated, its unique sound and flexibility still hold a special place for enthusiasts. Its robust analog filtering and the ability to produce complex sound textures make it a standout, even compared to modern counterparts. However, its clunky interface and fragile build quality can be off-putting, particularly for those accustomed to contemporary gear. As a vintage treasure, it’s a quirky but rewarding investment for those seeking retro audio charm.

positive

Full Review

PPG Wave 2.3 (ES Jul 84)

muzines.co.uk

The PPG Wave 2.3 is a hybrid synthesizer that impresses with its monstrous audio capabilities, blending digital voicing and analog controls. Its standout feature is the waveform cascading effect, producing unique sounds unmatched by rivals. With 1800+ waveforms and a robust 8-track sequencer, it offers immense creative potential. However, its complexity may deter beginners, and the manual's translation issues add to the challenge. At £3,995, it promises a Fairlight-rivaling experience for those who can master its intricacies. Despite the steep price, the PPG Wave 2.3 is hailed as an exceptional, unique synth for serious musicians.

positive

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Artist usage

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Trent Reznor

Keyboardist, Singer

Nine Inch Nails

Verified via YouTube

[For Pretty Hate Machine] "We had an Emulator 2, Emax, PPG Wave, Oberheim Expander..." Chris Vrenna, prism films interview

Geddy Lee

Singer, Bassist

Rush

Verified via Photo

Lee Geddy can be seen in this photo with a PPG Wave 2.3 in his keyboard rig, to his left.

Martin L. Gore

Singer, Guitarist

Depeche Mode

Verified via YouTube

At 3:20, the words "PPG Wave 2" can be seen on the back of Martin's keyboard.

The Real Mike Dean

Music Producer, Audio Engineer

Def Squad

Verified via YouTube

In a video by Reverb, The Real Mike Dean discusses and demonstrates his PPG Wave 2.3 synthesizer, referring to it as "the best piece of gear he’s ever bought on Reverb." He provides insights into its unique features and plays the instrument from the start of the video until approximately the 5:30 mark.

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Keyboardist, Composer

Yellow Magic Orchestra

Verified via Muzines

From there, it's on to nearby Lentil Studios to complete recording. It's there that he stores his Fairlight II, along with a PPG Wave 2.3, an Emulator II and a Prophet 5 - the last only for its ability to provide a guide click.

Air

Music Producer

Verified via Soundonsound

S.O.S interview of Air members on how they built their own studio. Air give up the names of their synths plus photo of them

Gary Numan

Singer, Guitarist

Tubeway Army

Verified via BostonGlobe.com

“The cross between normal, original hardware and computers; the one that bridges the gap. A mixture of genius and nightmare — it came out with the most amazing sounds, but was very difficult to work. It started a massive leap forward in technology because it was the first of its generation.”

Alan Wilder

Drummer, Keyboardist

Depeche Mode

Verified via YouTube

Alan is playing a PPG Wave 2 in this performance. specifically at 0:58.

Giorgio Moroder

Music Producer

Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder

Verified via Soundonsound

GIORGIO MORODER RARE SYNTHESIZER COLLECTION

US sample CD manufacturers Hollywood Edge produce a sample CD featuring Moroder's favourite synths. Giorgio Moroder Rare Synthesizer Collection contains 970 patches from vintage synths including the OSC OSCar, Korg Mono/Poly, Sequential Prophet 5, ARP 2600, Moog modular, Multimoog, TB303, Oberheim 4-voice, Roland Jupiter 8 and Juno 60, Moog Taurus, PPG 2.3, and the Buchla. It's available on CD-ROM in Akai, SampleCell, and Ensoniq formats. If you're interested, Time & Space, the UK distributors for Hollywood Edge, should be able to get hold of it for you, though it's not an item they carry in stock. Derek Johnson

Front 242

Music Producer

Verified via gearnews.de

Per this gearnews.de feature, dated May 04, 2021:

(translated to English from its original German)

"Don't Crash" is released and the "No Comment" album, which stands for the early EBM sound like hardly any other. This was also due to the change of instruments. After an apparently short interlude with a PPG wave, there was now one thing above all else: sampling and dynamic FM sounds. This will accompany us very strongly here. Hundreds of imitators did the same.