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PPG Waveterm B

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Page last updated Mar 31, 2026

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Description

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Dive into the world of digital synthesis with the PPG Waveterm B, a unique piece of musical history that offers rich, textured soundscapes. Originally released in the 1980s, this iconic wavetable synthesizer merges analog warmth with digital precision, making it a coveted tool for electronic musicians and sound designers. Known for its ability to enable complex waveforms and intricate sound shaping, the Waveterm B stands out with its capability to create both lush pads and edgy leads.

With the Waveterm B, musicians can explore a vast array of sonic possibilities thanks to its innovative wavetable synthesis engine. This synthesizer is not just a relic of the past but a testament to the power of early digital music technology, still relevant for today’s experimental soundscapes. The Waveterm B’s interface allows for deep customization, letting you sculpt your sounds with precision.

Its integration with a computer system of the era for sound storage and editing made it a pioneer in computer-assisted music production. For those who appreciate the nostalgic charm of vintage synthesizers, the PPG Waveterm B offers an authentic experience with its distinctive sound character that is both retro and timeless.

Key Features:

Digital wavetable synthesis for complex waveforms
Pioneering integration with early computer systems for sound storage
Ideal for creating both classic and modern electronic music
Capable of producing a wide range of sounds, from lush pads to edgy leads
Vintage design with historical significance in electronic music production

Videos

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Torsten Abel

PPG Waveterm B booting and sample loading

Torsten Abel

PPG Waveterm Monitor Demo

Techno Empire

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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 Waveterm B.

Features and functionality

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The PPG Waveterm B uses 5.25" floppy drives for saving/loading voices and editing samples, which are then transferred to the PPG's RAM.
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Comparisons

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The PPG Wave 2.3 uses 12-bit samples, differentiating it from the 8-bit PPG 2.2 and 10-bit MicroWave, affecting the sound's character and aliasing.
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User experience

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Owners note the UI of the original PPG Wave as outdated and cumbersome, with significant menu diving required compared to modern standards.
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Use cases and applications

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Known for unique wavetable scanning synthesis, it excels at creating sounds that analog subtractive synthesis cannot replicate, offering a distinctive 80s digital sound.
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Other

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The PPG Wave's grungy sound is partly due to a buggy sinewave routine that adds unexpected harmonics, which was later compensated by adding filters.
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Geddy Lee

Singer, Bassist

Rush

Verified via Cygnus-x1

In this article Geddy Lee mentioned it

Gary Numan

Singer, Guitarist

Tubeway Army

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In the August 1986 issue of Sound on Sound magazine, Gary Numan discusses his use of the PPG System and PPG samples, which necessitates the use of a PPG Wave synthesizer and a PPG Waveterm B. He mentions, "Numan has been using a wide variety of sound sources on the upcoming album including a lot of PPG Wave samples."