Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V is a virtual instrument plugin that meticulously recreates the legendary PPG Wave synthesizer from the 1980s. Developed in collaboration with Wolfgang Palm, the original creator of the PPG Wave, this software emulation captures the distinctive sound and character of the iconic hardware. The plugin offers wavetable synthesis with authentic aliasing emulation, recreating the gritty, digital tones that made the original PPG Wave famous. It features two wavetable oscillators per voice, with the ability to load custom samples, and an emulation of the classic 12dB/24dB lowpass filter found in the hardware units. The PPG Wave 3.V goes beyond simple recreation, offering expanded polyphony of up to 256 voices, an 8-part multitimbral mode, and a suite of built-in effects. The user interface closely mimics the original hardware, with a combination of analog-style knobs and buttons alongside a digital display for deeper parameter editing.
Pros:
• Authentic recreation of the PPG Wave sound, including aliasing and filter characteristics
• Expanded features beyond the original hardware, including higher polyphony and multitimbral capabilities
• Includes original factory wavetables plus new ones created by Wolfgang Palm
• Ability to load custom samples and create multisample instruments
• Comprehensive effects section with EQ, overdrive, modulation effects, delay, and reverb
Cons:
• User interface can feel dated and cumbersome compared to modern synth plugins
• Limited wavetable editing capabilities compared to some contemporary wavetable synths
• Some users report occasional stability issues in certain DAW hosts
PPG Wave 3.V offers a comprehensive feature set that combines vintage authenticity with modern conveniences. At its core are two wavetable oscillators per voice, capable of reproducing the iconic PPG sound. Users can choose between different PPG Wave models (2.2, 2.3, or 2.V) for subtle variations in character, or opt for a high-resolution 32-bit mode for smoother wavetable transitions. The plugin includes over 1,800 waveforms organized into 30 wavetables, plus the ability to load custom samples as oscillator sources.
The filter section faithfully recreates the analog lowpass filter of the original hardware, with 12dB and 24dB slope options and a dedicated overdrive stage for added grit. Three envelope generators and an LFO provide extensive modulation options, while the “True PPG” mode emulates the grainy modulation behavior of the original instruments. One of the most significant expansions over the hardware is the 8-part multitimbral mode, allowing users to layer or split multiple PPG patches within a single instance of the plugin. Each part has its own arpeggiator with various modes, including the unique “Cascade” mode from the original PPG.
The effects section is another modern addition, featuring a 4-band EQ, various overdrive types, a 12-stage phaser, 6-stage chorus, flanger, stereo delay, and reverb. These can be applied per-part in multitimbral setups, greatly expanding the sonic possibilities. For those seeking authenticity, the PPG Wave 3.V includes the original Waveterm B factory sample library and PPG Wave factory sounds. It also supports loading of Waveterm disk images for users who own original PPG content.
Compared to other wavetable synthesizers on the market, the PPG Wave 3.V stands out for its focus on recreating a specific vintage instrument. While plugins like Xfer Serum or Native Instruments Massive X offer more advanced wavetable creation and manipulation tools, the PPG Wave 3.V excels at capturing the raw, early digital character of 1980s wavetable synthesis. Its closest competition might be u-he Hive, which also draws inspiration from the PPG Wave but takes a more modernized approach to the interface and feature set.
The PPG Wave 3.V lacks some of the deep modulation matrices and wavetable editing features found in contemporary wavetable synths. However, it makes up for this with its authentic recreation of the PPG sound and workflow. For producers seeking that specific 1980s digital sheen, the PPG Wave 3.V offers a more direct path than trying to coax similar tones out of more flexible but less focused wavetable instruments.
This plugin is best for:
• Producers and composers seeking authentic 1980s digital synth tones
• Sound designers interested in recreating classic PPG Wave patches
• Electronic musicians working in genres influenced by 1980s synthpop and new wave
• Film and game composers needing period-accurate synthesizer sounds
• Synthesizer enthusiasts who want to experience a software version of a rare and expensive hardware instrument
While the user interface may feel dated to some, it closely mirrors the original hardware, providing an authentic experience for those familiar with the PPG Wave. The inclusion of original factory content alongside new wavetables created by Wolfgang Palm adds significant value, allowing users to explore both classic and modern PPG sounds. Despite some reported stability issues and a learning curve for those unfamiliar with the original PPG interface, the Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V stands as a worthy tribute to an influential synthesizer. It successfully bridges the gap between vintage hardware and modern software, offering a unique tool for electronic musicians and sound designers alike.
Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V succeeds in bringing the unique sound and character of the PPG Wave to the digital realm. It offers a faithful recreation of the original hardware’s sonic capabilities while expanding on them with modern features like increased polyphony, multitimbral operation, and built-in effects. The plugin excels at producing the distinctive glassy pads, evolving textures, and gritty digital tones that made the PPG Wave a staple of 1980s electronic music. The PPG Wave 3.V is not trying to be the most flexible or advanced wavetable synthesizer on the market. Instead, it focuses on capturing a specific piece of synthesizer history with a high degree of accuracy. For producers and composers seeking that authentic early digital sound, or for those wanting to explore the instrument that helped define the sound of an era, the PPG Wave 3.V delivers a compelling package. Its expanded feature set and effects make it more than just a museum piece, allowing for creative sound design that goes beyond mere emulation.