The Lost PPG Tracks (Music from the PPG System) by Cornel Hecht

"I found an old PPG Waveterm floppy disk in my studio.
Many years ago I saved some ideas and sounds on it.
Now I finalized these ideas: "The Lost PPG Tracks".
A musical reminiscence of the wild 80s with
pulsating synthesizer sequences and bizarre sounds
directly from the time machine.
Welcome to the 80s!"

PPG 2.0, 2.2, & 2.3 Vintage Wavetable Synthesizers

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

PPG 2.0 via this auction

"This is the very rare and sought-after PPG Wave 2.0! extremely hard to find and in good cosmetic condition. This model has a very low serial number which makes it an early model. Technically superb and cuts right through the speakers!"

PPG Wave 2.2 via this auction "This PPG Wave 2.2 is in beautiful condition and works like a charm! The one we are selling, belonged to Modern Talkings producer Ralf stemmann! It was used in countless Hits by him! Just waiting to be played."

PPG Wave 2.3 via this auction

"The legendary PPG Wave 2.3 outperforms any digital synthesizer by a mile! The sound is iconic and infectious. A workhorse and a must have for any synth player. State of the art digital technology that can’t be duplicated. The best digital synthesizer ever built. This PPG Wave 2.3 can be connected to a Waveterm B, which gives you a complete 8-track recording and sampling system. The sample library is out of this world."

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PPG Wave Synthesizer Vorführung und Geschichte

Published on Jan 6, 2016 Torsten Abel

"Stephen Parsick und Torsten Abel führen den PPG Wavecomputer 360 und das PPG Wave System, bestehend aus Wave 2.3 mit Waveterm B, bei einer spontanen gemeinsamen Improvisation vor. Desweiteren erzählt Stephen etwas zur Geschichte von PPG und Torsten zu den Möglichkeiten des Wave Systems.

Alles natürlich ohne Gewähr auf Vollständig-, sowie Richtigkeit. (Wir hoffen nicht allzu viel Quatsch erzählt zu haben)

Aufgenommen beim Dinosaurier-Synthesizer Treffen 2015 in Bocholt/Deutschland"

Googlish:

"Stephen Parsick and Torsten Abel cause the PPG Wave Computer 360 and the PPG Wave system consisting of Wave 2.3 with Waveterm B, during a spontaneous joint improvisation. Furthermore, Stephen tells something about the history of PPG and Torsten to the possibilities of Wave Systems.
Everything, of course, no guarantee for completeness, correctness and. (We hope to have not told too much nonsense)
Recorded at Dinosaur Synthesizer meeting in 2015 in Bocholt / Germany "

Waldorf Releases The Blue Journey Soundest by synth_nyc

You can find additional demos at SYNTH_NYC and SoundCloud. You can find the soundset on Waldorf's site here.



"The Blue Journey 128 sound set for the M synthesizer explores the technology from the past that made PPG and Waldorf Music machines historical landmarks. It highlights firmware version 1.07 and 1.08 that brought a slew of functionally to the M; almost giving it new synthesizer engines without sacrificing user experience!

The first 32 [1-32] patches are using MW1 mode only with PPG Transitions (short 22kHz / 16bit mono samples) exclusively; PPG Transitions reading feature was introduced in firmware version 1.07. Those patches have the Transition number + Slot number in the M Patch Name, so it’s easy to rebuild (e.g. T143 S3 Low Rez Vox is the patch name of patch number 1 on the M, using PPG Transition T143 in M Slot 3).

The required samples are from the original PPG library and have already been renamed for use in the M. A detailed overview and instructions for loading the samples into there M are available in the downloads after purchase.

https://www.hermannseib.com/english/synths/ppg/wtbwave.htm#sorted

http://ppg.synth.net/waveterm/wt_lib.shtml

The next 32 [33-64] patches are exploring MW2 mode new features: new digital filters were introduced in firmware version 1.08.

Those patches have the M digital filter type in the M Patch Name (and in the file name on synth_nyc website and bandcamp) (e.g. B Stop Marbles is the patch name of patch number 36 on the M, using the B Stop filter), so it’s easy to know which filter was used and showcasing the M firmware 1.08 capability.

The last 64 [65-128] patches are a mix of MW1 and MW2 modes but not using any Transitions.

In The Blue Journey sound set, you will find many vocal textures, vocal plucks, vocal basses and vocal pads because this is probably where the M excels; where it’s ‘magic’ and uniqueness are more present. There are also many other leads, basses, and even VA patches; and of course many wavetable scanning patches, that can make it to any retro or modern production.

I hope you’ll enjoy The Blue Journey, as much as I enjoyed programming the patches."

The Intro Sound of The Fixx - Deeper And Deeper with the PPG Wave 2.2 Synthesizer

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-23 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com

A new PPG wave 2.2 Sound Tutorial
One of the most impressive intros for synthesizer geeks is Deeper and Deeper by The Fixx from the year 1983. I tried a lot and I came closest to the result when I triggered the PPG wave 2.2 synthesizer from the Linndrum. The resolution is changed manually so results this rattling sound. In the Wave synthesizer memory is a wavetable sound.

The PPG wave & Waveterm Synthesizer System from the year 1982 is one of most fascinating synthesizers ever. You can find a lot demo videos, sound tutorials about the Wave and the Waveterm in the PPG wave playlist.
The PPG playlist:"

Studio Shots by Waveterm

click here for more
flickr shots by waveterm

captions:

top: "Monophonics have started to move in"

middle: "Big stack of PPG´s!"

bottom: "PPG Waveterm A and B can you tell which is which?"

PPG Waveterm Synthesizer Monitor W/ Flight Case

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Update: price dropped to $2500

"First things first: No! This is not a sticker or fu$&ing refrigerator magnet! This is an actual genuine real life PPG Waveterm Synthesizer. Monitor unit only, I don’t have the keyboard that goes with it, nor do I have any other hardware or software that this machine may require.

I honestly don’t know anything about this machine other than it’s very rare. It was amongst a whole bunch of various stuff left in a storage unit I purchased. Did a tiny amount of research on the item and am now selling it.

As seen in the pics, it does power right up and the screen works just fine. Thats all I know for a fact that it does. I have no way and/or knowledge of how to test the rest of its capabilities, but it comes on as soon as it’s turned on, doesn’t make a peep while on, doesn’t omit any strange odors, so I’m confident it will in fact do any and everything it was originally designed to do...... with the proper hardware that, again, does not come with this unit.

***The stated asking price is not for real. I’ve had trouble trying to price this thing and was hoping any interested parties could message me what they think it’s probably worth and/or make an offer, or at the very least I can have it on here longer than 7-10 days so as to hopefully drum up more interest before I either lower the price or re-list it as an auction.

It is safe and secure and ready for travel in its fitted rack mount flight case, made by Calzone.

Total weight on this unit in the case is 78 1/2 lbs, which means it will have to be mailed via Freight. It will be mailed via FedEx or UPS, I’m not trusting the USPS to deliver it safely. It will be insured for the final selling price. It’s dimensions are 27”x 20” x 19”."

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RetroSound Vintage Synthesizer Channel on YouTube - Trailer Featuring the PPG Waveterm

Published on Jan 4, 2018 RetroSound

Cool trailer from RetroSound featuring the PPG Waveterm as the video screen. MATRIXSYNTH gets a shout out in the description below!

"(c) 2018 vintage synthesizer demos by RetroSound

Thank you for all the likes, comments and for your time! :)

Especially a big thank you to Jones from matrixsynth.com http://www.matrixsynth.com/ and UVI http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi for the support.

No religion! No borders! Enjoy the music, leaf a comment and subscribe when you like.

I will never call for donate or something but if you like my work then I'm happy if you support me and buy a music album.

Enjoy the videos!
Thank you. :)"

PPG Waveterm LowPass Simmulation

YouTube via intercorni — April 17, 2010 — PPG Waveterm A LowPass Simmulation

PPG Waveterm Library

I haven't been to the PPG site in a while. Title link takes you the Waveterm Library page containing direct conversions of the original Waveterm disks in WAV format. There is a link to download the complete archive or you can listen to them individually.

Music for the Holidays

Some more music for the holidays, via the forum:

Winter Lounge Compilation via intercorni
"Winter Lounge Compilation

Urania Man released 3 new tracks on the Winter Lounge Compilation.

Synthesizer:
PPG Wave2.2
PPG Waveterm A
PPG Prozessorkeyboard
PPG 360A
Roland Jupiter-8
Roland Jupiter-6
Roland JX10
Waldorf Microwave I
Casio VZ10M
Oberheim Matrix6
Sequential Pro One
KORG DW-8000
an many many digital Stuff (Native Instruments)

iTune Link"

.
.
.

Live Streaming New Years Eve 2009 electro-music.com event via ocp
"We did it in 2006 and 2008 (I think we missed 2007) so why not do it again? Lets have an online electro-music.com international New Year's Eve party and electro-jam. Almost all cultures celebrate the January 1st New Year so this is sure not to offend too many people.

A floating concert is like a floating crap game, it moves around from location to location.

A shoutcast server will be set up to run all day Dec 31 through Jan 1. People in their studios are welcome to set up live streaming of performances, jam sessions, or any kind of musical expression for streaming. The electro-music.com members and lurkers can tune in and share the experience. Hopefully, people will be volunteering from all over the world to sign up for a time slot. Pick a time convenient for you - it doesn't have to be Midnight in your time zone, but that would be cool.

For those that haven't done live streaming, it is a lot easier than you might imagine. To do the streaming, all you need is a PC with Oddcast (now called Edcast), a free program. If you have a Mac, you can use the Nicecast program (free demo works for a month the last time we tried it) to stream.

If you are are interested in participating, a test server will be set up just for you to experiment on to make sure you can get it to work.

Once you get your own server assignment, you can test stream all you want. When your time comes up on New Years Eve, the radio.electro-music.com server will be switched to reflect you server. You have nothing to do.

If you are interested, please let us know. We'll pass out times on a first come basis. Why don't you join in? Don't worry about being polished and super professional, this is for fun. Hopefully, we can give some of our DIY synth builders a chance to have their music heard direct from their studios.

It's party time...

For more info go here: http://electro-music.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=220958#220958"

PPG Wave Differences

This one in via Nikos:

"PPG front panel differences:

In the picture, the 2 upper photos are the PPG Wave 2.0: as you examine the front panels you'll find differences:

The upper one (which I call the first version because it was used for the original brochure) has no space between top legending and top flat panel. Also the legending around the LCD screen has a different configuration, compare with the second version. That usually had Moog type- chrome topped knobs, here in the pic has the standard PPG type. The second version which is more common, has a space between top flat panel and upper legend. To be more confusing, I've seen sec. ver. Wave 2.0's with chrome topped knobs! Also in the second the legending around the screen has the same configuration with the later Waves (2.2 , 2.3). Also, the top writing 'Multiple digital/analog control panel' has different placement and font size in all versions (2.0a, 2.0b) and in the 2.2/2.3 is on it's final placement. The later versions (2.2 / 2.3) had no differences between them anyway, and both had standard pitch/mod wheels, compared with the wave 2.0 single wheel with it's strange ergonomic angle - I can't tell if it's more comfortable than the usual placement - better ask a wave 2.0 owner!

A curious thing is that in almost every Wave 2.0 I've seen, the front panel paint is worn, mostly in the volume knob area and the programmer's numerical switches area. This problem is not common in later waves -maybe they improved the front's panel paint quality/sturdiness. It is reported that only 200 2.0's were made (both versions).

The main internal difference, apart from the single oscillator per voice in the 2.0, is that the filter chip was the CEM 3320 -in the Wave 2.2/2.3's used the SSM 2044 of course. As for the VCA's, in the 2.0 used the CEM 3330 (dual VCA) and in the 2.2/2.3 the VCA chip was the CEM 3360 dual VCA as well.This info is backed by service literature. Sound wise, the 2.0 was more rawer and primitive than the 2.2/2.3's, although the INTERNAL wavetable resolution in ALL Waves, was 8-bit. Things were different in 2.3's, where it had SRAM of 12-bit and thus you could play samples from Waveterm B loaded into the 2.3.

Edgar Froese of Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze both had the first version of Wave 2.0 and used them 'till 1983 as far as I know. In fact, E. Froese's is visible in his rig in the 'Poland' video (1983 - left) and Klaus Schulze had his own Wave 2.0 with him, when he toured Poland in 1983. You can have a very good idea how well the Wave 2.0 by listening to track 'Remote Viewing' by Tangerine Dream, from the 'Exit' LP, from the middle and on there some melodies played by Froese on the Wave 2.0 with a voice-like patch,gritty, beautiful and majestic.

PPG photos credits: top photo from ebay auction, second by Laurent Prot from Paul Maddox PPG CD-ROM, the 3d by a 'Matrixsynth' link and Edgar Froese's pic is a capture from the 'Poland' video.

That's about now,
Long live the Wave.
Nick-Greece"

Synthesized - Computers & Synthesizers Event Set for June 22 & 23 in Cambridge

via The Centre for Computing History

"Synthesized celebrates the computer and synthesiser - and how the two technologies grew up together.

The two technologies have crossed paths many times since the CSIRAC mainframe played the 'Colonel Bogey March' in 1951. The mighty Fairlight CMI, the PPG and the humble Dragon 32 both share the same processor - as do the Moog Source, Prophet-5 and the ZX Spectrum.

By 1990, the Atari ST found its way into almost every recording studio. Technologies from the flagship Yamaha DX7 and Roland D-50 found their way into almost every PC sound card of the 1990s. Today, modern computers can emulate almost any classic synthesiser with near perfect accuracy.

Without computers we wouldn’t have FM, wavetable, additive and phase distortion synthesis - or even be able to save the sounds on our analog synthesiser.

Last year we were lucky enough to have a Fairlight CMI, a PPG Waveterm and a Greengate DS4 together in the same room. We even had Colin Holgate from Greengate and John Molloy from 80s band Mainframe to demonstrate it to us!

This year we hope the event will be even bigger, even better, even noisier and will have more wonderful synthesisers for everyone to see and use! To get you all in the mood, here's some pictures from last year's event."

Gorgeous PPG setup, including a rare Waveterm and Processor Keyboard FD.

You can find a few previous posts featuring Synthesized including video via the Synthesized label.

PPG Waveterm for PC

Published on Jun 28, 2013 Piet Wagner·3 videos

"A short video about the PPG Wave 2.2 & Waveterm system for PC."

via Piet Wagner on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

You can find details on the software here: http://www.hermannseib.com/english/synths/ppg/wavesim.htm

PPG Expansion voice unit EVU (PPG wave 2.3 in a rack)

video upload by synthlegends

"The EVU (Expansion Voice Unit) is basically a Wave 2.3 synthesizer without keyboard. It is developed as a predecessor of the Wave 2.3 to help the PPG system to get more voices. It is also superior to the then current Wave 2.2 in that it is 8-voice multitimbral and already has 12-bit technology. Each of the 8 voices can be adjusted separately in volume and pan position. Usually it has to be connected via the computer interface to the Waveterm and also a PPG wave synthesizer and the sounds can be controlled from there. So you have a 16 voice PPG. In my studio I don't have a Waveterm so I controlled this EVU via MIDI. This unit has the latest Firmware 8.3 so you also can control it with any MIDI Keyboard, but it lacks the sound tweaking. The EVU were very rare. The last I saw in as a auction on ebay was 7 years ago. There were maybe only around 50 units built. This unit is mint and I think to sell it, because I have no waveform unfortunately."

Famous PPG Wave Synthesizer Sounds

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-23 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com

Famous PPG Wave Sounds part1

0:06 Laura Branigan - Self Control
0:27 Devo - Super Thing
0:56 Rush - Mystic Rhythms
1:19 Silent Circle - Touch In The Night
1:36 Matia Bazar - Ti Sento
2:09 Tangerine Dream - Love On Real Train
2:37 Rush - Emotion Detector

The PPG wave 2.2 Synthesizer from the year 1982 is one of most fascinating synthesizers ever. You can find a lot demo videos, sound tutorials about the Wave and the Waveterm in the PPG wave playlist.
The PPG playlist:"

1982 PPG Wave 2.2 / Waveterm German Ad

via synthmuseum.de

Update via Qwave in the comments: "Notice, that there is only one row of white buttons under the waveterm screen. As all units of the serial production (I used #29 in the mid eighties to mid nineties) got two rows of what was then called "soft keys" (for software defined, which was rather new then), it looks like being a prototype. And the original waveterm was only named "waveterm A" after the waveterm B was introduced."

Rare PPG EVU - Wave 2.3 in a Rack

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

You can find a video of one previously posted here.

"Functionally the EVU is exactly a PPG Wave 2.3 in a rack but with the addition of individual panning and individual volume for each voice.

This particular EVU has quite a pedigree. Probably has travel mores miles than Lance Armstrong at this point. It was the demo unit that the North America PPG product specialist used back in the day at his presentations.
This very EVU has also been on several tours with the band SAGA.

We have updated all boards so now the guts of this machine could work straight up in a 2.3 (with 2.3 EPROMS).

With system 8.3 you can access all the parameters over MIDI or as originally envision by Mr Palm, the EVU can be remote controlled by a Waveterm.

This amazing instrument has received the full Synthropology™️ treatment.
That means that we attended to every potential weak spot that we have seen across the vast number of PPGs that we have repaired/updated/serviced in our 25+ years of servicing these German wonder machines in blue.

We truly strive for PPG excellence!

Over the decades Synthropology have developed a rich set of updates/maintenance routines to make the PPGs MUCH more reliable and enjoyable.

After our Synthropology™️ treatment these PPGs are ready for a bright and reliable future again.

Highlights of upgrades includes (but not limited to):

* Extensive power supply rebuilt and upgrades

* Extensive testing before delivery

* Latest v8.3 Operating System

The buyer will get a detailed copy of the extensive Synthropology™️ service record for this machine.

There are a few visual imperfections. They are barely visibly in a normal studio (lighting) setting.

There are some minor scratches on the front panel, but it is hard to even capture them in the pictures. Nevertheless we tried to make the imperfections visible as much as possible in the pictures for full disclosure.

That being said, this PPG EVU presents really well and looks beautiful and very potent.

More importantly, it works perfectly."

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Oakley, MOTM and Blacet Modular Synthesiser

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Details saved below.



"Custom built “one off” large format Modular Synthesiser in Mint condition and perfect working order. It has been custom built from the very best of Oakley Sound, MOTM, Blacet, Encore and Tellun System modules, with custom engraved stunning looking electric blue front panels and a solid American Oak case. It has been designed and built to the highest standards, and has two separate power supplies, a Power One 1.7Amp PSU for analog modules and a Power One 800ma PSU for the “dirtier” digital modules. This arrangement keeps the soundpath noise free.

I built this modular without regard to cost and for my own personal use, it has a wide variety of filters so that as well as making all of the usual (and unusual J )modular sounds, it will also mimic a lot of old school Analog synths – the Oakley VCO’s are based on the Minimoog core, so in conjunction with the Oakley Superladder moog filter you can get perfect Minimoog and Moog Modular sounds, or use the MOTM 440 for Pro 5 sounds, the MOTM420 for Korg MS20 sounds, The MOTM410 for Korg PS3200 sounds, the MOTM480 for Yamaha CS80, the MOTM485 for Yamaha GX1 etc. BUT it also includes 2 Blacet Miniwaves with optional PPG wavetable ROMS, so wire in a couple of the Miniwaves and use them with the MOTM440 filter and you have instant PPG Waveterm 2.3 sounds!

But there is more, it also includes some very rare modules including the Oakley Octal Resonator (Only 20 ever built!), the very highly regarded ENCORE thru zero Bode style frequency shifter and the extremely wacky Neural Agoniser, which uses two huge (and very expensive) Accutronics spring line reverb tanks to make sounds you have never heard before! The Blacet MiniWaves both have the Hylander Rom expansion boards, so each MiniWave has TEN selectable Roms instead of one or two, and there are 256 waves and 256 banks in each rom - that is a LOT of waveforms. One of the ROMs even allows the MiniWaves to act as a fully featured Quantizers!.

Here is a list of all modules:

TOP ROW
OAKLEY MidiDac Midi to CV Convertor
1 of Custom Built Noise source - produces White Noise, Pink Noise and two of three oscillator 808 type “Chime” Noise sources – great for bell tones
2 of OAKLEY VCO Modded with Switchable Octaves and Fine tune (like minimoog)
1 of Oakley VCO with standard Coarse and Fine Tune controls
2 of BLACET Mini Waves – Modded with Rom expansions, each miniwave has TEN selectable roms, instead of usual 1 or 2. Includes PPG Roms and many others.
2 of Oakley ADSR / VCA’s latest issue with extra fast envelopes and status leds
1 of MOTM 440 Voltage Controlled Filter
1 of OAKLEY SuperLadder Moog filter 1P, 4P and bandpass
1 of OAKLEY Octal Resonator resonant filter bank

BOTTOM ROW
1 of OAKLEY VC-LFO
1 of OAKLEY Sample & Hold and Slew Module
1 of OAKLEY Wavefolder
1 of ENCORE Electronics Thru Zero Frequency Shifter
1 of OAKLEY Little EG – AD and AR envelope shaper
1 of OAKLEY Triple VCA
2 of OAKLEY MultiMix – With full “Stooge” mod front panels, allow addition or subtraction of voltages
1 of MOTM 485 – Yamaha GX1 LP and HP Voltage Controlled Filter
1 of MOTM 410 – Korg PS3200 style Triple Bandpass Voltage Controlled Filters
1 of OAKLEY OMS410 Expander for MOTM410, allows external use of 3 LFO’s, extra CV’s etc
1 of MOTM 420 – Korg MS20 style LP/HP/BP Voltage Controlled Filter
1 of MOTM 480 – Yamaha CS80 type LP/HP Voltage Controlled Filter
1 of TELLUN TLN-156 Neural Agoniser – With Dual Accutronics spring reverb tanks and full front panel design.

I will include a useful selection of patch cables. Also included is a huge ring binder with operation notes, building instructions, parts schedules and circuit diagrams for all of the modules. The whole system has been recently calibrated and fully tested and is 100% working. It has had very little use and should provide years of faithful service.

This is advertised elsewhere (SOS) so I reserve the right to end the auction early. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, not just the best sounding Modular synth available but the best looking one too! You could easily pay more for a piano and that just has one sound and doesn't look as nice either :-)

For further information the links below should be useful:
Oakley homepage: http://www.oakleysound.com/projects.htm
MOTM Homepage: http://www.synthtech.com/motm.html
Blacet Homepage: http://www.blacet.com/MW.html
Expansion board for Miniwave: http://www.hylander.com/miniwave.html
Encore Electronics: http://www.encoreelectronics.com/cont_fs1.html
Tellun Corporation: http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln156/TLN-156.html"

PPG Wave 2.3 + Waveterm + EVU + PRK + Zubehör

via this auction

Some details in Googlish:

"To buy here is a complete PPG system offered. A PPG Wave 2.3, a railway and the Waveterm PRK, and the keyboard. Furthermore, there is a column about what times than custom-made for the PPG system has been manufactured. As an accessory, there is the instruction manual (in German), the operating system on disk, as well as some new sounds and packed Ersathdisketten."

via Marko

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