PPG 360 MIDI Interface

video upload by Tubbutec

"This PPG 360 has been MIDIfied using our uniMatrix interface: https://tubbutec.de/unimatrix/"

PPG 360 A Wave Computer

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

via this listing

"47 were made in the mid-1970s. This is a very rare synth to find, especially in this condition. It is in very good condition and was completely services just over a year ago. It is midified. The keyboard has been changed by a Fatar for a better playability."

You can find a demos of the PPG 360 in previous posts here.

Epic sounds of Waldorf Microwave I - Drone Ambient NO FX DEMO (no talking)

video upload by brainhack musicbox

"NO FX - all sounds are produced by Waldorf Microwave synth and captured straight into PC.

Digital oscillator and analog filter, just 8 voices, no onboard effects - but it can sound like an orchestra. I always wanted to make a long, self-evolving patch - and this demo is supposed to show the incredible power of mighty Microwave.

Okay, if a big (by modern standards) 2 rack units box is a Micro, what about Macro? It all started in 1978 with Wavecomputer 360 by PPG (Palm Products GmbH) - the first instrument to offer 30 different wavetables (64 waves each) opposing to the usual minimum of the day (sine, saw, pulse). With added analog filters, it later became known as PPG Wave.

In the late 1980s #wavetable was still a groundbreaking concept - when single-cycle waveforms of differing harmonic spectra were stored in adjacent memory slots. Dynamic spectral shifts were achieved by scanning through the waveforms, with interpolation used to avoid noticeable 'jumps' between the adjacent waveforms (extensively used in this demo).

With the end of the #PPG company, some of its employees moved to the newly-created #Waldorf to make their first rockstar - the Microwave which is essentially PPG Wave 2.3 with original wavetables and analog filters.

Korg keyboard is used just as a MIDI controller, with a sustain pedal.
Programming the machine is in fact easier than it seems at first glance - but more #MIDI knobs and faders would be helpful anyway."

Thief (1981) complete "Igneous" scene (music by TD)

video upload by kovalmoog

"The whole scene of Thief (1981) with TD's re-edition of 'Thru Metamorphic Rocks' theme, renamed as 'Igneous' in the OST release.
The film version is by far more extensive than Thief CD version.
Enjoy that sequence !"

TD = Tangerine Dream.

Curious what they were using back then. According to this thread, they used the following on tour during that time period:

Live in East Berlin, 31st Jan 1980

Chris Franke:
Custom modular synthesizer (comprising of about 50% Moog and 50%
Projekt Electronik):
Moog Oscx2/R.M./VCF/VCAs
Projekt Elektronik VcEnvx2 & Proj. Elek. 2VCO/W.Noise/R.M./Waves (for Drums)
Digital sequencer & trigger selector
Programmer for above (SCI model 700 programmer)
Synth sound bank (for above)
Moog 960 sequential controller x2
Projekt elektronik sequence controller x2
Moog 3-band parametric
Moog 12 stage phaser
Moog 920 programmer
Moog 16-channel vocoder
Rhythm robot sequencer
Emu Oddity voice card
12 analogue drum sounds
Drum envelope unit
Drum EPROM sampled sounds
and more...

Oberheim OB-1
Prophet 5 (rev 2)
Minimoog
Korg PE-2000 polyphonic Ensemble
Elka Rhapsody 610 string machine.

Edgar Froese:
custom Moog modular synthesizer (3 box units comprising Moog modules and sequencers plus sequence controllers from Projekt Electronic)
Prophet 5 rev 2
PPG Sonic Carrier 1003 programmable duophonic DCO/DCF/DCA based synthesizer
PPG Wavecomputer 360 polyphonic digital synthesizer
PPG 350 keyboard sequencer
Arp Pro-DGX monophonic preset synthesizer
Korg PE-2000 polyphonic ensemble
Roland MC-8 microcomposer
Roland VC-10 vocoder
Arp/Solina string ensemble
Mellotron mk V

Johannes Schmoelling:
- Minimoog
- Yamaha CP-80 electric grand
- Oberheim 4-voice
- Elka Rhapsody 610
- Polymoog
- Korg PS-3100
- Synthanorma sequencer

-----------

European tours (Nov-Dec 1980 & Jan-Feb 1981):

Equipment used:

Chris Franke:
Moog/PE modular tower as above
Minimoog
Arp Odyssey mk III
Elka Rhapsody 610
Prophet 5 rev 2

Edgar Froese:
Projekt Elektronik modular synthesizer & sequencers (used by Peter Baumann during '76 and '77)
PPG 340 A Generator Unit, PPG340 B Processor Unit, PPG380 Event Generator, PPG x 2 Terminals, PPG x 2 Computer Keyboards,
Oberheim OB-X

He may have used some more keyboards during these tours but I'm not sure which ones (possibly the Arp pro-DGX, the PPG Sonic carrier or the PPG
360 wavecomputer?)

Johannes Schmoelling:
Moog modular synthesizer (usually handled by Edgar Froese on stage)
Minimoog
Polymoog
Prophet 5 rev 2
Yamaha CP-80 electric grand

-----------

British Isles tour (Oct-Nov 1981):

Equipment used:

Chris Franke:
Moog/PE modular tower as above
Minimoog
Arp Odyssey mk III
Elka Rhapsody 610
Prophet 5 rev 2

Edgar Froese:
PPG 360 wavecomputer
PPG Wave 2
Arp Pro-DGX
Korg PE-2000 poly-ensemble
PPG 5-octave keyboard controller
Custom sequencer (by Helmut Groethe)

Johannes Schmoelling:
Minimoog
Oberheim OB-X (handled by Froese on previous tours)
Custom sequencer (like Edgar's)

PPG 360 Wave Computer

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

via this auction

"rare ppg custom wave computer 360 (not a 360A) serial number. 002 double memory Bank... and others modify like the cv input for control a wavetable and others
feautures like APDSR ...Lfo, Transform ...etc... unique sounds"

You can find demos of the PPG 360 A keyboard version in previous posts here.

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Rare Wolfgang Palm Vintage 1975 PPG Modular Synthesizer For Sale

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

via this auction

Check out the groovy aesthetics of the user manual font & art below. Kind of interestring. It was the 70s...

"History

Wolfgang Palm is a German musician and inventor who was the founder and owner of Palm Products GmbH (PPG) and the inventor and creator of various pioneering technical designs for analog and digital synthesizers. He is widely acknowledged as the father of digital synthesis and as a trendsetter in the use of computer technology in the making of electronic music.

Palm's interest in synthesis technology began as a keyboardist in various local bands in his hometown of Hamburg, Germany. His namesake corporation began operating as early as 1975, manufacturing modular synthesizers in small numbers for electronica act Tangerine Dream and other musicians.

Palm is arguably most famous for the invention of wavetable synthesis, a concept which he developed in the late 1970s when he created his Minimoog-like synthesizer - the 1020 - featuring digitally controlled oscillators instead of the voltage-controlled oscillators that his 1002 synthesizer and all other analog synthesizers of that time were using. He also created the 360 Wavecomputer that would later become the renowned PPG Wave series. Palm's design was the impetus for the creation of the highly successful PPG Wave synthesizer, which was used by numerous bands throughout the 1980s and beyond.

THE PPG MODULAR SYSTEM

100, 200, and 300 Modules
2 Cabinets 1 Keyboard
Each Module Hand Labelled by Wolfgang Palm


Cabinet one consists of :

3x 301 Voltage Controlled Oscillator
2x 104 Low Pass Filter
1x Oscillator with 3 Oscillators and Oscillator Driver
1x Wolfgang Palm Noise Generator
1x 217 Voltage Controlled Filter
3x 103 VCA
1x 309 Signal Mixer
4 x 109 Premix Interface
1x 111 CV interface/Reverb/Output Bass Treble/Power Supply

Cabinet Two Consists of:

3x107 Envelope Generator
3x 307 Dual Envelope Generator
1x 213 Step Sequencer
322 Duophonic Digital Keyboard

Notes: The keyboard comes with all the original German Manuals 230V Power supply and various patching cables

Users: PPG Synthesisers have been favored by a number of artists most famously the German Band Tangerine Dream / Klaus Schulze with such classic albums as Rubycon, Stratofear, Sorcerers"

Listed for $83,799.20 +$1,420.33Shipping

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Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) - Book Review + Flip Through

synth4ever

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) is also available on Amazon here.

"Ciat-Lonbarde

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) book review & book flip through. Synthesizer Evolution is a recently published book covering every major synth, drum machine and sampler from 1963-1995. Each instrument is hand drawn and includes vital statistics and quirky facts.

Synth Evolution is published by Velocity Press (https://velocitypress.uk) and written & illustrated by Oli Freke (https://www.synthevolution.net), a London-based musician, artist and author with a life-long passion for analogue synthesizers and electronic music.

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) provides us with an in-depth look at synthesizer history over the decades and covers a variety of vintage synthesizers including analog synths, digital synths, modular synths, wavetable synths, FM synths, additive synths and more.

Join me for a narrated book flip through highlighting various synths and concluding with a brief book review at the end. Hope you enjoy and feel free to grab a copy of Synth Evolution if you like it.

--------------------
TIMECODES
--------------------
00:00 - Intro

► SYNTHESIZERS
01:01 - 360 Systems, Access Music (Virus), Ace Tone
01:46 - Akai (AX80, AX60)
02:43 - Arp Instruments (2500, 2600)
03:44 - Behringer
04:07 - Buchla modulars
04:22 - Casio (Casiotone, CZ series, HT series)

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The Haunted Chapel

video upload by MOS-LAB

"Halloween 2020 from Mos-lab

Instruments used :
Osc Oscar : sequence
RSF Kobol : bass
Synton Syrinx : melody
PPG 1020 : slap bass
RMI Harmonic synth : whisper voice
Waldorf Wave : stringpad 1
PPG Wave 2.3 : stringpad 2
PPG Wavecomputer 360 : bell voice
Strings ensemble, Concert piano, choirs and Percussions VST instruments

Pictures (with several FX adds from me) :
Aaron Florento
Scott Rodgerson"

PPG Wave 2.2

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

via this auction

"This is one of my most prized and cared for possessions. If we weren't in the middle of an unprecedented financial crisis, I would prefer have this beauty buried with me. ;) It's the absolute king of wavetable synthesizers, the first and only of its kind if you ask me (and virtually anyone else who's had the privilege to use one). I've had this particular one for the better part of 20 years, and she's never let me down (unlike multiple new synths where I find myself flustered when firmware corrupts or memory erroneously wipes out); she's just been steadfast and true for her treasured time with me. Always kept in a non-smoking studio, voltage regulated and on battery backup. When I bought this beauty some 20 years ago I was under the impression the previous owner had a good working relationship with PPG when they were still in business and this was one of the first editions in circulation. This beauty was exported to the UK and found a home with one of the curators of the early 2000 (UK) PPG Conferences. With the help and guidance of PPG connoisseur, H. Seib, she was gone through with a fine tooth comb and had been swapped out with new bushings, keys and factory formatted. Since my acquisition of this unit (3rd owner by my understanding) I had created and sculpted custom waves with the Waveterm A (When it still functioned, but sadly that is now a very distant memory) and a wide range of factory sounds which are still in place. I had considered the upgrade to V8.3 to save much of the library I had created but wouldn't attempt it without the expertise and assistance of a few friends in Toronto who had years of experience working on these, but sadly that never did come to fruition. Time is always the greatest enemy, isn't she? ;) I also have the entire factory soundset from the floppy disk of the 2.3, Waveterm A and B as well as many wavetables shared on the old PPG forum so the update would probably be worth it. It's a fairly easy upgrade and still available to purchase if you're considering using the SYSEX features of V8.3. There was discussion some years ago about a virtual waveterm being available at some point (Waveterm C), perhaps a gentle nudge in the PPG discussion forum and it will eventually materialize with those DIY monowaves. ;) Until then, I leave you with one of the worlds finest synthesizers ever imagined. This is the stuff dreams are made of, not kidding. Serious inquiries only, thanks!

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Rare PPG 360A Wave Computer

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

via this auction

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Wave Computer (PPG 360 demo)

Published on Feb 10, 2017 seb17320

"all tracks PPG 360A

except :
-first bass : RSF kobol
-sequence : Mos-lab modular
-drums : TR808"



This one in via Soviet Space Child.

PPG 360 sound 1

Published on Nov 22, 2016 seb17320

"PPG 360A typical Sound"

New PPG 360 WAVE COMPUTER Demo

New demo added to this post. It's the second in the playlist embedded there.

PPG 360 Wave Computer Demo

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on Aug 22, 2016 V T

"This is a demo for the ebay auction - http://www.ebay.de/itm/ULTRA-RARE-PPG..."

via this auction

"Very rare Synthesizer - PPG WAVE 360 COMPUTER ( 8 voices) . This is the first serially produced wavetable synthesizer from 1979. But only about 40 pcs. were manufactured and saled . Today is the wonderful PPG 360 therefore a real rarity and is very - very - very hard to find.This synthesiter from nonsmoking studio is for his age in good, technical and cosmetic condition, has some scratches on the top and backside (see photos) - some keys react sometimes not immediately or not at the first pressure. The keypad contacts maybe should be cleaned - that has not be made so far."

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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 "

Tangerine Dream in Concert Circus Krone Munich final Analog Synthesizer

Published on Jan 5, 2016 nexus7799

"Tangerine Dream 1981 in Concert, Christopher Franke, Edgar Froese, Klaus Schulze, Johannes Schmoelling. AV-Remastered. Legendary Event."

Spot the synths! :) Note the PPG modular. You can see it on the left right after 18:00. PPG 360 A Wave Computer and Wave 2.0 are also featured along with some classics like an SCI Prophet-5 and Roland Jupiter-8. Feel free to call out any others you see in the comments.

PPG 360 A Wave Computer+Lexicon PCM 80

Published on Dec 13, 2014 ms20user

"Playing around and Transforming thru the Wavetable 29."

The Maskinrum Synth Collection Presents - The PPG 360 Wavecomputer Digital Wavetable Synthesizer

Published on Nov 29, 2013 Maskinrum·2 videos

"The PPG 360 Wavecomputer is the first PPG synthesizer made. It was made in 1977/1978 and was the first wavetable synthesizer and one of the first synthesizers to feature saving of programs.
It is an all digital 8 bit synthesizer with two outputs.

For more info visit maskinrum.com og thePPGs.com"

UVI WaveRunner Wavetable Synthesis Suite

WaveRunner | Official Trailer UVI©
Published on Jul 26, 2013 UVIofficial·40 videos

❐ OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE : AUGUST 1, 2013
❐ UVI Official Website : http://www.uvi.net
❐ UVI Official Blog : http://blog.uvi.net

Music by Alain J
All sounds & instruments are from WaveRunner. Additional drums from PlugSound Pro.

A multitude of synths, drum machines and rare prototypes of esteemed German heritage come together in this massive and unparalleled retrospective. WaveRunner presents you with a wondrous collection of authentic and fascinating sounds from over 30 years of wavetable synthesis. Everything from the raw and strident origins to the wild evolving tones of more modern, full-featured machines. Each system addressed was serviced, meticulously multi-sampled and artfully designed into 7 unique hybrid instruments driven by over 30,000 samples. Both a historical archive of sound and a collection of new and unique instruments with hundreds of presets and limitless sound design potential, WaveRunner is a suite not to be missed.

WaveRunner includes 7 instruments:

WaveRunner 360

Based on a very old and quite rare machine, WaveRunner 360 delivers a raw and lo-fi sound. Explore the origins of wavetable synthesis and let loose with ripping vintage timbres.

WaveRunner Terminal D

Including sounds from vintage prototype drum modules, synths and modern rack drum synths, Terminal D is an uncompromising drum machine with an impressive range of sounds and easy to use interface.

WaveRunner Terminal U

Built on a generous collection of sounds from the entire range, Terminal U is a powerful and dynamic multitrack phrase sequencer capable of generating everything from tight rhythmic chains to wild and evolving passages.

WaveRunner 2.0

Based on the original German blue, WaveRunner 2.0 delivers an uncommonly warm and vintage tone from an often overlooked classic known for its amazing analog filter.

WaveRunner 2.3

Similar to the 2.0 but with a distinctly different flavor, WaveRunner 2.3 is built on the upgraded German classic and its loquacious programming pal.

WaveRunner Orange

Based on the modern flagship wavetable synthesizers famed in the '90's and '00s, WaveRunner Orange delivers the modern sound of wavetable synthesis covering the gamut from lush bells to violent and evolving tones.

WaveRunner X

An extraordinary collection of raw waves harvested from the entire range of machines come together in this fresh and powerful dual-layer subtractive synth; capable of deep, modulating ambiances, brutal basses and uncanny leads.


*PPG and Waldorf are trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated, endorsed, connected or sponsored in any way to this website or any of our affiliate sites ; therefore do not be confused between UVI and PPG or Waldorf.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  I hope 2012 treated you well and I wish you the best in 2013!

As I do each year, I thought I'd reflect a little on the past year.  These posts are always difficult to write, and I always wing them, so bear with me.  It's impossible to justify a whole year's worth of synth coverage in a single post.  The following is just a small bit of what comes to mind when looking back.  You'll find a top ten list of posts with the most page views followed by my picks for the year further below.  Apologies if I miss anything, and of course, if you have anything to add, feel free to leave a comment below.  I'm curious what you, the readers of the site, felt stood out in the world of synths this past year.

First, I want to begin this post with a HUGE THANK YOU!!!  If you are reading this it obviously means you have come to this site and some of you have been coming here for years! Thank you for sticking with me. This site is a journey I hope to continue for years to come. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to showcase their synths, and thank you to those that share what they find! Thank you to those that link to the site and help spread the word on MATRIXSYNTH via Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and your own websites! And of course, THANK YOU to all the sponsors on the right who believe in the site enough to support it!

A nod to previous New Years posts, pictured to the left is the MATRIXSYNTH world domination map. :)  I always think it's worth taking a look at who's watching the site.  Synths are global and you are looking at a map of the readers of MATRIXSYNTH.  Everything you see in green represents a visit from that country.  The darker the green, the higher the number of visits.  This is just for the year, but for the life of the site, we still haven't gotten a single hit from North Korea!   I don't know what they have against synths!  ;)   You'll find the top 10 visits by country further below.

This is the eighth New Year the site has gone through!  The focus for the site this year has been the same as previous years, and I plan to keep it that way.  This site is about showcasing specific synths, not just synths in general, and not just news and press releases.  The focus is on the individual synths that have existed throughout history, the technology behind them, and the lives they lead with their odd owners, myself included.  :)  Yes it is about the gear, their makers, and their players.  It has always been my opinion that synths in general have a tendency to be undervalued. Compared to say collectible guitars, they are often discarded and devalued in favor of next year's model, next year's technology.  It has always been my opinion that every synth has something of value to offer,  something specific and something unique that gives it its character. I built this site to showcase that.  This site is about the history of synths as their history unfolds - videos and images of synths being played and used, by both those that make them and those that play them.  Vintage synths being offered in the second hand market, being exchanged from one sonic explorer to the next. It really is a wondrous thing. Think of the magic synthesizers bring into your world. That is what this site is ultimately about.  Some posts may not seem to make sense now, but they will in time, because they will be a look back in time. A day in the life of a particular synthesizer.  I love analog and I love digital. I love all synths and this site celebrates that.

And now for a little reflection on the year. This year we had a total of 16678 posts including this one.  That comes out to roughly 45.69 posts a day.  Not a single day of the year went without a post.  So what dominated the synth year?  Mobile, modulars and a few dedicated hardware synths.

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