PPG W2.2×4 is a new dual PPG Wave 2.2 style wavetable oscillator for Eurorack, marking the legendary German company’s comeback.
The German developer Wolfgang Palm is a Synthesizer pioneer. In the late 1970s/early 1980s, he introduced wavetable synthesis to the music world through his company, PPG, and various synths.
PPG disappeared as a hardware manufacturer, but a software sister brand (PPG Apps) remained, where Wolfgang Palm developed innovative soft synths until 2020. Then, Brainworx, now Native Instruments, bought it. Many years after the last hardware synth, PPG is making a hardware comeback with the PPG W2.2×4.
PPG W2.2×4
No, Wolfgang Palm is enjoying his retirement and is not making a comeback. But Liquid Sky Artist Collective, Liquid Sky d-vices module makers, and Cornel Hecht from Hell Modular are making the PPG comeback possible.
As a side note, Cornel Hecht was responsible for the UIs of PPG’s recent plugins and iOS apps. (RIP these great synths.) The team licensed the name PPG from Native Instruments to use the original branding on their products.
The initial launch features the PPG W2.2×4 dual wavetable oscillator, a Eurorack module. A highlight feature of this module is its inclusion of all the iconic wavetables from the original PPG Wave 2.2.
PPG W2.2×4 hosts two independent wavetable oscillators with waves and tune sliders and fine and mix knobs. Additionally, each oscillator hosts a flexible sub-oscillator with the same parameters as the main oscillators.
Then, you get an overdrive and a built-in VCA. The developers promise that it delivers classic and authentic PPG sound in a modern modular format due to its VCA/overdrive section.
Each oscillator can be used as a classic sound generator with 1v/oct tracking or as an LFO. On the connection side, it has a 1V/octave input, a TRP input, sync-in, and CV inputs for the oscillator mix and wavetable selection on both main and sub oscillators.
PPG W2.2×4 also has outputs: a main and square wave socket for each side and a mixed signal output that gives both sounds. On top, a screen provides visual feedback on the selected PPG wavetable.
As a bonus, the Liquid Sky D-Vices GLITHc ExpendR is fully compatible with the new PPG W2.2×4. Once connected, you can transform the classic PPG wavetables into an experimental glitch and noise wavetable sound generator.
First Impression
It’s an exciting release. I’m happy that new life is coming into the PPG brand. I’m looking forward to the first sound demos of the module.
PPG W.2.2×4 is now available for pre-order at the Liquid Sky Artist Collective webshop for 699€ in a blue and black version. The black version is a limited edition of 127 units worldwide, and shipping starts at the end of February 2025. The regular blue version will be available before Superbooth 2025.
More information here: Liquid Sky Artist Collective
699 Euro is an incredibly steep price for a 2 oscillator module, especially when you can buy a miniature clone of the original for 599.
2 oscillators, 2 sub-oscillators, overdrive, and VCA to be exact.
599€ sure it’s a bargain and a valid point but it must say that Liquid Sky Artistcollective is a one-man operation with some external help. They can’t produce it for 199€. The 599€ clone is made by a huge brand that is mass-produced in their own factory. This makes a huge difference with purchasing components, cost of the cards, assembly, etc.