Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V 2.0 is a major upgrade for its PPG Wave 2.3 emulation with a new wavetable editor, resizable interface, and more.
In the past two years, specifically, Waldorf has once again placed a strong focus on plugins. First, the Largo 2 update, then Steichfett and Blofeld as plugins, and recently both for iOS.
Anyone familiar with the portfolio will know that some of the plugins haven’t been modernized in a while. One is now getting a long-awaited upgrade. Waldorf has released the PPG Wave 3. version 2.0 with new features taken from the Microwave plugin and improvements.
After PPG ceased operations in 1987, former PPG distributor Wolfgang Düren founded Waldorf Electronics and, in 1989, introduced the Microwave, carrying the wavetable torch forward. This first generation Microwave, developed with guidance from Wolfgang Palm, established Waldorf’s identity, bringing wavetable technology to the next level.
Years later, technology kept improving, and Waldorf Music was able to bring a software version of the PPG Wave. PPG Wave 3.V meticulously recreated the combination of digital waveshapes and analog-style filtering that made the original hardware so impactful.
Now, PPG Wave 3.V version 2.0 takes this third PPG Wave generation further than ever, enhanced with Waldorf’s wavetable capabilities.
Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V 2.0
The PPG Wave 3.V 2.0 is, like its predecessor, an authentic emulation of the legendary PPG Wave Synthesizer and its hybrid engine of digital oscillators and analog filters.
You can also again switch between the different PPG modes, including PPG Wave 2.2, 2.3, and 2.V. The second generation remains an 8-part multi-timbral Synthesizer with eight stereo outputs, and up to 256 voices per instance.
At the core, it offers two wavetable oscillators per voice with different sample playback engines (8-bit, 12-bit, or up to 32-bit) and authentic aliasing emulation of the different hardware models.
A new feature in the Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V 2.0 is the built-in wavetable editor that lets users create, edit, and import their own wavetables directly within the plugin. This is a big new feature that many people have been asking for.
The first version shipped with more than 100 wavetables created by legendary developer Wolfgang Palm, and the original Waveterm B factory sample library and original PPG Wave Factory sounds.
Good news: the new PPG Wave 3.V 2.0 ships with fresh and additional factory wavetables that preserve the unmistakable PPG character and expand its creative range with the initial Waldorf Microwave spirit.
Then, the signal goes into a 12dB/24 dB lowpass filter modeled on the PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3. To add spice, the filter also has a built-in overdrive that is placed right after the filter.
No changes in modulation either. It offers the same modulation graininess as the original hardware and of the plugin. You have a single LFO and three envelopes (filter, amp, and free mappable). The authentic emulation of the modulation
More New Features
Alongside the new wavetable editor, Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V 2.0 also features the Microwave’s Mutator functionality, a patch randomizer to spark inspiration.
Last but not least, the GUI has been modernized. Not much, I don’t notice any major differences compared to version 1, but the positive is that it’s now fully resizable, so it fits any screen and workflow.
First Impression
I’m pleased to see that PPG Wave 3.V has now been updated to a modern version. The built-in wavetable editor and a resizable GUI are great features that people have been asking for since the beginning.
It’s a shame it’s not a free update. But to be fair, the plugin has been available for $29 or less over the past 5-6 years. In 2023, even for $19,99. Anyone who spent that much money will be fine with the 29€ upgrade.
Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V 2.0 is now available for new users at an introductory price of 99€ (incl. VAT) until September 14th, 2025 – raising thereafter to 149€ (incl. VAT).
Existing owners of PPG Wave 3.V can upgrade for an introductory price of 29€ (incl. VAT) until September 14th, 2025 – raising thereafter to 49€ (incl. VAT).
More information here: Waldorf Music
Available at my partners
Good article. To be honest, the primary reason that I never really reached for the PPG plugin was the UI. I have owned it for years, but working with it a bit of a hassle… Though I do like the sound. The UI just kinda slowed or broke my workflow. And honestly IMO, it should be a free upgrade to existing users, but the upgrade price isn’t too bad
I upgraded, but it’s a clunky resize method, not fully-scalable, just like a preset zoom (so a bit fuzzy) and you have to close and reopen the plug to set – even then it often reopens with the window not resized cutting off the zoomed screen, so you have to restart it again. Also, would have liked a few redesign elements, such as show/hide keys and more LFO options. So, glad I have the upgrade, but still feels like an old design with a couple of new features aded rather than a modern redo.
Second this opinion: GUI is pixelated / blocky at larger sizes. Waldorf’s MicroWave plug is really nice, it’s too bad this Wave upgrade doesn’t look as good.
Hab das Update auch gemacht. Gut ist das man User Wavetables erstellen kann. Klang war schon vorher ok.Die grauenhafte Benuzeroberfläche ? Selbst da hätte man Hand anlegen können.Das skamieren ist 2025 eine FrechheiHab zwar nur den Update Preis bezahlt.Aber das Plugin irgendwann für 149 Euro anzubieten grenzt an Selbstüberschätzung.Für das Geld wenn man die Funktionen mal gegenüberstellt, kriegt man bei der Konkurrenz oder sogar im eigenem Hause mehr.Alleine Ein, zwei Hüllkurven oder LFO mehr sollten 2025 kein Problem mehr sein.