Developer Daniel Saxlid teases a clone of the PPG Wave 2.3 rack wavetable Synthesizer currently in development.
In recent years, several companies have been working on PPG Synthesizer reboots. First, Groove Synthesis with the 3rd Wave in various versions, then later the Behringer Wave at a bargain price.
At Superbooth 2025, Liquid Sky showcased a recreation of the PPG 1002 Mk2 analog synth and the dual wavetable oscillator W2.2.x4, both licensed under PPG. Another PPG synthesizer is now in development; it’s a clone of the PPG Wave 2.3 rack.
PPG Wave 2.3 Rack Clone
A new PPG website features a video teasing the device with the captions:
1984 a legend was born, 2026: an exclusive encore with that glorious irreplaceable PPG sound, with full integration with PPG legacy systems, vastly improved reliability, no shortcuts no compromise, only 100% PPG… stay tuned
In parallel, there is a video by Wolfgang Palm, the legendary inventor of the PPG Wave and founder of the PPG brand, where he unpacks a birthday gift.
From the package, he takes a PPG Wave 2.3 rack unit. Wolfgang Palm says that he received it as a gift from Daniel Saxlid. Not confirmed, but it appears this is not an original but a faithful clone/replica of the PPG Wave 2.3 Rack hybrid wavetable Synthesizer.
PPG and PPG? So this is the second synth from the developers of the 1002 Mk2? No! I contacted the Liquid Sky Artistcollective, who are behind the PPG products, and confirmed that they have nothing to do with this project.
Most likely, Daniel Saxlid acquired a separate license from Native Instruments to use the PPG name on the remake.
In the published video, we also get a look at the back panel, which reveals a large I/O section with main and individual outputs, a MIDI trio, CV inputs, a cassette jack, separate sync in/out, and multipin connectors for the Parallel Communication Bus.
The version Wolfgang Palm received as a gift bears his birthday and initials as its serial number.
More details about the PPG 2.3 rack clone are currently unavailable. Since it’s being called an “exclusive encore,” I assume it will be a limited edition.
PPG Wave 2.3 rack clone: availability and price TBA.
More information here: Daniel Saxlid
Yes, and it will be $3,995. Good luck. Like the recent UDO with an insane price tag, a synth that deeply suffers from voice stealing, the market for synths over $3K is over. If one is in that price range, it better cook my dinner. I recently purchased the Yamaha MODX 8M, $2,500. Now this thing is value.
there is no price info!
If it is priced at 4k$ it will be at least one third of what the 80s units are sold for today, some are sold for over 20k$. I would guess it will be sold for at least 12k$, and I’m sure it will find its market.
As for UDO, I wouldn’t worry about them. They release new designs every couple of years and seem to be doing just fine.
And if I were to get a MODX 8M for free, I’d try to sell it on Reverb at 30% off what you paid a the day after. But it will not be easy, one is already sold on Reverb brand new for 1.6k$ 🙂
Sometimes things that are well-made and boutique cost more – I’ve never understood the online anger around that, it always comes across to me like jealousy. There’s plenty of things I can’t afford in the world, but I still like that they exist. I would love this!
I can’t speak directly to this synth because no price has been announced, but generally speaking, people refuse to accept the reality that it’s unfeasible for a small upstart boutique maker to sell affordable instruments. They don’t have factories ready to produce cheap stuff, they don’t get huge discounts on large quantities of components, they need to farm out things like metalwork and screening… the list goes on and on. Little companies are not making a killing -most of them are barely staying afloat.
Re this PPG reissue, this looks awesome, but the rack format is kind of a dealbreaker for me. Make a keyboard version pleeeease! I’ll buy one! 🙂