Behringer has released the Wave Synthesizer, a clone/replica of the PPG Wave Synthesizer 2.2 & 2.3 from the ’80s.
Update: Behringer Wave price has dropped from 629€ to 599€ at Thomann.
Here is a new sound demo of the Behringer Wave Synthesizer that nicely shows the raw character of it.
Update From December 11, 2024
Update: it’s now available for pre-order for $599 at Sweetwater, 639€ → 599€ at Thomann, and £569 at Gear4Music (UK)
In the summer, Behringer announced they were confident that their long-awaited PPG Synthesizer clone would be shipping to customers this year. That will probably be the case, at least for the retailers.
Today, Behringer officially released the Wave Synthesizer. At Behringer, a release means that dealers can buy it, and then, depending on the transport, it will take weeks (flight) or months (ship) until it’s available in stores.
Behringer Wave
Wave is an authentic clone/replica of the PPG Wave. Behringer has opted for a Deepmind-like case, making the instrument much more compact than the original.
A highlight of the Behringer “BBG” is that it emulates two PPGs simultaneously, the Wave 2.2 from 1982 and the Wave 2.3 from 1984. Hermann Seib was responsible for this, an expert in the PPG field also developed a software emulation many years ago
At the Behringer Wave’s core is a hybrid engine that offers the original analog signal path with an emulation of the digital wavetable synths with 8 (2.2) and 16-bit (2.3) resolution.
Like the original units, it features eight voices and two oscillators per voice that are fully configurable in different modes, such as splits, layers, and unison. It hosts all 30 classic original factory wavetables, allowing you to recreate the sounds of the PPG synths.
It also hosts 64 user-defined wavetables, each comprising 64 waveforms, along with 32 user-defined transients. Importing these through the SynthTribe app is much easier than in the originals.
Wavetable manipulation is also onboard. It hosts various authentic and advanced oscillator modes with manual wavetable control and crossfading for diving deep into sound design. From here, it goes into the analog filters based on reproductions of the SSM2044 chip.
Modulation & Sequencing
Two ADSR envelopes (filter, amp, or wavetable position), an AD envelope (oscillator pitch/wavetable position), and an LFO for creating vibrato, tremolo, or cyclic wavetable sweeps from the modulation engine. There do not seem to be any free assignments to other parameters.
There is also a stereo width control with which you can dynamically place the voices within the stereo field.
It also comes with a polyphonic sequencer and a dual arpeggiator with various play modes (up, down, up-down, and random).
The sounds are playable with the 49-key full-size keybed with velocity, aftertouch, and polyphonic portamento for expressive playability. No polyphonic aftertouch keybed, but I hope the engine supports it.
A look at the back. It has a main stereo output, a headphone socket, and individual audio outputs for all 8 voices to enable external processing per voice. That’s a great feature. Further, it has CV/gate inputs and sync in/out connectivity for seamless integration with external gear.
An expression and sustain pedal input is also available, as well as USB-MIDI and a full classic MIDI interface (in/out/thru). According to Behringer, the Wave Synthesizer comes with comprehensive MIDI implementation for full integration and flexibility
First Impression
The first demos are already available, and the Wave sounds excellent. I can’t say how accurate it is to the original because I’ve never had a PPG Wave, but I really like its retro sounds. I’m pretty sure this will be a big seller.
The Behringer Wave Synthesizer is available now from the factory for $599. Depending on the shipping method, it will arrive at retailers in a few weeks or months. I estimate it will be early 2025.
Available for pre-order at my partners
Thomann
Update From July 3, 2024
Many Behringer synthesizers are in development. Some are still prototypes, and others are close to production. Since 2020, they have also been working on a clone of the legendary PPG Wave.
Behringer released a development update yesterday. They announced that the latest revision had been completed and that the Wave is now ready for beta testing.
Intriguingly, they are confident that the Wave will be shipped to the customers this year. So everything has to work out without any delays in production and shipping. Of course, beta testing must be super smooth as this also takes weeks or even months.
Here’s an update on the WAVE. We have just completed the latest revision, which will now be sent to our beta testers for final approval.Replicating the unique architecture of the original unit made the firmware development extremely complex.We’re confident we’ve nailed this synth and aim to ship it in a few months. Thank you for your patience. This is one legendary synth.
Here is a look at the installed circuit board on which you can also see the individual outputs of the synth. A very compact PCB
Then, we’ll see if Behringer can achieve the goal. I’m excited about the first sound demos. Stay tuned!
Article From April 18, 2022
According to Behringer, they have been working on a clone/replica of the legendary PPG Wave for 3 years. A legendary hybrid Synthesizer, initally developed by German developer Wolfgang Palm.
The company showed the first prototype in August 2020, almost two years ago. Today there is news about this big project. The name BBG has been dropped and is now just called Wave. Behringer has completed the final prototype and they have also published new photos.
Wave
The Behringer Wave is an upcoming clone/replica of the legendary PPG Wave from the early 80s. It was an hybrid synth that features digital oscillators (wavetables) with analog filter and VCA envelope section. The latter were an important feature as they give the synth a warm sound.
There were several versions of the PPG Wave. Version 2.2 and 2.3 were considered the richest in features. For example, the 2.2 gave you 2000 different single-cycle 8-bit digital waveforms, deeper wave edition options, or even an 8-track sequencer with automation. The PPG Wave 2.3 featured enhanced sample-playback capabilities, 8-part multi-timbrality, and more.
It is not known which PPG Wave Behringer is replicating here. They may be able to build all aspects of each version into their clone/replica, which would be very good. The back of the synth shows us many outputs, which is a clear indication for multi-timbral support. So a recreation of the PPG Wave 2.3.
Wolfgang Palm, the original developer of the synth, is not onboard but Hermann Seib. An absolute specialist in the field of PPG Wave synthesizers, who also develops and maintains the firmware of the vintage synths. He also has a plugin at the start that you can download for free.
Behringer FB Post
We’re very excited to share with you that we’ve just completed our third and final prototype after 3 years of development, which will now go to our beta testers for final testing, before the synthesizer is released for mass production.The Wave hybrid synthesizer was a particular complex research and development project, as the recreation of the unique sound properties such as aliasing, over-sampling, low-res converters etc. was very challenging. But after much hard work, we nailed it.We’re also working together with the legendary Hermann Seib, one of the creators behind this beautiful synth.This is an exceptionally beautiful and unique synth and once we receive the necessary semiconductors, we’ll get it straight into mass production and into your hands. If you want to collaborate with our synth developers and make your voice heard, join our “Synthesizer and Drums Behringer Music Tribe “ FB Group.
Thank you for the great input you have provided over all these years
An exciting project. I’m curious how close the sound of the Behringer Wave will be to the original PPG. But also how different the feature set will be. I will keep you posted on the project.
More information will follow here: Behringer
As a used goes for $20k…. this would be awesome. Behringer is onto some very cool upcoming synths.
I played around on one of these in 1988 and fell in love with it. Making these available to so many people will change music, no question about it, very excited, sold.
The original PPG Wave 2.2/2.3 had a 5-octave keyboard. So, not a proper clone then!
yes, I’m not happy with a 4 octave, but there are many path to five octaves.
Do someone know already the +/- price of this PPG Clone?