Behringer Wave
Wavetable based Synthesiser

In December 2024, Behringer launched their re-imagination of the 1980's PPG Wave Synthesiser. Originally this synth was going to be called the Behringer PPG, they have decided to simplify this to the Behringer Wave, which personally think sounds better.

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The Behringer Wave is modelled on the PPG Wave with styling and features based across the PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3 models.  But the Wave is not a one to one clone but a re-imagination of the original instrument.

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In 2023 I ordered the Behringer UB-Xa which was delivered in 2024. I have been extremely impressed with the general build quality of the instrument and the way that Behringer have replicated the functionality of the instrument it was modelled off (being of course the Oberheim OB-Xa).  With this in mind I was looking forward to the release of the Wave.

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The original PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3 was manufactured between 1982 and 1987.  Production ceased because the company producing the instrument went bankrupt, although the technology used in the PPG Wave was used in Waldof instruments which began shipping a few years later.

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Like the original, the Behringer Wave is shipped as a 49-key instrument although it is physically smaller in dimensions than the instrument it was modelled on.  They have mirrored the wavetable architecture for generating the tones, with both 8 and 16-bit resolutions available to the user for the authentic PPG sound.

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Behringer have updated the instrument with USB support and the ability to load samples through an app that can be operated on your PC or Mac.  MIDI is fully supported either using the aforementioned USB or 5-pin DIN cable.  While the original had a sequencer the new step sequencer included in the package has a larger step menu that can be tied into an arpeggiator as demonstrated in a couple of the artist teaser videos released on YouTube.

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So do I want one?  Yes.  I would loved to have owned an original PPG instrument from the 80's.  These instruments were $7,000 - $10,000 when new (depending on the factory specification). A second hand specimen on one of the portals (again depending on specification) will still set you back $8,000 to $12,000.  So the chance of this happening is rather slim.

 

Am I going to get one?  Already ordered and expecting it to turn up in February 2025. 

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Watching the channel for more content in 2025.​