Waldorf PPG 3. V

Virtual synthesizer that is the reincarnation of the legendary Waldorf PPG Wave Synthesizer, which no doubt is considered one of the most respected high-end synthesizers of the 80s. Developed by Wolfgang Palm, this instrument is featured on countless records, and it inspired a whole generation of producers, composers and listeners. Wolfgang Palm, the inventor of Wavetable Synthesis, also assisted during the development process in order to recreate the PPG as close as possible. The combination of digital waveshapes and analogue filters of the original PPG was responsible for an unparalleled fat and thrust boosting character. This has been very accurately recreated in this model up to the smallest resolution of detail. With this synthesizer, it is actually possible to switch between several versions of the original. Besides PPG Wave 2.2 and PPG Wave 2.3, PPG Wave 2.V and their subtle differences in aliasing and other sources of harshness are adjustable. The synthesizer is capable of delivering up to 256 voices of polyphony, depending on the host computer. Each voice offers two Wavetable oscillators with optional sample playback with either 8, 12, or 32 bits of resolution. Samples can easily be loaded by Drag & Drop. An 8 part multimode allows multisamples to be used with the same charm and ease of use that the original offered. Sound is further shaped by a selectable 12 or 24 dB lowpass filter, which is an authentic recreation of the classic PPG Wave 2.2/2.3 Filter, followed by an optional overdrive for extra fuzz. Besides the LFO, three envelope generators serve as modulation sources, either for the original rude or the contemporary smooth modulation. Up to eight parts can be arranged in poly, dual, quad and mono unison modes, with separate semitone adjustments for automatic chords or melodies. Thanks to the multimode with eight stereo outputs, the instrument is well suited for both studio environment or live on stage. The Arpeggiator offers up and down modes, besides this an alternate mode and with "cascade mode" a true PPG specialty. For further refinement, several effects are available simultaneously, among these a 4-band equalizer, several overdrive modes, a phaser with up to 12 stages and a chorus with up to six taps. Flanger, stereo delay and reverb are also available. The original PPG featured a unique user-interface, the "Analog Control Panel" offered direct access to many parameters, while digital menus were edited with somewhat cryptic acronyms that you had to look up in the manual in your lap. This model features the very same concept, with the slight enhancement of comprehensible parameter names and values. Almost all parameters can be subjected to host automation and convenient MIDI regulation by assigned control numbers. This makes it very easy to integrate it into any existing production environment. Thie virtual instrument runs on both Windows and Apple computers. On Windows, it requires Windows XP or better, on Mac, OS X version 10.3.9 or higher is needed.