PPG Wave 3.V
by Waldorf · Synth · Classic PPG wavetable synth
Not rated yet
PPG Wave 3.V is Waldorf's plugin recreation of the PPG Wave wavetable synthesizers, with two wavetable oscillators and modeled 12 dB and 24 dB lowpass filters.
Version 2.0 adds a wavetable editor for custom and imported tables, new factory wavetables, a Mutator patch randomizer and a scalable interface, for €149 (about $169).
Best for: Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Ambient & Cinematic.
Keywords: wavetable, 80s, classic, hardware emulation, digital classic, legacy/32-bit, randomize, resizable UI, A/B compare, arpeggiator, vintage, basses, evolving, glassy, metallic, pads, polyphonic, sample-based, smooth, sound design, visual feedback.
What it does
PPG Wave 3.V is Waldorf's software version of the early-1980s PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3, the instruments that brought wavetable synthesis to the market. Version 2.0 adds a wavetable editor, so you can build and import your own tables alongside the classic PPG ones.
- Oscillators: two wavetable oscillators per voice, with the original PPG factory tables, more than 100 newer tables by PPG founder Wolfgang Palm, and new factory tables in version 2.0.
- Wavetable editor: create, edit and import custom wavetables, the feature reviewers of the first version most wanted.
- Sample playback: drag-and-drop samples played at 8-bit, 12-bit or up to 32-bit resolution, with the original Waveterm B factory samples included.
- Filter and drive: 12 dB and 24 dB lowpass filters modeled on the PPG Wave 2.2/2.3, with an overdrive stage after the filter and eight adjustable cutoff/resonance deviations to mimic analog voice-to-voice variation.
- Modulation: three envelopes and one LFO per voice, with a switchable emulation of the original's grainy, stepped modulation.
- Multimode: eight parts with eight stereo outputs, up to 256 voices per instance (CPU dependent), and Poly, Dual, Quad and Mono modes with semitone offsets for chords.
- Arpeggiator and effects: an arpeggiator with Up, Down, Alternate and the PPG-specific Cascade mode, and per-part 4-band EQ, overdrive, phaser, chorus, flanger, stereo delay and reverb.
- Workflow: the Mutator patch randomizer for variations, a fully scalable interface, and host and MIDI automation of most parameters.
KVR lists version 2.0.1 for macOS and 2.0.1.1 for Windows. A trial version is available from Waldorf.
When to use it
PPG Wave 3.V is the pick when you want the specific PPG sound: stepped, grainy wavetable sweeps through the original tables and filters. Compared with Serum 2 or Vital, it has much simpler modulation (three envelopes and one LFO per voice, no drag-and-drop matrix), but its tables, bit-depth modes and filter model give a vintage digital character those synths have to be pushed to imitate. Unlike Pigments 7, it is not a multi-engine workstation, yet its eight-part multimode with per-part effects lets one instance play a whole 80s-style arrangement. Against Waldorf's own Largo 2, it is the more authentic period instrument, while Largo 2 is the more flexible general-purpose synth.
- Best for: glassy 80s pads, metallic bells, digital basses and evolving wavetable sweeps.
- Genres: synth-pop, electronic, ambient and soundtrack work.
- Look elsewhere if: you want deep modern modulation and a large effects rack; Serum 2 or Pigments 7 suit that better.
- Tip: MusicRadar recommends the True PPG mode and choosing the 2.2 or 2.3 sound mode for the most faithful tone; Sound On Sound used Fine programming mode for subtle oscillator detune.
What producers say
Reviewers of the 2011 release found it very close to the hardware; their main complaint, no custom wavetables, is what version 2.0 addresses.
- Sound On Sound (April 2011, version 1.0.0) found it "very similar" to a Wave 2.3 in A/B tests, praised the clear Graph page and smoother 32-bit modes, and recommended it highly.
- MusicRadar (February 2011) A/B tested it against a Wave 2.2, praised the filter and called it "more convincing than ever, with greater flexibility".
- Criticisms: in version 1, no wavetable creation or import, only basic sample editing, a buggy arpeggiator, small buttons on high-resolution screens and fixed MIDI controller assignments.
Where to buy
- PluginFox: $165
- Waldorf: $169.19 (Listed at €149 incl. VAT; converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
- Audio Plugin Deals: $184
Tutorials and reviews
- Checking Out Waldorf PPG Wave 3.V by Waldorf!
- PPG Wave 3.V synthesizer by Waldorf (NoTalking)
- Waldorf PPG Wave 3.v vs 2.2v Synth Plugin Head to Head
- PPG Wave 3.V - Version 2 - Sounddemo
- Creating a track with PPG Wave 3.V from Waldorf!
Similar plugins
- Microwave 1 Plugin by Waldorf · Hybrid wavetable synth emulation · $169.19
- Nave Plugin by Waldorf · Wavetable synth with speech synthesis · $165
- Retromulator by discoDSP · Firmware-level hardware synth emulator · $69.30
- Blofeld Plugin by Waldorf · Wavetable synth and hardware editor · $159
- impOSCar3 by GForce Software · OSCar synth emulation · $119
- Parallels by Softube · Dual-layer wavetable synth · $93.13
- WaveOSC by Plugin Boutique · Hybrid wavetable synth · $29
- Sektor by Initial Audio · Wavetable synth · $9.99
- Babylon 2 by W.A. Production · Wavetable synth · $99
- Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Technology · Hybrid analog/digital synth · $99
More from Waldorf
- Attack 3 by Waldorf · Drum Instrument · $89.37
- Largo 2 by Waldorf · Synth · $149
- Nave Plugin by Waldorf · Synth · $165
- Blofeld Plugin by Waldorf · Synth · $159
- Microwave 1 Plugin by Waldorf · Synth · $169.19
- Streichfett Plugin by Waldorf · Keys · $93.13
- Lector by Waldorf · Vocal Tool · $140.17