PPG 1002 Synthesizer Reissue Debuting At Superbooth 2025


At Superbooth 2025, being held May 8-10 at the FEZ-Berlin, PPG is introducing the PPG 1002, a reissue of the very rare vintage original.

The PPG 1002 is a limited-edition reissue of the analog synthesizer designed by Wolfgang Palm in 1975.

What they have to say about it:

“In 1975, Wolfgang Palm made synthesizer history with the PPG 1002. An early prototype featured retractable patch cables, but in the final production model, these were replaced with rotary switches for more versatile modulation. A key advantage of the 1002 over its competitors was its temperature-compensated VCO circuit, now further refined in this reissue, preserving its iconic sound.

The PPG 1020 (1977) introduced digital oscillators, paving the way for the 360 Wavecomputer in 1979, which marked the beginning of wavetable synthesis. This was followed by milestones such as the PPG Wave 2.3 (1984) with MIDI and the PPG Waveterm B (1985).

After PPG was dissolved in 1987, Wolfgang Palm collaborated with Steinberg and later co-developed the Waldorf Microwave (1989). In the 2000s, he released software synthesizers under his own name, including the PPG Wavegenerator, Wavemapper, Infinite Pro, and Phonem. In 2020, Palm transferred the PPG technologies to Brainworx, which became part of Native Instruments in 2023.

At the same time, Cornel Hecht, part of the PPG team since 2012, reviewed Wolfgang Palm’s original handwritten schematics of the PPG 1002. His mission: to faithfully bring the analog circuitry of 1975 into the present. The first prototype impressed Native Instruments, laying the foundation for this exclusive reissue.”

“What’s labeled PPG should also be PPG inside! That was and still is my motto,” notes Palm. “The new edition of the PPG 1002 is based on the original PPG circuitry.”

Features:

  • 2 analog oscillators with transpose switches and mixable waveforms from triangle to saw
  • Oscillator 2 also offers square wave and a sub-oscillator
  • Oscillator 2 can be synchronized
  • Noise generator for audio and modulation
  • A ring modulator can be switched on instead of the noise generator
  • Routable LFO with pulse and triangle waveforms
  • 24dB low-pass filter with resonance
  • Voltage-controlled amplifier
  • 2 easy edit envelopes
  • Switchable modulators for each module, allowing for an almost modular-like routing
  • CV and MIDI inputs
  • Low-noise power supply

The PPG 1002 is available now to pre-order. The total price is € 9,999.00 excluding shipping costs. Production begins after your pre-order and a deposit of €4999. The remaining €5000 is due before delivery.”

Polyend Synth Firmware 1.3 Update, With New DWA Synth Engine, Now Available


Today Polyend announces the release of Synth Firmware 1.3.0, a major update that expands the possibilities of the Polyend Synth with a brand-new synth engine, a dedicated MIDI engine, expanded MIDI capabilities, new content, and usability improvements.

At the core of the firmware update is DWA, an experimental sample-based synth engine designed to build unique, expressive sounds. Two independent sample layers and a host of sample manipulation tools —from synced looping to feedback, and crossfading to sample size control – allow for the creation of anything from glitchy drum loops and ambient pads, single cycle waveforms or Karplus Strong.


DWA Synth Feature Overview:

  • Independent Dual Sample Playback
  • One Shot, Loop, Synced Loop or Ping-Pong playback modes
  • Forward or Reverse playback of each sample
  • Feedback loops with pitch tracking and delay
  • Sample window size control.
  • Mix, tune and crossfade per sample
  • Modulation Matrix with 2 LFOs and 3 Envelopes
  • Multi-mode filter (LP, HP, BP, Notch)
  • Polyphonic Aftertouch assignable to any parameter

Developer Karol Celinski on the creation of DWA:

“Many users were requesting a sample-based synth engine, and we wanted to give them one. We wanted to create something more than just a basic sample-based playback engine and we immediately started to consider how to push things further. I’ve always admired how Andy Stott builds tracks from just a few carefully shaped samples and his minimal, textural approach influenced the design.

“DWA is designed around dual sample layers—similar to our dual-oscillator synths. The outcome turned out to be very playable and expanded the sound design possibilities exponentially.The goal was to design a sample engine with lots of potential for modulation of how the loop plays back, the size of the loop, etc. Synced loops became one of the most unique aspects of this engine, I think it works differently than anything existing. Every looped sample creates a kind of rhythm on its own.

“What started as a simple idea quickly evolved into one of the most inspiring engines we’ve built, and it’s been great to see even our experienced sound designers getting excited by what they’re creating with DWA.”


Firmware 1.3.0 also includes:

  • Custom color settings – Assign the color of each synth engine to improve visual accessibility and workflow clarity.
  • Multi-synth Grid Layouts – Play 2 or 3 synths on one grid pad simultaneously using new “3 in 1” and “2 plus 1” layouts available in Note Mode.
  • Free factory content pack – designed for DWA, with 50+ DWA patches, a DWA sample pack with 100 samples curated from our Palettes collection and ready-to-use scenes.
  • New MIDI Engine – Save and load custom MIDI CC mappings, map up to five CCs to Macros, and build expressive MIDI instruments with ease.
  • MIDI Input Pad Mapping – Allows users trigger grid pads via external MIDI—perfect for using an external device to playing chords or starting sequences with a single key.
  • Polyphonic Aftertouch and Channel pressure support for external devices – with a new system setting to define your preferred input and output method.

Additionally, several key bug fixes and performance optimizations ensure a smoother and more reliable experience, including improved memory usage, accurate patch loading, and audio engine stabilization when using extreme modulation.

Polyend Synth Firmware update 1.3.0 is available now as a free download for all Polyend Synth users at this link.

For more information on Synth, visit the Polyend website.

 

Polyphony In Eurorack With Tiptop Audio ART Modular System


German synthesist Hainbach – in his latest video – shares his perspective on the Tiptop Audio ART system, a collection of modules that implement a new standard for polyphonic synth patching in Eurorack modular systems.


“I love new music technology,” notes Hainbach. “When I heard about TipTop Audio’s new ART system that allows for polyphonic pitch, gate and velocity information to be transferred via regular patch cables and their own multi-tip USB style cables, I was intrigued. I never thought of Eurorack as being a fun tool for polyphony, as it requires a lot of modules and a spaghetti mess of connections. Can this tech change that?”

Watch the video, and share your thoughts on the Tiptop Audio ART system in the comments!