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Paul.Maddox

Synth.net

Wave
Differences

The question is often asked 'What is the difference between the various forms of wavetable synthesiser out there'?
So here I will attempt to answer it..
This is compareing variants of the PPG Wave synthesiser .

First, lets show a table for a quick guide as to the most obvious differences.
Here we are compareing the PPG Wave 2.2, 2.3, Micro Wave, Wave 2.v, Microwave XT and Waldorf Wave.

Table of differences

Wave Version Polyphony Patch memory Filter Midi Multi timbral Sample res

2.2 8 note 200 SSM2044 Optional No 8Bit

2.3 8 note 86(in 2.3 mode)
200(in 2.2 mode) SSM2044 Standard 8 Part 12Bit

2.V Depends on CPU Depends on hard disk size Soft version of SSM2044 Yes Depends on CPU None

MicroWave 8 note 64 Internal
64 on external Card CEM3389
or CEM3387 Yes 8 Part None

MicroWave II/XT(k) 10 note 256
128 Multi's DSP Yes Yes None

Wave 16/32/48 note 256
256 Multi's CEM3387 Yes 8 Part None (re-synthesis)

so, you can see the 2.3 has a better resolution for sample playback and also its multi-timbral.
The 2.2 didn't come with midi initially, though later it could be ordered as a factory fit option.

Another difference is with the waveterm's. In order to get the best from the sampling features of the wave system you really need the correct waveterm.
The Waveterm-A is 8Bit and works with the 2.2 or 2.3 for 8 Bit sample playback,
The Waveterm-B is 16Bit sampling, and works with the 2.3 to give 12 bit sample playback.
That doesnt mean you can't use either of these with either of the Waves. But, you should note that the wavetermB will not send samples to a 2.2.

However, the other major difference is the 'sound', when V6 for the 2.3 arrived it cause all sorts of problems. Most of these related to the fact that some of the wavetables had been changed and so peoples patchs didnt sound the same!
This was due to the fact that space for code was tight in the EPROMs. In order to fit in the extra features, Palm had to remove some parts of the wavetables, parts that were thought not to be noticed.

However as you can hear below you can notice them in certain tables.

Here are some sounds from my library that were loaded into my 2.2 (V6), Johns 2.3 (V6), Till Koppers 2.V, Wolfram Franke's 2.V (adjusted) and a Waldorf MicroWave.

Wave 2.2 Wave 2.3 2.V by
Till Kopper 2.V by
Wolfram Franke Microwave I Microwave XT

Laser Harp 2.2 2.3 2.V (1) 2.V (2) MW Mw XT

'TD' Vocal 2.2 2.3 2.V (1) 2.V (2) N/A Mw XT

Schroeder Choir 2.2 2.3 2.V (1) 2.V (2) N/A Mw XT

Laser Harp Wavetable 13, a quick sweep giving a powerful sound!
'TD' Vocal Wavetable 27, a sound used by TD an awefull lot.
Schroeder Choir Wavetable 27, My efforts at copying the vocal sound used by Robert Schroeder.
Thankyou to Till Kopper,Wolfram Franke and Cord Mueller for their help.

If your 2.3 sounds like the above 2.3 samples then you can correct this!
The affected tables are :- 02, 05, 13, 16, 23, 26 and 27...
These tables sound different for some V6 Wave 2.3's (compared to the Wave 2.2).
Some V6 2.3's have had corrupt or even the wrong sized EPROMs fitted.
To correct this you simply replace the V6 EPROMs with new ones.
The files for the un-corrupted V6 are available on the CDROM, or you can upgrade to V8, which will also correct the problem.

Functionally the waves are all very similar, the 2.3 is the same as a 2.2 but with 12 bit and multi-timbrality.
The 2.V is the same as a 2.3, but it lacks two things, firstly sample playback and secondly the unique 'stack' mode offered by the original PPG Waves, which let you layer two sounds.
What the 2.V can offer is a good price, portability and reliability.
The choice is up to each individual, some will like the hardware, some will not have the space..

After all is said and done about the 2.3 and 2.2 there is an exception.
The EVU has 12 bit sample playback and is multitimbral, BUT it also has the same tables as the 2.2!
The down side is that in order to edit an EVU you really need a 2.2 or 2.3 , as it has no front panel controls for the patch.
The other problem is that EVUs didn't come with Midi as standard, though it can be fitted without much effort (see Hermann Seib's Web page for details)