Behringer invokes ’80s nostalgia with its new Wave synthBehringer has officially released the Wave Synthesizer, a clone of the iconic PPG Wave hybrid synthesizer from the 1980s. This long-awaited instrument, which has been four years in development, is now available for $599, and promises to bring the legendary sound of the original PPG Wave to modern musicians.

READ MORE: “No other company delivers as many innovative and affordable products as we do”: Behringer hits back at “vapourware” critics following NAMM 2025 announcement

Behringer’s new synth is designed to replicate the unique architecture of the PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3, which are groundbreaking instruments known for their wavetable synthesis capabilities. Notable artists who used the original PPG Wave include Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Rush, Gary Numan, and electronica pioneers Tangerine Dream.
The Wave is an 8-voice multi-timbral hybrid synth equipped with 16 digital oscillators, each of which can draw from 30 original factory wavetables. It hosts 64 user-defined wavetables, each containing 64 waveforms, along with 32 user-defined transients. Users can easily import their own wavetables and transients via the SynthTribe app, available on both macOS and Windows.
Capable of classic 8 or 16-bit resolution wavetable synthesis, the sound of Wave is synonymous with the sound of the 80s, says Behringer. Its oscillators run through a 24db low-pass analogue filter, and the synth features two ADSR envelopes, an additional AD envelope, and an LFO for creating vibrato, tremolo or cyclic wavetable sweeps.
There’s also a built-in polyphonic sequencer and dual arpeggiator that features various play modes (up, down, up-down, random).

On the hardware side, we have 49 full-size keys equipped with aftertouch and velocity sensitivity, offering the “perfect balance between expressiveness and playability”. And while the Behringer’s latest synth — with its blue front panel and retro-style numeric keypad — shares a striking resemblance to the original PPG Wave, it is noticeably more compact.
Complementing this is a robust selection of input and output options, including USB, CV/gate, sync, and MIDI In/Out/Thru connections. The Wave also features a stereo main output, headphone output, and eight mono outputs — one for each voice — as well as inputs for expression and sustain pedals.
Check out the synth in action below.

 
Learn more at Behringer.
The post Behringer invokes ’80s nostalgia with its new Wave synth appeared first on MusicTech.