3 Records with the Classic PPG Sound

Wavetable synths are everywhere these days - they're often a composer's first choice for shifting metallic atmospheres, abrasive formant basses and cold, glassy bell timbres. But they simply didn't exist before 1978 - when the PPG 360 A Wave Computer arrived. Wolfgang Palm endowed his instrument with 30 wavetables - each with 64 waves - and no filter. The instrument was a true innovation and was followed, in 1981, by the Wave 2 series which added an analogue VCF per voice (a CEM 3320 or SSM 2044 depending on the model!)

Musicians, used to the sonic limitations of analogue instruments (even complex ones with FM, Filter FM, or metallic ringmod) ate up the PPG Wave's new timbral palette. Midge Ure, captured here on video, represented a common, excited reaction to the birth of wavetable technology:

So onto our three tracks - the first three that came to mind when I think about the blue beast...

Madness - Samantha

By 1984, Madness had come quite a way in songwriting sophistication. Gone were the 3 minute sonic assaults of Ska - Baggy Trousers, One Step Beyond - that typified their early singles; replaced with less nutty, introspective works. As a fan of all eras of Madness (even their contentious 1988 album) I've long appreciated the band's hidden gems; B-sides and album tracks.

Their 1984 track Samantha is the first time I remember hearing a PPG wave. The classic PPG "Aah Choir" makes an appearance on the chorus - a static, uncanny timbre that adds mystery and intrigue. It was an early entry into the quest log of "what made that sound?"

Thomas Dolby - Windpower

There's a whole host of synthesizer timbres peppered throughout this classic (and very catchy!) track - recognizable synth brass stabs & wavering pad sounds; but it's the spiky, modulated wavetable bass that really stands out to me. The PPG used front and centre in an effort to make a record that sounded like nothing else.- originality was a driver for many 80's artists.

Tangerine Dream - Poland 

My goodness, I could listen to this band for hours. A beautiful mix of analogue and digital timbres here - The PPG's exact usage being a little unclear. To me it sounds like the huge, oppressive WEOWWWwww sweeps are characteristically PPG - perhaps layered with an analogue synth? And Johannes Schmoelling can also be seen playing lead lines on the blue beast. Whatever the specifics, this piece has bags of hybrid atmosphere.

What are your favourite PPG usage examples? Let us know in the comments!

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