IK Multimedia Syntronik Instruments Blau Synth

The Syntronik Instruments Blau synth from IK Multimedia recreates the powerful wavetable synthesis sounds of the PPG Wave. Manufactured from 1981 to 1987, the Wave uses a digital sound generation system combined with analog filtering for a unique hybrid sound. Small digital samples are organized into “wavetables” in place of traditional analog oscillators. The wavetables can be scanned, meaning that an envelope, LFO or other modulation source can advance through several different sounds on the same note. This results in a distinctive and highly animated tonality that noticeably contrasts with analog sound generation. Add to this the aliasing of the samples—8-bit in the Wave 2.2 and 12-bit in the 2.3—for further personality and identifiable style. The analog filters bring a warmth to the otherwise fairly glassy and harsh sound of the wavetables, and the result is a classic synthesizer sound that stands on its own in synth history.