Waldorf M vs Microwave 1 PPG 2.3 Presets

In my last video I compared some PPG 2.3 factory sounds reprogrammed from Wolfram Franke for the Waldorf Microwave 1. In this video I demonstrate those Microwave 1 PPG 2.3 presets in comparison to the Waldorf M. The Team from Waldorf reprogrammed all those sounds from the PPG 2.3 card, which was originally made by Wolfram Franke. I think they did a great job. Some sounds I skipped, because they did not match at all. I think it is not due to the synth, it is just a programming matter, like different modulation, envelopes and wavetable envelope. So finally here are the results of the sounds in comparison. No musical video at all, but just to demonstrate, how close can the Waldorf M sound to the Microwave 1. I this video I used the version B, with a bit of a different filter type to version A. The M uses SSM filter clones, like in the PPG. I tweaked a bit around and I recognized, that the resonance from the M Filter thins a bit out but screams more like on the Microwave. It has much more in common to the PPG Filter. So the M shall come closer to the PPG than the Microwave 1. I think that the M is a bit more comfortably sounding, the Microwave sounds a bit more aggressive and "vintage" also. But the differences are very subtle and I think that Waldorf did a great job with the M to recreate the classic Microwave. Thanks for watching and listening as allways.

[LocaliLLocano]

After I pay off my Korea trip I’m buying an M because of this video. Cheers mate

[WAGSUBE]

Those are really close! Thanks for doing this!

[williamtell]

Sure sounds amazing. Waldorf makes wonderful stuff.

[Dudderlyful]

I feel like my ears have just woken up to understanding just how good the M really is. For some reason it hadn't registered with me yet. It's kind of incredible. Thanks for doing this vid!

[marzzz]

I am so happy with the M! +1 thanks for doing this, hopefully you will be able to get ahold of a 3rd Wave and do similar comparisons.

[juno]

Great comparison! If there's a difference, the MW1 seems to be more clicky... Punchier attack... Which I prefer.

[sKLeTvM]

Nice comparison. However. What did we learn today? Back in the days, I did own a PPG 2.3 and Waverterm. Later the Waldorf (big) Wave. After that the Microwave, and currently the XTK. And you know what? They all sound very similar. In a final music production no one will tell which synth you did use. No listener cares what synths you have. The result counts, and not what you've used to get the result. Even if you have the most exotic synth of the world, if you are not able to play chords and compose a nice piece of music, no M, No MicroWave no what so ever will change that. ;-)

[hemibass]

Both sound really nice to me. Great video as always

[alexmarkowski]

Original Microwave often sounds as if it is playing from a non-zero axis crossing, which creates the "clicks" at the attack. This is most evident on more any patches with a fast attack. Drives me nuts on mine. Glad they have corrected that behavior in the M.

[crominion]

Interesting to hear some of the pops or cracks in some of the M sounds. I experience the same thing on my Blofelds (key and desktop) at times. I find I have to set the amp envelope attack up by a minor amount to eliminate them. If I take the attack stage up to 5 or 7 the pops are gone but it doesn't make any noticeable difference in the time it takes the sound to start. I'm not sure if this is the culprit with the M, but I would guess it may well be. Btw, 10:00 very Tangerine Dreamy (lol). Brings to mind Exit, Poland, etc.

[halcyo]

I can't figure out which keyboard you're playing for which synth lol. It sounds like the Microwave is on the top white keyboard, because the sounds are punchier and occasionally overly clicky. Am I guessing right!?

[bilonggrisimmeri]

...and my question is, where did the sounds used to create these Wave Tables come from originally? Some sound FMish, while others Prophet 5 or Yamaha CS.

[blueeyedsoulman]

Where to get the PPG programs for the Microwave?

[isc]

Every comparison I ve heard between them show that the MW has way more low end. On the other hand, the developer VladiS claims there is no such big difference as the hpf on M is at 10Hz if I am not wrong. I hope the M gets an update to become more beefy on the low end as it is lacking

[ronharrity]

Thank you for this comparison, fascinating. The M is much closer than I expected for some reason. I am a relatively new owner of a Microwave 1 which I love. However I am having trouble locating these PPG presets. Any chance you could direct me to a place where I can ask? Thanks again.

[rodneygipson]

I owned a PPG wave 2.3 many years ago. The M comes close enough for me.

[sonsofmicrowave]

Jetzt fehlen nur noch Teil zwei und drei mit 3rd und Behringer Waves 😅

[jeffc]

How does the 3rd Wave compare to these, sound wise?

[LB-pppu]

Great video, very well done! What about a PPG/Waldorf M comparison?

[Pacer]

Where the M is not as good is in the Filter Section. I have both the MW and the M, and the CEM Filter on the Microwave is somehow nicer/better implemented than the SSI Filter on the M. When you push the Rez on the M, it starts to get screechy and unmusical, whereas when you push the Rez on the MW, it retains a wonderful musicality. I was hoping an update on the M would address this, but maybe it's the Filter Chip itself. I don't know. Although the UDO S6 and the 3rd Wave both use the SSI Filt Chip (same version of the SSI?) and they have a better "Hi Rez" implementation. Not as magical as what you may find on a 40 year old filter (I A/B'd an Orig Prophet 5 Rev 2 against the new Prophet 10, and the Filter on the vintage version was much nicer and more musical to me), but the 3rd Wave and the UDO S6 both have a nicer implementation of the SSI Filter to my ears.