Virtual Music - PPG Zone

PPG Zone

Welcome to our PPG Zone! Here you can find useful products, documents or service hints for equipment manufactured by Palm Products Germany. The following matrix shows the three main categories and all new items are marked with a little asterisk *.

If you have any suggestions or questions, we look forward to your e-mail or your telephone call! For ordering please click on the appropriate navigation field.

This new and progressive operating system improves your PPG!

V8.3 is our consistent development of our successful V8.0. Like V8.0 the new V8.3 system offers comprehensive SysEx support which allows saving your own sounds via MIDI to an external computer device. Formerly this was only possible with an expensive Waveterm computer device. Via MIDI SysEx datagrams the PPG synthesizer will communicate with an external MIDI library, like the Emagic SoundDiver.

Additionally our current V8.3 system convinces with many new and helpful functions, removes annoying problems of the old PPG system V6.0 and offers an improved MIDI timing.

Performance features of V8.3 - the evolution from V6.0 / V8.0
V8.3 offers following new features which are a clear improvement in comparison to previous old systems:

Additionally in V8.3 we improved the program code of the old official PPG release V6.0 and removed engraving software bugs:

Scope of supply
This kit consists of an easy understandable user-manual (english or german version) and 4 new chips. The original EPROMs in your Wave or EVU will be replaced by the new ones.

Requirements for OS V8.0
Wave 2.2:	Factory installed* MIDI interface and OS 4.5, V5 or V6
Wave 2.3:	Factory installed* MIDI interface and OS V4.5, V5 or V6
EVU:	Factory installed* MIDI interface and OS V3

* If your PPG synthesizer doesn´t have the original PPG Interface installed, you can also use the interface which is described at Hermann Seib´s web page . BTW Hermann´s interface is the reverse engineered PPG interface. Interfaces by Kenton, EES, etc. don´t work with the SysEx features of V8.3 and are not suitable!

PPG OS V8.3 in a complex PPG system (Waveterm + PPG Wave + EVU...)
Each device in the PPG system bus has an unique ID. The Wave has standard ID # 0 and the EVU has standard ID # 2. We have an alternative option of V8.3 for the Wave, which contains the ID # 1 and another one for the EVU which contains the ID # 3. With this you can operate 2 Waves and 2 EVUs on the same PPG system bus at once. Please note that this alternative version of V8.3 is not on stock but will be produced on demand.

PPG sounds for free
Our special service: PPG V8.X users can download PPG sounds and files for free.

This PPG System 8.3 is now available for Euro 80,- .

If you have questions or if you need further information, please contact us. For ordering please send us the completed customer order form.

Removes the "teething troubles" of the Pratt-Read keyboard used in many PPG synthesizers

The rickety keyboard
Many keyboards used by PPG have the annoying problem

that the keyboard bushings (rubber mufflers, small parts inside the keyboard) get brittle by aging. The result is the typical "sticky" keyboard which cannot be played properly anymore. Beside the technical insufficiency, the optical impression is influenced negatively, too (As you can see in the right hand picture).

A temporary solution
You can still buy and retrofit the rubber mufflers, but the problem of aging appears after short time again. Therefore we looked for a durable solution.

We offer the durable solution
Our Universal Keyboard Upgrade replaces the permanently

delicate rubber parts with durable materials. So you can forget about the annual service of your keyboard and you synthesizer always feels as good as new. On the right side you can see a customer´s keyboard with a successfully installed upgrade. Perfect optics and perfect feeling!

Scope of supply
The Keyboard Upgrade Kit contains all necessary parts (ready for use) and detailed instructions (In English

or German language; with many pictures). With that you can upgrade your keyboard to a practically new and durably playable condition.

Our Keyboard Upgrade matches on the following synthesizer keyboards:
	ARP:	2500, 2600, Odyssey, Axxe, Quadra, Pro Solus
	DK:	Synergy
	EML:	100/101
	EMU Systems:	Emulator 1
	Gleeman:	Pentaphonic
	Moog:	Polymoog, Minimoog, Rogue, Modular Keyboard, Multimoog, Sonic 6
	NED:	Synclavier I & II (Non-Velocity-Keyboard)
	Oberheim:	OB-X, OB-Xa, OB-SX, OB-1, OB 4-Voice
	Octave:	Cat, Kitten
	PPG:	Wave 2.0, Wave 2.2, Wave 2.3, Wavecomputer
	SCI:	Prophet 5, Prophet 5 remote keyboard, Prophet 10, Pro One (Version mit J-Wires)

This Universal Keyboard Upgrade is exclusively available at Virtual Music and costs Euro 40,- The installation of this kit takes several hours of focused activity - of course we also can install the upgrade into your synthesizer. If you want us to do this, please contact us before sending your equipment to us.

If you have questions or if you want to have further information, please contact us. For ordering please send us the completed customer order form.

Free sounds for your PPG synthesizer

These files are useable for the PPG synthesizers Wave 2.2, Wave 2.3 and EVU with an installed operating system PPG V8.0 . Please use your browser´s download option.

factory22.syx	PPG Wave 2.2 Werksounds	wave23_7.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 7
w23fact.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Werksounds	wave23_8.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 8
wave23_1.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 1	wave23_9.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 9
wave23_2.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 2	wave23_10.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 10
wave23_3.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 3	wave23_11.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 11
wave23_4.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 4	wave23_12.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 12
wave23_5.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 5	reset.syx	OS V8.X "Reset Memory" - Delete RAM
wave23_6.syx	PPG Wave 2.3 Soundbank 6	query.syx	OS V8.X "Request Memory Dump"

Service Kit for the restoration of the blue display illumination

Originally the PPG Wave 2.3 was equipped with an blue shimmering LC display. This blue backlight helps the musician to read the

display optimally at twilight conditions (stage or studio). Unfortunately the brightness of the backlight fades away over the years and the display remains dark.

Reason for the "loss of sight"
Reason for the slow darkening is the EL-foil. This foil is responsible for the illumination and it has an average life time of 10 years. This part will be exchanged with this kit.

Shining arises if the foil is stimulated with a high-frequency alternating voltage (400 Hz; 130 volts). The inverter, a little black cube, causes this voltage. It is directly next to the display.

In very rare cases the faulty EL-foil has killed the Inverter, too. If you need also the suitable inverter for your device, we can supply them.

This backlight service kit includes detailed instructions. It is available for Euro 27,- The inverter is available for Euro 22,-

If you have questions or if you want to have further information, please contact us. For ordering please send us the completed customer order form.

	Original potentiometer caps for the regulators of the PPG Wave´s Analog Control Panel. 5 pcs. per packing unity; Euro 4,-
	Big original PPG knob for the PPG Wave series. This knob is used for the regulators of the Analog Control Panel. Available now! Euro 2,10 each
	Small original PPG knob for the PPG Wave series. This knob is used as a contrast or volume control at the Wave 2. X, EVU and Waveterm. Available now! Euro 2,10 each

If you have questions or if you want to have further information, please contact us. For ordering please send us the completed customer order form.

Service Kit for the restoration of the blue display illumination

Originally the PPG HDU-commander was equipped with an blue shimmering LC display. This blue backlight

helps the musician to read the display optimally at twilight conditions (stage or studio). Unfortunately the brightness of the backlight fades away over the years and the display remains dark.

Reason for the "loss of sight"
Reason for the slow darkening is the EL-foil. This foil is responsible for the illumination and it has an average life time of 10 years. This part will be exchanged with this kit.

Scope of supply:
This LCD Backlight Service Kit contains a new EL-Foil, shrinking tubes and detailed instructions (in German or English language; with many pictures).

This backlight service kit includes detailed instructions. It is available for Euro 30,-

If you have questions or if you want to have further information, please contact us. For ordering please send us the completed customer order form.

10 pcs. practically new 8" floppy disks for PPG Waveterm A

The PPG Waveterm A needs for it´s internal 8" disk drives specific floppy disks. The specifications are either Single-Sided/Double-Density or Double-Sided/Double-Density. We can deliver some used Single-Sided/Double-Density disks in a very good condition and to a very affordable price.

These rare 8" Disks for the PPG Waveterm A are available for Euro 9,- per 10 pcs. For ordering please use our customer order form.

If your PPG Wave 2.2 or Wave 2.3 is defective, we can solve your problem very quickly

There is no reason for worrying
If one voice voice is detuned, some sounds are distorted or if your PPG suffers from system crashes, then there will be no reason for worrying. We have long term experience with PPG equipment and we can solve your problems quickly and efficiently. In the very most cases there isn´t any need for you to send the whole instrument. We need only the particular defective board which will be checked and repaired in our test system.

About the architecture of the PPG Wave synthesizers
Inside the PPG Wave 2.2 and the PPG Wave 2.3 there are four cards, which are involved in the sound creation: The Proz-Board (= processor board), the I/O-Board and two Voice-Boards. These four cards are plugged uprightly in the Motherboard. If you tell us about your PPG´s symptoms we are able to determine which board may cause the problem. It is sufficient if you send us the particular board.

The Prozessor-Board contains the electronics for computing the waveforms, the oscillator´s pitch and is responsible for the communication to the Waveterm or the PRK. If this board has got a problem then the symptoms will look like:

Das I/O-Board contains the complete computer part of the PPG (like storage RAM, operating system, etc.), the conversion of the analogue panel and the calculation of the control voltages for the filters and amplifiers (VCFs, VCAs). If this board has got a problem then the symptoms will look like:

Both Voice Boards are responsible for converting the computer data (calculated by the Prozessor-Board) into analogue waveforms. These waveforms are processed by voltage controlled filters and amplifiers (VCFs, VCAs). Each card contains the electronic for four voices. If one of these boards has got a problem then the symptoms will look like:

Finding and solving the problem
The easy way is to contact us and tell us about the problems or the symptoms of your PPG. We will perform some test with you, like "please enter following parameter; what will happen?". With this procedure we will find out where the problem is caused and which card we would need here in Vienna to cure your PPG Wave.

Removing the defective board
Power down the synthesizer and disconnect the power cable. Open the four big screws (2 on the left side and 2 on the right side) and open the panel like a car´s engine bonnet. Gently pull out the faulty board and remove the flat cable connectors by lifting them out gently and straight with a flat screwdriver. Take care not to bend or break the pins! Also, you should label the connectors and sketch their positions.

After removing the respective card, wrap it into antistatic foil first. Please do NOT use any alloy foil since this will shortcut the battery of the I/O board. If you need technical assistance or support, please contact us. The PPG Wave is a very complex and sensitive device and should be treated with respect.

Service order
If you want us to repair your PPG, please get in contact with us before sending any equipment. After clarifying all details please fax us the completed customer order form for synthesizer service , or put it into the card´s package.

Other problems with your PPG Wave?
Of course we can repair other defects fast and effectively, too. If you have any problem with your synthesizer, please contact us. We are happy to help you!

All abbreviations of the PPG Waves at one page

We have written a document which is useful for all PPG users. This document describes all shortcuts which can be found in the several display-modes. This little document is a good alternative to the big user manual.

Here you can download this PDF-document for free.

Not really a service Hint but nevertheless interesting. Imitation at own risk ;-)

We would like to present a nice curiosity from our everyday´s life. In August 2003 we got the order to repair a PPG Wave 2.3. This is not a sensation, because it is routine. But it was surprising when the forwarding agency delivered a little box which didn't correspond to the size of a PPG keyboard. So, what happened?

What did the forwarding agency deliver?
After opening the box we recognized that it was a PPG Wave 2.3, but it was built in in a beautiful 19" housing! We were completely enthusiastic about that fact. Now we know what the customer meant with the little word "modified" ;-)

This 19" PPG belongs to the successful electronic project "Tanga" from Berlin (Germany). You can hear Tanga´s music in the TV spot for the Hugo Boss perfume "Intense". Thanks to Tanga for the allowance to put publish these photos!

Details
This device was modified by the engineer Mr. Helmut Fischbach from Dusseldorf/Germany. He is a professional tool mechanic and the right man for 19" modifications. He did a lot of work for Kraftwerk´s Kling Klang studio.

Here you can find several detail photos of the 19" PPG.

The operation devices (Analogue panel; digital panel; display board) were separated out of the original PPG case (with a precision circular saw) and mounted onto a new 19" case (manufactured by RS-components). It is interesting how Fischbach put a board into a 19" compatible shape even this board is 20". The board was cut off precisely and reassembled in a 90° angle. The track conductors were "prolonged" exactly with little wire pieces. The same method was used to fit the digital panel board.

Conclusion
Maybe this modification seems brutal to you. But in detail Mr. Fischbach did this modification very properly. Everything was done professionally and with respect to this fantastic synthesizer.

By the way, the need for servicing this PPG was not caused by the 19" modification. It was necessary because of the age of this synthesizer.

(C) Virtual Music´s Synthesizer Service Center
VAT, shipment and packing is not included in the prices. Application of service Hints at own risk. Changes without notice!
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