Professionally Serviced, Rare Shadow Edition Example in Very Good Condition

Overview

We are delighted to present this Waldorf Wave – 16-Voice Shadow Black Edition, a magnificent example of Waldorf’s flagship hybrid wavetable polysynth and one of the most ambitious electronic instruments ever produced.

Representing the culmination of the PPG/Waldorf lineage, the Wave combined deep digital synthesis with true analogue filtering to create a sound that remains as inspiring today as when it first appeared in 1993. Its vast, hands-on interface and powerful modulation system made it a studio centrepiece for artists seeking uncompromising creative depth.

Equally prized by musicians, producers, collectors, and investors, the Wave endures as both a remarkable creative instrument and a testament to early-1990s German engineering excellence.

This Shadow Black Edition example, configured with 16 voices, is offered through the RL Music Brokering Serviceon behalf of a long-term UK owner and is one of only a small number of these special-finish units ever built.

Condition

This Waldorf Wave is presented in very good overall condition, graded 8.5/10 under RL Music’s in-house professional evaluation system, applied to all collector-grade instruments to ensure transparency and confidence for discerning buyers.

There are some light signs of age-related wear visible in areas of the panel finish, entirely consistent with a 30-year-old instrument, but nothing that detracts from its inspiring presentation or function. The control surface, display, and hardware all perform exactly as intended, and the instrument remains very visually impressive — clearly well cared for and maintained throughout its life.

1. Keybed and Key Discolouration
The key surfaces exhibit an ivory discolouration from age. We believe the Wave employs the Fatar TP/8S keybed. All keys operate perfectly and there is no functional issue, but for buyers who prefer a brighter appearance, there are potential cosmetic restoration options — either through careful whitening treatment or replacement of the key-tops. Both routes would involve some effort and cost and are entirely optional, as the instrument performs flawlessly. If you are interested in exploring these cosmetic possibilities, please contact us prior to purchase.

2. Display Brightness
The back-lit LED display functions perfectly with no segment loss, but its fixed brightness level is relatively low. There is no user adjustment for display intensity, so the Wave is best viewed in a softly lit environment for comfortable editing and navigation.

Servicing & Restoration

The instrument was evaluated and bench-tested by KSR in October 2025, confirming full operational status ahead of sale.
Following purchase, a comprehensive post-sale service will be carried out by KSR, including PSU re-capping, power-conditioning, calibration, and other preventive maintenance to ensure long-term reliability.

During recent maintenance, a new set of front-panel struts was fitted — a known improvement over the original design — providing greater stability and a fully adjustable playing angle.

This post-sale service is included in the price, ensuring that the instrument leaves RL Music performing at its absolute best.

Provenance

Brokered on behalf of a UK client, this Wave has remained in the UK since 2009, when the current owner acquired it from another UK seller. It has spent the last sixteen years in a private home-studio environment and has been meticulously cared for throughout.

Technical Overview

• Polyphony: 16 voices (expandable to 48)
• Oscillators: 2 digital wavetable oscillators + noise source per voice, with user-editable waves and FM-assisted UPAWs
• Filters/VCAs: Per-voice CEM3387 analogue section — 24 dB/oct low-pass + 12 dB/oct high-pass (BP configuration possible)
• Modulation: 2 LFOs + 4 multi-stage envelopes per voice for extensive modulation and wavescanning
• Multitimbrality: Up to 8 parts simultaneously
• Operating System: OS 1.8 – 1.911
• I/O: Standard factory MIDI and audio configuration

These specifications confirm the Wave’s position as one of the most flexible and sonically distinctive hybrid synthesizers ever made.

Unique Features

HxC Floppy-Drive Emulator — Installed in 2022, this modern SD-card-based replacement for the original 3.5″ floppy mechanism preserves the Wave’s appearance while vastly improving reliability. The supplied SD card includes multiple sound banks — notably the Drew Neumann set — and can be managed easily on any computer.

Shadow Black Edition Finish — Produced toward the end of Waldorf’s manufacturing run circa 1995, the Shadow Edition features a rare anthracite-black finish applied to only a small number of hand-built units. Functionally identical to the standard model, this version’s understated aesthetic underscores the Wave’s industrial design elegance and makes it particularly desirable among enthusiasts of high-end hybrid synthesis.

Accessories

This Waldorf Wave is supplied with:

• a Brand new IEC Power-Cable (UK 3-pin plug type)
• SD card with sound banks for the HxC system

Handy Links

• Waldorf Wave – YouTube Sounds (no talking)
• Sound On Sound – Waldorf Wave Review
• RL Music Archive – Waldorf Wave Owner’s Manual (PDF Download)

Price & Availability

£16,990 GBP — available now.

As this is a brokered sale, no VAT is applicable to UK buyers. International buyers are responsible for any import duties or taxes levied in their respective countries.

The instrument will be supplied fully tested, carefully packaged, and prepared to RL Music standards — meaning it has been professionally inspected, fully quality-controlled, and presented to the highest collector-grade specification to ensure authenticity, reliability, and buyer confidence.

Increasingly sought-after on the international market, examples of this calibre represent not only superb musical instruments but also sound long-term investments in analogue and hybrid synthesis heritage.

Payment

Due to the high value, we accept bank transfer only (UK Faster Payments / CHAPS or international wire).
Full payment details will be provided on the invoice.

Packing & Shipping

We ship worldwide. Packing, shipping, and insurance are not included in the sale price and are quoted upon request.
Our standard practice is professional, export-grade packaging tailored to the instrument and fully insured for its sale value.

UK buyers are welcome to collect from Reading, Berkshire, or we can arrange a dedicated personal delivery within the UK (subject to quotation).
We are happy to tailor a logistics solution to your specific requirements.

Warranty

RL Music provides a full 3-month warranty on this instrument, covering all labour and parts. Our warranty guarantees that the synth will arrive in excellent working order and perform exactly as described.

Conclusion

Few synthesizers combine ambition, design, and sonic depth quite like the Waldorf Wave.
This Shadow Black Edition example pairs very good condition, verified technical integrity, and documented servicing by KSR — a rare opportunity for musicians, producers, studios, collectors, and investors alike to acquire one of the most remarkable hybrid instruments ever built.

Pictures 

If you would like specific photographs — such as panel close-ups, internal boards, MIDI ports, or serial plates — please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our EU customer

Servicing Status: KSR have carried out a full health-check on this DX-1 in June 2023.

Remarks: A good all original condition Yamaha DX-1, which we have previously sold to the current owner but they are now Brokering it back through us for re-sale.

What is there to say on this 1983 flagship synthesizer that has not already been written, but it’s a very rare machine with only 140 reported to have ever been manufactured, so a really unique find in 2023. I terms of some historic information, we have found a useful website that has a dedicated page to the DX-1, which also includes some videos.  If you would like to delve into the back-story on the DX-1 and understand more about it’s capabilities and sounds the please click the link below to find out more:

Classic Gear -The Yamaha DX1: Owning and Recreating the King of FM

We are not affiliated, nor have we contributed or edited any of the information provided in the link above, so this is an independent source for the DX-1 which we hope you find of interest.

Cosmetic Condition:

The overall condition of this example is very good, with the normal amount of wear we would expect to see on a synth this age, size and quality. We sold this DX-1 to our EU customer, so it was shipped out of the UK against the original sale and then was re-imported in May this year, having been sent straight to Kent Spong at KSR for some servicing, where the instrument currently resides. 

The photos below were taken at KSR, so are un-doctored and show the overall presentation.

Operational Condition:

The following declaration is made in good faith and is an honest account of the current operational condition of this example.  

All the controls, LEDs, functions of the control panel work as they should, so LED buttons are all operational.  However,  Bank A Voice 5 button feels slightly different to operate than the others which suggests the component is faulty, but it does function, although it can be intermittent. We are not aware of a replacement for this part as it would appear to be a DX-1 specific component but we are declaring this as a known issue.

The LDC display is fully working with all segments showing properly and brightness is perfectly readable.  The volume LED indicator on the right hand side, next to where to says ‘DX-1  ’ on the front panel has one of the tiny LED segments that is dimmer than all the rest (the 14db) and one that does not work (the 96 db) – I’ve attached a photo I took when we had it set up in the workshop .

The sliders top the right of the instrument all work correctly.

The modulation and pitch-wheel both operate correctly.

The DX- sound engine itself operates correctly.  There are some classic ‘DX’ patches loaded in the system, I did try to edit some sounds and all the edit functions were available are working, although I didn’t save those changes.

The professional weighted 73 note wood keyboard was fully working in terms of triggering notes, and the velocity was 100% working across all keys.

The Polyphonic After-Touch (Poly-AT) is not operating at more than 30% of the keyboard. Kent has gone though each key to check the after-touch sensors and there are many that simply are not working.  Kent at KSR does not currently have any supply for replacements, so this is not something Kent has a resolution for, but the owner is aware and this is factored into the sale price.

In consulting with Kent at KSR on the reality on getting the Poly-AT system fully restored, as I know this would be of interest to any potential buyer,  Kent told me that every DX-1 he had seen had similar issues as there are no replacement parts for the Poly-AT sensors at present.  He said that in the last 6 years he had serviced two DX-1 owned by MI professionals, and both those machines also had significant Poly-AT sensor failures, so it would seem to be consistent with the age of these machines.  I personally would be very suspicious of anyone selling a DX-1 stating that the Poly-AT system was 100% based on this reality.

Summary:

We have seen people advertising the Yamaha DX-1 from £60,000 to nearly £150,000 GBP in recent years, which is eye-watering, but with such a small production run plus is being such an historic instrument with A-list users like Dire Straits and Michael Jackson et al, it’s not hard to understand why people might value them this high.  With the declared operational condition of this particular DX-1 in mind, we have agreed with our Client, the owner, to price this example much more realistically. The price below is not subject to VAT in the UK as this is a commission sale but it might be subject to import duties in your own country, if you are purchasing outside the UK.

This DX-1 has multiple power settings so it’s able to operate in any country around the world without he need for any external power-supplies to step-up or down. We will also supply  a PDF copy of the owners manual.

As the instrument is being Brokered through RL Music, it will be sold with a full 3-month warranty and we can ship worldwide.  

Packing & Shipping: 

We can ship this DX-1 worldwide, although the packing, shipping & insurance costs are not included in the sale price below, so they are subject to quotation.  The synth is located with KSR in the UK, so you are welcome to collect it from then directly if you prefer.

There may be short delays in getting the packaging materials produced for shipping as they are custom ordered for the specific dimensions of each instrument, and for the DX-1, we would recommends having it custom crated and palletised.  We are happy to discuss your requirements, so please email us if you have any questions about the logistics and/or need a quote.

Price: £28.990 GBP

As this is a brokered sale, VAT does not apply to UK buyers. However, packing & shipping/insurance is subject to VAT @ 20% should you need the goods shipped.

Availability: 

This DX-1 is NOT currently available for sale.

Click on the thumbnail for a higher-resolution photos of the actual DX-1 for sale.

BUY THIS YAMAHA DX-1

Came into stock: In stock and available – 16th May 2013.

Restoration Status: Recently fully serviced in Q1 2013.

Remarks: The legendary Mk1 DX7 has seen quite a strong rise in popularity in recent years and drifted positively back into peoples conciseness.

The Mk1 is built like a tank, which is a throw back to the old analogue days when synths were made to a very high quality. This is a truly mass-produced instrument by any standards but even after 30 years still feel fresh to the touch, at least this example does. The sound of the DX7 is familiar but surprisingly dynamic and exciting, and knowing this single model changed at least a generation of popular music is actually wonderous.

As you can see from the customer supplied pictures, this DX7 is in super condition and is supplied with its original manual.

This particular example was very recently fully serviced by KSR so in 100% perfect operational condition. Runs US 110V & EU 220V Voltage.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: £395 GBP.

Availability: This Mk1 DX7 is now SOLD as at 9th August 2013.

Click on the Thumbnails for higher resolution photos (customer supplied).

Came into stock: In stock and available – 16th May 2013.

Restoration Status: Recently fully serviced in Q1 2013.

Remarks: The DX5 packs some serious bi-timbric synthesis power, and even by todays standards is a serious pice of kit, and sounds massive!

Operationally speaking, the DX5 is very close to the mighty DX1 but without the real estate and some performance features, which means it’s affordable for most people. This was Yamaha’s intention when it was released in 1985 as a professional grade instrument.

These models are quite hard to find these days in anything approaching decent condition so when our customer purchased this example he was after something at the top end of the quality scale.

From the customer supplied pictures you can see that this DX5 is in amazing condition, and it’s supplied with two ROM Cartridges.

This particular example was very recently fully serviced by KSR so in 100% perfect operational condition. Runs US 110V & EU 220V Voltage.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: £750 GBP.

Availability: This DX5 is now SOLD as at 20th May 2013

Click on the Thumbnails for higher resolution photos (customer supplied).