He is widely acknowledged as the father of digital synthesis and as a trendsetter in the use of computer technology in the making of electronic music.
Palm's interest in synthesis technology began as a keyboardist in various local bands in his hometown of Hamburg, Germany.
His namesake corporation began operating as early as 1975, manufacturing modular synthesizers in small numbers for electronica act Tangerine Dream and other musicians.
Palm's design was the impetus for the creation of the highly successful PPG Wave synthesizer, which was used by numerous bands throughout the 1980s and beyond.
The sounds in the PPG Wave inspired other manufacturers of digital synthesizers, such as Sequential Circuits and Ensoniq.