Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave

3rd Wave from Groove Synthesis delivers a premium wavetable experience in a modern package, with 24-voices of polyphony, versatile 4-part multitimbrality, and on-board custom wavetable creation. Like classic wavetbale synthesizers such as the PPG Wave, 3rd Wave is a hybrid design centered around digital oscillators with analog filtering, and offers immense flexibility in how your sounds are crafted and controlled.

Across 24 voices, 3rd Wave offers three wavtable oscillators in each, capable of running one of 64 different wavetable or seven modeled analog waveforms. Of the wavetables, 32 are original PPG wavetables, and 16 additional slots are available for custom 8-bit tables. Wavetables themselves contain up to 64 waveforms each, so there’s no shortage of sonic possibilities. As for the modeled waveforms, you’ll find the dependable classics like sine, saw, pulse, and triangle, but also supersaw and white or pink noise. All VCOs are capable of sync relationships and linear FM for more variety.

3rd Wave boasts not one, but two filters for shaping your sounds. First is the 2140-based lowpass filter, an update to the iconic SSM2040 design from Dave Rossum that graced instruments like the Prophet-5. Additionally, a state-variable filter rounds out the filtering options with continuously variable responses, morphing from lowpass through notch to highpass, with an optional bandpass mode.

Wavetable synthesizers are known for their generous modulation sources, and 3rd Wave is no exception. Four extended ADSR envelopes are available, with two offering pre-routing to the filters and VCA, but all of them are assignable to a multitude of destinations. Additionally, each oscillator contains its own six-stage wave envelope for scanning and scrubbing through the wavetables. For cyclical shapes, four LFOs offer a variety of waveforms and may be optionally synchronized with clock tempos for musically relevant movements.

3rd Wave’s Sequencer is closely tied to its multi-timbrality and modulation capabilities. Across four parts, sequences allow for control of not only note pitches, but real-time recording of parameter changes as well. Considering that each part also provides its own arpeggiator and modulation matrix, there are so many ways to craft complete compositions on 3rd Wave.

You can easily customize 3rd Wave by making use of its built-in Wavemaker Tool. Simple connect a sound source to the audio input, and 3rd Wave can automatically generate wavetables from the input signal. If you’d rather work with pre-made files, you can work with samples imported over USB or bring in your favorite Serum wavetables. Regardless of you might choose to use it, 3rd Wave is truly a wavetable synthesizer that you can make your own.

3rd Wave Features

24-voice, four-part wavetable synthesizer
3 digital oscillators per voice
64 user wavetable positions
Includes 32 8-bit waveforms from PPG synths
7 modeled analog waveforms: sine, saw, triangle, supersaw, pulse, white noise, pink noise
Sync and Linear FM per oscillator
6-stage wave envelope per oscillator
Unison and chord modes
SSI2140 resonant lowpass filter (24dB/Octave)
Saturation/drive and optional resonance compensation
SEM-style state-variable filter
Morph between lowpass, notch, and highpass
Optional bandpass mode
4 extended ADSR envelopes assignable to many destinations
4 LFOs with delay, note reset, and optional sync to BPM
LFO waveshapes: tirangle, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square, pulse 1, pulse 2, pulse 3, and random/S&H
Dual digital effects engine includes delays, reverbs, rotary speaker, chorus, phasers, and more
Custom onboard wavetable creator samples from audio input
Import samples through USB
Serum wavetable compatible
4-part sequencer
24 sequences available per preset, 32 measures per sequence
Parameter recording in all sequences
Arpeggiator per part
16 slot mod matrix per part: 27 sources, 114 destinations
500 factory programs
4 pairs of stereo audio outputs
MIDI I/O + Thru
USB MIDI
Sustain, Volume, Expression pedal inputs