Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave Desktop verison announced ($3500)

[Korg Supporter]

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/groove ... mpact.html

[The Black Parade]

This is freaking awesome. I was seriously considering replacing my Virus TI2 master keyboard controller which has one of the best synth actions of any keyboard I have ever played with a Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave keyboard.

But now I think I might replace my MicroWave II XT with a 3rd Wave module. I would really hate to let the MicroWave II XT go because it really does sound totally unique. But I just don't have the desktop space for another large module.

I do think the 3rd Wave overall is a more flexible and better sounding wavetable synth than the XT. So I would be gaining more than I would be losing. Plus, my MicroWave II XT was one of the last units manufactured and is in absolutely mint condition. So I should be able to get a very good price for it on eBay or Reverb.

[Famous Last Words]

I just joined KVR. As this 2-post thread amply demonstrates, this is definitely not a hardware-centric forum like Gearspace. LOL.

I don't know how many hundreds of posts there are on Gearspace about the $5,000 3rd Wave keyboard. You'd think the more "affordable" $3,500 3rd Wave desktop would warrant a bit more interest. From what I've heard in YouTube and SoundCloud demos, the 3rd Wave really is probably the best-sounding, most full-featured modern synth you can buy. However, it certainly comes at a very high price. I personally think it's worth it and look forward to adding a 3rd Wave desktop to my synth collection.

[vurt]

I just joined KVR.

i see.

[Famous Last Words]

I just joined KVR.

i see.

Well then. Nothing to say about the Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave desktop? You know, the topic of this thread? That's okay. I realize the 3rd Wave is more synth than some people can handle (or afford).

[kritikon]

I've had a listen to a few demos but tbh I didn't delve too deeply. 3rd wave is one of those synths with a quite definite character that you either love or hate. Personally, I didn't love it. Wavetable type sounds just grate on me for some reason. It screamed out the original synth character (which I didn't like either) . Filters are OK but I characterize it's core sound as metallic. And some of the advanced modulation stuff was a bit too glitchy for me. If you like PPG type sound, then this is a great synth. Modernized and extended. Not for me, though I can appreciate a character synth. Rather that than some vanilla blandness (which is oberheim for me). The price is high, but not outlandish compared to say Prophets etc. If you like the sound of someone carving up sheet metal with a chain saw, then it's probably good value...

[TobyB]

I am very interested. I have a number of synths ... mainly modern/digital (Iridium, Kyra, P12, Modal's, Essence FM etc) ... no room for keyboards as I use a Linnstrument. So 3rd Wave as keyboard only of passing interest only. BUT ... the module option, is still very expensive... hmmm ... maybe ... ?

[vurt]

I just joined KVR.

i see.

Well then. Nothing to say about the Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave desktop? You know, the topic of this thread? That's okay. I realize the 3rd Wave is more synth than some people can handle (or afford).

it's not my thing. price is irrelevant, if i like something i buy it.
im quite irresponsible like that.

[simmo75]

I've had a listen to a few demos but tbh I didn't delve too deeply. 3rd wave is one of those synths with a quite definite character that you either love or hate. Personally, I didn't love it. Wavetable type sounds just grate on me for some reason. It screamed out the original synth character (which I didn't like either) . Filters are OK but I characterize it's core sound as metallic. And some of the advanced modulation stuff was a bit too glitchy for me. If you like PPG type sound, then this is a great synth. Modernized and extended. Not for me, though I can appreciate a character synth. Rather that than some vanilla blandness (which is oberheim for me). The price is high, but not outlandish compared to say Prophets etc. If you like the sound of someone carving up sheet metal with a chain saw, then it's probably good value...

I own the keyboard version, it doesn’t sound metallic in the slightest!
I think you’re confused with Waldorfs tone.

3rd Wave has some serious low end, it’s really impressive, but YouTube does it no favors…

It’s definitely very PPG. It’s definitely worth demoing through monitors or good headphones, and not Youtube.

The analog filter is lush too.

[kritikon]

I always found PPGs very metallic, so it's consistent. Very first time I ever got my hands on a PPG I was supremely deflated and disappointed. It had been built up to be this Uber desirable icon, but it sounded like some plasticy chipsynth to me and very metallic. I absolutely agree these type of synths have character, just not character that I like. I have never heard a single wavetable synth that I ended up liking. They're all capable of making some good sounds and unique sounds but overall, not for me. Same with Waldorf - some nice filters and I love the look of some of them, but end up disliking the overall character.

It's all subjective. I don't like Moogs or Moog style filters, which rules out Oberheims, yet people love those. I even bought a B2600 and was disappointed by the sound if I'm brutally honest with myself. For me, 3rd Wave is the epitome of metallic.

[Vectorman]

It's great that a company has produced a modern update of the PPG, complete with a physical design that evokes nostalgia for it (I love that). No doubt if I was a well-funded touring artist and wanted that kind of capability in a self-contained hardware instrument, I'd be all over it. Just for my own purposes, I feel like the modern/hi-fi wavetable sound design territory is something I already have covered with Massive X, Hive 2, Dune 3, Serum, Icarus, etc. What I'm missing is that retro grungy wavetables through analog filters sound - the PPG sound. But at this point, I think I'm content to wait for the more singularly focused and considerably lower priced PPG remake that is likely still coming...even if it takes another 2 or 3 years or whatever to ship.

[Constructed Identity]

What's cool about this thing is you can have different effect settings on each part. So different timings on left right echo when you pan each to left and then to right. This gets to be crazy complex, sound designer's dream.

[zerocrossing]

It's great that a company has produced a modern update of the PPG, complete with a physical design that evokes nostalgia for it (I love that). No doubt if I was a well-funded touring artist and wanted that kind of capability in a self-contained hardware instrument, I'd be all over it. Just for my own purposes, I feel like the modern/hi-fi wavetable sound design territory is something I already have covered with Massive X, Hive 2, Dune 3, Serum, Icarus, etc. What I'm missing is that retro grungy wavetables through analog filters sound - the PPG sound. But at this point, I think I'm content to wait for the more singularly focused and considerably lower priced PPG remake that is likely still coming...even if it takes another 2 or 3 years or whatever to ship.

I don’t know what happened to it, but Behringer was working on a PPG clone. I’m surprised it’s not done by now.

[zerocrossing]

I’d love to get this one, though it would definitely mean ditching something to make room. Not sure what. I just got a Nina, which I absolutely love, but it’s the most logical choice. I wonder how close the 3rd Wave could get to the Prophet 6. Maybe the Prophet 12? I wonder how the 3rd Wave sounds while feeding back… I do love the 12’s feedback.

[Constructed Identity]

It's great that a company has produced a modern update of the PPG, complete with a physical design that evokes nostalgia for it (I love that). No doubt if I was a well-funded touring artist and wanted that kind of capability in a self-contained hardware instrument, I'd be all over it. Just for my own purposes, I feel like the modern/hi-fi wavetable sound design territory is something I already have covered with Massive X, Hive 2, Dune 3, Serum, Icarus, etc. What I'm missing is that retro grungy wavetables through analog filters sound - the PPG sound. But at this point, I think I'm content to wait for the more singularly focused and considerably lower priced PPG remake that is likely still coming...even if it takes another 2 or 3 years or whatever to ship.

I just read the manual. One thing I learned is that the PPG had a unique envelope curve that is select-able on the 3rd Wave. The presets that copy the PPG have this envelope curve and it is much longer than the default exponential curve. Some of those presets are right out of 1980's movies