Groove Synthesis

Notes: A serious, serious synth. PPG-esque wavetable synthesis with huge 24-voice polyphony, dual analogue filters and four-part multitimbrality. Incredible sound, incredible versatility.

Supplier's Notes:
The 3rd Wave is a powerhouse wavetable synth with 24-voice polyphony and 4-part multi-timbral capability that's like having four independent synthesizers at your fingerprints.

Each of its 3 oscillators per voice can be:

A classic PPG-era wavetable
A high-resolution complex wavetable
An analogue-modelled waveform
Create up to 64 custom wavetables of your own using the built-in Wavemaker. With sample-to-wavetable capability, you can connect an audio source to the audio input and generate a wavetable at the touch of a button.

Classic legacy; modern sound

While the 3rd Wave has roots in the classic digital wavetable synths of the past, it takes that concept into the 21st century with a lush, expansive sound that's a product of its expanded wavetables and warm, organic-sounding analogue filters

It boasts not only a punchy, Dave Rossum-designed 2140 analogue low-pass filter with variable saturation, but a second, SEM-style state-variable filter (low-pass, high-pass, notch, and band-pass) for additional tone-sculpting. Run both filters in series for harmonically complex textures.

4-part; multi-timbral

With 24-voices, the 3rd Wave has enough power for the most note-intensive performances.

And that polyphony really comes into play with its ability to layer up to 4 independent parts or split zones - each with a completely different sound, sequence, and dual effect.

Each stereo part has independent panning, volume, and a dedicated stereo physical output.

Modulation Matrix

The secret weapon of any synth is its mod matrix, and the 3rd Wave doesn't disappoint.

With 16 assignable slots, 12 additional fixed-source slots, 27 sources, and 114 destinations, it has the flexibility of a modular.

And all of this power is per multipart. That means up to 4 independent layers of sound, each with its own mod matrix.

Sequence notes; songs & params

The 3rd Wave's sequencer is an inspiring tool for both composers and sound designers because it is pattern-based and can sequence notes, songs, and parameter changes.

For composing and performing, enter notes and chords in real time with or without quantization for maximum groove and arrange up to 24 patterns of up to 32 measures in length into songs just as easily.

Specs

Sound Engine

3 High-resolution Digital Oscillators Per Voice
64 total user wavetable positions with 48 wavetables that contain 64 waveforms per table (32 legacy PPG waves with room for another 16 of this type)
32 original 8 bit wavetables from the PPG 2 series instruments with room for 16 more user created 8 bit wavetables
7 high-resolution modelled analogue waveforms (sine, saw, triangle, supersaw, pulse, white noise, pink noise)

VCO sync

Linear FM
6-stage wave envelope per oscillator with variable time and position that can be looped
Optional wave flow section that allows for no wavetable as well as no waveform interpolation
Upper wavetable mode as with the original PPG 2 series
Unison mode and chord mode with variable voice count

1 Analogue Low-pass Filter

Dave Rossum designed, classic, 2140 low-pass resonant filter
24 db per octave slope
variable saturation amount
optional resonance compensation

1 State-Variable Filter

12 db per octave slope
Continuously variable between low-pass, notch, and high-pass, operation with optional band-pass mode

4 ADSR+ Delay Envelopes

Filter, Amplifier, plus 2 additional envelopes switchable between exponential and vintage PPG-style response
Freely assignable to multiple modulation destinations

4 Low-Frequency Oscillators

Triangle, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square, pulse 1, pulse 2, pulse 3, and random (S&H)
Variable delay
Note reset
Syncable to master clock BPM

2 Digital Effects

BBD, stereo delay, tape delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, distortion pedal, rotating speaker, ring mod, room reverb, hall reverb, super plate reverb - most modelled on famous hardware devices
Syncable to master clock BPM
Parameters modulatable via mod matrix

Wavemaker Tool: Built-In Custom Wavetable Maker

"Sample-to-wave" functionality. Connect an audio source to the 3rd Wave's Audio In port, press "Make Waves" and the synth samples the audio to create a custom wavetable
Samples to convert can also be brought in as a 96 kHz wav file through USB
Store up to 32 custom wavetables
64 waveforms per wavetable
Accepts pitched or un-pitched material as input
96 kHz sampling rate
16-bit resolution
1024 cycles per waveform, converted automatically to cover entire keyboard range
Flexible wave-sampling length
Imports Serum wavetables

Sequencer: Performs both Note and Parameter Sequencing

4 parts per sequence
24 sequences per preset
Up to 32 measures per sequence
Variable quantization resolution per sequence (32nd, 16th, 8th, quarter, half, whole note, or quantization off), that is settable in real time
Variable swing

Arpeggiator: 1 Arp per Multi-part
Up, down, up/down, and assign modes
Variable range (1, 2, or 3 octaves)

Mod Matrix: 16-slot Modulation Matrix Per Multi-Part

16 slot modulation matrix with 27 mod sources and 114 mod destinations
12 additional fixed-source mod paths
Modulation assignment buttons enable quick and easy modulation routing
Mod Matrix runs at audio rates
Sequencer can record and play mod parameter changes in real time

Controls

77 knobs and 39 buttons enable deep, comprehensive editing with minimal menu diving
Pitch and Mod Wheels
Full-sized, five-octave, semi-weighted, premium Fatar keyboard with velocity and aftertouch

Programs

500 factory programs. User rewritable

In/out

4 Stereo outputs (2x 1/4" phone jack per part)
Headphone out (stereo 1/4" phone jack)
MIDI In, MIDI Out, and MIDI Thru
USB port for bidirectional MIDI communication
Audio Input for creating user wavetables from external audio source (1/4" phone jack)
Audio Input can also route audio through the filters, output chain, and effects
Sustain/footswitch input
Volume pedal input
Expression pedal input

Power

1 universal IEC AC power inlet for internal power supply
Operates worldwide on voltages between 100-240v, 50-60 Hz, 65 watts maximum power consumption

Dimensions

Shipping Box Dimensions: 44 x 20 x 13 inches, 35 lbs
Synth Dimensions: 38.5 x 14.25 x 5 inches, 27 lbs