Groove Synthesis hasn’t merely recreated the legendary PPG Wave synthesizer, they’ve taken it to new heights. With the 3rd Wave, Groove Synthesis pays homage while advancing wavetable synthesis in powerful new directions.
Founded by seasoned synth veteran Bob Coover, Groove Synthesis aims to create the ultimate modern reboot of the coveted PPG Wave. With an experienced team and Coover’s years refining algorithms at Sequential, they have succeeded spectacularly.
The 3rd Wave captures the iconic sound and interface of the PPG Wave, while expanding on its capabilities. It retains the analog low-pass filters but adds a digital filter. Oscillators increase from two to three per voice, and voices from eight to a massive 24. Modulation options now surpass even the most complex patches imaginable.
Beyond emulation, the 3rd Wave forges new ground. Its high-resolution 96kHz wavetables go far beyond the PPG’s 8-bit origins. Import your own custom wavetables or use the onboard Wave Maker to analyze audio. The 3rd Wave smoothly morphs between waveforms with its Wave Flow feature.
Multitimbral layers expand the sonic palette further. Four parts with dedicated effects allow complex splits, layers, and individual processing. Each part behaves as its own synth, so the 3rd Wave truly functions as four instruments in one.
Great care was taken to perfectly model every idiosyncratic element of the PPG tone. But options allow tweaking each element, from envelope response to pitch instability. This flexible approach satisfies those seeking pure emulation or a modern reinvention.
Beyond sound, the 3rd Wave also raises the standard in design and build. Its lovely blue panels are packed with knobs and buttons, feeling premium to the touch. Intuitive yet deep, it balances accessibility with power.
With its expansive yet precise sound, intuitive interface, and robust construction, the 3rd Wave truly stands out among contemporary synths. For those seeking the ultimate in wavetable synthesis, look no further than Groove Synthesis’ masterful 3rd Wave.
