Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave Desktop

Groove Synthesis’ PPG‑inspired synth has grown considerably since we last reviewed it. It’s also got a lot smaller...

In SOS March 2023 I reviewed the 3rd Wave, a PPG Wave‑inspired keyboard synthesizer from California‑based newcomers Groove Synthesis. Now they’re back with a desktop version, perfect for those who don’t need another keyboard, are short on space, or found the premium cost of the keyboard too much.

The Desktop version of the 3rd Wave is refreshingly simple. It houses the same synth engine, the same inputs and outputs, the same screen and the same editing paradigm. The only compromises are around the number of physical controls on the front panel, and Groove Synthesis have made every effort to retain the same hands‑on feel of the larger keyboard version. It is rare to say this when comparing keyboard and desktop versions of a synth, but the capabilities of both versions are identical.

In this review, we will look at the physical differences between the desktop and keyboard, and we’ll take a look at any updates Groove Synthesis have made since the last review. The big news is that the 3rd Wave can now record, import and play back samples as an alternative oscillator source — something I didn’t foresee in my original review.

Recap

Firstly, let’s remind ourselves what the 3rd Wave is. If you want the full details, I refer you to the review of the keyboard in the March 2023 edition. Everything written there is valid, as the synthesis engine is identical.

The 3rd Wave is inspired by the PPG Wave 2, which you can see by the vibrant blue colour. Even the numerical aspect of the name implies that this could be ‘Wave 3’, a long‑awaited successor to one of the most famous synths of all time and — spoiler alert — they nailed it.

So, the 3rd Wave is a wavetable synth at heart. It boasts a generous 24 voices and can be up to four‑part multitimbral, allowing four six‑voice patches running simultaneously (or one 24‑voice patch, or any combination you see fit). There are four stereo outputs on the rear so you can mix the four parts separately (kudos to Groove Synthesis for not compromising on this).

Like the original, the 3rd Wave combines digital wavetables with analogue low‑pass filters, resulting in a warm yet digital sonic character. Included are 32 8‑bit wavetables based on the original PPG and 48 anti‑aliased 96kHz wavetables, with room for 16 more. There are digital state‑variable filters and the 24dB/octave low‑pass SSM filters, and this combination of retro and modern approaches is a theme that often reoccurs.

On top of that, there are three oscillators, two effects slots, oscillator sync, linear FM, four envelopes, four LFOs, an arpeggiator and a sequencer. And remember, that’s all per part, of which you can layer up to four. So, it’s possible to use 12 different wavetables, four sequencers, 16 envelopes, 16 LFOs and eight effects — all at once. There’s even a built‑in wavetable creator that will automatically create wavetables from recorded audio. Powerful stuff.

Waveterm...