Groove Synthesis | 3rd Wave | Initial Impressions
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- Опубликовано: 28 июл 2023
- Here in 4K are some brief initial impressions plus plenty of sound examples from the 3rd Wave by Groove Synthesis. All the sound examples you hear are just a single oscillator, no filter, no complex modulation.
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True story: I use your demo as background music as we work on our next synth. Thanks so much for this, Tim. Beautiful, expressive demo here.
That's an amazing compliment, thank you so much. 🙏
I have a couple of projects to finish then I will be turning my attention back to the 3rd Wave, much more still to explore 👍
NEXT synth!?!? Salivating for a maybe more affordable version of 3rd Wave- maybe 49 keys, 16 voice, 2-part bitimbral, etc... I'd bet if y'all put out a version of this engine that was under $2500 it would sell like CRAZY!!!
About two months ago I took delivery of a 3rd Wave and have been engrossed in it since. RUclips audio doesn't do it justice, it sounds a lot richer and more detailed and it is remarkably dynamic when played through monitor 'speakers. The workflow is logical but because it's such a powerful synth it does take some time to get to grips with it and the effects processing section leaves nothing to be desired.
As Tim stated, it is expensive but you do get one hell of a synth and it looks beautiful. Groove Synthesis have done a remarkable job in creating this synth and I would highly recommend it.
RUclips audio is pretty decent these days with the Opus codec they use, assuming you're not bandwidth limited, which can result in you getting a lower quality audio stream.
Amazing to me that every video I see of this thing (including the one I did that really highlights the analog side) shows a radically different side of this beast. Truly an incredible synth.
Side note: your video aesthetic is always so classy, Tim. Love the color and vibe on this one. 👍🏻
The synth is a thing of beauty, from UI to sound, added bonus is Tim's treatment of his filming, a touch of that dry martini class!!!
🍸
this is the review that I have been waiting for, one that focuses on the high definition wavetables, and after hearing that deep woody tone at 2:39 I am completely sold on this synth.
Outstanding sonic fidelity that this instrument has. Thanks Tim for putting together this particular demo.
This is an amazing synth, it's actually really cheap considering it has 4 pairs of stereo out to be used as 4 synth engines with their own sequencer, so when you break it down in price, that makes it very cost effective imo.
I've spoken to Bob, him and his team and brilliant, I wish them all the success with this and any future endeavors.
It's such a great hands on, playable synth.
Thank you for the upload.
Ambient heaven! Sounds very similar to my Waldorf Q, but smoother and higher fidelity. I demo'd the 3rd Wave at NAMM in 2022 and was very impressed with many of the onboard sounds. A programmer's paradise!
Thanks for a huge body of synth information you have provided. Haven't watched this one yet but appreciate all your much valued work for years now. Keep up the great work !
Lovely video Tim. I like your approach here, just showing the raw quality and possibilities of the osc.
“Whenever I get my hands on a wavetable synthesizer…” - his voices quakes…😂👍
Nice demo, Tim! A zen wave scanning journey... amazing how much you can get out of a single oscillator. It has such a great core sound... plus so much versatility and depth. Look forward to seeing/hearing what you create next!
Love the sounds that this synth generates. Simply Wonderful. Thanks Tim.
Thank you. I am "going out on it" a bit here, but I believe that there was a nod to the Dune soundtrack in the very beginning of the video. What an amazing synthesizer and demonstration of it as well.
You make the key point - the 3rd Wave is _extremely_ powerful and actually a very good value. I barely touched my other synths for well over a month when I got mine. The wavetable synthesis you gorgeously highlighted is just a fraction of what it can do.
Great video. Honestly the fact that you can achieve these sounds with an single oscillator makes me wonder if we aren’t looking for too much “useless” complexity in synthesizers these days
kinda takes some of the fun out of it though.. synth on auto-pilot
@@vjmacintyre I agree a big part of synths is sculpting the sounds you want to get of of them. But then again I've been playing piano for years which is basically just a single "patch", and never got bored with it
@@MaximeFrjqso true, piano or guitar is basically a single patch. Drums the same. A few amazing patches on a synth is better than thousands of forgettable milk toast sounds
I have a Hydrasynth and a ModWave and I’m really enjoying both. But I had the opportunity to play with this for about 30 minutes and was blown away. Definitely worth every penny. Hopefully I will get one next year.
Wow!, where were they demoing that then? You in US or outside UK. Does sound gorgeous but is pricey of course - case of you get what you pay for right?!
I have a Hydrasynth and a Wavestate and a few other synths, f.x iconic Technics WSA-1 ...I would sell of them to get this one instead
Amazing sounding synth. Really looking forward to demos of the new free-running oscillators. Thanks Tim!
The video's color grading gives it a beautiful cyan tint that I wish they'd have opted for. Definitely the ultimate wavetable synth...
This is great, Tim. Was really hoping you'd do a followup video where you really dive into the other 80% of this monster synth. If a followup is pending, let us know! I know it takes time to put these together in true Shoebridge fashion, quality, et al.
Love wavetable synthesis. Absolute bliss for space and atmospheric ambient. Nice demo. Pricey stuff. I need one and a Trigon-6.
Slow moving and evolving glassy/metallic sounds are fantastic to my ears. Edit : this synth is very powerful.
This sounds amazing, the only synth in years that sounds enormous and expansive, 24 notes as well, high res audio is the way forward, a new bar has been set.
Most amazing synth I ever played
Great video Tim! So happy you got one of these :) my fave keyboard I own
Great demo Tim, always musically useful instead of oscilloscope views of a standard wave shapes.
Just awesome... simply awesome! And it wasn't even a "review"!!!! Wonderful!
Very nice! I have learnt a nice way of playing a wavetable synth in this vid. Thanks.
Btw, your focusing on the screen felt like the wavetable is micro adjusting it. 😁
Absolutely stunning sounding synth even in this stripped back introduction to what it can do. It's an eye-watering price tag for sure but it's hard to think of anything that comes close. Part of me leans towards a more versatile synth that can do wavetable synthesis, something like Iridium, but I understand that involves an element of compromise.
My Kinda machine ahh one day.. Lovely sounds Tim/Demo
Thanks Tim - You definitely get a lot of mileage out of one oscillator! Great video! And I have to say also say thank you for pointing out what it is capable of if you use all of its capability.
There are a total of 64 "User" wavetable locations separate from the PPG locations, of which 48 come loaded by us. A user can load all 64 positions and can of course replace what is there. It will make a wavetable for you automatically from audio, and you can save and load wavetables via the USB port.
Hi Mr Coover, if you get to read this. Wow, your synth is beautiful. I know I shouldn't ask, but I'm hoping for a desktop 3rd Wave?????
@@bilonggrisimmeri I will have to "Take the 5th". But it is not out of the question.
@@bobcoover6215 You heard it first on YT comments, folks!!
Personally I’m mostly over wave table because it’s a part of every hybrid synth I own, but this certain is the master of wave table synthesis.
The time on this video is 13:37, a nice little hint about the quality of the video itself.
Thank you, Tim.
It's a gorgeous sounding synth. So far I'm only resisting it as I have Modal 002 and Waldorf M.. but I feel I will cave one day
Thanks for posting, great video!
Honestly the 3rd wave might be the only synth I'd own if I could afford it (well, minus my minitaur/perfourmer) Hell, part of me is tempted to just move everything on to get it. Sounds absolutely wonderful. That's not to say it isn't worth it at all, the price to feature is well worth it. One day perhaps
This synth sounds very different to most others out there, in many ways it reminds me of when the Waldorf Q first came out but better!! Might have to get one of these !
very good demo, thanks !
Me and you have so similar tastes... I love my Iridium. I like Osmose (yet to get one though). My 3rd Wave can 3 days ago its STUNNING.
Agreed on tastes--love my Iridium and with only a few weeks with my Osmose so far, it still surprises me with how beautiful it sounds.
Thank you Mr. Shoebridge. I always love when you make videos with REAL synthesizers. This synthesizer is a n exotic beast. Not an average Roland or Yamaha... but I wouldn't swap it for my XTK 30 voice either.
niiiice , busy now , I'll watch it later , yesss
You want the best, you got the best. The hottest band in the world, third wave.
Always interested in your opinion.
Very considered and comprehensive.
I really like what I hear.
Now whether to sell the Iridium keyboard and a few others and buy this.
Worth the money but I’ve got some warm and dirty sounds out of Iridium. Especially with DigiFormer.
Thanks again.👍
Solo e semplicemente.. Meraviglioso 🙏❤️
Great video, Tim. The Moog One comparison was a bit odd though! Buyers remorse?
And it responds to poly aftertouch if you want to control it from the Osmose.
$5G is a heavy load for something I could probably break into tiny pieces in an instant of clumsy acquisitional excitement, but it does sound absolutely wonderful!
As always, a wonderfully relaxed review. It's a pity there is still no continental European distribution established. I would have gone to buy it yesterday.
Thomann Music in Germany has it now in store. Ordered mine today 🥳
Nice and a real bargain. Ill get at least two , maybe three.
Sounds like a scene scape on Arrakis. Lower tones represent worm sign 😊
Yes, sounds like enough raw material for the whole Hyperion Cantos too.
Very nice 👍
Nice video Tim! Analog filters aside, how would you say it is versus a Waldorf XTK? (which has been my favorite wavetable synth to this day) Unfortunately I don't have one now, and wished that the M had keys. So this looks like a possible candidate.
That said, I have a Mask-1 now, and absolutely love it for similar reasons to these synths, it's just a bit less heavy on the sound design. (but sounds incredible)
As always, thank you for giving a level of access that is helpful, interesting, and insightful.
However, rather than the apples to capybaras comparison you give between the Moog One and the 3rd Wave, a much more helpful and useful comparison would be between the current Korg wavetable offerings and/or the current Waldorf offerings. The former would be useful just to demonstrate the 3rd Wave’s superiority (leaving the cost differential as a reasonable deciding factor) whereas the latter would be much more useful for the if-I’m-already-going-to-spend-5k-on-a-synth crowd. For example, I love my Iridium (which is much more expensive in the US!) and don’t see a vast difference between the Quantum/Iridium and 3rd Wave, would the latter really give me that much more sonic pallet? OTOH, features on the 3rd Wave that _might_ sway my opinion (like actually being able to sample (directly!) as opposed to all the tedious mucking about in hyperspace most mortals have to do to import any external audio) might be a big win and deciding factor for some folks with the 3rd Wave.
Hi Tim. Thanks for reminding us that sometimes true beauty is in simplicity. Would it be possible for you to post this init patch you made? (Perhaps on your website). I tried making one similar to what you described and it didn't come out the same. Neat but not the same. I would love to hear the wavetables as they are in this video.
it sounds amazing. I got a Waldorf Quantum recently, and wonder if this is better? I think they are different in a lot of ways, from watching vids on the 3rd wave, but it would be great to see a side by side on just the wave table part of it all.
I would imagine Quantom is a lot more versatile given the amount of synth engines available. I suspect this would be stronger if you were just comparing wavetable engines.
@@BecomingProductions I think you're right. but, that 3rd Wave sounds soooooo killer. is there a randomizer on the synth? and is there an editor?
Does not sound like my Quantum... maybe more like a Waldorf M. I think the Quantum is capable of much more weird stuff...this is more... Vintage ...Digital Vintage ? :) i have seem some mentions to a Summit... and the sound is eveb further apart from this...
AMAZING! so spacey/ambient.. perfect for sci-fi, shoegazey stuff.. too bad it's worth almost 7 grand CAD! Beautiful sounds.
Wonderful video and great sounds! That classical guitar sound might have been my favorite, just because it blended so well with the WT sounds...I'm curious, do you still have the dual Prophet 6's and if you've getting to play them much with all these other great synths you have.
Many thanks 🙏 I ended up selling one P6 but instantly regretted it. I have one P6 left and an OB6 and I'll never let them go (famous last words but the intention is there!)
@@TimShoebridge ha, I hear you on that! Did you keep your matriarch? I know there’s probably better synths out there but it’s charm is really pulling at me currently. Wonder if it wore off for you or how often you incorporated it with your euro setup. Currently that’s my thought but I know how things can change once it’s actually in the studio.
This video ❤ needed to be 4x longer
That's funny there's a preset called "who needs filters?" but this whole demo could be called that. The wavetables pick out the harmonics for you.
Or rather, the wavetables "look them up and interpolate them". I just know somebody would get semantic if I didn't add this addendum to my comment.
Lovely! I’d love to hear just pure scanning of the wavetables with the Hydrasynth.
It's not going to sound anywhere near this good because the analog filters add at least a touch of distortion that smooths things out on the 3rd Wave, just like on the Quantum vs Iridium. However you also can't get around those filters on the 3rd Wave or Quantum (other than bypassing the filter entirely), so the Hydra and Iridium can also do things the 3rd Wave and Quantum can't.
@@hostnik777you can use the same digital filters of the iridium on the Quantum. But you can choose the Analogs, or 8 analog plus 8 digital...
Incredible machine.
I looked up the price. Holy cow. What are they smoking?
Ha. But Johan, it's essentially 4 independent 6-voice synths. Let that sink in. : ) @@johannborchersfriends
Great, and appetizing...
But it looks a very complex machine. Where you need a lot of time for- the design doesn't look very intuitive. But perhaps another video to come?
The Hydrasynth looks much more user friendly, but perhaps Tim, you can comment on these thoughts in your next video about the 3rd wave?
would love your take on the behringer neutron
My biggest beef with the Waldorf Iridium is why only one set of outputs. This short demo of the 3rd Wave immediately makes me think of Thomas Dolby and also and Gary Numan,s first album where he used the PPG. I think that was Berserker or Warrior
I'm impressed with the fidelity (duh) but the wave table scanning is so smooth. I guess I'm used to the old Wavestation A/D or the SynthTech(MOTM) E350 where the smooth interpolation is hit and miss (horrible w/ the WS and much better with the E350 - but not as good as this).
What do think of it's VA sounds compared to a Summit for example ? Seems to sound more like a Oberheim ? Than a Prophet ? Bright, fizzy, Forward sounding ?
Tim, for Ambient Music, what do you choose between Waldorf Quantum and 3rd Wave?
Hi Tim, how does it compare to Summit/Peak?
ruclips.net/video/Ym1S5HUPc8o/видео.html this tides of the summit
I have never spent this kind of money on a synth, but the first time considering it. Why? Because of the wavetable auto preparation of my custom imported wavetables. Because the automation makes this a wavetable synth that I can test many waveforms very quickly I predict that in about a half a year, I will be able to hear the wavetable I want to import and know it will be the oscillator for the current project. This gives this synth a completely new sound with each import, I don't think this synth can grow old, it will be new on each import.
If I may ask, which microphone do you use to record your voice for your videos?
Any news from the behringer"s pro800?
May I ask what wave envelope parameters you are using? I’d like to give your test a little try on my 3rd Wave.
yoink!
Wow. I am blown away. Let me check price now……
... died from cardiac arrest?
When will your Hydrasynth Revisited video come out?
Mid way through recording but a few family events have taken priority this last month 🙄
I still do not fully understand the whole Wavetable stuff. Is it like playing tiny samples in a loop then choosing the sample? How is it compare to a sample based instrument? But still makes no sense since they sound so good how how are these samples if they are static so organic and complex?
I wish someone would make a video that compares and contrasts this with the Waldorf M. **cough cough**
An upgraded ppg?
Just want to know, which Envelope you used? The Env 3 & 4 or the 6 stage Envelope?
I used the six stage as it's hard wired so no need to set up anything in the mod matrix
@@TimShoebridge The 3rd Wave is now in my Studio since 2 Month. Many many nice sounds I made since then. The VA-Section is very versatil and extremly well programmed! The driftmode is stelar and with free running oscillators in a next update will be hopefully a dream :-)
Sounds better than the quantum imho
Was thinking the same... but hard to say really... maybe the Wave has a bit more furriness coming from the filter... the sheer amount of other synth engines on the Quantum/Iridium is hard to beat...
This synth does appear to be more immediate though.. although the wave part of the Waldorf is pretty intuitive and quick.
I agree, it sounds on another level. As a previous Iridium and M owner I can say that Waldorf sound is very mediocre, but not terrible. This synth seems to be on UDO Super6 level of sound in overall.
Sounds amazing. I expect it would take me a day to program a single patch.
@@TvarohMediocre? No. Super-6 is in fact great.
Fewer synthesis modes in the 3rd Wave, so Wavetable vs Wavetable I agree it sounds better but there’s more depth to the Iridium/Quantum. Iridium has polyphonic aftertouch and FM, Sampling, Granular, etc. I have both and I honestly absolutely love both but see them as complimentary, with about 25% overlap.
What were your settings for the envelope for this demo?
Synthepunk says get a model D
In theory at least, if you put the same wavetables into another wt synth, you could come close to sounding like this synth ??? E.g. Modwave???
No the lack of analog signal chain.
@@videosuperhighway7655 It will be possible to test this, as PPG, Prophet VS and even Fizmo wavetables become available for Korg Modwave. Yes, I do know its filters are digital, not Curtis analogue chips. I have played a PPG Wave, b.t.w., - quite a raw sound, most impressive.
Man this sounds insane. Will have to sell the wifes car again.
Is it just me or is there some harshness in the sound quality?
Welcome to Wavetable / Waveform synthesis. Waveforms are packed with harmonics, many of which are louder than the root register so the effect is often very bright and tinny, perhaps even ear piercing sometimes.
@@RedFishBlueFish Having listened to the many other clips also, I think it sounds a bit raw compared with f.ex. Quantum. The sound quality is decent, but I can't come up with situations where I might use it, especially with other instruments involved. The sound could be too separate from the rest of the sound wall. But, just for electronic stuff, this machine must be very capable
@@seppoinnanen5577 Yes, that’s quite the point of concern I have as well. My main go-to synth for the music I produce is an Oberheim OB-X8. Purely analogue, 8 voice beast of a synth. I strongly suspect and fear that this 3rd Wave and others similar to it, like a Hydrasynth or perhaps a Blofeld, will have enough volume but not enough presence to stand out in the mix and hold its own.
The 3rd Wave isn’t a one trick wavetable pony! It can also do smooth, buttery, yet powerful VA patches! It has the same LPF as the Prophet-5 IIRC.
ruclips.net/video/Xb2q-P__MHQ/видео.html
@@RedFishBlueFishwe are listening to the wavetables with the filter wide open. They are expected to be bright, buzzy, even harsh, until you start filtering.
Hydrasynth video?
No it's a 3rd Wave video 🤣
Hydrasynth revisited coming soon 👍
Now hold on Tim, you mention just one oscillator, but you're pressing more than 1 key so the 3rd wave already sounds more lush. 😉
Not sold on this.. At all.. And my preference is digital.
Sound volume too low
But it’s so expensive! 😇
Yes, it is expensive - but remember, it's the equivalent of four 6-voice synths in one keyboard. Each with its own independent pair of outputs, FX, and more. : )
As Mark said, when you break it down, you're getting 4 synths in one, so it's not really that expensive, especially when you compare it to other synths with 6 voices.
The initial $ of PPG was 7K USD as its cheapest, so you're getting a ton of synth today with many more features, for far far less.
And you also have to remember, this is a self funded start up, the cost involved to bring to market isn't like other manufacturers who already have a cheaper alternative to manufacture.
Funny how you sound like a sous chef-kok, a little bit of reverb here and a little nip of delay there not to much of the vibrato, hmmm iam getting hungry😂
I should not have watched this video.. feel that the wallet is going to get €5000 lighter soon!!
How would you compare the 3rd Wave to Waldorf's VST version of the PPG?
Uhm, ok. But just playing a wavetable through is just like playing a sample through. That’s not how this synth is designed to be used is it. Makes little sense to me except to show the fundamental wavetables. Beyond that, the really key thing about this synth is the filters and modulation.
The modulation … of wavetables
Yeah, that’s kind of exactly what he explained he was going to do…
3rd wave: 48 wavetables, 5.800 euros. Hydrasynth: 219 wavetables, 1.110 euros. Guess which one I got for my home studio setup..
The hydrasynth doesn't actually have any wavetables at all. It has 219 individual waveforms. On the plus side you can combine them how you like into a custom wavetable with up to eight waveforms in. So that's a huge number of combinations to play with. The 3rd Wave allows you to record/import your own wavetables, so sonic capabilities there are endless. But judging these two synths on numbers of waveforms and wavetables - or their cost - seems a bit futile, they are very different instruments for very different budgets.
@@TimShoebridge The fact remains that every sound you made on your video exists in the Hydrasynth. It makes no sense for anyone to throw away this kind of money. My advice to everyone is they should get a 3rd wave as soon as possible, because when the company bankrupts these instruments' value will skyrocket. If they can stand its ugliness that is.. AND a huge thanks to you, videos like yours prevent people from losing their money on overpriced gear. At least it worked for me.
Jesus that thing needs a low pass filter. Shave some of that tinny treble out. Yikes!
Oh… Also great video buddy!!!
interesting you say that.. I've been playing wavetables for years now since I played a PPG Wave 2 in 1987.. For some reason I've never been that fond of using filtering at all on wavetable synths (especially on my Iridium/Vital/Pigments)... don't know why and I'm sure I'm in the minority... interesting to note that the original 360 from 1978 had no filters...
@@neilloughran4437 How do you deal with the harsh ultra high harmonics? They so often out-shout the original register tone they ‘belong’ to. Cheers!
@@RedFishBlueFishyou use the analog 4pole low pass and/or the digital 2pole SVF.
Which part specifically? This thing sounds freaking gorgeous imo. I might have missed it, but I'm not hearing anything particularly harsh. Though granted, Tim really is showing off these wavetables unfiltered on purpose. Those crispy high end sounds of the PPG wavetables are what sets this synth apart.
So… you’re just auditioning wavetables. OK then. Neat, I guess? These waveforms are just strung together in no particular pattern. They might be sorted by various spectral parameters but the process is essentially random. So, I don’t think there’s any magic here. It’s just… well… wavetables. Wavetables sound neat. Wavetables are fun to eat. Wavetables are made of wav meat.