Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave - I Almost Missed a Shockingly Great Synth!
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- I thought the 3rd Wave was a mere PPG clone so I ignored it. After seeing a few compelling videos on it, I took a chance on one. After pre-judging it based on presets, I almost returned it. SO glad I gave it another chance - it has blown me away. Don't miss this one!
The Miles Away patch bank that led to all this:
• Groove Synthesis 3rd W...
Table of contents:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:07 - Tragically misunderstanding the 3rd Wave
00:04:28 - Features overview
00:06:35 - First surprise: stunningly good ANALOG!
00:07:25 - Analog Filter
00:08:31 - Resonance Compensation
00:09:26 - Compared to analog legends
00:10:20 - Oberheim-style SEM filter
00:11:05 - Arp example
00:11:56 - Stranger Things-style vintage digital
00:13:23 - Stranger Sequence
00:14:32 - PPG style soundscape with effects control
00:16:42 - Beautiful textural ambient soundscape
00:17:52 - Circuit Drift
00:18:33 - “Aeon Split” - massive Moog vibes
00:20:22 - “Instant Score” - another Moog bass/soundscape
00:21:32 - “Grit Arp” - the mod matrix
00:22:36 - Another arp example
00:24:47 - “Super 80s” analog poly synth
00:25:53 - “Bandpass Heaven” - SEM filter example
00:28:25 - Needs a “home’ button
00:28:58 - More filter examples
00:30:15 - “Crisp Chords” - bandpass filter
00:30:39 - Circuit Drift on analog layers
00:32:15 - Access Virus-style arp
00:33:11 - “Heaven Pad” soundscape
00:35:07 - “Victory 2” big analog arp
00:35:54 - “Mau5Plucks”
00:36:55 - “Skyline 84” - PPG meets Roland D-50
00:38:51 - “Heavy Machine” - brace yourself!
00:41:15 - Someone’s going to get hurt…
00:42:55 - Pan spread
00:43:11 - another SEM filter example
00:43:36 - “Operator Bass” - a look at the effects
00:46:40 - “Pop Stabs” - EDM/pop style patch
00:47:55 - Gorgeous stereo arp example
00:49:37 - Interacting with epic PPG-style layers
00:51:04 - Another Circuit Drift example
00:52:11 - If Prince had a 3rd Wave
00:52:34 - bridging the analog-digital divide
00:53:46 - “Fat Fifths” Oberheim-style pad
00:54:39 - “Purple Power” - aftertouch
00:55:39 - Another arp exploration
00:56:25 - STUNNING mono/lead example
00:57:45 - Massive stereo analog brass
00:58:21 - More PPG-style soundscapes
00:59:39 - Ambient arp & wavetable scanning
01:01:38 - One more arp & filter improv
01:04:00 - This is just the beginning…
©2023 Jim Daneker
#3rdWave #GrooveSynthesis #Digital #Analog
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we live in a golden age of synthesizers right now. never before has there been so many great options for analog and digital
Agreed!
I'm an old school analog guy, but when I heard this at NAMM in 2022, I knew I had to have one. The Groove Synthesis guys have loads of experience from their time working with Sequential and obviously put their heart and soul into this instrument. It is extremely clear that they did NOT cheap out on components as this instrument sounds supremely fat and rich, with incredible dynamic range, right out of the jacks on the back. People complain about the price, but you get what you pay for... It is worth every penny IMO! ~ Great sounds Jim!
Thanks much - and I completely agree! They swung for the bleachers!
Many thanks to both of you for your kind words. We're very lucky to be doing what we're doing and loving it. Your support means everything to us!
Amazing video Jim! So happy you enjoyed my patches and decided to give the synth a second chance :) it sounds so good in your hands!
Thanks my friend! I linked to your video so hopefully it nets you some sales!
@@JimDaneker just bought them.
Love you. Love your playing. Love Devin. Love that you almost returned this!!!
Ha - thanks buddy! Always appreciate the kind words from guys like you! And yeah, I actually gave up on it TWICE... it's actually the 3rd time I got it back out that it won me over!
@@JimDaneker hahah the "3rd Wave" got ya :)
Thank you Jim! Yes, it does the PPG and user waves, but I am so glad you are showing the analog side of things. We've got to get some of these great sounds you have made!
And thank you for pointing out that this can be 24 voices in single mode, but also 4 independent 6-voice synthesizers. Great video!
Thanks Bob - it was a blast to do. So proud of what you guys have accomplished - can't wait to see what else you guys are cooking up!
Gosh...so many of those sounds just hit me. Thanks for adding another synth to my gearlust list. 🤣
Happy to, bud 😁😂
It is truly a remarkable instrument. I understand your feelings about the PPG. It did often sound a little sterile. I think Rush (on Power Windows) got a lot more out of it than most, and Patrick O'Hearn on his epically wonderful first two records made the PPG sound glorious (well-saturated with an H3000 and PCM 42, I'd guess). Not many others could do that, though. Anyway, 30 minutes into your first impressions and very much enjoying your take on the 3rd Wave. I got in on the first run of the 3rd Wave after several long conversations with Bob Coover who was clear that the synth was far more than a PPG redux. I haven't let it alone for more than day since. I love what you're doing with it! Now, back to your vid.
Yes sir - I couldn't agree more!
Picked one up about a month ago and it's become one of my favorite synths blends really well with the OB-X8 and Voyager!
This is a must get. It’s so refreshing to hear somebody who can actually play, demo a synthesizer. Most RUclips demos absolutely suck and based on what I hear I never want to buy what people are demoing .they shouldn’t even make videos because most of them can’t play more than one note at a time with one finger. And I always walk away thinking that instrument sucks . You are talented Thanks for the fantastic video.
Wow - thank you so much for the very kind words. That makes my day! A great synth tends to inspire, so that's a key ingredient! 😁
It sounds absolutely amazing
This is one of the most articulate and beautiful sounding synths, i love love love the "Aeon Split", the low end, middle and highs on this beast is amazingly beautiful to listen to. It's gorgeous looking and sounds amazing, I can easily write film cues without even deep preset digging, that's what i love about it, everything is upfront in your face. The only other synth equally sounding is the U.D.O Super Gemini. Great work form Groove Synthesis, could only imagine the updates coming.
Pretty phenomenal synth! As always your presentation knocks everyone else out of the park!
Oh man, thanks so much my brother. Means a lot coming from someone like you!
I still think the Prophet X is the secret synth, the stereo analog filters and combine of samples and the osc is just heaven sent
The quality of your tracks is outstanding. Each one tells a story. Can't wait to see what's next. 💓
☺♥Sounds ☺♥love
Wow, thanks for the kind words!
@@JimDaneker ☺♥
Gorgeous thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences
Sounds absolutely marvelous! Excited to hear it in the produced track.
I do respect the fact they made it 4 part mutitimbral. It’s a shame most manufacturers have forgotten how to do that, thinking we all want to layer using a DAW. Not the case. We like miltitimbral live performance driven with a sequencer 😁
The 3W is a beast, no doubt. However, I find multi-timbrality somewhat overrated. Once I have this blue masterpiece, I would rather layer it with other synths with different characters, e.g. a 3W wavetable with a smooth Prophet or Obie pad and some granular stuff from the Iridium.
Absolutely loved how you introduced us this baby!
Awesome synth and magnificent demo, full of sense! Thank you!
Thank YOU! 😁
Those are some serious sounds. I was listening in the car and it shakes!
Yes indeed!
Great demo, Jim. Enjoyed that!
Thanks much!
regarding the sustain pedal not holding the arpeggiator, I just learned there's a setting for that; "Sustain Footswitch" to "Pressed Hold On"
Yep, they added that in a firmware update. They're on top of it!
This is the kind of synthesizer where you sell all your stuff to get it. It's got tons of knobs. Setting up your LFO seems easy as pie. Make your own wavetables in house. I'm making a list of what need to sell.
Ha. This is exactly what I'm thinking now. What do I need to sell to buy. Eeek.
I’m selling all my stuff right now for it
Really nicely done!!!
Thanks Mark!
Fantastic Synth and a fantastic Video! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the kind words!
Very cool, thx for the demo!
Thank you!
Great video Jim! Sounds amazing. Especially the way you play ‘er.
Thanks much!
You definitely know how to express yourself with music. You and Miles away have completely convinced me. I must have the synthesizer I own Waldorf iridium keyboard, so I’m not sure how much overlap there is but in my mind, I think they will complement each other quite well. I’ve watched several of your videos and you really do Demo so well. You had me completely convinced that I needed a Jupiter X but now I think it’s definitely gonna be the third wave. I really appreciate your playing technique, and the sounds that you gravitate towards.
Thank you so much for the very kind words - it means a lot! Yeah, the 3rd Wave Is extremely special. It covers more ground than just about any other synth on the market, and it just sounds incredible!
Thank you for taking the time to make this - the best review of this synth I've seen so far! I'd also previously dismissed it for being 'too' PPG, but you've killed my GAS for the OBX8 & Prophet 10 :)
Beautiful playing dude. Really compliments the sounds and textures so well.
Man, thanks for the kind words!
Your vid was the reason for me to order this synth, thx for the help!
They just did a major update a few days ago that makes it a few steps better, which is saying something! It really is a stunningly great synth. Enjoy it!
Worth every penny. The sound is truly epic, and the UI is so inviting, friendly and forgiving. So. Damn. Fun. This thing has completely consumed me haha
Yep. Now with the user sampling option just announced today, it's even firmer in contention for synth of the decade for me!
A great video, Jim. Afterwards I was convinced and ordered the synth - since yesterday my studio has another blue monster ;-) greetings from germany - music is life ...
Glad you enjoyed it! They just did a major update, the other day that takes a few more steps forward, which is saying something. It really is an incredible synth - enjoy it! And greetings to my motherland of Germany 😁
You got me completely after 1:04 which was just incredible 👍👍👍👍. Excellent demo (definitely the best I ‘ve heard so far (I NEED ONE!)
Thanks for the kind words!
Bravo my friend! 👏👏👏 only half way through and I’m floored by this demo. I’ll be saving my pennies as this just ticks so many boxes.
Glad you enjoyed it! It's a monster synth!
Your video (again) confirmed that this is my dream synth in the future. I love the sonic range you displayed as well, Jim. Cheers and happy playing!
Thanks much - glad you enjoyed it! It really is a dream synth ;-)
I have just "stumbled" over the 3rd Wave. Boy! what an incredible synth, it looks like something I will be getting in the very near future. Your presentation is wonderful I LOVE the way your put this together I have just subbed!
Thank you! Welcome!
great video Jim!
Thanks much!
I also was watching Miles Away’ s video before, but it became you who pushed the trigger on me to order this monster!
I’m honored! You will love it! 😁
I have to get this synth, incredible!
Oh boy, almost caved and ordered one after the Miles Away video. This may push me over the edge.
It's SO worth it!
@@JimDaneker Just sold my Hydrasynth so I got the space. Down to a Prophet 10, Sub37, Polybrute, and Summit.
It's gonna be a tough battle between the 3rd Wave and an Iridium keyboard 😅
@@nickkarach76 I've owned every one of those, and honestly, this one could easily replace the Polybrute and Summit - and possibly the Hydrasynth unless you really dig into the deeper digital side of that one. Heck, it even stands up to my Prophet 5 for a lot of those kinds of sounds!
Dewit!
The perfect symbiosis of analog and digital sound
Absolutely fabulous demonstration of the 3rd Wave, you'd make one hell of a salesman. The low end on this synth is just amazing!
Thank you for the kind words. It's easy when a synth is that good!
Quick question, are there any empty slots to save patches you make or purchase or do you have to overwrite a preset? Thanx in advance.@@JimDaneker
@@texansbullpen777 no, it ships with 500 locations, and they are all filled. However, I wasn't impressed with most of them so I had no problem writing over them!
nice presentation. almost convinced. thank you. :)
Thanks for the kind words!
You nailed it: "The most value". Period.
This machine does not replace the OBX8, Moog One or the P5/P10, but, depending on the music you make, puts them into their respective niches more or less. It's sonically well balanced, no need to remove the Moog ultra low bass (which it cannot deliver, by the way) or add some air to the P10.
Just keep in mind we're also listening to a very good FX section here. The reverb is not as good as the Eventide found in the Moog One, but overall this is much more useful.
A real no-brainer given the small price tag.
Just half way this thing sounds amazing! Great video as well…
This synth sounds absolutley fantastic, it's massive I'm like you from the 80's and have the prophet 10,Oberheim x8, Moog One and this actually sounds in league with the Moog One but just different. Packed with features and the sound though!! I'll bet it makes you feel emotional in real life. The more I hear from this synth the more I feel like I have to have one no matter what!! Great demo!!
Thanks much! It really is fantastic. Tim Shoebridge actually posted a brief first impression the other day, and made some really intriguing points, comparing it to the Moog One... you should check it out!
@@JimDaneker yes I follow Tim too, already heard his demo, it’s hard to find a bad demo of this, I’d set my heart on the UDO super Gemini but the more I hear the 3rd wave the more it’s becoming apparent that it’s quite off the scale outstanding.
@@Robguitarjarvis agreed. The Super6 hasn't blown me away although it's a great synth - but the Gemini looks like it too could be a bit of a revolution. We'll see!
I watched this video 4 times in one day. Amazing man, wow! I'm looking at my Subsequent 37, Pro 3, and Iridium and having dangerous thoughts... they are worried. :p
I totally get it!
I am watching your video after the Miles Away video. Amazing sounds! I also was under the impression this one was only a PPG remake but it is so much more! I am also really interested in the UDO Super Gemini - it does have poly AT and a ribbon - also sounds da amazing but watching your video it seems the 3rd Wave has a wider palette - no poly AT but 4-part multitimbral, 24 voices, effects, drift/vintage knob, distortion, load waves using Serum - and most importantly the sound !
Yep, spot on. It's a monster synth in every way!
53:52 Madonna, Live to Tell? It feels like a very "Trevor Horn" machine. I'd wager the Groove Guys haven't heard their baby sound so good. Even though you're enjoying the VA and warm filters of the machine, I think you'll start appreciating the PPG wavetables part and become a fan of that vibe. I love all aspects of mine. Took me a while to warm up to it as well.. Bravo , James.
Yeah, those chords are reminiscent 😁
Great video....I see we share 4 or 5 synths....and after watching yours it will be another one
Thanks for the kind words... glad you liked it!
One of the things I want to experiment with this is to find the wavetables from the PPG 360 and install them on a 3rd wave and mess with the filters, which the 360 didn’t have.
That sound on 12:00 wow!What a synth.
This was the synth that finally made me shell out $5k. I had been gassing for an OB-X8 pretty badly, being a huge Prince/VH/80s fan. With this, I can recreate those sounds or get real close, it sounds incredible, and with zero voice-stealing. It's not too heavy or bulky, and I like the action: it's almost waterfall-like for sliding around the keyboard. As a live-performing player, this was "The One" for me! OH yeah, great video!!
So glad you like it - both the synth AND the video 😂😁👍🏻
Hi Jim, really glad to see you. Have been using your #dxdreams really hard. It's kind of funny how I have become my "personal" sound as it was back in the 80s. After my stroke thats what I have left, but make no istale I've done some of my very best after the stroke :-)
Always glad to hear from you Lars 😁👊🏻
the intro got me! haha this will be some interesting viewing when I get hone :)
Bro - you NEED this one. I can only imagine the damage you would do creating sounds for this thing!
@@JimDaneker I'm at minute 17 and blown away already! ... it's crazy good!
@@JimDaneker 12:19 - Barefoot MM27's and my pictures are shaking :D
@@scottmcauleysounds ha - yeah, I was blown away when listening through my big PMCs!
I check out the 3rd Wave at NAMM when first released along side the OBX-8 and Hydrasynth Deluxe. I loved the 3rd Wave sounds. It was overwhelming.
I had a PPG 2.3 & Waveterm B. Like you, I didn’t enjoy the sound & happily sold it (!) But the 3rd Wave is a different proposition. I genuinely believe it’s a ‘last synth you’ll buy’ ! Because like you again, I have all the normal bases covered with other synths. I think the 3rd Wave has enough range, it’s going to take years to explore!
Yep, I couldn't agree more!
Beautiful video Jim! Thank you so much for opening my eyes (and ears) - I was going to pass this synt from exactly same reason, PPG never turned me on. But this - this is sent from heaven! There is everything I would expect from modern synt and for me it leaves Quantum II, Moog One, OB8 and any Sequential far behind. Only donwnside I personaly see is its retro design...but one can get used if the sound is so wonderful. Wish Quantum II would sound like this - or this looked like Quantum 😀
Funny enough, I almost went for the Quantum II myself. Fantastic synth, but ultimately nothing I can't get from great plugins. The 3rd Wave on the other hand... nothing else does what it does. It just keeps getting better! The new OS that adds free-running oscillators is another big leap forward!
@@JimDaneker When we talk about plugins - which are your favourite and able to imitate Quantum? I spent quite lot in plugins last 2 years - some of them make me very happy - but I would appreciate your recommendation 🙂
@@petrgabaj4958 for that kind of crazy sound design, Vital, Pigments, Reaktor, Omnisphere, etc.
@@JimDaneker Perfect, I have three of these :-D I am very happy with Omnisphere, Massive X and my newest addition is Icarus from Tone2 - I find it amazing as well as their Gladiator. Also Falcon sounds great but even after half year or so I didn't convince myself to learn propper editing...its structure is quite complicated and the graphic interface doesn't help too much as well. Omnishpere in contrary is like an old friendly toy - everything is logically where you suppose to find it. Thank you once again - you saved me from spending a lot for Quantum...and now I am going to spend even more with 3rd Wave :-D
@@petrgabaj4958 I think you'll love it ;-)
I was blown away from the first second i tried it in a music store...
Sounds like the whole orchestra. It's awesome. Me
Take me to the moon baby!
I'm at the 17 min mark, and I just wanted to point out, that as you are going along, it just keeps getting better. I can't imagine what the end is going to sound like. I will say, that I have an Erica Synths Syntrx MKII , and that has the most analog sound I've ever heard and I've had at least 30 analogs, , so I'll meditate on how close that 3rd wave can get to it.
Thanks for the kind words!
Thanks for going though this synth. I did not have space for another full synth keyboard but I did notice they announced the desktop version which I have preordered. I agree this synth is amazing.
You will love it!
WOW! Does remind me of my Waldorf Q+, where it was a digital synth with 16 Analog filters.
Actually did not sound much different to the regular Q.
Great after your Prince part I will have to buy it
Ha - it does the Oberheim stuff so well!
Sounds wonderful! I bought an Iridium keyboard a year or so ago and this sounds so much richer due to those real filters. I'm kinda torn on getting a Quantum 2 but I don't get the impression its filters are as warm as this.... this really does sound very Prophet 5 at times!
Yeah, I almost bought a Quantum 2 but this won out. The Quantum is crazy good, but I can do most of what it does with plugins like Omnisphere, Pigments, Vital, etc.
The 3rd Wave on the other hand - nothing else really compares. And as of the new 1.5 that just rolled out, the analog side took another huge leap forward with free-running oscillators. It's absolutely massive!
@@JimDaneker it's just crazy expensive this side of the pond.. a good $2000+ more than the Quantum 2 even (and that is expensive enough!)... otherwise I'd have one... but congrats on having one... so inspiring!
@@neilloughran4437 thanks! Hopefully the financials level out a bit with distribution soon, or whatever factors are in play!
Got my Sennheiser leather headphones on, lol! woman born in "68" remember all the good sounds from the 80's, I'll pick up a decent Midi board and get the DX7 Dreams. I'm all in with that wonderful Analog sound! Anyone got a Roland D50 for sale? i had one in the early 2000's and sold it cause i didn't like the Piano sounds just could have bought a Ensoniq cause the later models have a really realistic piano, Know more then i did then....😁
7:10 "The best part of wakin' up ...is Foldgers™ in your cuuuup!"
Yeah this synth is something special, Bob and his team have worked hard to make something unique.
Specifically the 4 pairs of stereo out giving you 4 6 voice synths.
When you break it down like that, this synth is actually really cheap.
Thx for the upload.
Thank you for the excellent demo and enthusiasm about this synth. I too have listened over and over again, several demos on youtube trying to convince myself to love this synth but it has never found its way to my heart. I owned a PPG 2.2 a few years ago and enjoyed every moment of it because this instrument had soul. My conclusion : the 3rd wave is «almost» perfect in everything... but «almost» for me is just frustrating and not enough. For a similar price, I'd rather buy an OBX8 and wait for the Behringer PPG clone... IF there is any ;) On the other hand, I can understand why some musicians will find in this synth everything they need to produce their music.
Might as well also wait for the Behringer clone of the OB-X8 too then 😉
Terrific video! I am protected from the temptation to buy a 3rd Wave by not being able to afford it; but now I really, really want make some money....
Haha, thanks for the kind words! 😁
Good job, thanks, sub.
Thanks Sam - welcome!
I just bought a polybrute amongst many other synths and pieces of gear, but i keep coming back to this thing, it somehow sounds more analog than many analog synths, and i know how stupid that sounds…….but it just does. GS have definitely captured that warm 80’s Essence and depth, and used the advantages that digital can bring to really drive home that ‘sound’.
I’ve held off purchasing it so far because i have probably a few lifetimes worth of synthesis yet to explore with my other synths, but i dunno how much longer i can hold off for, lol….I got a major case of GAS for this synth.
You aren't wrong 😁
I hope they add tuning tables to this amazing synth
I want one!
Nice video. Thank you. Very nice sounds, no doubt. It is a top notch synth. But if you would put a Waldorf XTK and or a Q aside, you would hear very similar sounds. They both are imho ancestors of this 3rd Wave. (I own both XTK and a Q +30 voice versions) - so I'm not really surprised by the 3rd Wave sounds either...) I'd rather say they are very recognizable to me... 🙂
Should I just buy a Waldorf M instead and save the £3500? I've heard some amazing demos of it.
Incredible demonstration. I slept on this too and will get one this week. Will you release even a small sound pack of your inventions please? I’ll be grabbing the Miles on of course. He’s great.
Thank you for the kind words. I wish I could release these sounds, but sadly I didn't keep track of which ones were truly from scratch, and which ones were modified from other sources. I was having too much fun and going too fast! Devin's patches (Miles Away) were what got me going, so they will be a huge help 😁
Just saw your video of this today. Thank you for such an extensive walk-through. It’s now been a month since you’ve posted This and wondered if you kept it? I’m going to play it this weekend in Perfect Circuit butt all I keep hearing is more of a hydrasynth brashness to it. From what I’ve heard, it doesn’t sound anything like a prohet or an Oberheim but more like a not as good version and I was never expecting it to as PPG is what it is best at. I know it’s totally different in person so I guess I’ll find out this weekend. Thank you so much.
Not only have I kept it, I've fallen in love with it. It's been the most surprising synth of my career. The new 1.5 update that just came out a few days ago improves the analog side even more, which I didn't think was possible.
It doesn't sound exactly like anything else, which I love about it - but it can definitely sound as "analog" as anything out there, and it can certainly stand shoulder to shoulder with my Prophet 5, OB-X8, and Roland analog stuff. It's just as big and fat as any of them, and in many ways, it runs circles around all of them. Definitely a lifetime keeper!
wow that's awesome , ok I can't wait to sit with it this weekend. Congrats on yours and thanks for the great vid!@@JimDaneker
@@artbeforedeath4740 thanks for the kind words! It really is important to note that most of the factory sounds were so bland and uninspiring to me that I almost returned it! But once you get in there and start twisting knobs and experimenting, that's when it really starts becoming apparent how amazing it is. The Miles Away patch set is also a crucial starting point!
Awesome video thanks Jim. Got mine last week- what a synth! If I didn’t need the P10, X8, Trigon and OB6 for my business (I make the Yorick Low Frequency Expander) I reckon I could reduce my studio to this, OB6 and model D! Off to buy the Miles patches now!
Yes indeed!
And that is how to demonstrate a synth!
Ha, thanks!
Just ordered mine. Was considering the Quantum mk2 since it has analog filters (on 8 of the 16 voices), but landed on the 3rd Wave - like the user interface a lot better. Had and sold the Iridium keyboard ver because I didn´t like the filters. How does the state variable filter compare to the SEM in the X8? And the analog LP to the one in you Prophet 5? I have the OB-6 and the Prophet -6, so Im looking fwd to comparing the filters on these to the 3rd Wave.
I think you will love it. Same here… I almost pulled the trigger on a Quantum 2, but that one strikes me as Omnisphere, Pigments, Vital, and Access Virus in a box. It's a stunning box to be sure, but the 3W is a bit more appealing to me, especially after owning it now for a few weeks. It's really surprising in a lot of ways.
As for the filters, they are sublime. It's interesting that the SEM-style filter is digital - you would never know it, as it sounds gorgeous, and extremely similar to the hardware. No digital harshness at all. And the analog one is the same Dave Rossum design as the one in the Prophet 5 Rev4, so that one's identical!
So, as I went on about in the video, it's the analog side of this beast that really shocked me… in some ways it's more appealing than the Prophet/Oberheim because it's got 24 notes to work with and four layers, vs. 5 or 8 notes and 1 or 2 layers... plus relatively good effects. Not to mention the whole digital side!
Thank you very much for taking the time to give a comprehensive and good answer, highly appreciated.
Really looking forward to getting my 3rd wave, your video helped me a lot whether to buy it or not.
@@Owid1 you are very welcome. Hope you enjoy yours!
👌
Love the Andrew Masters studio tour but it’s already outdated. Love to hear your take on the UDO Super Gemini which should be in the running for “Synth of the Decade”…
Man, the trouble with those studio tour videos is they are outdated within weeks, usually! 😁
And yeah, I'd love to get my mitts on the Super Gemini at some point! It certainly seems to be in the running for that title!
Very good presentation of this awesome synth. At the moment I'm torn between this and a Black Corporation Ise-Nin. The 3rd Wave is probably more polyvalent... And has a keyboard, in this version...
Between those two, I'd choose the 3rd Wave all day long. It might be one of the most flexible and powerful synths of all time. The Ise-Nin will give you the Jupiter 8 flavor (which is awesome!), but that's all. If you want classic Roland analog, don't snooze on the System 8, and don't let the naysayers talk it down because it's an emulation; it's STUNNINGLY accurate. That and the 3rd Wave would be a monster combo!
Thank you for your advice !
@@partirparlesarmoires sure thing!
alas, for the first time ever, I have heard something VA that can kick the Virus TI's butt! what a demo buddy! that and the Digi side make this thing an absolute Killer Synth! that Saturation on Skyline 84 sounds like Poly Mod!
Yes indeed! I don't think I will ever let go of my Virus TI, but this thing absolutely nails many of those types of sounds!
@@JimDaneker dont say that as WELL..... I have a Ti2 desktop thats primarily a live tool (along with a Peak - both driven from a Fantom 7).. Im seriously thinking I could replace ALL my synths - Bar my Iridium (poly Aftertouch.....) with 3W and Nina.... could those 2 cover what I get from Polybrute, OB6, Prophet 6, Virus Ti1 and Peak......
@@paulmapp8306 man, we're drinking the same synth juice. The 3W and Nina together could shift the earth on its axis... can't wait to get my hands on that one too!
@JimDaneker OK... secured 0% interest credit over 2 years meaning I can grab a 3w before selling anything.
Polybrute up for sale, needs to go for space.
I'll hold off listing the p6 and ob6 till I've tried the 3w... but the assumption is they will both go, and fund nina.
Hoping, if it pans out as I expect, I'll have a gig rig of rd2000, fantom 7, virus ti2 desktop and peak... then a studio setup (on addition of those) of 3rd wave, iridium keyboard, nina and pro 3.
Pro 3 could go down the line for an osmose.... but that's a different discussion.
@@paulmapp8306 IMO, the 3rd Wave & Virus TI more than cover the Peak/Summit, too. I had a Summit for 24 hours and returned it. The Virus destroyed it ;-)
Beautiful sonics, the entire room was shaking on a few of those! May I ask who makes that mic your speaking in to? Very well done sir!
Thanks for the kind words! This synth definitely sells itself once you start spinning those knobs! The mic is an ADK Berlin 47.
Awesome sounds and playing.
Did you put any compression or FX on the final Audio or is it straight from the 3rd wave?
@@marcofontan7416 nope, straight from the 3rd Wave.
As soon you you revealed your pad at 9:00 with the low end and full wall of sound I though, how does it do that? And then you said it has Resonance compensation. I too am not drawn to the PPG wave sound itself, but the warm-bright timbre of this synth sounds very lush and musical. A synth in my distant past I never got over was the Prophet VS. I used it for string pads and I always remembered it fondly, so this has some of that Prophet VS I loved.
Good news: Starsky Carr has made the original VS waveforms available for the 3W. :)
Wonderful demo of a fantastic synth. Are you going to be putting out a patch bank for it? Would certainly purchase it.
Maybe at some point!
it's like if the ppg, oberheim, and the virus had a baby!
Yup!
Thanks for the great review. I have a bunch of (good) VSTs (NI suite, Avenger, Vital, ...) and an affordable Behringer Crave (love it for basic understanding of synthesis as well as its possibilities compared to the price) and I was kind of shocked that none of the VTSs could get even close to the sound of the analogue 24db LP filter of the Crave; Even the demos of the good-rated u-he VSZs (Diva, ...) are just not the same.
So I started looking for an analogue synth or at least one with analog filters whereas monophonic playing is not my business as a keyboarder (still great/necessary sometimes for Bass and Lead Sounds).
I had a look around at Prophet, Polybrute and others but none convinced me. Then I saw the announcement of the 3rd wave desktop version (and checked out some videos) and I went to Music Store (Germany) and tested the key-version today and wow - that's exactly what I am after!
The sound - even without fx and even with one layer - is already great and it covers so much... Of course not everything, but I can do a lot of e.g. FM synthesis through VSTs (as you also say, the Waldorf Iridium is really great but can be covered by VSTs) and I am really lloking forward to try routing external signals in the 3rd wave through the filters and fx...
I have reserved one of the desktop versions ponce it gets into stock (approx beginning of December) and yes - it is pricy (but I think worth it) and I am -also now after looking your full video- so looking forward to get it :)
I also like that it keeps being (software)develeoped.
So thanks again for your different type of review even more pointing out the benefits outside the presets...
Thank you for the kind words. Glad it was helpful!
P015 in the Miles Away bank: "My name is Ruin...!"
From the second previous Gary Numan album?
@@entropybentwhistle from 2017, Savage (Songs From a Broken World). The main riff is in D, down at the bottom of the keyboard.
Jim, watched this video a couple nights back. It was so inspiring, I decided the next morning to drive to Sweetwater... and get the 3rd Wave (again). I had purchased the 3rd Wave before... but returned it. Got around to playing it this afternoon. Pitch wheel has an issue where it doesn't go properly back to "center" when released. There's about a 1/4-step of "play". Will have to get it swapped out. Question: Has anyone else noticed that when "Free running Analog Osc" is enabled, when bending pitch up... the audio is full of pops/ticks? Sounds like audio pop-corn. Disable Free Running Osc... and the pops/ticks (when bending up) are gone. Surely this can't be normal. The pops/ticks aren't a result of gain-staging. I've turned all oscillators down. I've adjusted the Amp Envelope Attack... and that also makes no difference. I realize this is a great synth. I just hope this one is defective... and that it's not normal behavior. It's been a long while, but I remember talking to you years back on the telephone (maybe we were talking about drum sample libraries). I'm the owner of www.studiocat.com Congrats and continued success. Love the videos!
Thanks Jim! Yes, you actually built my VE Pro rig back in 2016 - great to hear from you! The 3W is an absolutely stellar synth for sure. I haven't experienced that pitch bend issue - I would reach out to them. They are very responsive and will get you sorted out!
Very cool re. free-running oscs in latest firmware. Does that mean that Master/Slave Oscillator Sync will be possible? Get the sync sound!
There are some beautiful synths out there at the moment... This epic synth - the Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave, the Sequential Take 5, the Arturia Polybrute, and the Roland digital 'reissues'... Throw in a good effects pedal or two, you're away...
Yes indeed!
would love to see you do a re-interp of The Big Picture using some of these new synths
Even better - Arcade Orchestra is reimagining the entire decade of the 80s, using as much OG hardware as possible 😁
@@JimDanekerHad never heard of Arcade Orchestra until now. I just checked out the site, the project sounds amazing. Please come to Los Angeles!
@@joxer96 thanks so much! It's definitely an epic undertaking... we're still in the early stages and plan to debut next summer, followed by a tour of major U.S. markets. So, L.A. for sure!
🤩👌
I think those with those chord progressions, any sawtooths, real or VA, filtered, real or VA, with a bit of resonance, real or VA, would sound sound great.
Which proves that ultimately it's the music that matters. If a synth inspires you, that's really all that counts! 😁
nice! 70/80s grown up, like me! and the ppg's were one thing to me: to expensive 😂😂😂
Jim - this is absolutely amazing - out of my budget range for now - but VERY COOL... Wondering if you were running through WA mic pre or anything else or is it straight in...?
Thanks buddy. Straight in - preamps or processing.