Exploring the Magic of the 3rd Wave // My favorite Synth for sound design

The 3rd wave synthesizer by Groove Synthesis is a powerful digital synthesizer with some amazing analog circuitry. It's quickly become my favorite synthesizer in my studio. It allows users to create a wide range of sounds, from realistic instrument tones to complex waveforms. The synthesizer has tons of knob per function and includes really high quality built-in effects. I mean, look at this list of features JUST on the sound engine.. 32 classic, PPG-legacy wavetables.. 64 waves per table..
48 high-resolution custom wavetables with 64 waves per table.. a total of 64 high-resolution user wavetables.. 7 high-resolution modeled analog waveforms (including continuously variable color noise).. Linear FM.. a 6-stage wave envelope per oscillator with variable time and position that can be looped.. and Optional wave flow for smooth or stepped wave transitions.. That's just the beginning of the synth. Don't forget the analog filter which came from Dave Rossum, 4 envelopes, 4 LFOs, effects.. this synth is a sound designers DREAM. Easily one the best synths for Sound Design right now.
The 3rd Wave - bit.ly/3lcLgRX
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00:00:00 My 3rd WAVE Patches
00:03:40 INITIALIZED PATCH
00:06:13 WAVE ENVELOPE
00:08:51 RESONANCE COMPENSATION
00:09:48 NOISE AS MOD SOURCE IS MAGIC
00:10:44 MULTI TIMBRAL Patch LAYERING
00:13:16 How does it have this texture by default?
00:14:02 WAVESURFER KNOB
00:16:03 MY WRAP UP THOUGHTS ON IT
00:17:54 A GORGEOUS SOUND
00:19:44 CHORD MEMORY
00:20:43 STEP SEQUENCER
00:21:42 EXPLORING SOME FX
00:22:49 Unison Steals all voices even in MultiMode
#ppg #Wavetable #synthesizer

[@starchedshirt13]

Thanks for the great coverage, Ricky. We appreciate your support and artistry!

[@ssalevan]

I couldn't agree more, the 3rd Wave is one of the most exciting synths that I've ever played and you nailed what makes it such an awesome instrument.

[@foodforthegods]

That pluck delay patch is so beautiful in its simplicty, just sounds wonderful!

[@rouport]

I love watching the cutting edge of synth tech that I can look forward to enjoying 5 years from now when it’s antiquated and affordable 🥰

[@RickyTinez]

100%

[@LabofmusicRecords]

ha ha, yes... like the CS80 or some Roland models 😅

[@torbenanschau6641]

This is actually exactly the result of this thing. It didn't really come that much cheaper than the original.

[@greatheightsu]

You're tripping if you think this analog machine is going to go down that much in price in 5 years. You might save 10%. Maybe.

[@Johanthegnarler]

​@@greatheightsu not analog. Analog filter.

[@JackMyersPhotography]

Your videos are just amazing, I’d watch a video twice as long on this because you do the whole thing so well. This and the Deckard’s Dream would make a great video too.

[@els1f]

This is DEFINITELY on the list of the handful of synths I would LOVE to shell out the cash for! It's a unique instrument I can't imagine parting with

[@LadyO_333]

Thanks a lot Ricky. Now im not going to stop thinking about this synth until I own one myself. I've been having trouble deciding which poly synth i want to buy. I definitely want this one. It sounds so good.

[@ACCOUNTANTB]

great choice Rick !! amazing hardware !!

[@robertmyers6518]

Ooooo! Lovely and luscious sounds! I'm just starting to explore wavetable synthesis and for now I have my Polyend Tracker and Pigments to help with that but, yeah... this has some great aspirational points to aim for, like a musical North Star. Thanks for sharing it!

[@Rawdio1]

yesssss, been waiting for this video! :)

[@mrdavies7894]

Brilliant in-depth review!

[@torino1138]

The 5 millionth time a new synth is the best sound design synth

[@brhodes0]

Next for 8 million "1st Jams" and unboxing videos. No one ever posts an 18th Jam for some reason.

[@KNHSynths]

@@brhodes0 The reason lies in your comment and the one you echoed: viewer fatigue. Only novelty interests the masses. The 18th jam would only get 3 views, so there's no point in producing it on YT. On the other hand, there was an 18th jam and even a 100th, but you won't see them here. Quite simply.

[@KNHSynths]

When a machine is powerful, it arouses passion and sometimes exaggerated exaltation. But I've never heard anyone say the same about mediocre or limited synths (like the Volca, for example). So you have to admit that there's either a truly extraordinary coincidence, or, more likely, a basis of truth... Take an interest in the latter rather than criticizing the exaggeration of passion. Unless, of course, the bitterness of not being able to afford the machine forces you to diminish its benefits in an attempt to mitigate your inner contradictions between the desire to own the machine and the reality of your insufficient ability to finance it. This is just a hypothesis, of course, so don't take it the wrong way. But I know that if it doesn't concern you, it concerns many others who are making remarks similar to yours. Listen, vibrate, and take an interest in the instrument and not in the person showing it to you and his understandable joy in manipulating the machine.

[@FretteF]

I love PPG sounds. This contemporary reissue is a marvel. thanks for demo ;-)

[@craig_z]

Such a gorgeous synth.

[@dewulfe9913]

Amazing, amazing sounds ❤

[@Fluxwithit]

Nice video. Wish I could keep my desk this clean 😅 . 3rd wave is a beautifully quirky synth. Love seeing these options out there.

[@mattkaz9604]

Very nice. I love a wavetable synth and this one has some great features.

[@Jamslerr]

Instantly in love with this thing after the first sound.

[@alexrafter]

Sounds incredible.

[@crime_wavcorp]

wave envelopes is wild! i've had my eye on this synth. i get official/non official sequential vibes from it. feel like it's a winner.

[@dennisdelaat8852]

Please make another!!! You are on fire Ricky!! 🔥

[@jp1527]

This sounds insane. I'd love to hear you make an old school dnb track with this synth.

[@ourstarsRstars]

Beautiful!!!

[@luispat8633]

Best synth reviewer out there. thanks.

[@CreativeSpiral]

It's an amazing synth! 24 voices, each with a Prophet SSI 2140 analog filter. :) The Authentic PPG and Modern Wavetable capabilities make the headlines, but the hybrid analog subtractive synthesis is amazing as well. The latest firmware has great vintage voice modeling (via Misc Menu: Circuit Drift param)... combined with the analog filters and quadtimbral stack capability, its such a versatile and great sounding synth.

[@flightlessbird2281]

Such a deep synth. When I bought a Waldorf Q when it was first released, it changed my brain forever. In a good way, lol. Thanks for the review, you are a lucky man!!!

[@thomassluys1711]

I'm excited with this sound.

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Wonderful sounds. Great vid. I now miss my XT!

[@w8less2020]

Seen this in the background of your videos and was wondering when you'd share it with us. Thank you!

[@neilloughran4437]

Long time analogue guy since 1980s... recently I've fallen in love with wavetable synthesis on the Iridium. Especially making my own wavetables.... this sounds gorgeous.

[@Andy-se4sl]

Sounds really nice

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

These are the synths I dream about, truly innovative, and with our own imported waveforms this synth prepares it for wavetable synthesis automatically and quickly. This fast experimentation with our custom wavetables through automation make this a synth for today and 30 years from now just as wonderful. By being able to send hundreds of custom experimental wavetables through this synth every week, we the sound designer, should become experts at which waveforms are best for the desired sound. Then armed with this knowledge, continue to hone are imports for surprising, unexpected sound experiences.

[@krystiankrewniak]

It sounds like it's worth every cent of its price😍💰

[@catalinmunteanu78]

Magic! ❤️🙏

[@888berg]

"The moment I've all been waiting for" you can tell you're excited :))

[@Digiphex]

That sounds like VHS tape from a hot attic. Great sounds!

[@josephs2791]

Sounds beautiful! I feel the same way about my polybrute!

[@sub-jec-tiv]

The chorus in this synth is bonkers. Great sounding synth! Have got a Prophet X, and would say the character of the filter is pretty similar. Which is not surprising considering it’s almost the same chip. Rossum is a genius.

[@Naotaku]

One of the synths I never thought I'd like... damn... :D

[@brooksideplaylists]

Beautiful. I'm jealous

[@bobcoover6215]

Ricky, gotta say Rippin' Action! (In other words - this is Smokin'!) And... almost all of this was done with one oscillator. Can't wait to hear it with three oscillators. 😄

[@michael999michael999]

High praise indeed!!! @bobcoover6215 I received my 3rd wave a few days ago - and it is incredible. My other synth is a Prophet 10, and based on first impressions, the 3rd wave is a league above it in every way. Thank you for firmware 1.5 too!

[@ZenMountain]

You have a favorite synth every 2 months.

[@StudioLams]

In 1990, a synth like this would have cost $4000 in 1990 dollars, which makes paying $4000 in 2023 dollars for a more advanced verision, a pretty good deal actually.

[@Donetur]

Where did you see this to 4000 dollars?.

[@NotSoSilentPete]

It does sound pretty special! Must....resist....

[@infestedalien]

I had a super hard time to select between the module or the keyboard version. Ended up with keyboard version just to have the few extra controls and I don't regret it :) very fun machine to program and it offers so much possibility!

[@TheToFu]

Insane!

[@lewis9898]

This is my dream synth

[@lolhleplol]

This is giving me GAS, love it :D

[@jamespingel8730]

Congrats man. Know how it feels to drop that kind of money on a synth, got myself a Moog One last year (8-voice don't get too excited) and I've hardly paid attention to anything else since (though the 3rd wave did catch my eye). Very different synth, but same thing where it just does what I want and it definitely won't be going anywhere for a long while. I'm grateful I can have a machine like this around, and when I want to sit down and work on a sound I know where I'm going first most of the time. Enjoy it, don't stop enjoying it, and then enjoy it some more.

[@technopop90]

it's beautiful. It sounds as good as my Microwave Mk1, which is the nicest sounding Waldorf, IMHO.

[@amirderakh2952]

Nice man!

[@ikarian3612]

If this video gets 1000 likes Ricky will remove the screen protection film :) Sweet sounding synth! Don't let it completely displace your Peak though.

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

If he's anything like me perhaps not - I have a 3 year old MPC One with it still on 😂

[@RickyTinez]

Agreed on the screen protector hahahah

[@vaspers]

One must never remove the protective film on synthesizers. It keeps them from scratches. Novation? Not my kind of synthesizer brand.

[@SkinnyVampiress]

@@RickyTinez It's time, more than 1,2k likes :)

[@Rhythmattica]

As having sold my PPG2.3 a few years ago, hanging onto my one thats a Rack (yes, a Mw1 pretty much is), I approve of this synth.

[@GTChris]

I think it's lovely that Ricky is hearing things I'm not hearing. To me it sounds okay, but I've owned maybe too many wavetable synths over the years.

[@SkinnyVampiress]

Ricky, you should record an ambient album! Your sound design skills are so good. Just tweak some parameters for an hour or two on your favorite synths and record everything to tape :)

[@Dyenax_]

I have the modal argon 8x and its comparable in sound. The ppg wave 2.3 was one of Trent Reznor's first synths. There's a video of him performing eyes without a face and using the ppg.

[@antonyath2950]

Amazing sound !

[@SLRPS]

3rd wave seems like a great fit! Definitely somethings it does I wish the Waldorf M did but then the M also does things that I am not willing to give up to go 3rd wave. M is totally worth a look if you get the chance, let's you push the 8bit digital noise even further and has some great digital filters and wave folders before its analog filter and my favorite transient samples 😍. Crazy time to be a PPG/microwave fanboy

[@remyvegamedia]

Damn this thing is super fire like 3 patches in...

[@downpatmusic]

I like the delay feature of the 2nd amp envelope and I assume you can do that with the 3rd and 4th part as well to create an evolving sound. It takes some time to dial up a great patch I see. Wish I had more time for programming amidst composing deadlines.

[@timburdsey]

I find it interesting that, in spite of the proliferation of new, relatively inexpensive synthesisers in the last few years, there doesn’t seem to be anyone crafting really novel sounds. We always seem to come back to the same old tones. Nice video nevertheless.

[@swanofnutella4734]

I"m totally fine with that. There are a ton of classic synth tones I wouldn't want to disappear any more than I'd want pianos or guitars to disappear.

[@mrdavies7894]

Totally agreed… but it does beg a question or two… Chief among them being, “Would Guarneri / Stradivarius have continued inventing new violins _after_ having reached perfection”? Back in the goodol days, you just had to accept that your Juno-60 was a Juno-60 was a Juno-60. But in Modern Times, my Iridium can become evermore the Iridium it could possibly be! And, truly no offence to anyone, but it seems even the first “version” of my Iridium was more capable than the 3rd Wave (as much as I’m intrigued by the latter, don’t get me wrong!)?!

[@musicman2047]

Bro your videos are inspiring! This synth sounds amazing - Would it be possible that any sound play throughs you upload covering either presets or sounds you made to give us one key shots in C :) that way can sample best in my sampler, hope that’s ok! I can’t afford a synth like this lol

[@gwsound]

I’ll try getting one to my home 😊

[@freestylersuk]

Dm you were selected💥

[@jameshagerman]

Woo! All these cool cats getting their 3rd Waves and sharing them with the world! Did you _also_ get convinced at NAMM last year? :D I'm gonna have to miss NAMM this year... My wallet will thank me!

[@paulmakl6282]

Damn that sounds amazing. What will you use it for?

[@alexanderdillon3754]

u should record a whole album just on this

[@milowiik7649]

damn, i been considering copping either this or the moog one, and i was already leaning hard towards the moog. but this video, though. this thing sounds so damn good

[@jamiemcintosh1234]

Love you Ricky

[@RickyTinez]

Love you too Jamie!

[@videomove]

yes!

[@suitandtieguy]

i'm a huge PPG nerd. 3 minutes in, and my react is "YEP THAT'S IT. FINALLY."

[@towardstar]

LONG LIVE OLD DIGITAL

[@behavior852]

I want one! Hell's Bells!

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

I want this SO BAD. I heard it and it's INSANE. It makes my Modwave look like a toy and wouldn't talk to my Hydrasynth if they bumped into each other at a party.

[@MFitz12]

Keep the Hydrasynth since 3rd Wave responds to poly aftertouch via MIDI.

[@lytzout1]

@@MFitz12 4 grand and this thing doesn't have poly aftertouch? L

[@MFitz12]

@@lytzout1 - What does? Other than the HS and Iridium, both of which have essentially bespoke actions, I can't think of any keyboard synths with poly AT keybeds in current production. Prior to those you pretty much have to go back to the 1990's to find more (Generalmusic S2/S3 and Ensoniq SD-1). A surprising number of hardware synths and most soft synths will respond to poly AT if you have a poly AT or MPE controller though.

[@lytzout1]

@@MFitz12 Lumi keys and Hydrasynth (explorer) are what I had in mind, and a fraction of the price. You specified hardware synths, do software synths not have poly at functionality?

[@MFitz12]

@@lytzout1 - I was careful to differential between hardware and software. Lumi keys is more of a learning program IIRC. Hardware synthesizers in current production with poly AT responsive keybeds: HS in all its variants Iridium Hardware synths that respond to poly AT messages via MIDI; Most of the recent Sequential stuff (OB6, P6, P5, P10, etc,..) except the Trigon. 3rd Wave. Everything from Black Corporation I think some of the Korg stuff might too, can't remember. Softsynths that can respond to poly AT messages: Most of them. Probably easier to list the ones that don't.

[@toomuchsoda8184]

Omg this is amazing. How much was it if I dare ask 😅

[@chinmitten]

This thing sounds amazing. Would sell my Quantum and change for it 🤤

[@compucorder64]

Very cool. I do want one. But I didn't realise that the price of this was going to be quite so high. Was thinking it was going to be around 3.5k. Oh well, can't afford this. But for flexibility / malleability a Hydrasynth can out flex this, even if it doesn't have as pleasant a character. Up in this new premium powerhouse synth price range, Baloran's The River seems interesting. Heard Ian Pooley or one of the other French producers talk about it on a podcast. It's fully multi-timbral, and 8-voice in base model, with 8 seperate audio outputs. And it's expandable with voice cards. Has to have heavy bass, given it weighs 26kg, and looks heavyweight ;) Nice shelf on top to put a microcosm, zoia and other nice pedals on.

[@numetone]

It's incredible how every notes feels like time stops for couple seconds.. I was looking for get a new synth and this video appeared. Is this a sign?

[@davidroberts9458]

I would love to hear a comparison between this guy and the Modwave (which I have a lot of fun with) which is over a 4th of the price

[@entropybentwhistle]

I see the occasional gopher pop up in comments field not impressed with the sound. I’m guessing they didn’t catch the era of Wolfgang Palm’s unmistakeable synths sounds in old album mixes, because this is essentially a vintage reissue of the PPG series. It was brilliant of GS to include the 8 bit wave sets, but the inclusion of hi-resolution, no aliasing waves as well makes it a modern tool that covers the past perfectly, but can move into the future, and with 4 different timbres at once. It also has the ability of infinite new sets if waves because it has a super hassle-free wavetable maker that can convert any sound in a couple of minutes. If you want to be ‘80s Rush or Tangerine Dream, you’re set, but have the option of sounding like them in an unknown future alternate universe and for a long, long time as well.

[@MrDaigoRiki]

Amazing synth, worth 4K$

[@jeffhammel4305]

I realize that comparing a eurorack module with the 3rd wave is "silly", but I would be curious about 3rd wave vs E370? (They can both be "really cool", for that matter)

[@dionysiaex5538]

Be interested in a Hydrasynth comparison to this.

[@PiscesandTrumpet]

great sound! I'm curious about comparing with waldorf m and 3rd wave！

[@coyotegeek]

There are a lot of superficial similarities: both are wavetable synths with the SSI 2144 filters. M has 8 voices (theoretically expandable to 16, but the expansion still isn't available yet in the US), the 3rd wave has 24. 3rd wave has three oscillators, vs. 2 in the M. 4 LFOs vs 3 in the M. Built-in effects vs. none in the M. 4-part multi-timbral for the 3rd wave. The M has some additional digital 'grit' and aliasing that sounds really nice, as well as some other digital features like wavefolding. Both synths have digital SV filters. I own both, and I have to say that though this video isn't necessarily the best demo, the 3rd wave is easier to get really nice sounds out of. It feels like a Dave Smith wavetable synth, and if you've used something like a Prophet (any version) or OB-6, it's instantly familiar. The M is a little harder to wrap your head around, but still quite rewarding. Both sound great. The M costs basically a third of what the 3rd wave costs...

[@PiscesandTrumpet]

@@coyotegeek wow, thank you so much for your deep explanation!😊 "feels like a dave smith wavetable synth" is really great to hear...!! 3rd wave sound is so beautiful.

[@JureJerebic]

21:40 did you say bounce back delay? Because BBD stands for bucket brigade delay

[@davidratkay9281]

can you do a video with this thing hooked up to some digitakt gear?

[@ingolf7411]

Out of budget for me but nevertheless ... a gem. And I guess Ricky Tine has great fun and passion for the 3rd Wave.

[@alexanderdillon3754]

killer

[@christdolphin69]

somebody's never played the Waldorf M. that thing KILLS in the sound department

[@CaidicusProductions]

Goodness gracious, the price!

[@CyberGene]

I know I'll get bashed for this but I really don't see how that sounds any better than Pigments, Serum and many other popular plugins.

[@liqwidbpm]

Bob Coover 😊

[@PolyconPolycon]

Does it really sound different in comparison to Hydrasynth?

[@diegomolinaf]

"Don't look at it! We already have a wavetable synthesizer at home" Wavetable synthesizer at home: Microfreak.

[@dfa_evans]

The lower octave Jeebus has huge Tron vibes

[@ohmaramusic]

This synth is good motivation to make more money.

[@tyranic1]

Appreciate the tech to create this synth no doubt but i have never been a fan of digital sounding synths they just feel cold and distant to me. Would be a good complement to a studio for some though.

[@Bananskuden]

It sounds a lot like a Prophet 12, which is a good thing.

[@rollinwood9453]

If you had to choose: 3rd Wave or Kijimi?

[@niceride]

Am I missing something? It's only $4k usd. Paid more than that for a used Waldorf Q+ 20 years ago. Reasonable cost for what it is...?