Groove Synthesis 3RD WAVE: What makes it special? + my top 40 presets // Third Wave Review/Tutorial

Want to play sounds from this synth at home? Check out multisampled patches, available on my Patreon, along my book packed with electronic music ideas, tips and insights from my videos:

Check prices here (affiliate links help the channel regardless of what you choose to buy)

More info directly from the company:

Here's the ground loop isolator I use (affiliate link):

Other places I hang out:

My music:

► Cool Holographic scopes?
The scopes I use aren't real - I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle.

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
2:10 Overview
3:45 Build & I/O
6:25 Param tabs
7:45 Oscillators
8:45 Waveflow
12:10 Wave surfer
12:45 V-Analog
13:45 Sync
14:00 FM
15:05 SV Filter
16:30 LP Filter
18:05 Res comp
19:20 Pan spread
19:40 Effects
23:20 Wave Env
25:00 LFOs
26:35 Envelopes
27:55 Mod matrix
30:45 Multi-parts
32:15 Arp
33:25 Sequencer
35:55 Wave Maker
37:35 Unison
38:15 Misc menus
38:55 Pros, cons
43:20 Outro, sounds

Submit review and video ideas here (sorry I don’t offer 1x1 sessions/setup/purchasing advice):


NOTE: Occasional,ly I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This meant I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinin, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[fizgak]

$5k and by far the most satisfaction I've ever gotten to date when sitting down, programming, and playing a new synth. Groove Synthesis has a winner!

[MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Great review as always. Got one sitting on my desk right now, it's an addictive sound!

[heyrichjones]

For those complaining about the price, keep in mind that this is 4 part multi-timbral with 24 voices, 3 oscillators per voice, and has analog filters and dual effects per part.

[paolofanin]

Mine has just arrived yesterday... I played the presets for some hours and I feel I am just scratching the surface, so to say. Extremely well built instrument and an amazing sound... love it.

[blpfrk]

@loopop I got it 10 days ago, and one thing that really blew my mind is that when you're using the sequencer with parameter recording, it doesn't seem to be a limit to what parameters you can record. I tried recording dozens of parameters on the same sequence, including... (are you ready?) switching buttons on/off, switching effects, and changing sources and destinations on the mod matrix... yes, it lets you do that and it's the wildest feature I run into on mainly any hardware synth so far!!!

[SpikesStudio]

Great work again Ziv. How amazingly cool is it that the people who made this synth are involved in the discussion. It makes it very"Alive" We live in great days. 😁

[mtfmtf]

The loopop juggernaut has been released! 🎉
Your enthusiasm and love of this instrument clearly shines through. I am in the same camp. ♥️
What a great wrap up for 2022!
While the vast majority of the YouTube videos so far have focused on keyboardists, this is not even where the true strengths of this instrument lie as your videos open the door to. 🌱
I can't wait to see what this modern classic has to offer us. 💥

[jfishnotes]

Wanted to share my experience thus far with the 3rd Wave. I think this is a beautiful sounding and extremely well built piece of equipment. What’s more, it is so unique but in a great way. I can easily see how the 3rd Wave is going to add some uniqueness to my compositions.

At first I was overwhelmed with all the knobs (wavetable knobs) that weren’t familiar to me . (My strength is playing and my weakness is technology). But I stuck with it and was able to learn a lot within a short period of time. If I can figure this baby out, then anyone can.

In addition, the support that the company is providing is fantastic; they continually add updates and improvements since it first came out.

If you’re on the fence about purchasing this high end synth, my advice is to go for it. I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed.

[davidfrank]

I recently purchased a 3RD WAVE and I feel that it makes many of my other modern hardware synths sound like software in comparison. Without any effects or compression the 3rd Wave has the full bodied umph that the original Wave 2.2 and 2.3 had and much more. The few bugs, which I actually never experienced, are now gone. The basic sound quality of this wavetable synth will set the bar. And it's really fun to mess around with. So much potential for great music!

[jameshagerman]

Wonderful video!! Thanks for sharing! I have been eagerly waiting to see if you would be able to review the 3rd Wave!

The rate at which Groove Synthesis has been able to respond with firmware improvements has been absolutely astronomical since launch.

That said, I too wish that the Mod Matrix depths could be selected as a modulation destination. More than one person has suggested the idea and I have my fingers crossed for an update.

[G]

This seems to be an excellent device for sound design and music creation. Strange how a boutique synth maker, not big name per se, can just come along and create one of the most solid sounding and operating synths we've seen in a long time. Great video, cheers !

[lesliekirkwood]

When I focus on the sound, it is noticeably more full than the other keyboards that people are mentioning. Great job!
Also, given what it is capable of, ease of use, and 4 parts/24 voices plus analog filters, I think I am going to have to get one.

[JimDaneker]

Oh my WORD... 12:09-12:20 or so... I was never a PPG fan, but that kind of "diving into the matrix" stuff is stunning. All the textural and soundscape stuff I've heard from this thing is over the top as well.

Just pulled the trigger on one of these yesterday… Cannot wait to get my hands on it! Fantastic overview as always!

[stevesmyth]

Got mine today and I'm overwhelmed and expect to be for a few days, the sound is lush and detailed.

[MFitz]

Not mentioned in the review, the 3rd Wave does respond to poly aftertouch over MIDI, just not from its own keyboard. So if you already have a M4000, Hydrasynth or Iridium, ...

[edwardfletcher]

Love the knob overload 👍
Screw menu diving 😜

This thing is built to last !

[PeterJDeVault]

Great video, and timely! I'm due to get mine soon -- can't wait!

[jon_c]

I always love your videos. I also got mine direct from manufacturer for way less than retail. I literally bought a PPG 2.3 a few months before because I had no idea the 3rd Wave was being made. Honestly the 3rd Wave is so close you can't hardly tell any difference. The 3rd Wave is one of the greatest things I've ever encountered. The 3rd Wave, Hydrasynth, Iridium, DX5, FS1R, and JX10 are my homeboys. EDIT: It was your Iridium video that prompted me to buy my neighbor's Iridium!

[tommyfoley]

This synth sounds amazing. Thanks for the very informative video.

[automationtraveler]

IMO one of the greatest synths ever made.