The Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave is a premium wavetable synthesizer that could serve for some as a spiritual successor to the legendary PPG Wave 2. Founded by Bob Coover (known for his work with Dave Smith on synthesizers like the Prophet-12 and OB-6), Groove Synthesis has created an instrument that not only faithfully recreates the iconic 8-bit wavetable sound of the original PPG but significantly expands upon it with modern enhancements.

Design & Build Quality

The 3rd Wave features a striking blue design that pays homage to the original PPG Wave, complete with lozenge-shaped buttons and premium knobs covering the front panel. The synthesizer boasts exceptional build quality throughout, housed in a curved aluminum casing that measures 976 x 362 x 136mm. It features a five-octave, semi-weighted Fatar keyboard with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch (though not poly-pressure).

Sound Architecture

At its heart, the 3rd Wave is a 24-voice polyphonic synthesizer capable of four-part multitimbral operation. Each part functions as an independent synthesizer with three oscillators, making it effectively like having four PPG Waves in one instrument. The voice allocation is dynamic, allowing flexible distribution of the 24 voices across active parts.

Wavetable Technology

The synthesizer offers two distinct wavetable types:

• Legacy Wavetables: 33 classic 8-bit wavetables modeled on the original PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3
• User Wavetables: 64 high-resolution, anti-aliased wavetables sampled at 96kHz (48 factory-supplied, 16 empty slots for custom wavetables)

Additionally, seven virtual-analog waveforms are available (sine, triangle, square, sawtooth, supersaw, white noise, pink noise), making the instrument capable as a traditional analog-style polysynth.

PPG Authenticity Features

Groove Synthesis has gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure authentic PPG emulation, including:

• Wave Flow: Controllable waveform interpolation (disabled for authentic PPG sound)
• Upper Wavetable: Recreation of the PPG's unusual handling of wavetable modulation beyond position 64
• Waveform Smoothing: Optional correction of the PPG's original pitch irregularities
• Voice Drift: Emulation of the original PPG's parameter instabilities over time
• PPG Envelope Mode: Linear envelope shapes matching the original

Modulation & Control

The modulation capabilities are extensive, featuring:

• 16-slot modulation matrix per part running at audio rates
• Four DADSR envelopes (switchable between exponential and PPG-style linear)
• Four LFOs with 10 waveforms, delay, reset, and tempo sync
• Six-stage Wave Envelope per oscillator for wavetable scanning
• Wave Surfer control for simultaneous wavetable position control across all three oscillators
• Audio-rate modulation including Audio In, Audio Out, and oscillator signals

Filters & Effects

Each voice features both analog and digital filtering:

• Analog Filter: Dave Rossum-designed SSI2140 (modern SSM2040 replacement) 24dB/octave low-pass filter with variable saturation and optional resonance compensation
• Digital Filter: State-variable filter with continuously variable response between low-pass, notch, and high-pass modes

Each part can run two simultaneous effects from a selection including three delay types (BBD, Tape, Stereo), three reverbs (Room, Hall, Superplate), chorus, phaser, flanger, ring modulator, Leslie speaker, and distortion.

Advanced Features

• Wave Maker: Built-in custom wavetable creation tool that analyzes audio input or WAV files
• Unison Mode: Up to 24-voice unison with Chord Memory function
• Arpeggiator: Per-part arpeggiator with standard modes and tempo sync
• Sequencer: 24-pattern sequencer with 32 measures per pattern, parameter automation, and live quantization
• Four Stereo Outputs: Individual processing capability for each part

The 3rd Wave represents a no-compromise approach to wavetable synthesis, combining the beloved character of the original PPG Wave with modern enhancements that dramatically expand its sonic possibilities.

Technical Specifications

Sound Engine

• Polyphony: 24 voices
• Multitimbral: 4 parts
• Oscillators: 3 high-resolution digital oscillators per voice
• Wavetables:
  • 48 wavetables with 64 waves per table
  • 32 legacy PPG waves (8-bit) with room for 16 additional
  • 32 high-resolution user wavetables + 32 factory high-resolution wavetables
• Analog Waveforms: 7 high-resolution modeled waveforms (sine, saw, triangle, supersaw, pulse, white noise, pink noise)
• User Wavetables: 32 modern high-resolution format
• Synthesis Features:
  • VCO sync
  • Linear FM
  • Per-oscillator glide
  • Unison mode with variable voice count
  • Optional wave flow for smooth or stepped wave transitions

Envelopes & LFOs

• Wave Envelopes: 6-stage per oscillator with variable time and position, loopable
• ADSR Envelopes: 4 ADSR+ Delay envelopes
• Envelope Types: Switchable between exponential and vintage PPG-style response
• LFOs: 4 per part
• LFO Waveforms: Triangle, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square, pulse 1, pulse 2, pulse 3, random (S&H)
• LFO Features: Variable delay, note reset, syncable to master clock BPM

Filters

• Analog Filter:
  • Dave Rossum designed SSI2140 (classic 2140) low-pass resonant filter
  • 24dB per octave slope
  • Variable saturation amount
  • Optional resonance compensation
• Digital Filter:
  • State-variable filter
  • 12dB per octave slope
  • Continuously variable between low-pass, notch, and high-pass operation
  • Optional band-pass mode

Effects

• Effects Per Part: 2 digital effects
• Effect Types: BBD delay, stereo delay, tape delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, distortion pedal, rotating speaker, ring mod, room reverb, hall reverb, super plate reverb
• Effect Features: Syncable to master clock BPM, parameters modulatable via mod matrix

Modulation

• Modulation Matrix: 16-slot per multi-part
• Modulation Sources: 27 mod sources
• Modulation Destinations: 114 mod destinations
• Fixed Modulation: 12 additional fixed-source mod paths
• Matrix Rate: Audio-rate operation
• Real-time Recording: Sequencer can record and play mod parameter changes

Wave Maker Tool

• Function: Built-in custom wavetable maker with "sample-to-wave" functionality
• Input: Audio In port or 96kHz WAV file via USB
• Storage: Up to 32 custom wavetables
• Resolution: 64 waveforms per wavetable, 96kHz sampling rate, 16-bit resolution
• Wave Length: 1024 cycles per waveform, automatically converted for full keyboard range
• Input Types: Accepts pitched or un-pitched material

Sequencer

• Function: Note and parameter sequencing
• Capacity: 1 song per multi-part, 24 sequences per song, 32 measures per sequence
• Quantization: Variable resolution (32nd, 16th, 8th, quarter, half, whole note, or off)
• Additional: Swing function

Arpeggiator

• Configuration: 1 arpeggiator per multi-part
• Modes: Up, down, up/down, and assign modes
• Range: Variable (1, 2, or 3 octaves)

Controls & Interface

• Physical Controls: 77 knobs and 39 buttons
• Wheels: Pitch and modulation wheels
• Keyboard: Full-sized, five-octave, semi-weighted premium Fatar keyboard
• Keyboard Features: Velocity and aftertouch sensitivity
• Display: Bright monochrome display with 4 soft encoders and 4 buttons

Memory & Programs

• Factory Programs: 500 factory programs (user rewritable)
• Wavetable Storage: 64 user wavetable locations (48 factory + 16 empty)

Connectivity

Audio Outputs

• Main Outputs: 4 stereo outputs (2x 1/4" phone jack per part)
• Headphone Output: Stereo 1/4" phone jack
• Audio Input: 1/4" phone jack for creating user wavetables from external audio source

MIDI

• MIDI Ports: MIDI In, MIDI Out, MIDI Thru (5-pin DIN)
• USB: USB Type-B port for bidirectional MIDI communication and flash memory access

Pedal Inputs

• Sustain: Sustain/footswitch input
• Expression: Volume pedal input, Expression pedal input

Power & Physical

• Power Supply: Internal universal power supply
• Power Input: IEC AC power inlet
• Voltage Range: 100-240V, 50-60Hz
• Power Consumption: 65 watts maximum
• Dimensions: 976 x 362 x 136mm
• Build: Premium aluminum casing with curved design

File Formats & Compatibility

• Wavetable Format: 96kHz WAV files, 1024 sample wavelength, 64 waves per wavetable
• USB Functions: Wavetable audio transfer, OS updates, patch backup
• External Compatibility: Serum wavetable conversion supported (with planned direct import)