Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave

Das sieht doch gut aus: Ein Wave der dritten Generation. Den gibt es zwar schon von Waldorf (Software), doch hier ist die neue amerikanische Variante – ein echter Hardware-Synthesizer. Im 1:1 Vergleich zeigen die Videos des Groove Synthesis Youtube Channels kaum einen Unterschied zwischen originalem PPG Wave 2.3 und Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave.

Nun, wie schon von diversen Prophet-5 Vergleichen zwischen „alt“ und „neu“ bekannt, ist bei solchen Gegenüberstellungen immer ein wenig Vorsicht geboten. Dennoch, Klang und vor allem das erweiterte Konzept des 3rd Wave – weit über den Gedanken einer simplen Replika hinaus gehend – machen einen guten Eindruck.

Nach der CE-Zertifizierung kann das Instrument nun auch offiziell nach Europa geliefert werden, Vorbestellungen sind per Email an sales(at)groovesynthesis(dot)com möglich. Der vergünstigte Einführungspreis beträgt 3895 USD.

Kurz ein paar Infos (Originalfassung):

„The 3rd Wave is a 24-voice, 4-part multi-timbral wavetable synth with 3 oscillators per voice, analog low-pass filters, a state-variable filter, 6-stage wave envelopes per oscillator, and an industry-first Wavemaker™ tool that allows users to create custom wavetables in a single step through its proprietary sample-to-wave technology. Each of its three oscillators can generate a classic PPG-era wavetable, a modern high-resolution wavetable, or an analog modeled waveform.“

„3rd Wave boasts a Dave Rossum-designed 2140 analog low-pass filter with variable saturation and resonance compensation, and a second, SEM-style state-variable filter (low-pass, high-pass, notch, and band-pass) for additional tone-sculpting. Both can be used in series for harmonically complex textures.

In addition to its factory wavetables (32 classic PPG-lineage waves plus 48 high-resolution custom waves), users can create custom wavetables of their own using the built-in Wavemaker tool and fill any of the 64 available high-resolution slots. The Wavemaker tool’s sample-to-wavetable capability allows users to connect an audio source to the synthesizer’s rear-panel audio input and generate a 64-wave wavetable at the touch of a button. Alternatively, users can import a 96kHZ wav file into the synth using USB.“

„With 24-voices, the 3rd Wave can handle note-intensive performances as well as layer up to 4 parts or create 4 independent split zones — each with a completely different sound, sequence, and dual effect. Each part has independent panning, volume, effects, and a dedicated stereo physical output. Each of its 3 wavetable oscillators per part/voice has its own 6-stage, loopable wave envelope, which can create evolving soundscapes of extreme complexity.

Its pattern-based sequencer can sequence notes, songs, and parameters. Because the synth is multi-timbral, each of its 4 parts/layers has its own sequencer track. Sequences can be up to 24 patterns of up to 32 measures in length. Users can perform in real-time on the keyboard while a sequence or song plays. Users can also perform looped overdubbing of notes or parameter changes to build complex patterns interactively.“

„The rest of the 3rd Wave’s sound-shaping tools include two digital effects per part, four ADSR envelopes (filter, amp, and two auxiliary) per part, four LFOs per part, and a 28-slot mod matrix per part. The synth is housed in a robust, all-metal chassis with a premium 5-octave, semi-weighted Fatar keyboard.“

(Quelle: www.groovesynthesis.com)

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Die Vergleiche zwischen Wave 2.3 und 3rd Wave darf sich jeder selbst zu Gemüte führen. Viel spannender scheint uns an dieser Stelle der (neue) Wavemaker zu sein, quasi der „integrierte Waveterm“, wenn man so will.

3rd Wave – The Wavemaker:

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Weitere Info unter: www.groovesynthesis.com