The Story Behind the 3rd Wave Synth - Interview with Bob Coover

video upload by Music Journey with Paul

"The Story Behind the 3rd Wave Synth - Interview with Bob Coover

Robert Coover, founder of Groove Synthesis and the mind behind the 3rd Wave synthesizer, shares the story of how this instrument came to life at Superbooth 2025 event in Berlin.

In this 9-minute interview he talks about:
working with Dave Smith at Sequential,
why he wanted to revive the iconic PPG Wave sound,
how four synthesis methods (wavetable, analog, FM, sampling) came together in the 3rd Wave,
the challenges of creating a high-end synth as a small team,
the evolution from the keyboard version to the desktop module,
what’s next for Groove Synthesis – a new product so unique it may even get a patent.

💡 If you’re into synth history, sound design, or want to know what drives independent makers to create instruments at this level – this is for you.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:23 Working with Dave Smith at Sequential
02:07 The ambition behind the 3rd Wave
03:57 The start of Bob's career
04:38 The launch of the 3rd Wave and Groove Synethesis
05:28 3rd Wave Keyboard and Desktop
06:28 Expanding the 3rd Wave with sampling
07:19 About the built-in sequencer
08:15 The new mystery product coming in 2026!"

Flashback #synth #electronicmusic

video upload by Mutt Retro

Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave — The COMPLETE Review (Every Feature Explored)

video upload by Scott's Synth Stuff

"The Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave is a 24-voice wavetable synthesizer with real analog filters, three oscillators per voice, and a 6-stage wave envelope that can independently sweep each oscillator through 64-position wavetables. It's built as a modern successor to the PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3, carrying the original PPG wavetables alongside 56 high-resolution modern wavetables, analog-modeled waveforms, and — as of OS 1.8 — a built-in sampler. In this review, I go through every major feature of the 3rd Wave in detail: the four oscillator types (PPG legacy, modern user wavetables, analog-modeled, and samples), the dual filter architecture (4-pole analog low-pass plus 2-pole zero-delay state-variable), all four envelopes, the four LFOs, the 16-slot modulation matrix, 11 built-in effects, the arpeggiator, the pattern-based sequencer with parameter automation, 4-part multitimbral layering and splits, the Wave Maker custom wavetable tool (including Serum wavetable import), unison with chord memory, MPE support, and more.

Whether you're considering buying one, comparing it to other hardware wavetable synths like the Waldorf Iridium, Modal Cobalt, or ASM Hydrasynth, or just curious what a modern PPG-inspired instrument sounds like in 2025/2026, this is the full picture. I cover every section of the signal chain with sound demos, explain what makes the wave envelope system unique, show how to build patches from scratch, and give my honest take on where the 3rd Wave excels and where it falls short. Timestamps for every section are below — jump to whatever interests you."

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SUPERBOOTH 26: Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave - Spatial Audio

video upload by Sound On Sound magazine

"Groove Synthesis are showing off the 3rd Wave’s spatial audio capabilities at Superbooth 2026, as well as previewing and upcoming user-created librarian, patch and wavetable editor application."

Trapezoid #synth #electronicmusic

video upload by Mutt Retro

Sequential OB-6 keyboard
Moog DFAM
Roland Juno-106 through Strymon Big Sky
Erica Synths & Hexinverter Hex Drums
Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave

J3PO // All The Things You Are

video upload by Julian "J3PO" Pollack

"Julian 'J3PO' Pollack performs an arrangement of the classic standard 'All The Things You Are' by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II, from the musical Very Warm For May (1939). Everything was recorded live, in one take, with no overdubs.

Gear used: Arturia Keystep Pro (sequencing), Roland TR-8s, Minimoog, Sequential Prophet 6, Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave 8M, Yamaha Acoustic Upright Piano."

Listen to Julian's new album: https://lnk.to/soulandcircuitry

Unboxing a $5,000 Synth… It BLEW Him Away 🤯

video upload by Scott's Synth Stuff

"Unboxing the Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave — a powerhouse wavetable synthesizer inspired by the legendary PPG Wave. In this first-look video, I plug it in fresh out of the box and explore its stunning sound engine, analog filters, modulation capabilities, and factory presets.

From classic digital textures to rich analog warmth, this synth delivers serious sonic depth. Expect real-time sound exploration, surprises, and honest first impressions as I dive in without even opening the manual."

0:00 Intro 0:15 Unboxing 0:42 Power Up 0:50 First Impressions 1:35 What Is It? 2:40 Samples 2:58 Filters 3:40 PPG Sounds 5:56 Multitimbrality 6:46 More PPG 7:04 Saturating a Pad 8:14 Analog Filter Manipulation 8:38 Eurogliders! 9:15 Analog Pad and Analog Filter 11:00 Sequencer 12:27 Arpeggiator 13:42 Wave Surfer 14:12 Unison Mode 15:20 Mod Matrix 16:11 Effects 18:56 Modulating Effects 22:30 Powerful Low End 23:54 Oberheim-y? 26:07 It's Digital?!? 26:27 Filter Compensation 28:02 Hours of Playing!

The Man - The Legend: Dave Rossum Talks Filter Design

video upload by Groove Synthesis

"Bob invited the iconic filter chip designer Dave Rossum to our booth at NAMM to talk about his filter designs. Caution: It gets super nerdy!

In the video, Dave shares the incredible story about how he came up with the design for the 2040 filter on a napkin over lunch with Tom Oberheim, how he avoided stepping on Bob Moog's toes when designing the 2144 filter, and what the sonic differences are between these two chips.

Groove's Bob Coover also talks about his thought process behind choosing the filters for the 3rd Wave Advanced Wavetable Synth. It's all about the grease and the groove!

Learn more about the 3rd Wave Advanced Wavetable Synth here: https://www.groovesynthesis.com

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction by Bob Coover
00:35 How Dave Rossum Developed the 2144 Filter Chip
02:54 Filter Design on a Napkin: The Story of the 2040/2140 Filter
04:07 The Differences between the 2140 And 2144 Filters
07:26 Why Bob Chose the 2140 Filter for the 3rd Wave"

5 Ways to use Wavetables in Actual Pieces of Music

video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at how Wavetables can be used to improve your musical productions:

0:00 Intro and the 3rd Wave 8m
1:12 No 1: Warm & Fuzzies
3:11 No 2: Complex Drum Synth
4:47 No 3: Sample to Wavetable
6:58 No 4: Cut through
9:24 No 5: Wave Stepping
10:18 Summary
10:55 Patron Jam

This video is sponsored by Groove Synthesis, thank you to them."

Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave Polyphonic Wavetable Synthesizer (Desktop) SN 1169

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

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Waves of Evermore | A 3rd Wave 8M soundscape

video upload by MIDERA

"I picked up a 3rd wave 8M in a trade (my Jupiter 6 and Poly Evolver for their Xpander, 3rd Wave, Chase bliss Thermae, and cash) and honestly didn't think I'd like the 3rd wave very much, after having played the 24 voice desktop. Surprisingly, I am liking it more than I thought I would. Can't say I like the voice count at 8, especially if you can get the 24 voice for $2500 used... but it's not too bad. I just notice the voices dropping off on the 8M in a way I don't with other 8 voice synths like the Prophet VS. I wonder why that is, apart from maybe the 8M having a much longer release stage to the envelopes, but otherwise I have no idea.

Well, I do like it, sounds really nice actually."

Wireless Transmission #synth #electronicmusic #ableton

video upload by Mutt Retro

Starsky Carr's Studio: Vintage & Modern Synth Setup Explained

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Welcome to a full synth studio tour — a look inside my hardware setup featuring vintage analog synths, modern wavetable instruments, modular gear and classic drum machines.

See how a mix of vintage synths, modern instruments, modular gear and drum machines all come together in one integrated setup. In this video I walk through the studio, explain how everything is connected, and show some of the instruments that regularly appear on the channel.

The studio is constantly evolving as new synths arrive, others get repaired, and different setups are tested for videos. In this walkthrough you'll see how classic gear like the Juno-60, Prophet series, Minimoog, TR-808, TR-909 and Jupiter synths sit alongside modern instruments such as the UDO Super 8, Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave, Waldorf M, Arturia PolyBrute and Roland System-8.

I also explain how everything is routed through the studio — from CV-controlled vintage synths integrated with MIDI, to the AudioFuse interface and Neve summing mixer that handle the audio side of things.

If you've ever wondered how to organise a hardware synth studio, integrate vintage CV instruments with modern DAWs, or just want to see a room full of iconic synths and drum machines, this video gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the setup behind the channel.

You’ll also hear a few stories along the way — including the slightly ridiculous “six degrees of separation” link from my studio gear to Charlize Theron and Kevin Bacon through the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels soundtrack.

Whether you're into analog synthesis, wavetable synths, modular gear, or classic drum machines, this studio tour is packed with gear, ideas and inspiration.

Gear featured (selection)

• Roland Juno-60
• Roland Jupiter series
• Moog Minimoog, Voyager % Sub37
• Sequential Prophet synths
• Oberheim OBX8 and OB6
• UDO Super 8
• Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave
• Waldorf M
• Arturia PolyBrute
• Roland System-8
• TR-808 / TR-909 drum machines
• Analog Solutions Leipzig & Fusebox
• Modular & Eurorack gear"

Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave 61-key Advanced Wavetable Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

w/ ZAPP!

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3rd-Wave Synthesizer song demo

video upload by Brian Schaft

"Short little song that showcases some of the bubbly digital waveforms among its traditional waveforms as well."

Modern Synth Sound Design on the 3rd Wave with Sam Gutman | NAMM 2026

video upload by Groove Synthesis and Sam Gutman

"What does deep sound design look like when it's shaped by years on stages with Ms. Lauryn Hill, The Fugees, and YG Marley? ‪@SamGutman‬ brought that perspective to our booth at NAMM 2026, and the result is a masterclass in what the 3rd Wave can really do.

In this session, Sam digs into the full range of the 3rd Wave's synthesis engine: PPG wavetables, modern wavetables, virtual-analog, linear FM, and sampling. Through the eyes and ears of a working musician, Sam shows how these tools come together in real musical contexts, from lush layered pads to sounds that complex arpeggiators.

Along the way, Sam showcases custom patches he built for the 3rd Wave 24K keyboard, demonstrates complex multi-part layering, and shares the creative thinking behind his sound design choices. Whether you're a seasoned synth programmer or just getting curious about what wavetable synthesis can do, there's something here for you.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:04 What is Wavetable Synthesis?
04:27 Classic PPG Wavetables
05:57 Modern Wavetables
08:15 Analog Subtractive Synthesis
10:35 Subtractive Filters
10:55 Additive Synthesis
11:40 FM Synthesis
13:15 Sampling
14:54 Layering
18:10 Bob Coover on Binaural Sound
20:12 Bob Coover's Summary"

Analemma - downtempo ambient

video upload by rustyjaw

"Have worked on this on and off for a couple of months. The basic outline of the track took shape fairly quickly, then the familiar self-doubts crept in and I spun for a while. Not seeing a way to move forward, I stopped working on it. The holidays came and went, and I left this project in stasis. But when I finally came back to it with fresh ears, I could sort of see a path forward. I reworked parts and found the groove again.

I think the bass in this is probably the most interesting part, it came about from experiments with MIDI FX on Hapax, using random LFOs to influence filter and amp settings on the OB6, creating this off-kilter wobbly sound with some funkiness. That then inspired the percussion.

The major players in this are: 3Rd Wave (the opening sound), OB-6 on bass, Prophet, Digitakt, Digitone doing background ambience, Minilogue, and a sprinkling of the Make Noise NUSS system."

Scene Transition #synth #electronicmusic

video upload by Mutt Retro

Where Digital Meets Vintage Soul

video upload by Jose's Vintage Keys

"This demo explores the overlap between modern digital synthesis and classic instruments. The ‪@GrooveSynthesis‬ 3rd Wave 8M sits at the center, supported by the warmth of the OB-X and the expressive touch of the CP70 electric grand piano. Using presets by ‪@devinbelangermusic‬ and ‪@MattJohnsonskeyspace‬

I am not yet good enough to program it myself - their sounds are a wonderful start to get to know the instrument and its vast sonic possibilities. #3rdwave"

Vangelis Cover From Chariots of Fire: Abraham's Theme. #moogmuse #CS80 #3rdwave

video upload by Jose's Vintage Keys

"Playing with this beautiful melody - using OBX, Muse, CS80 and my new 3rdWave - with lots of vintage Lexicon"