3rd Wave

[Soundquest]

I'm happy to hear about the sample library.  I've imported a few samples of my own doing, but haven't used them much as I'm still engaged just with waveshapes at this point.

[LPF83]

I'm happy to hear about the sample library.  I've imported a few samples of my own doing, but haven't used them much as I'm still engaged just with waveshapes at this point.

I can confirm it's possible to get lost in the WT functionality of this synth, and forget about all the other things it can do!

[LoboLives]

As much as I appreciate the ability to import user samples, I'm always hesitant when it's included as an added feature after the fact simply because often times these companies don't have libraries themselves. I know the idea of focusing on factory samples/presets might seem ridiculous in a sampler but there's something really beneficial about just having access to the sounds right away to experiment with as opposed to searching for them yourself and importing them. I really appreciate companies like Sonicware including things like pianos, basses, strings, choir etc out of the box. Same with the 8Dio samples in the Prophet X or the original Synclavier factory library in the Regen and of course Nord having a dedicated online library for it's users.

[LPF83]

As much as I appreciate the ability to import user samples, I'm always hesitant when it's included as an added feature after the fact simply because often times these companies don't have libraries themselves. I know the idea of focusing on factory samples/presets might seem ridiculous in a sampler but there's something really beneficial about just having access to the sounds right away to experiment with as opposed to searching for them yourself and importing them. I really appreciate companies like Sonicware including things like pianos, basses, strings, choir etc out of the box. Same with the 8Dio samples in the Prophet X or the original Synclavier factory library in the Regen and of course Nord having a dedicated online library for it's users.

I get what you're saying, but the sample library becomes more of a consideration when one is buying a sampler.  The 3rd Wave isn't that -- it's a synth that simply has some sampling and sample playing capability as an add-on feature.  No other sampler I'm aware of that's currently made has those amazing filters the 3rd Wave has, so it is a much appreciated addition. 

It does sometimes feel like a teaser of what's possible.... and maybe that's what it is?  Bob has alluded to a new product in the works that has nothing to do with the 3rd Wave, so maybe it will be a sampler complete with a well-appointed library.  I'd be all-in if the price was right...  One can only hope.

For this particular library they're releasing, my (uninformed) guess is that it's going to be a smaller library of short transient-type sounds that are used to blend with the oscillators and wave tables to create interesting layered sounds.  Something along the lines Roland D-50 "LA Synthesis" where PCM transients are combined with traditional synthesis to create new possibilities.

[LoboLives]

As much as I appreciate the ability to import user samples, I'm always hesitant when it's included as an added feature after the fact simply because often times these companies don't have libraries themselves. I know the idea of focusing on factory samples/presets might seem ridiculous in a sampler but there's something really beneficial about just having access to the sounds right away to experiment with as opposed to searching for them yourself and importing them. I really appreciate companies like Sonicware including things like pianos, basses, strings, choir etc out of the box. Same with the 8Dio samples in the Prophet X or the original Synclavier factory library in the Regen and of course Nord having a dedicated online library for it's users.

I get what you're saying, but the sample library becomes more of a consideration when one is buying a sampler.  The 3rd Wave isn't that -- it's a synth that simply has some sampling and sample playing capability as an add-on feature.  No other sampler I'm aware of that's currently made has those amazing filters the 3rd Wave has, so it is a much appreciated addition. 

It does sometimes feel like a teaser of what's possible.... and maybe that's what it is?  Bob has alluded to a new product in the works that has nothing to do with the 3rd Wave, so maybe it will be a sampler complete with a well-appointed library.  I'd be all-in if the price was right...  One can only hope.

For this particular library they're releasing, my (uninformed) guess is that it's going to be a smaller library of short transient-type sounds that are used to blend with the oscillators and wave tables to create interesting layered sounds.  Something along the lines Roland D-50 "LA Synthesis" where PCM transients are combined with traditional synthesis to create new possibilities.

Probably looking at venturing into the Sample + Synthesis space that the Prophet X was occupying and now since the PX is officially discontinued, maybe Sequential/Oberheim is leaving it up to Groove Synthesis to come up with a new product.

With the 3rd Wave essentially being a sort of love letter to the PPG Wave (Let's be honest, it is). Perhaps Groove Synthesis' next product will be a love letter to the EMULATOR.

[LPF83]

With the 3rd Wave essentially being a sort of love letter to the PPG Wave (Let's be honest, it is). Perhaps Groove Synthesis' next product will be a love letter to the EMULATOR.

Fingers crossed... I was thinking the exact thing as I wrote that.  Although, I saw a post from someone who believes they heard Bob refer to the mystery product as a "synth", but I'm not reading too much into that, as the Prophet X demonstrates an instrument can be both.  An EMU inspired instrument would make a lot of sense for them, as their background is in digital and not analog.  But a synth with analog VCOs or DCOs from them would probably be killer as well.

[mapquestdirections]

the 3rd wave looks like a powerful blend of vintage character and modern flexibility. with 24 voices, 4-part multitimbrality, analog filters, and deep modulation, it’s a serious contender. geoff farr’s background adds real credibility to this synth’s potential.

[LPF83]

The latest 3rd Wave update has some nice features, like the ability to modulate the sample start point.

Paul Hartnoll (Orbital) shown here using Ableton velocity to trigger it for a granular vibe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNEH3Y-j6dI

[Manbird]

Curios if anyone's looking at the Protein. I'm still on my likely System 8 quest, but that's inspired partly by the desire for a bit of digital. The Protein would obviously offer that by the bucket. Apart from all them Ultravox albums, I'm really not much tuned to the whole PPG-esque scene. Is the low-priced Protein catching any eyes here?

[LPF83]

I think part of the magic of the PPG, like most great digital synths, was the analog filter, and this is also a big reason the 3rd Wave sounds so good.  The Protein seems like a decent entry level device for wavetables but only has 64 fixed wavetables and digital filters, so to me it seems more like a "gateway drug" device maybe designed to bring more buyers into the Waldorf family.  I'm sure its ok for the money.