3rd Wave

[LPF83]

Yeah the interface for some things, like multi-sample setup, is a bit fiddly.

[Holdano]

Has anyone tried sampling an X8 on the 3rd wave? Wondering how that works out.

Curious, once you sample something, can you save the sample to a program slot and then have the ability to sample something else for the 35sec of storage? Making it seemingly endless for samples storage?

[LPF83]

Has anyone tried sampling an X8 on the 3rd wave? Wondering how that works out.

Curious, once you sample something, can you save the sample to a program slot and then have the ability to sample something else for the 35sec of storage? Making it seemingly endless for samples storage?

Do you mean sample the OB-X8 directly into the 3rd Wave?  I haven't done that yet, as for now I kind of prefer the workflow of importing samples into it via USB, because I can have all the levels pre-normalized, and I've been having fun editing samples with Spectralayers to modify the harmonic content prior to import to create unique sounds that differ from the original sample.  I have noticed that pretty much unconditionally the result of the imported .wav run through this synth sounds so good that I really wish I could have more audio storage on the synth.  I'd like to see the Groove Synthesis team release a compact / desktop sampler with same filters and circutry but with a ample storage and a workflow and UI that's optimized for sampling (i.e. has multisampling capability like Akai MPC), maybe only 8-10 voices of poly at a $1k price point.  Maybe the ability to charge and run on battery so that I can physically place it near instruments I want to sample like I can the MPC Live II.  One of the reasons I haven't sampled the OB-X8 or other synths is because it's in a different physical room from the 3rd Wave at the moment.  So in order to not constantly rearrange things I would probably be better off just using Sample Robot to sample analog synths and continue to import samples onto the unit via USB.

About endless sampling, no it's not endless.. you can keep saving each sample and re-use them just like the analog waveforms or wavetables, but its my understanding the sample time max at each bit rate represents the total amount of sample storage in the unit.

[Holdano]

I had my heart set on the ob6 module, then the obx8 module was released that had me drooling. Now the 3rd wave (module) has sampling and making me rethink everything. I only have funds for one module and it has been a year and a half of me trying to decide (along with timing the funding) 🙄. Just curious if sampling an X8 on the 3rd wave does it justice enough to warrant a 3rd wave over the X8 or Ob6. I understand it is all subjective but would love to hear thoughts.

[LPF83]

I had my heart set on the ob6 module, then the obx8 module was released that had me drooling. Now the 3rd wave (module) has sampling and making me rethink everything. I only have funds for one module and it has been a year and a half of me trying to decide (along with timing the funding) 🙄. Just curious if sampling an X8 on the 3rd wave does it justice enough to warrant a 3rd wave over the X8 or Ob6. I understand it is all subjective but would love to hear thoughts.

There are a lot of factors to consider but if I understand your question overall as to whether a 3rd Wave with OB samples is a replacement for an Obie I would say no, at least for the analog dynamics I look for in an analog synth.  Anything run through the filters of the 3rd Wave sounds great, but its more of a Roland sound than an Obie sound.  The 3rd Wave is an amazingly versatile synth, kind of a swiss army knife with endless sound design capability.. but the sampling feature is an added bonus and not really the reason to buy the synth.  It has so many other reasons to buy one but if sampling an OB is the primary interested I'd say get the OB.

If analog sounds are what you're after the OB-X8 will never let you down.  It's not as versatile as the 3rd Wave of course, but more versatile than it gets credit for.  The OB-6 is still an outstanding synth and sounds Oberheim albeit a bit different from the OB-X8, and I have no plans to sell mine despite owning an OB-X8.

[Holdano]

I had my heart set on the ob6 module, then the obx8 module was released that had me drooling. Now the 3rd wave (module) has sampling and making me rethink everything. I only have funds for one module and it has been a year and a half of me trying to decide (along with timing the funding) 🙄. Just curious if sampling an X8 on the 3rd wave does it justice enough to warrant a 3rd wave over the X8 or Ob6. I understand it is all subjective but would love to hear thoughts.

There are a lot of factors to consider but if I understand your question overall as to whether a 3rd Wave with OB samples is a replacement for an Obie I would say no, at least for the analog dynamics I look for in an analog synth.  Anything run through the filters of the 3rd Wave sounds great, but its more of a Roland sound than an Obie sound.  The 3rd Wave is an amazingly versatile synth, kind of a swiss army knife with endless sound design capability.. but the sampling feature is an added bonus and not really the reason to buy the synth.  It has so many other reasons to buy one but if sampling an OB is the primary interested I'd say get the OB.

If analog sounds are what you're after the OB-X8 will never let you down.  It's not as versatile as the 3rd Wave of course, but more versatile than it gets credit for.  The OB-6 is still an outstanding synth and sounds Oberheim albeit a bit different from the OB-X8, and I have no plans to sell mine despite owning an OB-X8.

That’s a great synopsis! Thanks. If I had the funds, I’d have an X8m with a 3rd wave keyboard as a controller. But as it is, I have an old SQ1 (Ensoniq) with Transwaves (which is surprisingly cool) that is a great midi controller for an X8m. The keybed leaves a lot to be desired, but it will fill the void of PPG-style sounds for the time being.

I liked the sound of the ob6 but as soon as I heard the X8, it was like “oh, wow”. All of this was online unfortunately since I don’t have access to them in person. But the sound of the X8 just hit me in a different way than the ob6. Again, personal taste.

Thanks again for your thoughts. They really help.
Cheers!!

[LPF83]

I had my heart set on the ob6 module, then the obx8 module was released that had me drooling. Now the 3rd wave (module) has sampling and making me rethink everything. I only have funds for one module and it has been a year and a half of me trying to decide (along with timing the funding) 🙄. Just curious if sampling an X8 on the 3rd wave does it justice enough to warrant a 3rd wave over the X8 or Ob6. I understand it is all subjective but would love to hear thoughts.

There are a lot of factors to consider but if I understand your question overall as to whether a 3rd Wave with OB samples is a replacement for an Obie I would say no, at least for the analog dynamics I look for in an analog synth.  Anything run through the filters of the 3rd Wave sounds great, but its more of a Roland sound than an Obie sound.  The 3rd Wave is an amazingly versatile synth, kind of a swiss army knife with endless sound design capability.. but the sampling feature is an added bonus and not really the reason to buy the synth.  It has so many other reasons to buy one but if sampling an OB is the primary interested I'd say get the OB.

If analog sounds are what you're after the OB-X8 will never let you down.  It's not as versatile as the 3rd Wave of course, but more versatile than it gets credit for.  The OB-6 is still an outstanding synth and sounds Oberheim albeit a bit different from the OB-X8, and I have no plans to sell mine despite owning an OB-X8.

That’s a great synopsis! Thanks. If I had the funds, I’d have an X8m with a 3rd wave keyboard as a controller. But as it is, I have an old SQ1 (Ensoniq) with Transwaves (which is surprisingly cool) that is a great midi controller for an X8m. The keybed leaves a lot to be desired, but it will fill the void of PPG-style sounds for the time being.

I liked the sound of the ob6 but as soon as I heard the X8, it was like “oh, wow”. All of this was online unfortunately since I don’t have access to them in person. But the sound of the X8 just hit me in a different way than the ob6. Again, personal taste.

Thanks again for your thoughts. They really help.
Cheers!!

The OB-X8 definitely has a special sound.  It's even better with the OS 2.0 update which has a special bass compensated resonance 4 pole mode I find myself using all the time.  I think it allows the OB-X8 to now do a certain category of punchy-yet-meaty bass sounds that the vintage units were never very good at.  I don't think I've ever gotten what I would call satisfying bass out of the 3rd Wave (really depends on what you're after though).  But the 3rd wave does other things that are out of this world.   One of the magic defining elements of the Twin Peaks Theme pads are the extraordinarily long attack times of the filter cutoff, it went up to like 30 seconds on the Roland JX-8P which I don't think a lot of synths do.... I timed the upper limit on the 3rd Wave and it was about double that on exponential mode.  I switched to PPG style envelopes and if I recall correctly attack was less but the release was like two freaking minutes... unreal.   But just goes to show it completely depends on what you want to do with a synth and using the right tool for the job.  And when you can't have the perfect hardware tool, your creativity becomes the tool.  Wait does that mean I'm a tool? lol

[Holdano]

I agree that the “limitations” can lead to some super cool creative ideas. That sounds really awesome about the 3rd wave and the X8. I have a sub37 and Minitaur and love the flavor of those but have been lusting for an analog poly. The clear choice is to get an Obie and a 3rd wave 😂

[Soundquest]

Well, I have to give these guys a lot of praise.  Everything I wanted from my initial January critique is implemented now.  The recent update 1.8e, fixed the sequencer oddity- which was a big one for me.  Having 4 real-time sequencer parts all individually edible now is pretty darn neat. I haven't even really used the unexpected bonus sampling feature much yet, but this instrument is a keeper, so I'm sure I will

[LoboLives]

Well, I have to give these guys a lot of praise.  Everything I wanted from my initial January critique is implemented now.  The recent update 1.8e, fixed the sequencer oddity- which was a big one for me.  Having 4 real-time sequencer parts all individually edible now is pretty darn neat. I haven't even really used the unexpected bonus sampling feature much yet, but this instrument is a keeper, so I'm sure I will

Does the sequencer have a step sequencing option or is it only real time?

[Soundquest]

No, you can only play real time,  but you can quantize to divisions of the beat and do parameter recording too after the fact.

[LoboLives]

No, you can only play real time,  but you can quantize to divisions of the beat and do parameter recording too after the fact.

Might make doing incredibly fast sequences difficult but I suppose the work around is to slow the bpm down during recording and speed it up during playback.

[Soundquest]

I wouldn't be surprised if they incorporated a step sequencer to an update someday.  That would be cool.

[RowanButler]

It’s intriguing that the developer, Geoff Farr, has experience working with renowned companies like Modal Electronics, UDO Audio, and even Oberheim, suggesting the instrument could carry a rich legacy of expertise. However, while the technical specs are impressive, I agree that the name "Groove Synthesis" might not fully capture the essence of the instrument's capabilities. Hopefully, the 3rd Wave will live up to its potential in both name and function!
 scary teacher 3D

[LPF83]

It’s intriguing that the developer, Geoff Farr, has experience working with renowned companies like Modal Electronics, UDO Audio, and even Oberheim, suggesting the instrument could carry a rich legacy of expertise. However, while the technical specs are impressive, I agree that the name "Groove Synthesis" might not fully capture the essence of the instrument's capabilities. Hopefully, the 3rd Wave will live up to its potential in both name and function!
 scary teacher 3D

From what I understand Geoff Farr is involved in distribution of the 3rd Wave.  The actual developers of the synth are Bob Coover (primary) and Andrew Silverman.  But yes, the 3rd Wave has certainly lived up to its potential.  It is a great and under-rated instrument, not only in the sounds it can do as a descendant of the PPG Wave, but as an overall versatile and great sounding synth.

[LPF83]

This thing really blows my mind with a Poly AT enabled controller.  They should probably do a MKII for the keyboard version to include poly aftertouch, as I think a lot of folks would fall in love all over again.  It can really bring out the "analog" traits in the synth when dialed in just right.  By that I mean very subtle amounts sent to LFO per voice...   in the mod matrix, Pressure amount can go up to 127 but I'm talking about staying in the 5-10 value range, maybe sent to an LFO with freq maybe at 150 or so and just letting natural playing expression do the rest, with each note press having its own amount of pitch wobble, so subtle you can't really recognize it as that...  it just sounds like natural instrument warmth.. so beautiful with the right patch when played alone.  In a busy mix it wouldn't be as noticeable at such subtle levels, but then again it can be difficult for the ears to even distinguish hardware from software in a busy mix.

[Soundquest]

What controller are you using?   I use the Hydrasynth, which has PAT, but ironically I haven't messed with that mod option much on the 3rd Wave.

[LPF83]

What controller are you using?   I use the Hydrasynth, which has PAT, but ironically I haven't messed with that mod option much on the 3rd Wave.

I use the Korg Keystage 61 key for this.  The key bed is "Polytouch", which to my knowledge is the same key bed as on the Hydrasynth.

[Soundquest]

Got it.  I have to get back to the 3rd Wave soon and mess with the poly AT options.   Such a neat instrument.