The Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave Desktop is a compact wavetable synthesizer inspired by the legendary PPG Wave 2, maintaining the iconic vibrant blue color scheme that pays homage to its inspiration. This desktop version delivers the complete synthesis engine of its keyboard counterpart in a smaller, more affordable package without compromising on features or capabilities.

At its core, the 3rd Wave Desktop is a powerful wavetable synthesizer that combines digital wavetables with analog low-pass filters, creating a distinctive warm yet digital sonic character. The instrument offers impressive polyphony with 24 voices and supports up to four-part multitimbral operation, allowing for complex layered sounds ranging from simple six-voice patches to full 24-voice arrangements.

The synthesizer excels at producing a wide range of sounds, from crunchy digital wavetables reminiscent of the original PPG to pristine modern textures. It particularly shines when creating evolving pads, crystalline polysynths, rugged lo-fi basses, multi-layered arpeggios, otherworldly textures, and classic Detroit chord stabs.

Key Features

Wavetable Engine: The 3rd Wave includes 32 original 8-bit wavetables from the PPG Wave series, plus 48 anti-aliased 96kHz wavetables, with expansion capacity for 16 additional user wavetables. The built-in wavetable creator can automatically generate custom wavetables from recorded audio.

Sampling Capability: A significant recent addition is the "Waveterm B" sampling feature, providing 3.3MB of RAM for approximately 35 seconds of 48kHz sampling (expandable to 140 seconds at 12kHz). This allows for multisamples containing up to eight samples spread across the keyboard, with support for various bit depths (16-, 12-, or 8-bit) for lo-fi character.

Filter Architecture: The synthesizer features dual filter types - Dave Rossum-designed classic 2140 analog low-pass filters with 24dB/octave slope and variable saturation, plus digital state-variable filters offering 12dB/octave slope with continuously variable operation between low-pass, notch, and high-pass modes.

Modulation & Effects: Each part includes four ADSR envelopes, four LFOs, a comprehensive 16-slot modulation matrix, built-in arpeggiator, and sequencer. Two effects slots per part offer a range of modeled effects including BBD, delays, chorus, phaser, flanger, distortion, and reverbs.

Connectivity: The desktop version maintains the same professional I/O as the keyboard version, featuring four stereo outputs for independent part mixing, MIDI In/Out/Thru on 5-pin DIN, stereo audio inputs, headphone output, and multiple pedal inputs.

Physical Design

The desktop version demonstrates intelligent design choices in reducing physical controls while maintaining the hands-on editing experience. Where the keyboard version has three sets of oscillator controls, the desktop uses a single set with selection buttons. The WaveSurfer control is replaced with a dedicated button and soft-encoder system. The build quality remains exceptional, using a powder-coated black metal case with blue vinyl panels rather than the keyboard's direct paint application, helping to keep costs down while maintaining durability.

Technical Specifications

Sound Engine

• Oscillators: 3 high-resolution digital oscillators per voice
• Polyphony: 24 voices total
• Multitimbral: Up to 4-part multitimbral (four 6-voice patches or one 24-voice patch)
• Wavetables:
  • 64 total user wavetable positions
  • 48 high-resolution wavetables (64 waveforms per table)
  • 32 original 8-bit PPG Wave 2 series wavetables
  • Room for 16 additional user-created 8-bit wavetables
• Analog Waveforms: 7 high-resolution modeled waveforms (sine, saw, triangle, supersaw, pulse, white noise, pink noise)
• Oscillator Features: VCO sync, Linear FM, 6-stage wave envelope per oscillator with variable time and position (loopable)
• Wave Flow: Optional section allowing no wavetable and no waveform interpolation
• Upper Wavetable Mode: Original PPG 2 series compatibility
• Voice Modes: Unison mode and chord mode with variable voice count

Sampling System (Waveterm B)

• Memory: 3.3MB RAM (approximately 35 seconds at 48kHz, 140 seconds at 12kHz)
• Sample Format: Mono samples, up to 8 samples per multisample
• Bit Depth: 16-bit, 12-bit, or 8-bit selectable
• Pitch Range: Up to 2 octaves above/below root note per sample
• Sample Sources: Audio input recording or USB import
• Features: Sample trimming, naming, root note assignment, loop points

Filters

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

Modulation

• Envelopes: 4 ADSR+ Delay envelopes (Filter, Amplifier, plus 2 additional)
• Envelope Types: Switchable between exponential and vintage PPG-style response
• LFOs: 4 Low-Frequency Oscillators 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
• Modulation Matrix: 16-slot modulation matrix per multi-part with 27 mod sources and 114 mod destinations
• Additional Mod Paths: 12 fixed-source modulation paths
• Audio Rate: Mod Matrix operates at audio rates

Effects

• Effects Slots: 2 digital effects per part
• Effect Types: BBD, stereo delay, tape delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, distortion pedal, rotating speaker, ring modulator, room reverb, hall reverb, super plate reverb
• Features: Most effects modeled on famous hardware devices, syncable to master clock BPM, parameters modulatable via mod matrix

Wavetable Creation

• Built-in Wavetable Maker: "Sample-to-wave" functionality
• Input Sources: Audio input or 96kHz WAV files via USB
• Storage: Up to 32 custom wavetables, 64 waveforms per wavetable
• Sampling: 96kHz sampling rate, 16-bit resolution, 1024 cycles per waveform
• Compatibility: Imports Serum™ wavetables
• Material Support: Accepts pitched or un-pitched material

Sequencer & Arpeggiator

• Sequencer: Note and parameter sequencing, 4 parts per sequence
• Sequence Storage: 24 sequences per preset, up to 32 measures per sequence
• Quantization: Variable resolution (32nd to whole note, or off), real-time adjustable
• Features: Variable swing, real-time mod parameter recording/playback
• Arpeggiator: 1 arp per multi-part, up/down/up-down/assign modes, 1-3 octave range

Controls

• Interface: Reduced control set compared to keyboard version with intelligent button/encoder combinations
• Oscillator Control: Single set of knobs with 3 selection buttons (vs. 3 dedicated sets on keyboard)
• Screen Interface: Soft-encoders for parameter editing when dedicated controls unavailable
• Build: Smaller but equally sturdy buttons and controls

Memory & Programs

• Factory Programs: 500 factory programs (user rewritable)
• Multisample Storage: Samples loaded automatically on boot, permanently available

Connectivity

• Audio Outputs: 4 stereo outputs (2x 1/4" TS jacks per part)
• Audio Input: 1/4" phone jack (for wavetable creation and audio processing)
• Headphone Output: Stereo 1/4" phone jack
• MIDI: In, Out, and Thru on 5-pin DIN connectors
• USB: Bidirectional MIDI communication and file transfer (sample backup and sharing)
• Pedal Inputs: Sustain/footswitch, volume pedal, expression pedal

Power & Physical

• Power Supply: External 15V DC wall adapter (vs. internal IEC on keyboard version)
• Construction: Powder-coated black metal case with blue vinyl panels
• Design: Desktop form factor, significantly smaller than keyboard version

Software Features

• OS Upgrades: Envelope looping, Xfer Serum wavetable import, editable favorites, MPE support, free-running oscillators, new unison modes, sequencer keyboard transpose, modulation of modulation slots, PPG-format wavetable import