MEET THE 3RD WAVE DESKTOP MODULE
The 3rd Wave desktop module a powerhouse wavetable synth with 24-
voice polyphony and 4-part multi-timbral capability that's like having four
independent synthesizers at your fingerprints.
It has all of the power, all of the polyphony, all of the multipart capability, all
of the I/O, and all of the awesome sound quality of the full keyboard
version.
Each of its 3 oscillators per voice can be any of these 3 choices:
A classic PPG 8-bit wavetable with all the original processing
A high-resolution anti-aliased 96KHz wavetable
Analog modeled waveforms with spline interpolation
Create up to 64 custom wavetables of your own using the built-in
Wavemaker. With the sample-to-wavetable capability, you can connect an
audio source to the audio input and generate a wavetable at the touch of a
button.
CLASSIC LEGACY, MODERN SOUND
While the 3rd Wave has roots in the classic digital wavetable synths of the
past, it takes that concept into the 21st century with a lush, expansive
sound that's a product of its expanded wavetables and warm, organic-
sounding analog filters, 4 independent parts, and 24 voices.
It boasts not only a punchy, Dave Rossum-designed 2140 analog low-pass
filter with variable saturation, but a second, SEM-style state-variable filter
(low-pass, high-pass, notch, and band-pass) for additional tone-sculpting.
Run both filters in series for harmonically complex textures.
4-PART MULTI-TIMBRAL
With 24-voices, the 3rd Wave has enough power for the most note-
intensive performances.
And that polyphony really comes into play with its ability to layer up to 4
independent parts or split zones -- each with a completely different sound,
sequence, and dual effects.
Each part has independent panning, volume, and a dedicated stereo
physical output. Use the multiple outputs and part placement to create
spatial audio mixes.
MODULATION MATRIX
The secret weapon of any synth is its mod matrix, and the 3rd Wave
doesn't disappoint.
With 16 assignable slots, 12 additional fixed-source slots, 27 sources, and
114 destinations, it has the flexibility of a modular.
And all of this power is per multipart. That means up to 4 independent
layers of sound, each with its own mod matrix.
SEQUENCE NOTES, SONGS AND PARAMETERS
The 3rd Wave's sequencer is an inspiring tool for both composers and
sound designers because it is pattern-based and can sequence notes,
songs, and parameter changes.
For composing and performing, enter notes and chords in real time with or
without quantization for maximum groove and arrange up to 24 patterns of
up to 32 measures in length into songs just as easily.
SOUND ENGINE
3 High-resolution Digital Oscillators Per Voice
- 64 total user wavetable positions with 48 wavetables that contain 64
waveforms per table (32 legacy PPG waves with room for another 16 of
this type)
- 32 original 8-bit wavetables from the PPG 2 series instruments with
room for 16 more user created 8 bit wavetables
- 7 high-resolution modeled analog waveforms (sine, saw, triangle,
supersaw, pulse, white noise, pink noise)
- VCO sync
- Free-running oscillators
- Linear FM
- 6-stage wave envelope per oscillator with variable time and position
that can be looped
- Optional wave flow section that allows for no wavetable as well as no
waveform interpolation
- Upper wavetable mode as with the original PPG 2 series
- Unison, poly unison, and chord unison mode with variable voice count
Analog Low-pass Filter (per voice)
- Dave Rossum designed, classic, 2140 low-pass resonant filter
- 24 dB per octave slope
- variable saturation amount
- optional resonance compensation
State-Variable Filter (per voice)
- 12 dB per octave slope
- Continuously variable between low-pass, notch, and high-pass,
operation with optional band-pass mode
4 ADSR+ Delay Envelopes
- Filter, Amplifier, plus 2 additional envelopes switchable between
exponential and vintage PPG-style response
- Freely assignable to multiple modulation destinations
4 Low-Frequency Oscillators
- Triangle, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square, pulse 1, pulse 2, pulse 3,
and random (S&H)
- Variable delay
- Note reset
- Syncable to master clock BPM
2 Digital Effects
- BBD, stereo delay, tape delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, distortion pedal,
rotating speaker, ring mod, room reverb, hall reverb, super plate reverb
– most modeled on famous hardware devices
- Syncable to master clock BPM
- Parameters modulatable via mod matrix
WAVE MAKER TOOL
Built-In Custom Wavetable Maker
- “Sample-to-wave” functionality. Connect an audio source to the 3rd
Wave’s Audio In port, press “Make Waves” and the synth samples the
audio to create a custom wavetable
- Samples to convert can also be brought in as a 96 kHz wav file through
USB
- Store up to 32 custom wavetables
- 64 waveforms per wavetable
- Accepts pitched or un-pitched material as input
- 96 kHz sampling rate
- 16-bit resolution
- 1024 cycles per waveform, converted automatically to cover entire
keyboard range
- Flexible wave-sampling length
- Imports Serum™ wavetables
SEQUENCER
Performs both Note and Parameter Sequencing
- 4 parts per sequence
- 24 sequences per preset
- Up to 32 measures per sequence
- Variable quantization resolution per sequence (32nd, 16th, 8th, quarter,
half, whole note, or quantization off), that is settable in real time
- Variable swing
ARPEGGIATOR
1 Arp per Multi-part
- Up, down, up/down, and assign modes
- Variable range (1, 2, or 3 octaves)
MOD MATRIX
16-slot Modulation Matrix Per Multi-Part
- 16 slot modulation matrix with 27 mod sources and 114 mod
destinations
- 12 additional fixed-source mod paths
- Modulation assignment buttons enable quick and easy modulation
routing
- Mod Matrix runs at audio rates
- Sequencer can record and play mod parameter changes in real time
CONTROLS
- 41 knobs and 43 buttons enable deep, comprehensive editing with
minimal menu diving
- Pitch and Mod Wheels
- Responds to MPE
- Responds to polyphonic aftertouch
PROGRAMS
- 500 factory programs. User rewritable
IN/OUT
- 4 Stereo outputs (2x 1/4″ phone jack per part)
- Headphone out (stereo 1/4″ phone jack)
- MIDI In, MIDI Out, and MIDI Thru
- USB port for bidirectional MIDI communication
- Audio Input for creating user wavetables from external audio source
(1/4″ phone jack)
- Audio Input can also route audio through the filters, output chain, and
effects
- Sustain/footswitch input
- Volume pedal input
- Expression pedal input
POWER
- AC adapter (DC 15V, 3.0A).
- Operates worldwide on voltages between 100-240v, 50-60 Hz, 45 watts
maximum power consumption
Dimensions
- Shipping Box Dimensions: 27.5 x 15.25 x 11.25 inches, 15.4 lbs
- Synth Dimensions: 20.5 x 8.375 x 3.125 inches, 10.2 lbs
