3rd Wave 8M

Born from the PPG wavetable legacy but supercharged for today's producers, the 3rd Wave 8M packs the full essence of Groove Synthesis' acclaimed 3rd Wave engine into a compact desktop module that's now shipping worldwide.

This 8-voice hybrid beast delivers bi-timbral operation across two independent parts, with three digital oscillators per voice handling wavetable synthesis (including 32 original 8-bit PPG wavetables and up to 16 user ones), virtual analog, linear FM, and even sampling up to 35 seconds across 12 samples. Each voice routes through premium analog lowpass state variable filters and output stages identical to the flagship 24-voice models, warmed by four LFOs, four ADSR+delay envelopes, and a 16-slot mod matrix. A streamlined panel with 24 buttons, 36 knobs, and a bright 7-inch display plus six context-sensitive encoders makes deep editing intuitive, while onboard arpeggiator, 24-sequence sequencer (up to 32 measures each), and effects like BBD/tape/stereo delays, chorus, phaser, flanger, ring mod, distortion, Leslie, and multiple reverbs add polish. Rack ears included, it measures 53 x 29 x 20 cm at 4.63 kg, with flexible I/O: four 1/4-inch TRS outs (two stereo pairs), audio in, headphones, MIDI DIN/USB, and pedal ports for expression, sustain, footswitch, and volume.

Early users love its uncompromised sound quality and patch compatibility with bigger 3rd Waves, praising the lush, expansive tones that fit seamlessly in studios or live rigs—though some note the desktop format trades keyboard convenience for portability.