Superbooth 2025: Groove Synthesis today announced the 3rd Wave 8M – a compact desktop synthesizer they say brings the Groove Synthesis sound to a more accessible price point, without compromising on sound quality or core features.
“We created the 8M to bring the distinct 3rd Wave sonic character and sound design capabilities to more musicians and producers,” said Bob Coover, co-founder of Groove Synthesis. “This isn’t a watered-down version of our flagship 24-voice models. The signal processing chain, analog electronics, and the sound are the same as on the 24. The 8M just makes the 3rd Wave experience accessible to musicians, sound designers, and producers who don’t need the full scale system.”
The 3rd Wave 8M maintains complete patch compatibility with the 24-voice 3rd Wave models, allowing users to seamlessly integrate the 8M into existing setups or upgrade to larger models in the future. The streamlined user interface focuses on performance-oriented controls while utilizing a larger, more intuitive display for deep sound design capabilities.
Features:
- 8-Voice Polyphony: Full 3rd Wave sound engine with 8 voices and three oscillators per voice
- Complete Synthesis Toolset: Wavetable synthesis, analog-style synthesis, FM, and sampling
- Bi-timbral: Two independent parts for layering and splitting
- Complete Patch Compatibility: Seamless integration with 24-voice 3rd Wave models
- 8 Analog Filters and Output Stage: The same premium analog filters and output circuit design as flagship 24-voice models, 24K and 24M
- Streamlined Interface: Performance-oriented, expressive control set with larger display
- Multiple Outputs: 4 balanced outputs for flexible studio integration
- Compact Design: Smaller footprint ideal for desktop or touring setups
“As a bunch of synth enthusiasts ourselves, we know that the sound is everything,” said Andrew Silverman, co-founder of Groove Synthesis. “The 8M has the full DNA of our flagship models. We’ve carefully considered what matters most to musicians and sound designers, preserving the elements that define our sound while creating a more accessible entry point to the 3rd Wave sonic universe.”
The 3rd Wave 8M continues the Groove Synthesis tradition of combining vintage inspiration with modern capabilities. 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 sound that’s a product of its expanded wavetables and warm, organic analog filters. The performance-focused interface avoids menu diving for a natural control flow, preserving and adapting the vital parts of the keyboard’s controls in a compact format.
Pricing and Availability:
The 3rd Wave 8M is expected to be available and shipping in July 2025 for $1,999 USD.
Damn, I was hoping the price tag would be closer to$999.
Yes, I know. Premium instrument and all that. But one can always hope
Get a modwave module, the VST for 50 bucks and Serum and it’s even less than 1000 for ultimate wavetable power. Also this looks ugly.
Naaaah, I think it’s cool. It reminds me of the PPG Realizer
I saw the PPG Realizer at a NAMM show many years ago. It made my mouth water. It’s a shame it never came out.
Eventually you will be able to get a used one under a grand in maybe 5-20 years before it goes back up in price due to cult following. Most likely right before it goes out of production will be the best price on the used market, so possibly a decade from now.
‘how low can you go?’ … ouch. so much for keeping a lid on behringer’s Wave. although 3rd always had a great set of features.
They really cheaped out and use a sticker instead of paint… Doesn’t have that nice blue matte metal finish. Are they just trying to compete with their own secondary used market?
I mean, the SUB 37 uses a sticker…. hardly a budget option.
Its also REALLY hard to find manufactures who can do a really good job on the silkscreen consistently. You think they’ve got it, then they ship a bunch of panels with crappy printing.
Oh no, how dare they use a Lexan sticker, that offers better consistency than any silkscreen, scratch resistance, used in countless synths like most Sequential and Moog’s, and mostly in airplane cockpits. Oh, and it’s more expensive too.
Shame on them for using the most reliable and best looking material known.
I don’t think I would spend 2K on this.
And I love the sound and the features, just not *that* much.
if i were to spend on wavetable, i would get the big ass 5 octave synth.
Isn’t it a rompler in a box?
How about SynthMaster 3 instead…
Many more features, better sound and the price is fraction of the cost of this contraption 😉
“Isn’t it a rompler in a box?”
No. This is a hybrid design, with analog filters and signal path.
Also – ‘rompler in a box’ is redundant. ROMpler is a term used with classic rack-mount sample-playback devices.
I am sure plenty of folks are torn between this 2000-dollar hardware wavetable synth and Synthmaster 3. They just have so much in common.
Yes you should just stick to synthmaster and fl studio
This makes me remember a project I had 15 years ago about putting a mini PC in an enclosure with a touch screen few knobs and faders to run VSTs. Today I have a sufficient device, an iPad… I mean, it would be cool to have such device with Omnisphere, Serum 2 and V Collection, etc but all that stuff is already in the computer. Also I have a Hydrasynth.
Im sure this one is great but adding it to what I already have sure feels like a ton of redundancy.
They already have a desktop 3rd Wave so this seems a bit redundant. An 8 voice 3rd Wave would’ve been really cool with a small keyboard under the panel for live performances. About the size of a DSI MonoEvolver. CV/Gate input would be nice too.