Category: Studio

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Groove Synthesis announces the 3rd Wave 8M 8-Voice Desktop Synthesiser

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Groove Synthesis has announced the 3rd Wave 8M – a compact desktop synthesiser to a more accessible price point, without compromising on sound quality or core features.

Building on the success of the flagship 24-voice 3rd Wave models 24K and 24M, the new 8M features 8 voices of polyphony and bi-timbral operation in a streamlined desktop format. Priced at $1,999 USD, the 8M delivers the same premium sound quality and cutting-edge synthesis capabilities that have made Groove Synthesis a favourite among producers, composers, and performers worldwide.

“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.

Key features of the 3rd Wave 8M include:

  • 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 lush, expansive sound that’s a product of its expanded wavetables and warm, organic analog filters. The intuitive, 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.

Availability

The 3rd Wave 8M is expected to be available and shipping in July 2025 for $1,999 USD. For more information and to find a dealer, visit www.groovesynthesis.com.

The post Groove Synthesis announces the 3rd Wave 8M 8-Voice Desktop Synthesiser appeared first on Decoded Magazine.

Frap Tools to take on high-end keyboard synthesizer market with ‘West Coast’ MAGNOLIA

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Frap Tools, a manufacturer of Eurorack modules and accessories alongside professional audio compressors in the 500-Series format, latest venture into the world of high-end keyboard synthesizers with its introduction of MAGNOLIA — announced as an 8-VOICE ANALOG THRU-ZERO FM SYNTHESIZER built to unlock every sound associated with ‘West Coast’ modular synthesis through a classic keyboard interface.

As an 8-VOICE ANALOG THRU-ZERO FM SYNTHESIZER, MAGNOLIA unlocks every sound associated with the so-called ‘West Coast’ modular synthesis world with waveshapers, wavefolders, and, most importantly, analog linear TZFM(Through-Zero Frequency Modulation) Indeed, its intentions are made clear from the outset by the on point wording worked tastefully into its (initial) top panel design. No need to necessarily remain there, though, for fat resonant filters and powerful analogue oscillators also allow for more traditional subtractive synthesis sounds. And although a deep and flexible modulation section encourages complex patches with the push of a button and twist of a knob, switching modulations on and off with the TOGGLE function, it is always easy to keep track of what is going on thanks to the inclusion of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) on every source and destination.

Digging deeper, MAGNOLIA features eight analogue voices with two oscillators — carrier and modulator — and 24 dB/oct resonant HIGH-PASS and LOW-PASS filters; the carrier oscillator has a through-zero core for precise, sideband-rich analogue FM (Frequency Modulation) sounds, so crystal-like pads to growling basses are available to all with the greatest of ease, while FM can be applied to the filters. Furthermore, sculpting sounds that have not been heard before on analogue polysynths are now perfectly possible, thanks to MAGNOLIA’s unique signal flow — think continuously variable waveform shapes and a wavefolder circuit per voice!

Those two oscillators are derived from Frap Tools’ BRENSO (https://frap.tools/products/brenso/), a Euroack module readily representing its creator’s primary analogue source of articulated waveforms whose degree of entanglement can be precisely set by the musician. MAGNOLIA’s Oscillator 1 is the ‘West Coast’ one with TZFM, wavefolder, and FLIP SYNC, while Oscillator 2 is the ‘East Coast’ one, with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) and fine-tune. Whether wanting experimental FM sounds or punchy synth brass, they are always at anyone’s service. Speaking of Frap Tools’ unique modular soul, MAGNOLIA’s filter section is derived from CUNSA (https://frap.tools/products/cunsa/) — itself a quadruple analogue ping-able multimode resonant filter, saturator, mixer, and oscillator, no less!

Musically, MAGNOLIA sports a keyboard from fellow Italians FATAR, with polyphonic aftertouch capabilities for enhanced expressiveness, while a per-part ARPEGGIATOR and per-part 16-step SEQ (sequencer) serve to creatively complement the synthesizer still further. Features briefly worth drawing attention to here by way of ending on some more high notes include MAGNOLIA’s bi-timbral programs (with SINGLE, MORPH, DUAL, and SPLIT MODES); all-analogue signal path; three loop-able DAHDSR (DELAY, ATTACK, HOLD, DECAY, SUSTAIN, and RELEASE) envelopes; three digital LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators); and 512 preset memory slots.

Anyone attending SUPERBOOTH25, May 8-10, FEZ-Berlin, Germany can get up close and personal with two MAGNOLIA pre-production units by swinging by Booth B049 there. Their creatorswill be showcasing them personally, eager to show the results of their hard work, while providing a passionate warm welcome. Frap Tools aim to release MAGNOLIA as a production product by the end of summer, albeit with some differences evident by then. The interface will likely be more refined, featuring digital effects, while some features currently under evaluation could conceivably be removed.

While Frap Tools’ Eurorack modules and accessories, plus professional audio compressors in the 500-Series format, are available to purchase online directly from its website (https://frap.tools/), 

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