Synthesist Martin Stürtzer shared his live ambient/Berlin School performance from Superbooth 2022.
“After two and a half years of playing (mostly) at home, it was a pleasure to bring my synthesizers on stage at Superbooth 22 in Berlin,” notes Stürtzer. “This live set was built around Ableton Live as MIDI sequencer and audio mixer. All sounds are from the Waldorf Iridium, Waldorf M, Oberheim Xpander, Moog Sub37 and Eurorack Modular.”
Groove Synthesis only has eyes for blue
Ahead of the 2022 NAMM Show, new synth maker Groove Synthesis has introduced the 3rd WAVE, an advanced wavetable synth keyboard that takes the classic PPG Wave design to a new level.
Like the PPG Wave, 3rd Wave pairs wavetable oscillators with analog filters. It features 24-voice polyphony and 4-part multi-timbral performance capability, meaning it is like having four independent 6-voice synthesizers in one keyboard.
Each of its 3 oscillators per voice can be a classic PPG-era wavetable, a modern high-resolution wavetable or an analog wave shape. You can create up to 64 custom wavetables of your own with 3rd Wave’s Wave Maker tool, which features sample-to-wavetable capability. In addition, you can connect an audio source to the built-in audio input and generate a wavetable at the touch of a button.
Other features include Linear FM, a 6-stage wave envelope per oscillator, 4 envelopes and 4 LFOs with delay, dual effects per part, a pattern/song based sequencer per part, and a 16-slot mod matrix.
Full specifications have yet to be released. The Groove Synthesis website says that the 3rd Wave will be released in 2022.
Watch J3PO take this wavetable/analogue hybrid for a spin
The demo video features J3PO running through a range of 3rd Wave sounds, and first impressions are very positive. We are hoping to find out more at this week’s NAMM Show.
Excite Audio throws you another Lifeline with its multi-module Console plugin
Excite Audio has released Lifeline Console, an enhanced version of its predecessor Lifeline Expanse – a satisfying melange of amp sim and multi-effect.
Lifeline Console enables you to work with five reorderable effect modules, which this time are designed to emulate the sound of vintage analogue hardware. These include a preamp, a 4-band parametric EQ, a compressor, and modulation and wear modules – both of which are designed to emulate the behaviour of tape, vinyl and cassette. Each module has a choice of three algorithms, advanced parameters for deeper control and mid/side compatibility.
Global controls include Warm and Shine knobs, and a Triangle Pad that enables you to blend between clean and vintage emulations of mixing and desk circuitry and your dry signal. In addition, you get 325 presets.
Lifeline Console runs on PC and Mac in VST/AU/AAX formats.
Lifeline Console is currently available for the introductory price of $49/£39/€49, rising to $69/£59/€69. It can be purchased exclusively through Plugin Boutique, and a trial version is also on offer.
