ASMHydrasynth Keyboard Digital Synthesizer

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N13-00569
$1,299.00 $1,099.00
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Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth

Hydrasynth is the debut eight-voice polyphonic wave morphing synthesizer from Ashun Sound Machines, offering three oscillators per voice and an extremely open ended modulation system. The powerful sound of the instrument is achieved through Analog Modeling and Wavescan synthesis, as well as the unique Mutators feature. Hundreds of waveforms can be seamlessly morphed into one another, warped, and mutated, resulting in rich, evolving sounds even before entering the filter stage. Speaking of filters, the synth contains two: a classic state-variable 12dB/octave (featuring morphing LP/BP/HP and LP/Notch/HP options), and a multimode filter with tons of original algorithms, including vocal formant modeling, emulations of several classic and boutique filters, and more. There are five LFOs with a one-shot mode, and five DAHDSR loopable envelopes with an option to tie each segment to a multiple or division of the BPM value.

The control section of the synthesizer is represented by the four-octave keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch, pitch bend, modwheel, and a large-size assignable ribbon controller. Additionally, there are eight Macro knobs and buttons that can be programmed to control groups of various parameters. The section is complete with a complex arpeggiator.

Hydrasynth has CV/Gate inputs for easy integration with modular synthesizers and other analog instruments. Flexible Mod Matrix with 32 routes per patch introduces an opportunity for extremely complex modulation setups. A comprehensive Randomization system allows you to randomize individual modules in the synth, as well as whole patches. The effects section is equipped with five Delay types, four Reverb types, as well as Chorus, Flanger, Rotary, Phaser, Lo-Fi, Tremolo, EQ, Distortion, and Compressor.

Hydrasynth Features

  • Eight-voice polyphonic wave scanning synthesizer
  • Keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch
  • Large ribbon controller for expressive performance control
  • OLED displays for waveform visualization and patch editing/performance display
  • Endless encoders with LED rings to indicate current parameter values
  • Complex arpeggiator with extensive control options
  • Eight assignable Macro controls per patch
  • Extensive modulation matrix with up to 32 paths
  • Three oscillators per voice with 219 selectable waveforms
  • Oscillators 1 and 2 offer Wave Scanning between user-definable wave lists
  • Four Mutators per voice, allowing FM, several flavors of PWM, Harmonic scanning, Sync, and more
  • Open-ended ring modulator and noise section
  • Two filters per voice, with parallel or series configurations
  • Filter 1 offers tons of distinct types, including LPG and Formant filters
  • Filter 2: classic state-variable 12dB/octave morphing filter
  • Five looping DAHDSR envelopes with option for relating segment duration to current BPM
  • Five complex LFOs
  • Integrated delay, reverb, and various modulation effects
  • CV & Gate I/O for easy integration into modular synth workflows
  • Global & per module randomization and initialization always accessible straight on the front panel, with several intelligent randomization features
  • Easy access to each module's internal parameters via dedicated Module Select buttons
  • MIDI: In/Out/Thru & MIDI via USB-B
  • CV/Gate: I/O at standard selectable Eurorack levels via 3.5mm jacks
  • Headphones: 1/4" and 3.5mm
  • Outputs: Stereo 1/4"
  • Sustain: 1/4" input
  • Expression: assignable 1/4" input
  • PSU: 12VDC, included
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Product Demo Videos
ASM Hydrasynth Keyboard Preset Sounds
The new Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) Hydrasynth keyboard is an eight-voice synth with rich options for sound design: with Wave Scanning oscillators, sound shaping via multiple Mutators, two flexible filters per voice, and a fully-thought-out effects section, Hydrasynth is a sound designer's dream.

It offers full polyphonic aftertouch, a large ribbon controller, and an intense arpeggiator with randomness and ratcheting built in. And of course, the modulation section is formidable: five complex envelopes, five complex LFOs, CV/Gate I/O and a 32-path modulation matrix make it possible to create everything from classic key sounds to evolving generative soundscapes.
Deckard's Dream Synthesizier + Expander With ASM Hydrasynth Polyphonic Aftertouch Keyboard
The Black Corporation Deckard's Dream synthesizer has a sound inspired by the legendary Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer. It supports polyphonic aftertouch like the CS-80, and since the new ASM Hydrasynth has polyphonic aftertouch on its keyboard we used the Hydrasynth to play the Deckard's Dream.

Deckard's Dream Expander adds ring modulation, chorus, tremolo, delay and reverb to the Deckard's Dream, or anything else you plug into it.
ASM Hydrasynth Oscillator + Mutator In Depth Tutorial
ASM's Hydrasynth is a tremendously powerful digital synthesizer with its own rich set of options for sound design. It uses a unique sonic vocabulary throughout, offering deep options that any synthesist will love exploring. The oscillators provide 219 waveshapes and the option for WaveScanning—a wavetable-like technique for smooth wave morphing.

Each Hydrasynth voice also features four Mutators (or Mutants)...processes that enable classic effects like FM, sync, and PWM. The Mutators take each of these techniques into far deeper territory than typically possible, however, often transforming these familiar tricks into something entirely new.

Even without touching the filters or effects, the Hydrasynth is an incredibly powerful instrument.
ASM Hydrasynth Desktop Standalone And With Eurorack
ASM's Hydrasynth comes in a keyboard version as well as this desktop version. The pads are velocity and polyphonic aftertouch sensitive and they can be laid out in a chromatic mode, fretboard mode or octave mode where only the notes of the current scale are playable.

Both versions of the Hydrasynth have CV ins and outs which can be used to control or sync eurorack gear to the Hydrasynth. The CV inputs are even audio rate so you can run external sounds into the Hydrasynth with them.
Deep Sound Design Tricks with the ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe
In this sound design deep dive, Jacob shares a few of his favorite tricks for crafting patches on the ASM Hydrasynth.
Most of these tips can be applied to any version of the Hydrasynth, meaning that regardless of your preferred flavor of Hydrasynth, you can be sure you've got one of the most capable sound engines around.
ASM Hydrasynth Keyboard Digital Synthesizer Reviews