ASM Hydrasynth Desktop/Rack is both a sound designer's dream synth and a performing musician's ideal. The sound engine is designed for maximum flexibility while still letting you edit patches quickly with minimal menu-diving and many workflow shortcuts. Utilizing an advanced wavetable synthesis engine comprised of three oscillators, dual Wave Mutators and two filters that can be configured in series or parallel, Hydrasynth's tone generating capabilities are unmatched.
On the performance side, Hydrasynth Desktop/Rack has 24 polyphonic pressure touch pads so that you can play the unit without needing to connect a keyboard or other controller. Using multiple pad layout modes as well as quick-to-access scale modes, Hydrasynth Desktop/Rack is easy to play. Hydrasynth Desktop/Rack comes with rack ears so that you can mount it in a standard 19" rack.
- 8-voice polyphonic digital wave morphing synthesizer
- 24 velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive pads with multiple scale modes
- MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) compatibility
- Microtuning support via MIDI Tuning Standard files
- 3 oscillators per voice with 4 Mutators total
- 1 multimode filter and 1 variable/sweepable LP-BP/notch-HP filter per voice
- 640 patch storage locations with category search
- CV/gate connectivity
- Voice overflow mode with ASM Hydrasynth Keyboard (sold separately)
Poly pressure touch pads
One problem with many desktop or rack synths is that you usually have to connect them to an external controller to play them at all. For some, the idea behind having a rack or desktop unit you can put anywhere is that it is 'out of the way,' which is fine until you want to start doing some sound editing or adjusting it in real time – then you want a way to play it. Hydrasynth Desktop has 24 polyphonic pressure-sensitive pads that capably allow you to play the synth. With multiple pad layouts to choose from as well as multiple scales, playing the Hydrasynth Desktop is its own musical experience.
Oscillators
Hydrasynth's 3 oscillators allow you to choose from a selection of 219 single-cycle waveforms. Unlike most wavetable synths, Hydrasynth oscillators 1 & 2 have a WaveScan mode that allows you to choose 8 waves from the bank of 219, arrange them in the order you want and then morph from one to another.
Mutators
Oscillators 1 & 2 are routed into Mutators that allow you to modulate, bend and sculpt the sound using the following processes:
- FM-Linear for making classic FM sounds. Choose multiple FM sources, including external inputs.
- Wavestack creates 5 copies of the incoming sound and allows you to set a detune spread amount.
- Hard Sync gives you those classic hard sync sounds. Try hard syncing a morphing wavetable for some fun.
- Pulse Width will pulse width modulate any input sound.
- Squeeze is a different form of pulse width mod that creates a smoother sound.
- PWM-ASM divides the incoming wave into 8 slices and allows you to set how much pulse width mod will happen in each section.
- Harmonic Sweep will sweep the harmonics of the incoming sound.
- PhazDiff takes the input signal, shifts the phase and then creates a difference result with the original signal.
Mixer/filter routing
The 3 oscillators are fed into a mixer along with the noise generator and ring modulator. The mixer allows you to mix levels as well as pan the input source. There is a balance control that allows you to choose how much signal from each source is routed to filters 1 and 2. The filters can be set to be parallel or series for ultimate flexibility.
Filters
If oscillators and tone generators are the heart of a synthesizer, the filters are the soul. Hydrasynth has two filters that can be configured in series or parallel. The first filter has 16 different filter models, giving you myriad options for tailoring your sound. The second filter is 12dB per octave and has a continuous sweep from either low pass > band pass > high pass or low pass > notch > high pass, similar to the way the classic SEM filter worked.
LFOs
Much like its sound engine, Hydrasynth's 5 LFOs are not ordinary by any means, with a step mode that allows you to create patterns with up to 64 steps. Having 5 mini step sequencers gives you an amazing amount of possibilities for further shaping your sound. Of course, there are also 10 standard LFO waveforms to choose from. The LFOs all have delay, fade in, 3 triggering modes, smoothing and start phase controls as well as a one-shot mode so that they can act as envelopes and sync to BPM.
Envelopes
An advanced sound engine needs plenty of modulation sources. Hydrasynth's 6-stage envelopes feature delay, attack, hold, decay, sustain and release stages. The time settings for each stage can be set in seconds or in time divisions, giving you envelopes that can play in sync with your songs. You can also loop the envelopes to create LFOs whose shapes can be voltage controlled in the modulation matrix. The envelopes have the added ability to be triggered from multiple sources.
Modulation matrix
The modulation capabilities on Hydrasynth are endless. With 32 user-definable modulation routings, you will have plenty of ways to use the 29 modulation sources and 155 modulation destinations. Almost everything in the synth engine can be a modulation destination, including the effects and arpeggiator. The mod matrix points themselves can also become modulation destinations. Modulation sources and destinations include the CV Mod In & Out jacks as well as MIDI CCs.
Arpeggiator
The arpeggiator allows for standard note arpeggiations but also has a phrase arpeggio built in. Parameters like Ratchet and Chance will generate rhythmic patterns with some randomness to add life and spontaneity to your performance. You can also modulate most of the parameters in the arpeggiator, so imagine using LFOs, envelopes or pad pressure to modify your arpeggios in real time.
CV/gate, MIDI, USB
Hydrasynth has standard MIDI and USB/MIDI interfaces but also goes deeper to allow the use of CV/gate interfaces for connecting to the modular world. It supports the standard voltages for eurorack modulars, the 1.2V per octave Buchla standard and even some Japanese Hz-per-volt standards. The modulation inputs and outputs allow for modulation from DC voltage to full audio rate, expanding your modulation capabilities.
Main controls
The Main section of system controls is where you navigate your patches, configure system settings and see parameters relating to envelopes, waveforms and filters on the OLED screen. Init and Random buttons will allow you to initialize or randomize a complete patch or specific modules with a press & hold + module select button. Pressing the Home button returns you to navigating patches in a simple and easy way.
Master controls
The Master control section is where all parameter editing, patch naming and macro performing is done. Using OLED screens, high-resolution encoders with LED rings and 8 buttons, this section is designed to give you comprehensive feedback and control. Voice parameters found here give you access to play modes, analog feel, voice panning and many other features.
Macros
Macros give you deep control over the engine in live performance. The 8 assignable encoders and buttons can each be routed to 8 destinations each. Complete sound transformations can take place with the press of a button or turn of a knob.
Patches
Hydrasynth has storage for 5 banks of 128 patches each and comes with 256 factory patches made by some of the best designers around. Finding the patch you want and searching the library is made easy with the browser. Free patch manager companion software for Mac/PC allows easy moving of patches to arrange your banks as well as load in new patch libraries.
Effects
The effects chain goes beyond the typical options found in other synths with pre-effects and post-effects giving you unique ways to process your sound. The delays and reverbs were modeled on some of the most popular effects on the market, making these effects the perfect way to complete your sound – in the box.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | ASM-HSDR |
| Vendor | Ashun Sound Machines |
| Aftertouch | Yes |
| Analog Digital | Digital |
| Built In Speakers | No |
| Included From Manufacturer |
Rack ears Power supply |
| Number of Keys | None |
| Midi | In, Out, Thru, and USB |
| Mono Poly | Polyphonic |
| MPN | HSDR |
| Product Unique Features |
MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) compatibility Microtuning support via MIDI Tuning Standard files |
| Arpeggiator | Yes |
| Control Connections |
1/4" sustain pedal input 1/4" expression pedal input CV/gate patch panel with 5 outputs and 2 inputs |
| Onboard Controllers | 24 velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive pads with multiple scale modes |
| Effects |
4 reverb types 5 delay types Independent Pre FX and Post FX with chorus, flanger, rotary speaker, phaser, lo-fi, tremolo, EQ, compressor, distortion |
| Audio Inputs | Mod 1 and Mod 2 1/8" inputs on CV/gate patch panel can accept audio input for pass-through or processing by Hydrasynth sound engine |
| Audio Outputs |
Dual balanced 1/4" stereo main output 1/4" stereo headphone output |
| Oscillators per Voice | 3 |
| Product Weight | 7.94 lb |
| Programs/Presets |
640 preset storage locations (5 banks of 128 patches each) 256 factory presets |
| USB Port (to Host) | MIDI;System Updates;Editor/Librarian/Patch Manager |
| Voices of Polyphony | 8 |
| Width | 17.32" |
| Depth | 8.78" |
| Height | 2.76" |
Ashun Sound Machines products are covered by Ashun Sound Machines's limited 2-year warranty. Ashun Sound Machines warrants products to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for 2 years from the original purchase date. This is a retroactive warranty. You will need a copy of your purchase receipt, from an authorized Ashun Sound Machines dealer, to verify your purchase date. Ashun Sound Machines cover any workmanship or parts failures that are not attributed to abuse or misuse. Please contact Ashun Sound Machines for a return authorization. For more information please visit www.ashunsoundmachines.com.
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