ASM Hydrasynth Keyboard Digital Wave-Morphing Synthesizer (8 Voices)

The highly flexible ASM Hydrasynth Keyboard 8-Voice Wave-Morphing Synthesizer features an easy-to-use interface with minimal paging and workflow shortcuts, well suited for any sound designer and performing musician. The proprietary ASM polytouch keybed provides the usual velocity-sensitivity and aftertouch, but also supports full polyphonic aftertouch.

With its advanced wavetable synthesis engine, the Hydrasynth features three oscillators per voice with dual Wave Mutators, two series or parallel multimode filters, five LFOs, five looping envelope generators (DAHDSR), a 32-slot modulation matrix, advanced arpeggiator, comprehensive CV/Gate, MIDI and USB MIDI I/O, and dedicated pre- and post-FX plus reverb and delay.

Each of the three oscillators allows you to choose from a selection of 219 single cycle waveforms with wave-morphing capabilities on Oscillators 1 and 2. The Wavelist mode allows you to choose eight waves from the bank of 219 and arrange them in the order of your pleasing and morph from one to another. Oscillators 1 and 2 feature two mutators each, allowing you to modulate, bend, and sculpt the sound in new (and old) ways.

The first filter has 11 different filter models, giving you multiple options for tailoring your sound. The second, a 12 dB/octave filter, has a continuous sweep from lowpass, to bandpass, to highpass, similar to the way the classic Oberheim SEM filter works.

The five LFOs feature 10 standard waveforms, plus a Step mode that allows you to create patterns with up to 8 steps. Having 5 mini step sequencers gives you an amazing amount of possibilities for further shaping your sound. The LFO’s all have delay, fade in, 3 triggering modes, smoothing, start phase, and one-shot mode, so they can act as envelopes and sync to a BPM.

Speaking of envelopes, the Hydrasynth features five six-stage (DAHDSR) envelopes with time settings for each stage that can be set in seconds or in time divisions, giving you envelopes that play in sync to your song. Envelopes can also loop to create LFO’s whose shape can be voltage controlled in the modulation matrix.

With 32 user-definable modulation routings, the Hydrasynth has 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 modulation matrix points themselves can also become modulation destinations. Modulation sources and destinations include the CV Mod In and Out jacks as well as MIDI CCs.

The onboard arpeggiator provides standard note arpeggiations but can also have a phrase arpeggio built-in. Parameters like Ratchet and Chance ensure rhythmic patterns have some randomness to add life and spontaneity to your performance.

Patch Macros are designed to allow the user deep control over the engine in live performance. Eight assignable encoders and buttons can each be routed to eight destinations. Complete sound transformations can take place with the press of a button or turn of a knob.

The Hydrasynth comes with 5 banks of 128 patches in total. We hired some of the best patch designers around to create the 256 factory patches. Searching the library is made easy with the built-in browser, and a PC/MAC-based Patch Manager plug-in allows you to easily move patches to create your favorite order and load in new patch libraries in the future.

No synthesizer would be complete without effects. The effects chain goes beyond the typical ones found in other synths. Pre-effects and post-effects give you some unique ways to process your sound, while the delays and reverbs were modeled on some of the most popular effects on the market. The Hydrasynth ships with a power cord.

User Interface
Intuitive workflow, perceived at a glance
Front-panel controls for instant access to important features
Easy shortcuts for patch / mod route construction (connect/copy/paste)
Two independent OLED displays
8 control knobs and 8 control buttons around the right-side display
LED rings around the control knobs indicate parameter values
8 assignable macros per patch, accessible on Home page
Arpeggiator: 8 modes with direction, octave, chord, and phrase options
Patch browser: organize by Name, Category, or Patch number
Memorize / instantly recall up to 32 Favorites
Overflow mode can link two units for 16-voice polyphony
Sound Engine
Eight voices, with three oscillators per voice
Analog modeling (Osc 1-3) and WaveScan synthesis (Osc 1-2)
Select from hundreds of waveforms and then morph/mutate/warp them at will
Filter 1: 11 filter types, including vocal formant filters
Filter 2: classic state-variable 12dB / octave
Filters can be placed in series or parallel
Loopable ADSR envelopes with delay and hold stages
Curve and BPM value for each segment
Effects
Delay: Five types, including Left-Right-Center and Reverse
All delays can sync to tempo
Reverb: four types, with predelay and damping parameters
Reverb lengths to 90 seconds plus Freeze
Independent Pre/Post FX: Chorus, Flanger, Rotary, Phaser, Lo-Fi, Tremolo, EQ, Compressor
Patch
5 banks of 128 patches each
Mono and Unison voice modes, with unison detune
Glide with programmable time, curve, trigger mode
Mod Matrix with 32 routes per patch
Programmable analog feel emulates circuit designs
Randomize function for individual modules or an entire patch
Hardware
MIDI In/Out/Thru: 3 x 5-pin DIN
USB Type-B port, Class Compliant
CV/Gate inputs and outputs for integration with modular synthesizers
Headphone output(s)
Stereo 1/4” outputs
Sustain pedal input (polarity-sensing)
Assignable expression pedal input (reversible)
LED Dim feature for darkened rooms
Kensington lock port

Keyboard
49-key, velocity-sensitive keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch
Ribbon controller with Pitch bend, Theremin, and Modulation modes
Additional Filter controls (Envelope amount, LFO amount)
Additional Arpeggiator controls (Tempo, Ratchet, Chance, Gate)
Backlit pitch bend and modulation wheels
Octave Down/Up buttons
Chord mode with dedicated button
Glide button
Two headphone jacks share a dedicated Volume control

In the Box
ASM Hydrasynth Keyboard Digital Wave-Morphing Synthesizer (8 Voices)
Power Supply
1-Year Warranty