Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) has premiered Hydrasynth — a wave morphing synthesizer, featuring ASM Polytouch. The 49-note polyphonic aftertouch synth with a user-assignable ribbon controller comes in a keyboard and a desktop version with 24 velocity- and polyphonic aftertouch-sensitive pads.
Hydrasynth is an eight-voice, three-oscillator synthesizer containing a wave morphing synthesis engine. OSC 1, OSC 2, and OSC 3 can all make use of any one of the 219 single-cycle waveforms available, while Wave Scan mode (for OSC 1 and OSC 2 only) facilitates defining eight waveforms into a list and then morphing from one to the next using modulation sources.
The Hydra synthesis engine also features four mutators, allowing for further tonal modification. MUTANT 1, MUTANT 2, MUTANT 3, and MUTANT 4 have an ability to perform complex FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis; each include three different types of pulse width modifiers, hard sync, harmonic sweep, and a Wavestack function that generates five detuned copies of the incoming waves for super-dense sounds. Furthermore, flexible routings within the mutators provide options for tweaking, twisting, and turning sounds inside out. On top of that, the synthesis engine also contains two filters that can be configured in parallel or series. FILTER 1 features 11 filter models spanning new and classic filter modes, while FILTER 2 is a continuously-variable multimode affair.
As modulation sources add much-needed movement into a synthesized sound, Hydrasynth contains five envelope generators — ENV 1, ENV 2, ENV 3, ENV 4, and ENV 5 — capable of looping as well as tempo synchronization and five LFOs — LFO 1, LFO 2, LFO 3, LFO 4, and LFO 5 — capable of acting as step sequencers or one-shots. The modulation matrix — MOD MATRIX — offers 32 modulation slots with which to route sources to destinations. Such sources and destinations can also be received or sent via MIDI CC messages or front panel-accessible Control Voltage) Inputs and Outputs.
Hydrasynth proudly offers polyphonic aftertouch, which ASM claims breathes life and dynamics into otherwise static sounds, so users can create expressive musical passages using a standard-sized traditional keyboard. It is not necessary to learn a new keyboard technique to be able to play and perform with the Polytouch keyboard. Alternatively, a desktop version of Hydrasynth with 24 velocity- and polyphonic aftertouch-sensitive pads is available to those not needing to add another keyboard to their studio or stage setups; saying that, all other performance attributes are still at hand, including an adaptable Arpeggiator and dedicated Filter Controls, with crisp OLED displays, providing visual feedback.
Ashun Sound Machines’ Hydrasynth will cost $1,599 for the keyboard version and $999 for the desktop version when it ships in November.
Ashun Sound Machines
