ASM Hydrasynth Keyboard 8 Voice Virtual Analog Synth, 49 Keys
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Utilizing an advanced wavetable synthesis engine, 3 Oscillators, dual Wave Mutators and 2 filters that can be configured in series or parallel, the tone generating capabilities of HYDRASYNTH are unmatched.
As for the performance capabilities, The HYDRASYNTH keyboard has ASM's proprietary Polytouch™ keybed that offers polyphonic aftertouch over each note, giving you the type of expressive control found only in certain vintage synths.
Add to this a 4 octave ribbon controller and ergonomically designed pitch and mod wheels and you have expression and control that is not equaled in any other hardware synthesizer on the market.
FEATURES
Polytouch™ keybed
The new ASM Polytouch® keybed allows not only the standard velocity and aftertouch found on other keybeds but supports fully polyphonic aftertouch. The Polytouch™ keybed features a high quality, standard sized keys, so you can start playing it instantly.
Oscillators
The tone generation capability is the heart of any synthesizer. Hydrasynth's 3 oscillators allow you to choose from a selection of 219 single cycle waveforms.
Hydrasynth's oscillators 1 & 2 have ASM's WAVELIST mode. This mode allows you to pick and 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. The Mutators allow you to modulate, bend and sculpt the sound in new (and old) ways.
Each MUTANT allows you to choose from 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 amount.
Hard Sync - This gives you those classic hard sync sounds. Try hard syncing a morphing wavetable for some fun.
Pulse Width - This will pulse width modulate ANY input sound.
PW - Squeeze - This is a different form of pulse width mod that creates a smoother sound.
PW-ASM - this mode divides the incoming wave into 8 slices and allows you to set how much pulse width mod will happen in each section.
Harmonic Sweep - this will sweep the harmonics of the incoming sound.
The Mutants can also generate its own waveforms in both FM and Sync modes so that you do not have use another oscillator... Of course, the routing is flexible so you can choose the other oscillators as mod sources if you like.
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 of 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. The Hydrasynth has two filters that can be configured in series or parallel.
The first filter has 11 different filter models, giving you multiple options for tailoring your sound. The second filter is a 12db per octave has a continuous sweep from Low pass to bandpass to high pass, similar to the way the classic SEM filter worked.
LFO's
5 Low-Frequency Oscillators! The Hydrasynth LFO's feature 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.
Of course, there are also 10 standard waveforms to choose from.
The LFO's all have delay, fade in, 3 triggering modes, smoothing, start phase, one-shot mode so that they can act as envelopes and BPM sync.
Envelopes
An advanced sound engine needs plenty of modulation sources. The 6 stage envelopes feature Delay, Attack, Hold, Decay, Sustain and Release stages. The time settings for the stage can be set in seconds or in time divisions, giving you envelopes that play in sync to your song. You can also loop the envelopes to create LFO's whose shape can be voltage controlled in the modulation matrix.
Modulation Matrix
The modulation capabilities on the 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 Modulation matrix points themselves can also become modulation destinations. Modulation sources & destinations include the CV Mod In & Out jacks as well as MIDI CC's.
Arpeggiator
The arpeggiator allows for standard note arpeggiations but also has a phrase arpeggio built-in. Parameters like RATCHET and CHANCE will generate other 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, Polyphonic Aftertouch or the Ribbon controller to modify your arpeggios in real time.
CV/GATE - MIDI - USB
There is the standard MIDI and USB/MIDI interfaces on the synth but it also allows the use of CV/GATE interfaces for connecting to the modular world. It supports the standard voltages for Eurorack modulars as well as some of the Japanese Volts > HZ products. The MOD in and outs allow for modulation from DC to full audio ranges, expanding your modulation capabilities.
Main Controls
The Main system controls are where you navigate your patches, configure system settings and see parameters like the envelopes, waveforms, filters in 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.
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 good feedback on what is going on.
Macros
The patch MACROS are designed to allow the user deep control over the engine in live performance. The 8 assignable encoders and buttons can each be routed to 8 destinations. Complete sound transformations can take place with the press of a button or turn of a knob.
Patches
The Hydrasynth comes with 5 banks of 128 patches in total. Finding the patch you want and searching the library is made easy with the BROWSER. ASM's PC/MAC based Patch Manager plug-in also allows easy moving of patches to create your favourite order as well as load in new patch libraries in the future.
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. The delays and reverbs were modeled on some of the most popular effects on the market. The effects are the perfect way to complete your sound, in the box.
Specifications
Physical
• Metal Chassis, w/Steel top and bottom, Aluminum side panels
• PolyTouch© Keybed: Polyphonic aftertouch, Velocity
• 4 octave (67 cm, 26.4) Ribbon controller
- Pitch bend mode
- CC control mode modulation source
- Theremin mode - triggers envelopes and plays pitch (Continuous pitch or choose from multiple scales)
• 5 banks of 128 patch memories
CV gate input and oututs:
• Support multiple CV/GATE standards
CV
- 1v per octave +/-5V
- 1V per octave 0-10V
- Hz to Volts +/-5V
- Hz to Volts 0-10V
Gates
- V-trig, S-trig
- 3V, 5V, 10V
Mod In/Out range
- +/5V, 0-10V, 0-5V, 0-1V
• Clock in and out
1PPS, 2PPQ, 24PPQ, 48 PPQ
Clock Voltage - 3v, 5V, 10V
• MIDI IN/OUT/THRU: Voice overflow mode for expanding voices with another Hydrasynth
• Expression pedal input
• Sustain pedal input: Polarity sensing input
• DC input jack
• USB port: Supports USB MIDI In/Out
• Dimensions: 80 x 35 x 10.3 cm (31.5 x 13.78 x 4.05 inches)
• Weight: 10kg (22.05 lbs)
Sound Path Specifications
• 8 Voice Advanced Wavetable synthesis
• 2 Wavemorphing Oscillators
• 1 fixed Wave OSC
• Dual Mutators per oscillator
• Noise Generator: White, Pink, Brown noise sources
• Ring modulator: Selectable input sources; Depth control
• Sound source mixer
• Two Filters with Series or parallel routing
Modulation Specifications
5x Low Frequency Oscillators
• 10 static waves: Sine, triangle, Square, Saw up, Saw down, S&H, Low random, Noise, Pulse width 25%, Pulse Width 12.5%
• Step Wave 8 steps that the user can set (like a step sequencer)
• Clock sync
• Starting phase
• Start delay
• Fade in
• Master output gain
• Trigger modes mono, poly, free
• One shot mode
5x Envelope Generators
• 6 stage DAHDSR envelopes: Delay, Attack, Hold, Decay, Sustain, Release
• Slope curves for ADR stages: Variable from full exponential to full logarithmic
• Tempo or Time option for setting length of each stage.
• Looping of AHD stages for creating LFO types of modulations.
• Trigger modes Legato, Reset, Retrigger
Matrix modulation
• 32 slots for source-destination mod routings with amount
• Modulation matrix slots can be mod destinations
8x Macro knobs and buttons
• Each macro knobs allows positive and negative of up to 8 destination controls
Arpeggiator
• Arp parameters can be modulation destinations.
• Modes: Up, down, up/down, Up&down, random, note order, chord, pattern
• Octave: Range, 1,2,3,4
• Play order: Up, down, up/down
• Swing
• Gate time
• Ratchet repeats notes
• Chance sets how often the ratchet takes place
Effects Specifications
Pre-effects before Delay and Reverb
• Chorus, Flanger, Rotary, Phaser, Lo-Fi, Tremolo, EQ, Compressor (with side chain)
Delay
• Tape, Ping-pong, Analog, PitchShift, Reverse, Filter delay
Reverb
• Room, Hall, Shimmer, Cloud, DarkSpace
Post-effects after Delay and Reverb
• Chorus, Flanger, Rotary, Phaser, Lo-Fi, Tremolo, EQ, Compressor (with side chain)
Media
Q & A
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