Top Digital Synthesizers Compared 2026
The Korg Wavestate MkII and Ashun Sound Machines HSMK (Hydrasynth Explorer) represent two distinct philosophies in digital synthesis. At $999.99 CAD and $999 CAD respectively, they sit at similar price points but offer radically different approaches to sound design. The Wavestate MkII brings Korg's decades of synthesis expertise with wave sequencing at its core, while the Hydrasynth Explorer delivers ASM's innovative PolyTouch polyphonic aftertouch and wavetable synthesis. If you're shopping for a digital synth that pushes beyond preset browsing into deep sound sculpting territory, these two deserve your attention.
Quick Verdict
The Wavestate MkII wins if you want a unique workflow centered on wave sequencing and evolving soundscapes. Its approach to layering and modulating samples over time creates textures you won't get elsewhere. The Hydrasynth Explorer takes the crown for hands-on performance and expressive control thanks to its PolyTouch keybed, which gives you polyphonic aftertouch on every note. If you play keys and want your performance gestures to shape sound in real time, the Explorer delivers. If you're more interested in programming evolving pads, sequences, and generative patches, the Wavestate MkII is your pick.
Build Quality and Form Factor
The Wavestate MkII features a 37-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch, housed in a solid plastic chassis with a metal front panel. Controls are logically laid out with dedicated knobs for key parameters and a large color display for visual feedback. It's a desktop-friendly size but not designed for battery operation.
The Hydrasynth Explorer also sports a 37-note mid-sized keybed, but this is where the hardware diverges significantly. ASM's PolyTouch keybed offers polyphonic aftertouch across all keys, giving you per-note expression that most synths reserve for monophonic playing. The Explorer is battery-powered, making it genuinely portable. Build quality feels robust with a layout that prioritizes hands-on control. The interface puts sound design parameters front and center with a clear display.
Both synths feel like they'll survive regular studio use and occasional gigging. The Wavestate MkII leans toward the traditional synth form factor. The Hydrasynth Explorer adds portability and a keybed technology that changes how you interact with the instrument.
Sound Engine and Synthesis Approach
The Wavestate MkII is built around wave sequencing, a technique Korg pioneered with the original Wavestation in the 1990s. You're working with multiple layers, each containing a lane of samples that can morph and evolve over time. The synthesis engine includes filters, envelopes, LFOs, and a modulation matrix that lets you route parameters in complex ways. The result is a synth that excels at evolving pads, rhythmic sequences, and soundscapes that change as you hold a chord. It's less about static tones and more about movement and transformation.
The Hydrasynth Explorer uses an advanced wavetable synthesis engine with three oscillators, dual wave mutators, and two filters that can be configured in series or parallel. Wavetable synthesis scans through tables of waveforms, and the mutators add real-time timbral shifts. This engine is versatile enough for everything from aggressive leads to lush pads, but the real magic happens when you engage the PolyTouch keybed. Polyphonic aftertouch means you can apply pressure to individual notes and modulate filter cutoff, vibrato, or any other parameter independently per key. This opens up expressive possibilities that the Wavestate MkII can't match with its standard aftertouch implementation.
Sonically, the Wavestate MkII leans toward organic, evolving textures. The Hydrasynth Explorer delivers a more modern, aggressive digital character with the flexibility to go soft when needed. Both synths reward deep diving into their modulation systems, but the Wavestate MkII's wave sequencing is a more specialized tool, while the Explorer's wavetable engine is a broader canvas.
Features and Workflow
The Wavestate MkII includes extensive modulation options and a workflow built around wave sequencing. The color display makes navigating the synth more intuitive than older Korg designs, though some parameters still require menu navigation. The synth stores hundreds of presets, and the sound library covers a lot of ground. Connectivity includes MIDI in/out, USB MIDI, and stereo audio outputs.
The Hydrasynth Explorer's interface is designed for immediate hands-on control, reducing the need to dig through submenus. Battery operation is a major feature if you want to sketch ideas away from the studio or perform without being tethered to mains power. The display is clear and responsive. Audio outputs are stereo, and MIDI connectivity is standard. The PolyTouch keybed is the standout feature here — it fundamentally changes how you play the instrument, especially if you're used to traditional keyboards.
Both synths offer deep sound design, but the Wavestate MkII's workflow is more about programming and letting the synth evolve sounds over time. The Hydrasynth Explorer's workflow puts performance and real-time control at the forefront.
Value for Money
At $999.99 CAD, the Wavestate MkII delivers a specialized synthesis engine that you won't find in many other synths at this price. If wave sequencing is what you need, the value is strong. If you're looking for a more general-purpose digital synth, you might find the workflow less intuitive than alternatives.
The Hydrasynth Explorer at $999 CAD offers polyphonic aftertouch, a feature typically reserved for much more expensive instruments. Add in battery operation and a versatile wavetable engine, and the value proposition is compelling. You're paying for a keybed technology that most synths don't have, and if you use it, it justifies the price.
Both synths are priced fairly for what they offer. The Wavestate MkII is a better deal if you want wave sequencing specifically. The Hydrasynth Explorer is a better deal if you want expressive performance control and portability.
Comparison Table
| Spec | Korg Wavestate MkII | ASM Hydrasynth Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Synthesis Type | Wave Sequencing | Wavetable |
| Keys | 37 (velocity + aftertouch) | 37 (PolyTouch polyphonic aftertouch) |
| Oscillators | Multi-layer wave sequencing | 3 oscillators + dual wave mutators |
| Filters | Included | 2 filters (series or parallel) |
| Battery Powered | No | Yes |
| Built-in Speaker | No | No |
| Street Price | $999.99 CAD | $999 CAD |
Alternatives Worth Considering
If neither the Wavestate MkII nor the Hydrasynth Explorer feels like the right fit, these alternatives cover different approaches to digital synthesis:
The Korg Modwave MkII at $1099.99 CAD offers wavetable synthesis with motion sequencing and Kaoss Physics control, making it a strong pick if you want a different flavor of Korg's modulation-heavy approach. The Roland JD-08 at $599.99 CAD is a compact recreation of the classic JD-800, delivering retro sounds and a simpler workflow for those who don't need the complexity of wave sequencing or polyphonic aftertouch. The Korg Volca FM at $251.99 CAD brings FM synthesis with a 16-step sequencer and built-in speaker, perfect for portable sketching or adding FM tones to your setup without breaking the bank.
