Collection: Ashun Sound Machines

About Ashun Sound Machines

Ashun Sound Machines is a Belgian manufacturer known for building synthesizers that prioritize expression and sonic depth over preset browsing. Founded by sound designer Aymeric Hainaux, the company designs instruments that reward hands-on exploration. Their synths combine digital oscillators with analog filters and thoughtful interface design, creating tools that feel immediate in performance but reveal complexity over time. The Hydrasynth line, their flagship series, introduced polyphonic aftertouch to a wider market and established ASM as a serious player in the modern synth landscape.

The Hydrasynth Series

The Hydrasynth family spans desktop, keyboard, and explorer formats, all built around the same sound engine: eight-voice polyphony with three oscillators per voice and a mutant wavetable architecture. Polyphonic aftertouch across all models means every finger gets independent pressure control, opening up expressive possibilities that most synths can't touch. The onboard effects are studio-grade, and the modulation matrix is deep enough to lose yourself in. The Hydrasynth Desktop gives you the full engine in a compact form, while the Hydrasynth Keyboard adds a 49-key polytouch keybed and the Deluxe steps up to 73 keys with extended polyphony.

Cobalt Series

The Cobalt8 and Cobalt8X take a different approach: virtual analog architecture with eight voices of polyphony and a focus on classic subtractive synthesis. These are hybrid instruments that combine digital oscillators with analog signal paths, giving you warmth and grit alongside the flexibility of digital modulation. The Cobalt8 offers 49 keys, while the Cobalt8X extends to 61. Both include the same polytouch keybed technology and a streamlined interface that makes sound design faster than menu diving.

Electric Wind Instruments

ASM also produces the EWI series in partnership with Akai Professional, bringing MIDI wind controller technology to synth players and wind instrumentalists looking for electronic expression. The EWI5000 combines breath control, bite sensors, and key-based pitch control with onboard sounds and MIDI output. It's a niche tool, but for players who want to control synths with breath dynamics instead of keyboard velocity, it's one of the few serious options on the market.

Shop Ashun Sound Machines at Blackout Audio

ASM builds synthesizers for players who want their hands and fingers to shape sound in real time. The Hydrasynth series delivers polyphonic aftertouch and deep modulation in formats that fit different workflows. Free shipping on orders over $199 across Canada. Browse the collection online and reach out to the team with questions about specific models or features.