ASM Hydrasynth Explorer 37-Key Wave-Morphing Synthesizer
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Description
The Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth Explorer brings the full 8-voice Hydrasynth sound engine to a compact, portable, battery-capable instrument. Its 37-note Polytouch keybed delivers polyphonic aftertouch for genuine per-note expression, a level of control normally reserved for boutique vintage synths, while three WaveScan oscillators, dual filters, and a multi-mode Mutator section handle everything from glassy pads to mangled FM leads.
Sound Engine
Each of the eight voices carries three WaveScan oscillators offering 219 single-cycle waveforms, with oscillators 1 and 2 routed into the Mutator section for further sculpting. Mutators run as both processors and standalone tone generators, with eight modes on tap: linear FM, WavStack, hard sync, three flavours of pulse-width modulation (PW-Orig, PW-Squeeze, PW-ASM), harmonic sweep, and PhazDiff. The signal then passes through a five-source mixer (3 oscillators, noise, ring mod) into two filters that can be routed in series or parallel. Filter 1 offers 16 selectable models including a vocal formant filter, and Filter 2 is a 12 dB/octave state-variable filter modelled after the classic SEM design.
PolyTouch Keybed
The 37-key semi-weighted Polytouch bed responds to per-note pressure (polyphonic aftertouch), velocity on note-on and note-off, and monophonic channel aftertouch, all routable through the modulation matrix. The keys are mid-sized rather than full-sized, keeping the instrument compact without resorting to mini keys. A pitch-bend ribbon and a mod ribbon with LED depth indicators sit beside the keybed for hands-on expression.
Modulation and Performance
The 32-slot modulation matrix maps 35 sources to 191 destinations, including the matrix routes themselves and all 128 MIDI CCs. Each voice carries five DAHDSR envelopes and five LFOs. The LFOs support a 64-step pattern mode (essentially five mini step sequencers per voice) and can be quantised, while the envelopes can loop into auxiliary LFOs. A six-octave arpeggiator with phrase mode adds ratchet and chance parameters for rhythmic variation, and two Macro pages provide eight assignable encoder/button pairs routable to up to eight destinations each. Memory holds 1,024 patches (8 banks x 128) with a Favorites browser and three sort modes.
Battery Power and Modular Integration
The Explorer runs from the included DC supply or 8 x AA batteries for completely untethered sessions. A 1/8" CV / Gate / Mod jack quartet connects it to Eurorack and other modular rigs (supporting 1V/oct, 1.2V/oct Buchla, and select V/Hz Japanese standards), while USB and 5-pin DIN MIDI handle DAW and external-controller duties. A pre-FX chain (pitch, lo-fi, EQ, distortion) and post delays and reverbs complete the signal path.
Connectivity
- Audio outputs: 1/4" L/Mono, 1/4" R, 1/4" headphones
- MIDI: 5-pin DIN In / Out, USB MIDI (class compliant)
- CV / Gate: 1/8" Pitch CV In, Gate In, Mod Out, Mod In
- Pedal: 1/4" sustain / expression input
Specifications
- Polyphony: 8 voices
- Keys: 37 mid-sized semi-weighted, polyphonic aftertouch
- Oscillators: 3 per voice, 219 waveforms each, plus 4 Mutator waveshapers
- Filters: 16-model Filter 1 + 12 dB/octave state-variable Filter 2, series or parallel
- Envelopes / LFOs: 5 DAHDSR envelopes + 5 LFOs per voice
- Patches: 1,024 (8 banks x 128)
- Mod matrix: 32 slots, 35 sources, 191 destinations
- Power: Included 12V DC supply or 8 x AA batteries
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 556 x 255 x 78 mm (21.9 x 10 x 3.1")
- Weight: 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)
In the Box
- ASM Hydrasynth Explorer
- 12V DC power supply
- USB cable
- Quick start guide
