Hydrasynth Explorer - 37-Key Polyphonic Synthesizer

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 & 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 × 128) with a Favorites browser and three sort modes.

Battery Power & Modular Integration

The Explorer runs from the included DC supply or 8 × 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 × 128)
• Mod matrix: 32 slots, 35 sources, 191 destinations
• Power: Included DC supply or 8 × AA batteries

In the Box

• Hydrasynth Explorer
• DC power supply
• USB cable
• Quick start guide