ASM Hydrasynth Explorer: Making Noise in Nature

[@sarahbellereid]

Curious about modular synthesis, electronic music, and sound design, but unsure how to get started? I have something for you! Join my free "intro to synthesis" mini course here: www.soundandsynthesis.com/firstpatch2022 PS: You don't need any special gear to do this-just a computer with VCV Rack (which is free to download).

[@Polypumpkins]

*Thank you for making this video Sarah!* It's not only informative but I'm very glad you well-demonstrated the sonic possibilities of the engine's complexity in making the ambient, fx & soundscapey sounds! It's just not another mini VA synth that only supplies ordinary sounds to play. The mindset when we developed it was exactly wanting it to have small footprint but still allow users to do sound design and literally explore on it. Inspiration of sounds and music can happen anywhere, we hope the portability of it allows people to re-explore the world. Obviously users of other models can have the patches transferred and brought outside, as well as creating outdoors and bringing them back in. Transferring Polytouch into mid-size keys are indeed challenging but rewarding. We did not compromise quality when downsizing the keys. Besides retaining the fine response of Polytouch, we also made the keys semi-weighted, so that mid-size keys should no longer be think of as cheap keybeds by many. :D Cheers, Dominic Au

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you Dominic!! It’s a great little instrument :)

[@Dudderlyful]

You guys have done something special with this one!!

[@marvinjones4415]

Finally! Someone demonstrating the more odd sounds that the Hydrasynth can produce.

[@RedMeansRecording]

You do this synthesizer a great deal of justice

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you :)

[@christdolphin69]

simpisizer

[@truecuckoo]

Such a great video! I like. Subscribing 👊🏼

[@audialeyes6709]

*Gheeesh*

[@MyWorstEnemyIsMyself]

Hands down the best video i've seen about the Explorer, glad you did justice to the really experimental and weird side of the synth.

[@mauadachi]

After several ordinary reviews, this is the video that made me go for it. So beautiful, tks!

[@andreaslagerstedt2430]

This is the wildest sounds i've heard come out of a synth in a looong time. Super inspiring! Thank you!

[@sarahbellereid]

You're welcome and thank you!

[@MoonseedMeditations]

I absolutely love what you do with this synth... 💖

[@Geoff-D]

Nice demo! You got some interesting textures out of the ASM..🙂

[@jontip]

Outstanding run through and the patches were wonderfully unique. There is so much room for your style in the YT gear review space. Great work 🙌

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you!!

[@StephenMcLeod]

This is cool. I should go outside some time. Maybe one day.

[@cohaagenup]

I really really liked all the quirky patches, very strange and lovely! I want a desktop Hydra so much.

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you!

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

Great video Sarah!

[@afnannn]

Wow the sounds you are getting from this is incredible

[@degradedecho8397]

Your expedition was such a lovely fulfilment of concept, each location and patch feeling entwined with you summoning their primal elements. Wonderful, thank you

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you for watching!

[@leyetnin1]

Just ordered the Deluxe thru your link @ Perfect Circuit!! Thank you, Sarah!

[@Paulsmusik28237]

Great work and sounds you created. My Favorite is in the beginning arround minute 3. Cheers keep up the good work.

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you!☺

[@LordoftheBadgers]

Not that I'm an expert but this is what modular sounds like in my head. Which makes it awesome!

[@wickeddubz]

Thanks for comparison, useful for me. Awesome patches! Organic, chaotic, moving. Sounds very natural but unusual at the same time.

[@quantummonastery]

Amazing sounds wow! New sub :)

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you!

[@JGlassy]

Awesome take here! As a minifreak-er, there’s a kindred spirit lurking here in the explorer, finding a home outdoors and so in the moment.

[@crybo]

Love, love, love the sounds you are getting from it!

[@exmachinema]

Not the usual YT synth review (and perhaps not the usual synth); I really enjoyed it and will subscribe for more. Thanks!

[@Helena081107]

Now THAT's how you make a synth video !!! THANK YOU Sarah !!! :D Why are there not more people out there making video's like this one??? Honestly, I love my Hydra, it has the easiest interface ever made, and yet it still has one of the deepest synth engines ever made. It's my Xpander (yes yes, ASM certainly took the right synth to look at interface wise :D), but more reliable, and with way more options and features, and lovely FX. And the playability of this synth is absolutely amazing and extremely inspiring. Coming from a classical background, I always hated synth action keys, but I never have this feeling playing my Hydra. Extremely responsive keys !! And the polyphonic AT is just so inspiring. Ugh, I wish all my synths were more like the Hydra :D Thank you Sarah and ASM !!

[@matthewtunnicliffe201]

Great video. I hadn't really considered the Hydrasynth before, but now having watched this I'm quite intrigued by the more experimental nature of it. I'm quite partial to the odd outdoor session too, so the portability is definitely appealing to me.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Within the first five minutes of the video, Sarah, it sounded as if you did exactly what you set out to, writing patches to reflect on the activities of your surroundings. You got the Hydrasynth Explorer to answer nature. All of that was before you came around to the comparison with the other 3 Hydrasynth models which is fantastic. It’s April 2024, and (after years of resisting getting it) I am becoming convinced Explorer will be my first synthesizer purchase in 4 years. I was gearing up to get a Sequential Take 5, but this bugger is suddenly raising its “voice” to me. (I was also thinking of later getting an Ensoniq SQ-80, but this model has updated versions of what made the SQ-80 appealing.)

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

Everything is really wonderful.

[@sarahbellereid]

:)

[@MRFThorne]

Great video. I have the ASM Hydrasynth keyboard version - very excited to know that Hydrasynth has gone bigger and smaller with the Deluxe and Explorer models, respectively. I really like the idea that the Explorer can be powered by batteries! :)

[@kenb7540]

Amazing patching Sarah. Some wonderful sounds !👏🙏

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you!

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Great fun Sarah! It sounded like there was a small army of stoned aliens hiding inside the machine, tapping on the key triggers and smiling like mad men, all the while hoping you didn't realize they were in there! 🥰

[@kevinperry3639]

A very magical machine for sure. Great video too. 🤘

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you!

[@kevinperry3639]

@@sarahbellereid your welcome. I think you are lucky to have the opportunity to get to know this synth. If it were me, several years later all my friends would be like "where's kevin, I haven't seen him in a few years ". 🤣 🤘

[@adambrowne01]

Thanks for showing some of the more out there sounds. I honestly was starting to think this synth was a bit boring/ tame but you did a great job at showing the possibilities

[@ewanstefani]

Fantastic instrument. Can't wait to try it. Thanks for the review!

[@sarahbellereid]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@Tyetheberious]

Really cool sound design here, perfectly paired with a detailed overview and comparisons. Great video - happily subbed!

[@battlemode]

Very nicely put together video, and great info! Thank you

[@iamsushi1056]

I am so incredibly excited. I've had my eye on the hydras for a while now.

[@ameeqalli8115]

Patches are dope by they way!!!!

[@R3V1ZION]

I really enjoyed this! Lovely sounds and info

[@brunodadivore9606]

Great vidéo that well explains the key differences between the three versions. In addition I like the lovely Sarah’s hands on the tiny keyboard with an original music performance…

[@soundokapi-music]

Wonderful non-mainstream exploring btw :D I am not alone....

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you :)

[@TriangleWaveRecords]

Super excited about this actually. The HydraSynth already sounds very good and interesting, this format factor is pretty cool for someone like me that has way too much gear for their own good, hahaha.

[@syrupcore]

That patch starting at around 3:30! I'm dead. Not even sure how I'm typing this, honestly. Absolutely amazing!

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you!

[@thekaniack]

What a wonderful travel setup!

[@benjaminbrodie9801]

BRILLIANT mini synth! Mini-keys with Poly AT! Count me in.

[@Winterdagen]

This is so informative as wel as musically amazing! Really love the creative patches. Thank you!

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you for watching! :) glad you enjoyed it

[@edwardarchibald5697]

Very engaging and substantial review! I particularly liked the range of sounds that you created and demonstrated. Finally, having objective comparisons of the Explorer vs. the larger keyboard helps me a lot in my decision making process.

[@paulomartel9618]

Thank you so much for this very useful and inspiring video!

[@sarahbellereid]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching :)

[@TheSzyko]

The first patch reminds me of Jon Hopkins‘ track „Open Eye Signal“ which was my first introduction to techno(-ish) music. Good memories. Awesome video! I will definitely get my hands on a Hydrasynth soon 🎛📡

[@hearmenow909]

Such a helpful video. Thanks.

[@David_K_Booth]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you!

[@audialeyes6709]

I didn't quite realize you can modulate external audio. So rad. As a lover of field recording and sample based synths, this puts me over the sonic moon.

[@xrkalitza38]

I think with deluxe and desktop version you can but unfortunately not with explorer

[@vertigev]

Woah!! This is so cool!

[@FrozenLonesome]

Excellent video. I had a Replace CP that also ran on batteries and really liked the flexibility that provided. I have the Hydrasynth keyboard version and could see a time when I will downsize my studio and replace the 49 keyboard with an Explorer.

[@Jon-BEDM]

Nice job! What a cool little weird sounding machine🧡🦑

[@sarahbellereid]

thank you! I agree, it's a weird one, but definitely fun :)

[@ZOgrameMusic]

Super nice video, had me chilling for 20 minutes, exactly what I needed :) Awesome review by the way

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you! :)

[@Datachrome]

Nice video, I would really love to try this machine. it seems incredible for sound design.

[@alanbg2278]

Your Hydrasynth videos helped me decide whether or not to go for this machine. Being a rather old dog I had previously decided I have plenty synths to do most things but there is enough versatiity here to make it uniquely justifiable. Have an Explorer on back order ! It will be interesting to discover how my Doepfer R2M gets on with the new kitten ! Thanks for all you do and all your practice. Taught me a lot about focus.

[@sarahbellereid]

You're welcome and thanks for watching. I'm glad you find this video helpful!

[@idkreina]

great video & sounds!! the first few patches w the nature shots were serene!!

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you :)

[@mattkaz9604]

Great sounds. I know people are fascinated by analog synths but I still prefer the weird tones from a quality digital synth.

[@MargaretHarmer]

Really cool! Great video!

[@SuperEgido]

Very good video. Clear many doubts. The Explorer certainly has great potential. It will be my next purchase thanks to this video. Thanks for sharing your experience. --- Muy buen vídeo. Despeja muchas dudas. Sin duda el Explorer tiene un gran potencial. Será mi próxima compra gracias a este vídeo. Gracias por compartir tu experiencia.

[@dracul74]

Enjoyed. Subbed. Thx

[@jeffc1753]

This nature area looks exactly like a place near me in mid-America, bridge, lake and all. Probably a coincidence…but never thought of playing a synth out there!

[@NeoLudditevisons]

ah man I'm a sucker for small powerful synths!! This looks like a keeper...

[@jayjayjay391]

Awesome

[@pascalferriot6233]

Very poetic, thanks a lot !! :-) How do you layer up the 2 sounds in the "Patches - part 1" (the pad + the metalic delicate one) ?

[@jamesmcn0000]

Inspiring review, thanks!

[@Garflips]

Very cool. BTW - Midisynth/Sigabort says he's coming out with an iOS version of his Hydrasynth editor soon so that could be cool with the Explorer on the go - assuming the editor works just fine with all versions.

[@synthemodulaire]

Very well done ! These patches are amazing, magic !

[@sarahbellereid]

Thank you!

[@Tim.Traveler]

As someone who love sampling...can you explain what the connection are? I see your reading into the mic, but are you also sampling at the same time the environment?

[@danielpirone8028]

Fantastic video- thank you!!!

[@danielpirone8028]

I get a Pacific Northwest vibe from the background - love it either way.

[@ubiquitousreverser]

Thanks for posting this highly informative video, and your take on exploration of the hydrasynth explorer. Struggling between this and the module. Was wondering about bottle necking in those 4 instead of 8 parameter knobs.

[@bestdictors]

Could you please name the model of Gator case that appears on 0:10? thanks in advance!

[@sarahbellereid]

yep it's the GK-2110 Micro Controller Gig Bag: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/S0BERUlFSUBFSEZMREZATEpITA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2Fgator-cases-gk-2110.html

[@vomitriste]

Excellent demo! What model is the gator bag in the beginning? Been looking for a good travel case for the explorer but the options seem somewhat limited.

[@shahruzmoshtael]

The Minimoog itself was a scaled down version of the big modulars

[@HiLoMusic]

These patches are very engaging, I find most synth demonstrations utterly boring and uninspired but I cannot say the same about your patches and presets. Does this synth have a deep modulation matrix?

[@spltrcl]

patches! so good, s!

[@Pulse2AM]

Just wait til you find some critter has nested inside it and had 100's of baby critters! One time we had a cactus and there was a Scorpion in it that came out in the house!

[@freshkidblaze]

Dang I have a feeling this will replace my keystep 37

[@CineTrance-Records]

Hydrasynth 4 Life ❤️🎹👽

[@s.bizier5826]

About afterthought, Access virus indigo also had it, and was also 37 keys

[@eternalsence3033]

the sounds at 16:18 are very similar to skee masks typical percussion sound for example Skee mask - Untitled 279! really nice sounds sarah :)

[@sarahbellereid]

thank you! :)

[@wren23_bass-synths]

I’ve been going back and forth between this a the new Arturia Minifreak. I’m leaning towards this one.

[@radek1cihak]

The only video that told me about Hydrasynth Explorer was what I needed to know. Thank you! I had prepared a few questions for the seller, which I regularly bring into trauma, because I expect something different from the tool than what it was made for :-) Your video was the best answer for me! Everyone is racing to sound modern, while you've shown something truly personal. You have to go for the music somehow, and here you have drawn a part of your journey. I only had one new question: You didn't say anything about connecting to the microphone, you even, I think, excluded the external input - how does it work, please?

[@AndreCholmondeley]

Great demo Sarah. Viva Canada. and YES WEIRD MUSIC !!! Would love to interview you for my MAKE WEIRD MUSIC youtube channel features on Creatives!. You are so about the MUSIC, the sounds, the history and the inspiration. Thank you

[@AlekseiDroganov]

Hello, Sarah. I would very much like to clarify, because I did not understood everything by ear. Please tell me, in comparison with the large original, how much worse is the material of the buttons, knobs and cases? Have the patches changed in whole or in part? What are its advantages over the larger version of the original, except for the batteries possibilities. I'll be very thankful. Aleksei 🇪🇪Estonia, Tallinn. ☺️🙏

[@soundokapi-music]

Thx :) no mixing - just live improv?

[@craigcaudill3999]

glad i found this video I just bought this with a four track. my question what size of chords are plugged into this and were you recording. at the time? thanks

[@djjuno106]

thanks for going deep into the comparissons of all of the models. on the asm website its pretty confussing and glen darcy keeps saying there all the same when in fact not having an expression input,cv input,audio in is alot too have missing.

[@tommymandel]

Arturia Keystep has Aftertouch too, (if you consider that a Synth since it doesn't make its own noise.)

[@rainbowkrampus]

It's a chonky boi but I still think the desktop is the most versatile here. With the CV inputs you could run your recordings into the Hydrasynth and incorporate them into the patches without much additional equipment. I haven't done it with the Hydrasynth yet but I've gotten lots of use out of a portable battery pack powering guitar pedals. Heck, the Hydra is smaller and lighter than my Helix and I carry that thing all over. You can make the desktop portable. Not as portable as the Explorer. But certainly portable enough to fit into a decent sized backpack. Just maybe don't make it an all day hike 😆

[@BoneCrossbowHQ]

hi, im a new synth user, i buyed a hydrasynth explorer, where could i get somewhat educated? and, how you connect a microphone to the hydrasynth?

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

This version of it doesn’t have those audio input that are on the bigger versions. Unfortunately, can I do with microphones on the question is April 2024 as I leave this comment, and that was one of the reasons I have resisted getting this model for the last three years. However, as I think of getting one after all, but I’m going to think about for the future is getting a vocoder module.

[@jla9096]

Excellent demo and patches! For that second bubbly sounding patch (2:45), how could I go about making something similar? I love how experimental it sounds. Any tips for making those experimental sounds would be appreciated! Also did you do any processing to the sound after recording or is it all coming from the synth?

[@sarahbellereid]

Thanks! those bubbly sounds in that patch are made with oscillators running at very low frequencies into bandpass filters :) I'm thinking about making another video in the future with some more HS sound design tips, so thanks for this question!

[@jla9096]

@@sarahbellereid Ythat would be awesome. Thanks for the reply

[@GaraGaraVideo]

Great vid, it's sold me on the Explorer, thanks. Can you pls let me know details / size of that Gator case you're using. Looks like it's padded? Cheers

[@fcf8269]

Good video but you may want to point out that the explorer does not have all the controls on the panel, that the desktop and standard keyboard models have. It is not a big deal for 99% of people probably, but it does matter for that 1% that hate to go menu diving for some options

[@jessewarren817]

Hey Sarah, thanks for the video!! What are you using there to record the Hydra?

[@polutropos]

Love the patch at 3.27 ish & how you build it. Did you do the sound design there on the bench or are you playing prepared patches?

[@sarahbellereid]

Thanks! That patch is several step LFOs independently sequencing the 3 oscillators in each voice, using aftertouch to control the rate of the step LFOs and some other parameters. For the most part all I believe the patches were made on the spot :)

[@telumatramenti7250]

You are very lucky to have small hands which these tiny keys are ideal for. For me, - anything less than full size, semi-weighed keys is a real torture to actually play. The only instrument I have with such tiny keys is AKAI MPK Mini MK III Black Edition, but I mainly use it to enter notes and as accompanying chords in live play, in which I rely on my Novation SL MK III or a 37 full size semi weighed keys version of Stageright by Monoprice (that is one sweet MIDI controller for live performance).

[@AnalogFlava]

I wonder how this compares to the novation peak?