ASM Hydrasynth Explorer - Sonic LAB Overview

[@alanbg2278]

I wish ppl would not do this 'what is hasn't got' stuff. What i 'hasn't got' is the money to explore anything other than the Explorer,, which i have on back order. Much anticipated !

[@WVandellHarris]

I TOTALLY AGREE!

[@auntjenifer7774]

The only complaint is that this one doesn't have the ribbon strips across the board. I think I can fix that problem with the micro freak and it's ribbon slider like key board.😜

[@auntjenifer7774]

And no sequencer ! WTF were they thinking !? Those are the only 2 complaints I can think of but I'm sure they hear us and few years down the road we may see an updated unit!?

[@buckycore]

I agree. The level of privilege that comes with having access to music grear on this level is so extremely high. Like, I know people who are musicians and are homeless after losing their jobs. But yeah, you know. A $600 synth just doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the $2000+ one. Well, shoot. That really sucks

[@A5h3n.]

Yup. Thats why I got one, and am getting that new pro vs mini by behringer too. Glad we live in an age these things are affordable.

[@petterbeyer4815]

I like how Nick Batt allways talk a little bit about the build quality. Keybed for example. Thanx

[@randomguy-dy3uy]

IM so confused no, i was dead set on the korg minilogue xd but then I saw this and its $100 less.

[@bismarkmontalvan6850]

Nice sound engine

[@rhiannonstudios]

No proper mod or pitch wheels kills this for me, don’t like those pad controllers.

[@woodyforrest313]

the synth sounds out of tune imo.

[@chrisward6738]

Love sonicstate videos but this is just more cheap chinese tat to pollute the planet :(

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

What does "tat" mean?

[@jm6734]

You could say the same for most stuff these days. E.g. the Korg synths nowadays are absolute rubbish. Their own 80s synths will outlast them..

[@superdownwards]

Yeah we need to clearly save the planet using massive walls of modular synths and heavy analogue gear with physical transistors rather than lightweight digital synths that take a fraction of the materials to make

[@nobel11]

@@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene Rubbish, garbage. Low quality product, like cheap dollar stuff.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

@@nobel11 Oh, thank you. How can we always assume that China is cheaply made? Manufacturers can specify precisely which materials are used and confirm it. The only cheap cost is labor, or if China builds the components also.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

It's nice to see a mini key synth where love is still put into the keybed and the construction. It's small but looks like it's built up to a quality rather than down to a price. Really can't wait to get my hands on this one. Also the fact that it's battery powered is pretty cool. Side note: if folks are concerned about the lack of CV inputs, remember that there are FIVE LFOs and envelopes. The envelopes can loop like LFOs, and the LFOs can be one shot like an envelope or configured like a step sequencer.

[@anonymoushuman8344]

I think it would be great if they did one with five octaves of well made mini keys. Five octaves of poly aftertouch mini keys.

[@godot5082]

The black keys felt strange, too less hub. But overall the keys felt good, sold it anyways sound at the end was too plasticy at some points. But for sure there are some killer patches.

[@claycowartisamazing]

.......that doesn't replace cv inputs.... ffs.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

@@claycowartisamazing True but for those who are using them for modulation of internal parameters... there is a lot available within the synth engine itself. I have the 49 key version, and I rarely find myself longing for more modulation sources but of course YMMV. If you need CV inputs, you could look at the Desktop version for not much more money. An additional advantage of the CV inputs is that they can also process audio to the synth engine.

[@made.online2149]

@@claycowartisamazing if you can afford a euro setup, you can afford the desktop? personally if I'm getting a standalone synth, I want patching it to be inspiring completely in and of itself, because otherwise why wouldn't I just get modules?

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I feel a little bit embarrassed. Earlier today (20 April 2024), I wrote a message to one of the retailers here in the US, asking if Hydrasynth Explorer was capable of emulating the Moog, ARP, Oberheim and Sequential pilot lines, aside from all the other goodies under its hood. I was reason enough to say that the front panel interface looked “counterintuitive”, but that was obviously before I caught this review. Thank you for explaining that the symbols on the far right are parameter selectors. That part of the interface reminds me of the Moog Source.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Hard to resist at that price. I love these small synths. Thank you for this well presented overview.

[@SRDhain]

At that price, it's a 🥞. The sound engine and poly AT keyboard in a 'take it everywhere' format, make it a winner.

[@Rwtheking]

A pancake? Either way I agree it’s amazing what they did.

[@vincenzoaquila167]

@@Rwtheking a stack of Flapjacks

[@hanspeters1796]

ASM is doing a lot of things right.

[@visisydandthevoid]

I wasn't interested in a hydrasynth until actually clicking this video and hearing the sounds. And dangit if it doesn't make me want the full size version now

[@SuchaDoofus]

Well if thats the case you might as well get the Deluxe then. Its only a little more cash ;-) Aargh the GASSSSSS

[@Rwtheking]

This will serve me well as my college synth. Don’t want to bring my Moog grandmother to Stockton from the South Bay.

[@teebeedahbow]

Take the Moog!

[@Rwtheking]

@@teebeedahbow it’s not worth giving up room for my guitar when I can drive home in a bit over an hour.

[@OMNS777]

I’m definitely getting one. Size and amt of options available would be nice to help me get acclimated before I get the flagship one.

[@firesailstudios1003]

I have a hydra synth kB but this form factor is giving me orange mininova vibes.

[@milk_bath]

Yeah! Good thing the UI is much better.

[@midnightsocean2689]

Probably the best digital mini at that price point.

[@PaulGBass]

No probably about it, it is the best one, by far. It's far better than the mini nova, the Skulpt is almost junk, it's way better than the jd-xi and the mini freak

[@gary0liver]

Can't wait until behringer copy this one

[@lesterfalcon1350]

I believe it's still a metal base, to cope with the demands of pressing on poly aftertouch.

[@ulielaxrecordings]

Perfect for transferring my sounds from the 49key to this little guy to travel and play live.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

It's a nice sythersizor, has some very nice smooth sounds.

[@digitaldiezel5870]

I love this form factor but I’ve grown fond of the sound of the 16 voices. Decisions…decisions…

Do you feel a click sound right in the beginning of a key press? Some of my keys feel like they are slightly stuck, I know it’s something minor but it disturbs me a lot 😔

[@rucasm]

Yes, I feel…

@@rucasm To update, I returned mine and received a new one. Same issue on different keys (This time 2 keys instead of 7) I decided to keep it, but it’s annoying.

[@michaelggallagher]

Great video and demo. Plus you look like Dan from That Pedal Show's British synth playing cousin!

[@galifettetv1238]

How does it compare vs Modal Cobalt & Behringer Deepmind?

[@Geardos1]

I need to buy one of these

[@darwiniandude]

Great overview. Really enjoy your perspective Nick, and knowledge of what has come before, like mentioning the module button shortcut flowcharts like on the old Ensoniq ESQ-1. I really wish more synths would so that. Roland V-Synth was similar except the buttons turned each bit on and off, combined with shift that didn't jump to that page as I'd expect. But yes - Hydrasynth explorer I'll have to look at a bit more closely I think. Cheapest poly AT option (except for Microfreak, but they're not keys with physical movement) controller with a free Hydrasynth engine and battery operation to boot. Pretty compelling.

[@valdiskrebs566]

Nice overview! This and a Yamaha Reface CS … 😎

[@kingpinronin4301]

If you're one of the people who doesn't seem to like *any* sounds that come out of a hydrasynth... How many poly AT controllers can you name at this price (that uses actual keys, mind you)?? Just buy one as a controller and you get the sounds as a bonus!

[@Marco-ek8wu]

Good point. I’ve ordered the explorer with a discount code from Bax. I’m basically getting a midi controller and a full blown Hydrasynth for less than £500.

[@AlbertSodylicious]

It’s a great midi controller as you can use the macros and rename them to specific parameters, save it as a patch for that VST. I’m not huge on polyphonic after touch myself but that’s a huge/rare bonus. The build quality is great. Not sure how a company of this size can make such a solid feeling product. Maybe it’s manufactured by their parent company which makes like digital pianos and stuff?

[@eightsprites]

Every sound I heard sounds amazing to my ears. But I am a child of the 8 bit c64 SID so.

[@williamtocajr.6483]

Hi Nick, curious. Can you use the Explorer as a midi keyboard for the Akai Force sounds? For a compact travel set up.

[@JamesBermingham]

For VSTi’s, You can map parameters from the HS explorer, save as a patch on explorer, and recall for that particular VSTi. So probably could redo the same for the force.

[@gwugluud]

I know what I said, but I have a thing for synths which yield unusual, rude, electronic sounding in a way which gives synths a bad name, psychosis-causing sounds. I’m really liking this one. My Korg Minilogue is going to sound like Mr Rogers wrote all the presets after hearing this. And for 3 oscillators which can be user-altered, stackable filters, the many ways one can adjust the interactions of the sections, and at this reasonable price point; damn, I could just possibly tapdance with glee whenever a side panel falls off, and another couple of keys quit working. I want it anyway.

[@SNOwyte]

Ok, i think i may have found my substitute dave smith/sequential knock off imma use til i can afford a real Pro or Prophet later in the year Its between this n the blofeld cuz i need them gothic industrial drone sounds from the future dystopia for the project im in the making of, its kinda like the Faith No More with the synth work, but with more NIN, Ministry, Crystal Method and goth rock bullshit thrown in the mix behind bigger walls of guitar So if anyone knows anything else besides the blofeld, behringer and Hydrasynth that can get a ripped off and sequential/dsi drone/pad/blade runner but he's depressed sound without costing 1,500-2000 on the low end for the real thing yet, feel free to reply to this id appreciate the help cuz i know there are knockoff dsi sounds on the blofeld like a mf, n this n that are my top two picks for now... just so i have sumthin for the meantime for what i need it for til i can afford a pro 2 or prophet rev 2 or pro 3 or take 5...i need the sequential gothic drone type sounds but without the sequential price til i can afford, n with a really straightforward and solid sequencer The sequencer on it has to make sense unlike the minilogue

[@rishpanjeet7479]

I LOVE the new ModWave… I’m wondering if I should entertain one of these…

[@Davoxx]

In my opinion the quality of the keys of the ASM is better than the Korg ones. Played both today.

[@dr.papadopolis7171]

I'm having such a hard time deciding between the Korg Modwave and this beautiful creation...

[@Jester_1999]

Can I basically sound design as freely in this synth as I can in Serum? Also would you guys recommend this or the Korg MicroKorg?

[@zachjohnson79]

at around 9min in - sawpressive - sounds amazing! - mine does not sound nearly as cool - did you modify the preset? mine has a plunky key sound atop the synth - sounds like a casio keyboard... any thoughts?

[@gwugluud]

Reviews are saying that this synth is fragile, arriving with one dead key brand new out of the box, pieces fall off of it, etc.

[@PhilW222]

So easy to get lost in the sounds and simply PLAYING!

[@-Deena.]

I'm selling some gear (yeah right) and buying one. Beautiful instrument 🧡

[@devondetroit2529]

What music do you make deena? House or techno ?

[@-Deena.]

@@devondetroit2529 I make lofi classical! Well my last project was but ive not done much for a while except make beeping squelchy synth noises for fun. I master and remaster most atm though. Im experimenting with dawless and tbh im a bit creatively blocked atm. Im a visual artist as well and have been focussing on that....but just lost my studio space to paint in ...so will be returning to music. I have a fully hardware synth setup and a vst studio which i can use in bed! Cubase 11 pro user. Vst studio is a projectorr on my wall and cosy under the quilt. How about you?

[@devondetroit2529]

@@-Deena. that sounds like some setup! I’m sure you can get in the zone nicely whilst being comfortable at the same time.. have you seen the demo for the new Roland sp404? Looks like a good bit of kit for Lofi music, especially dawless I’m waiting for more stock to be available in the UK to give one a go, and myself I do ambient and techno music. But I like all sorts of stuff… what other synths have you got?

[@Wigglebury2959]

i liked listening to you play this, thanks

[@dragonstone6594]

Great review. Does the poly after touch work over USB MIDI in the PC?

[@kaybhee6]

impossible to find in asia...

[@gwugluud]

That’s a drag. You should be able to order one..?

[@markmaw8]

I've just bought an akai mpc live 2. Could I use a hydrasynth as a midi controller for the mpc? Completely bypass all internal hydrasynth sounds and use it purely to control the presets in the mpc?

[@sonicstate]

Yes you should be able to without any problems

[@lighthousephoto7143]

Gateway drug synth

[@ryan1845]

This or desktop?

[@mmhcreates]

2:08 lovely bass tone

[@DZKMN74]

Debating this or the Poly D.. any thoughts if you had to use on or the other, mainly for gigging, not for studio..?

[@jakobymaster]

Not comparable- poly d is no preset, minimoog paraphonic clone with max 4voice chords, no fx (exept chorus and distortion).

[@robertescher3082]

Bought one today... absolutely amazing bang for the buck.

[@ToyKeeper]

The big question is... How much does the reduced physical interface impact sound editing and performance? With 4 knobs instead of 8, there's more paging through menus, and fewer macros usable at one time. But how much does that matter?

[@ToyKeeper]

It seems like it'll still be waaaay better than a Blofeld, for example. But not quite as nice as an original Hydra. Just not quite sure where it falls on that spectrum.

[@johnd7564]

Don't forget that for macros you can assign the ones you use most to those first four slots.

[@ToyKeeper]

@@johnd7564 Yeah, it seems like it's still really good overall. I don't generally use more than a few macros at a time anyway, and this provides at least six performance controls at once -- polyAT, mod wheel, and four macros. But the majority of all Hydra patches were designed with 8 knobs / 8 screens in mind, which could make things awkward on this reduced version. So for a space-limited or budget-sensitive studio, I'm not sure whether the Desktop or Explorer is a better choice. One has the full editing UI, while the other has keys.

[@superdownwards]

Well the Explorer obviously makes more sense if you don't already need an external keyboard or need portability thanks to the battery power. If you already intend to use it with another keyboard Desktop seems to clearly make more sense

[@johnd7564]

@@ToyKeeper Don't forget the filter knobs and pitch bend. And velocity. And sustain pedal, if you count that.

[@SilkKuts]

LOL intro reminded me of the old Hovis advert 🤣🤣🤣

[@pawnotdaw4559]

I love the abilities of this synth but personally I still haven’t heard one sound I like. But I need to test drive one as I’m sure it could make any sound I desire. I wanna hear some warm sounding fm tones.

[@Marco-ek8wu]

Same. Even though I’ve pre ordered the explorer!

[@MrClarkio]

For a wavetable synth I think a lot of the pad patches have quite a nice warmth to them. Tbh though if you want that "sit in the mix" immediateness of FM sounds then is a wavetable synth the right thing for you? Although not always the case, I associate wavetable synths with adjectives like complex, digital, cold etc. Is something like the opsix not more suited for you?

[@pawnotdaw4559]

@@MrClarkio I ended up buying the Explorer and as I thought is can make any sound I imagine and can be warm and lush

[@MrClarkio]

@@pawnotdaw4559 cool, nice to know. Currently considering this synth, have a peak and a wavestate at the moment and this feels like it would fill a few gaps. Peak has got wavetable but not quite all the mutation, modulation options. Also that poly aftertouch is pretty fine. At the current .uk price of £480 street bit below £400 used it's a lot of synth for the money and nice and compact to boot. Thanks for your feedback though, good to know.

[@pawnotdaw4559]

@@MrClarkio only thing I wish it did better was the FM. Sounds good but not very complex FM

[@ronpswegman6242]

SOLD!

[@jacobbrown1690]

They are shipping more Han behringer since the chip shortage.

[@Test-zv9ty]

This, or the MiniFreak?

[@andrewjones_fitness]

is there a way to navigate through the presets categorized by instrument type like bass, brass, keys? etc?

[@kristiannordeide7175]

Yes. You can browse by category. Press browse and choose parameter on the upper screen.

[@brunodadivore9606]

A vert claver policy by ASM spreading the same synth sound quality on a 600€ to 1700€ scale

[@brunodadivore9606]

Very clever

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

Damn, why no CV inputs?!

[@laserflight]

I come back here to listen to the intro music...

[@laserflight]

Damn, time flies

[@arkasonus7678]

I wonder if the price of the desktop version will decrease.

[@wavesequencer]

Unlikely - bear in mind the desktop is a solid metal chassis with the extra edit screens and macro/envelope knobs + cv input - maybe if they make a smaller desktop version without the pads (which I don’t use / would have preferred touch strip). The explorer is an awesome price point though.

[@ickebins6948]

@@wavesequencer I have the desktop version and you are right about the touch strip. It would have made it even better. But I also use the pads, they are pretty good and for everything else I have my trusty keystep :)

[@mungewell]

@@ickebins6948 The Explorer also drops the expression pedal input, but I believe that it can receive expression data over midi. Wonder if a 'virtual' touch strip can be driven over midi as well?

[@ickebins6948]

@@mungewell Maybe, i'm not sure. I can live without out but it on my desktop but it still would've been a nice addition. Because I dont have the space for another Synth with a keyboard

[@wavesequencer]

@@mungewell It would be nice if ASM could release a controller only keyboard with poly-touch and touch-strip.. plenty of faders, 76 or 88 keys - I realize the deluxe could be that keyboard, but plenty of software synths would benefit from a nice controller only keyboard like that (at a lower price point than the Hydrasynth). However, I suspect hardware (outside of the ICs/circuits) is 75% of the cost.

[@bitley]

Hm. I hear just about nothing I'd not heard in 1985....

[@JustinEdwords]

how much did you pay for that in 1985?

[@Hippopotiverse]

Can I use asequencer plugin in my DAW with the Hydra?

[@overyourself94]

pretty sure that's possible

[@rustlesandwaves]

It also has release velocity.

[@carlosperezbucio6628]

Is this synth 8 note polyphony ?

[@sonicstate]

Correct, the Deluxe has 16

[@djmattiapascal5669]

price ?

[@thekaniack]

Just love this synth.

[@ChrisP3000x]

Nice.

[@dirthawk]

Last

[@fenakazy1215]

You just ended the whole comments section!

[@secretsquirrel2]

Laster

[@novachord1]

Great review!

[@charlescowper]

Are these things multitimbral? Thanks

[@sonicstate]

No. The deluxe is. 2 parts

[@KarzenX]

seems like not much is multitimbral these days. Used to be pretty common for 8 up to 32 in some cases. Just had this convo with a friend in the industry the other night. He blamed greed and sales of the Microkorg. 😄 Midi is 16 part multitimbral for a reason. Synths and samplers of the 90’s were mostly multitimbral and you could get a lot out of them; especially samplers like Roland 770’s and Akai S series. We wrote entire tracks in those and an Emax II Tubo with 16-bit sampling, 16-voice polyphony and 16 MIDI channels.

[@Rezonator62]

And always

[@harrytalay301]

sisters of mercy hell yeah

[@MatthewChristianMurray]

So, I have a Novation Mininova, and the keys are so small it becomes less fun to play. These keys look somewhat bigger, but still less than full-size. I assume these keys at least feel better, but have any of you used both? If so, what are your thoughts?

[@Cris_Borgnine]

The keys are bigger but its definitely a total different beast than the Mininova. I got to play around with it a couple weeks ago and was really impressed the Mininova will always be fun to play but for the price this is definitely worth it.

[@jodde73]

This vs. Mini Freak?

[@eightsprites]

That’s my question also and why I’m hear looking.. Explorer sounds crazy good, but minifreak is cool too

[@kadiummusic]

That's my dilemma too! How do you decide? 🤔

[@kerosene4751]

Why is the bigger hydrasynth so much more expensive than this if they're same synth engine? It's a huge price difference. $999 vs $2499 here in Australia. Is the bigger keyboard really than much better?

[@jesse4o8]

Bigger, ribbon control, more knobs, probably higher quality materials.

[@Goettel]

The Deluxe also has 16 instead of 8 voices, which is a huge deal if you play big chords and hate note stealing.

[@godot5082]

Practical you have two hydrasynth in one package

[@AlekseiDroganov]

Hello Nick from Tallinn 🇪🇪 Could you tell me please how much preloaded patches on Explorer? As known trere is no, sequencer on board. Has it latch hold button? Thank you

[@ScottWozniak]

Did you watch the video? He says at 9:41 - 5 banks with 128 patches, so 640 total.

[@AlekseiDroganov]

@@ScottWozniak thanks dude

[@AlekseiDroganov]

@@ScottWozniak Inattention is not my strong point

[@johnd7564]

0:19 there's the latch hold button

[@AlekseiDroganov]

@@johnd7564 Thank you John🙏🙌

[@dreammfyre]

There’s no difference between this and a digital soft synth. I don’t see how this is exciting unless you’ve got a 1998 mindset.

[@huntergalloway3944]

If you feel that way about these, just wait until you hear about the Raspberry Pi innards of the Wavestate/OP6/Modwave… It’s all about where you place value. Sure, you could run Vital and a 100$ midi keyboard and you’d get into similar territory. Though, you’d be tethered to a laptop. For some people, it makes more sense to have dedicated machines. From this side, it looks like you’re the one who may be looking at things a bit off. As I’m typing this on my phone, I’ve been waiting about 30 minutes for my computer to update. I was ready to go, inspired to lay something down in Ableton, but Windows has other ideas.

[@JustinEdwords]

it's much easier to run these through an external preamp which could make a lot of difference too

[@mariog1051]

it's about the UI, quickly moving between pages and turning knobs, plus the poly AT keybed

[@fumarolas]

I often find myself wanting a hydrasynth and then again I remember it’s only 8 voices.

[@Dudderlyful]

A bizarre limitation you've set yourself there

[@jeffgreenlee1226]

Only 8 voices? How many do you need???

[@fumarolas]

@@jeffgreenlee1226 I have 10 fingers, so 10 notes chords do happen once in a while, plus consider patches with long decays/sustains... Take the Access Virus, it's 25 years old and it has 80 voices.

[@jeffgreenlee1226]

I am of the philosophy that quality of an instrument is not defined by the number of possible voices. A 10 note chord is often ugly... It's trying to stuff musical landscape with too much information. The mad quest for massive voices to feel a little like "Spinal Tap".... Where the volume knobs go up to 11. I Think there might be a point where more becomes less.

[@mungewell]

Don't forget to check out the "Mutators' which can stack up a single voice into many. You can (obviously for more cash) connect 2 Hydrasynths up for more voices, in fact the Explorer may be a real good way to do this with the original Hydrasynth.

[@polydose5557]

First

[@stonail665]

8:43

[@danilyaster]

First