ASM Hydrasynth Review

My review of the Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) Hydrasynth Desktop.

[@motoboy6666]

Really cool stuff, will be interresting to se what they ll release in the future for sure! Great review Tarekith!

[@CaidicusProductions]

Very cool review, just another in a long list of ASM videos I've been watching while I wait for mine to arrive in the mail. (delivery) Your review offered a lot of perspective on it and was enjoyable to watch. I'll be putting up a review on my channel about it as well, though I won't be able to go quite as in depth in mine as you have in yours. :P Thanks for a great video, I've subscribed and am about to go and consume all of your other videos now.

[@leave-trace]

Some great nuggets of new info in here, thanks!

[@maxmatteo2436]

great review as usual!

[@jaderington]

A good video that has taught me how i'm never going to be in full control of my own Hydrasynth. I like pressing buttons and turning knobs, which is just as well. I shall stumbled organically across the sounds i will use for tunes I guess. I bought mine at a good price from another low I.Q person who thought sod this for a waste of time. It's a very nice thing to have and it will be use , of this I am certain. Thanks !

[@nsjx]

good rundown. mine just arrived. i find the Arp knobs useful for LIVE tweaking, incl that Triplet button. nice to change these params on-the-fly. Can also get some crazy textures if you pair the arp-playing bit with a nicely modulated patch. I intend to sample a lot of live sessions w it.

[@wavesequencer]

20:22: if you are getting distortion in signal chain - other than amp gain adjustment, you can back off either/or the oscillator levels, filter drive amounts, or directly in the fx add some low damping - distortion/clipping is most likely happening before master volume here.

[@bo-bodad8253]

Great review! FYI there is a "master patch volume" of sorts in the Amp section. The AmpLevel parameter controls the overall gain going into the effects section. Of courses this is post filter so it's still possible to drive the filters into clipping under some circumstances although if the filter drive circuit is set to pre-filter it seems to act as a limiter providing a much softer more "analog" clip into filter 1. Overall there seems to be quite a bit of headroom for most of the synth modules.

[@totalSLACK]

he realizes this, like, 3 minutes after he says it 👽🤙

[@Claidheambmor]

I was really interested in this when it came out. As a 'hobbyist' musician/artist (as in I don't get paid for it) I'm quite content with my Access Virus B, which I picked up for a good price and is super versatile.

[@powermix24]

The 1.5 update come out yesterday and it's massive!

[@christophepetchanatz3028]

thank you for the review

[@Owoshima_]

Definitely have to do another one for the new features brought through the update.

[@glendarcey978]

For patch volume, adjust the AMP level in the AMP page.

[@tarekith]

Yep, just realized that making this video, Doh!

[@totalSLACK]

probably the best fast paced to the point video on this synth! i feel the same exact way about evrything said, even the dedicated space for the arp, but one thing that still irks me you slightly mention is the huge area where the volume knob is that could have had a couple mod wheels on the desktop version.. everytime i see the mod wheel options, i cant help but think they thought of that and im just missing it.

[@Griuofficial]

Thanks for the video 👍🏻

[@muzicmanc945]

I know they are different but I want to see a Hydrasynth vs Iridium comparison :)

[@MrCosmicVictory]

beautiful. i want one but i dont use synths much, so i dont think ill end up using it as much as i should. but then again, this one looks real easy to pick up from anywhere you left off and go

[@wavesequencer]

BTW. OB6 very nice complementary synth - Mine is paired with a Prophet 08.. but the OB6 is on my wish list. Spot on regarding how well laid out Hydrasynth is - the manual is good especially to know about some key short cuts such as modulation assignments, but otherwise super intuitive to use. Only two things I would like to change - Arp on v1.4 firmware seems to get stuck playing even if not latched when playing the synth from external MIDI input (appears to miss note off messages) - I contacted support - they are looking into it.. the wavestack mode would be awesome if it was possible to add stereo spreading there.

[@wavesequencer]

The stuck notes/arp playing was fixed in 1.5 firmware but the latch feature still didn’t work as expected over MIDI. I think there is an even more recent firmware version but have not tried it yet.

[@nerimuk9331]

hi, great review and good detail. May i ask can you connect Hydrasynth Desktop directly to Ipad Pro via TypeC usb ?

[@danielpirone8028]

Thank you!

[@BendApparatus]

Great video sir... Now I just need you to teach me the basics of music theory, chords, progressions, melody, composition and heck mixing/mastering while you're at it... I'll handle the drums...😏

[@stefg5261]

Interested in this synth too. Specific question. How would you rate the emulated ms-20 filters and can you use both the high pass ms-20 and lowpass ms-20 in serial as on the real ms-20? What would your preferred use for this synth be? I reckon it's really good for pads and ambient stuff.

[@tarekith]

No, you can only use the MS20 filter on filter 1. I like the filter though, definitely has that MS vibe.

[@MartinKatscan]

It's been said before, but for people coming new to the comments on this one, there 'kind of' a patch volume parameter. If you press the 'Amp' button you can find a level setting there which is per patch. This level is pre FX, so not a true patch volume (FX may add or decrease output volume after this setting), but in most cases this will do the job.

[@Fluxwithit]

Well done.

[@kristoferkristensen9021]

The reverb at 20:20 - felt a twitch in my mammalian protuberance. I'm going to buy this sumbitch' at the end of this month.

[@jg_yro5845]

Can you use the random button to select 8 random wave shapes for the wave scan?

[@R3DC0N1]

Good video! I noticed you have the OB6 as well. I've been debating on whether to get one since owning the Hydra. I'm curious what your opinion is on pairing the two? I'm just not sure if I'd be spending a ton of cash on redundancy. I've just never had an OB6 in front of me to play with, and there are none in my area to try out.

[@tarekith]

Totally different synths in terms of approach, and sound. Not very much overlap at all. :)

[@R3DC0N1]

Thanks!

[@jimharris6389]

I've an OB6, it's amazing. I actually just upgraded the desktop version, having owned it for a couple of years, to the full keyboard version. First time I've ever done that! I'm thinking of pairing it with a Hydrasynth too. A killer combo I reckon. As an added bonus there's a Sequential engineer on the Sequential forum saying he's implemented MPE (polyphonic aftertouch) on the OB6 but it just needs testing before release. This means you could use the polyponic aftertouch of the Hydrasynth (pads or keys) to control the OB6.

[@thicks7870]

@@jimharris6389 Has the OB6 now been updated to support the polyphonic after touch?

[@jimharris6389]

@@thicks7870 yup! From OS 1.6.6. To clarify, this means it responds to received polyphonic aftertouch messages. It doesn't make the keyboard itself polyAT, obvs 👍

[@xin_music]

You mentioned "Pads break in" but wondering if they improved in soft touch dynamics? Felt it required too much pressure to trigger.

[@tarekith]

Yes, I think they did get a little better in this regard. You still have to hit the pads fairly hard compared to say Maschine or Push, but it's been fine for my uses.

[@stefg5261]

After getting the mc-707, you might motivate me to get this one as well. Can you capture/sequence poly AT with the MC-707? Or how do you go about it (Ableton doesn't support it). Do you think that the pads of the desktop have enough range compared to the keyboard version? Really in doubt between the Hydrasynth desktop and keyboard version. Thanks in advance.

[@tarekith]

Unfortunately the 707 doesn't record poly AT, so that's one downside. I personally think the desktop version keys have enough range, but I never really cared for larger keybeds anyway sticking with 37 keys or less.

[@MusicZtorm]

@@tarekith about poly AT, Ableton is MPE compatible in v11. Thanks for your review and for responding to the synth community questions :)

[@justingrimley3916]

Have you flipped it yet? I jest, I jest! Great review Tarekith.

[@tarekith]

Just sold it, bought an ASM Hydrasynth with the profit. Oh wait....

[@just_pierre9730]

Good work! At this moment I own a Hydrasynth Keboard and a Hydrasynth Desktop. Looking for something that can sequence them and also record my patches. I think the Octatrack will be fine for this, I don't want to ise DAW. Maybe you have some suggestions?

[@tarekith]

Personally I find the OT to be a bit tedious to use for midi sequencing. Something like the 707 (!!!) or the Novation Circuit is a lot more immediate IMO. Also the OP-Z is a sweet little sequencer as well.

[@torbentitze1096]

Checkout the 1.5 Update that came out this week. You get a Step-Mode for the LFOs and quantized step-levels. You can program up to 128 steps into one single LFO, basically giving you a sequencer

[@tarekith]

@Michael Boof Well, I mean look at what I bought I guess.

[@JohnTrasher]

@@tarekith synthstrom deluge! Best Hardware ever...

[@ayo2315]

Hey I’m some what new to the synth market ,what would be the benefit of having both desktop and keyboard versions of hydra synth ?i love both products

[@tarekith]

More voices to play with is the only real benefit I suppose.

[@RblWOACoz1111]

Quick amateur question. Is there a controller that can be used for the "keyboard/keys" while one gets used to using the LED pads. I'm hoping to use this with my Deluge at some point. Clearly, I'm an old newb.

[@tarekith]

Any midi controller will work, that's not a problem at all.

[@RblWOACoz1111]

@@tarekith thank you so much. I thought that was correct, but i sometimes question compatibility. I appreciate your help!!!!

[@marko1790]

Hey, do you find it annoying how when you choose a key in chromatic mode the colors still represent the black and white keys? This was super irritating to me coming from Push2. I wish the colors would follow the scale of the chosen key with the root highlighted like the Push functionality.

[@tarekith]

There's definitely some improvements they can make to all the pad modes for sure.

[@7177YT]

Fantastic review, thank you! Such a shame it's not multi timbral. /: Really keeps me from getting one.

[@mallechilie]

Wait, it has 8 voices polyphony, what is the difference between paraphony and polyphony? I always thought polyphony is the better version of paraphony (actually having distinct envelopes and all).

[@KL-tn1xc]

@@mallechilie multi timbral is different from para / polyphony. multi timbral means you can run multiple patches of the same device, effectively having multiple copies of a synth inside the box. for example the access virus ti 2 can have 16 copies of itself with each copy running a different patch. and have a total of 100 synth voices (polyphony) shared among those patches.

[@cooptrol]

Really absurd that they dont make it multi

[@noobslayerr9732]

Maybe im getting old but it sounds very thin for my taste. Ive found wavestate more raw. But this is an exceptional video.

[@earlsfield]

wavestate is not a wavetable synth so these two differ in the core of the synthesis origin..Korg revived Wavestation but it is NOT wavetable synth - Korg Mod Wave is their next in line wavetable synth, but i still think Hydra is way better.

[@noobslayerr9732]

@@earlsfield then if not korg wavestate a wavetable synth my grandma wheelies on her wheelchair and pees standing mate.

[@earlsfield]

@@noobslayerr9732 lol fair;))) i ve got Hydrasynth and it can be very beefy. Maybe it sounded thin due to particular wavetables shown here, some are very metalic (as to be expected from a wavetable synth). Cheers.

[@SandcastleTheory]

Can you turn the pad lights and main data wheel LED ring off altogether? Cheers!

[@tarekith]

I don't think so.

[@SandcastleTheory]

@@tarekith That's a shame. Thanks for the answer though. :) Cheers!

[@MadelnMachines]

Do you think I would like this even if I dislike programming on Elektron gear? I also dislike how most synths with pots rarely seem to reflect the parameters that real settings of the patch though so you get lost in the patch and sort of stuck tweaking presets unless you reset all of the controls.

[@R3DC0N1]

Not tarekith, but I have an Octatrack MK2 and the Hydra. The Hydra is by far easier to work with. I'm getting ready to flip my Octa, mostly due to how much I dislike the workflow. Not sure I'll ever get rid of the Hydra.

[@tarekith]

Yeah, not sure about that to be honest, that's a pretty user specific question.

[@jimharris6389]

I think the Elektron complexity comes in the sequencers, the synthesis parts of the Elektrons are relatively straightforward. As the Hydrasynth has no sequencer I don't think you'll find it as intense. As for 'what's the actual setting of this knob', the Hydrasynth has the LED rings around the pots. I think that'll make a huge difference.

[@wavesequencer]

Whilst the main edit encoders have LEDs showing their current values based on the current context sometimes it's a bit tricky to understand what is going on with values if they are modulated by multiple mod sources as there is no indication of the instantaneous value of a parameter being changed on the LCD (although the LED brightness of the LFO and ENV switches do modulate based on their level) - that could possibly be a UI upgrade at some point. Maybe one solution would be a switchable mode which could show the current value with a single LED on those main encoders and a bar of leds growing/shrinking back and forth from that central value based on the instantaneous/modulated value. Otherwise the encoders all feel great and it's easy to see/know the current setting immediately after selecting a module in the signal chain.

[@jimharris6389]

@@wavesequencer yes good point, and interesting proposed solution!

[@AcidAlex]

Great review. The thing that made me choose the Novation Peak over the HydraSynth is the way PWM, Linear FM, Osc Sync and Wave Stack has been implemented using just a single Mutator for only Oscillators 1 and 2 (so a total of 2 'mutations' per patch). This makes the HydraSynth far less versatile than the Peak. For example, on the Peak you can use any combination of PWM, Osc Sync, Linear FM or Saw Density (WaveStack) at the same time on all three oscillators (so, in HydraSynth terms, that's a total of 12 mutators per patch). This leads to some awesome sound design possibilities. I think the HydraSynth is really lacking in this regard. Even being able to use a couple of Mutators on the HydraSynth would have been a big improvement but still wouldn't compare. It's nice that it has two filters though.

[@rebours]

Many mutators' algorithms (including the "asm-pwm") are unique to the hydrasynth...

[@justingrimley3916]

There are actually 4 mutators on the Hydrasynth: 2 for each oscillator 1 and 2. Oscillator 3 only has ring mod. TBH, I don’t think I’ve used all 4 in a patch yet as things get crazy enough with just 1!

[@willswitchcraft]

some NEW, free hydrasynth patches if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iV7QaYZsrqitbZo

[@christophepetchanatz3028]

i'm french but i think i heard microtonal, right ?

[@louiseisobel]

Can you really change the brightness of the pads? Are you sure? How about an example video?

[@MM-ku2jt]

For people who can't keep still.

[@mattiasettimelli8322]

Haha the synth is telling you something, lmao

[@Rix643]

Slow. Down.