Can the ASM Hydrasynth sound analog ? (My take on the ASM Hydrasynth keys)

[@antonyfaulkner8649]

If you haven't already, take a really deep bath in the "Voice Modulation" Feature (as of V2.0 firmware). Step 1) Set a Variation for each Voice, example Set randomly to values between minus 10 to plus 10. Step 2) Assign the Variations to different Parameters in the Mod Matrix. Mod Amounts need not be large, example 2, 3, 4, 5, etc (use your ears). Typical assignments:- Osc1 Pitch, Osc2 Pitch, Osc3 Pitch. Osc1 Level, Osc2 Level, Osc3 Level. Filter 1 Cutoff. Env1 Decay, Env1 Release. Env2 Decay, Env2 Release. Now... it sounds Analog.

[@JoRoBu17]

DEFINITELY need to explore the voice mod features - it makes a world of difference!

[@bdotstanley]

I actually sold my super 6 a couple months after the voice mod feature came out for the hydrasynth. if you have a deluxe, you can actually turn the hydrasynth into a 8 voice binaural synth using the voice mod source. just max out the values for the voice mod on one set of 8 voices, then use the voice mod + modulation on the other set of voices as a way of inverting the phase. then use this mod source as the amount for any other modulation you have; thus every single modulation has its phase inverted between left and right.

[@lassejensen1210]

Very cool! Thanks for this. Just played around with it.

[@Truthasvictim]

Yes, the revision they released added an incredible number and variety of fantastic features.

[@lucid484]

Have a Hydrasynth and a MatrixBrute. And I love when people say the HS can't sound Analog. I can make my HS sound exactly my my MB. All the low end, warmth, Analog drift of my MB, but with 7 more voices and so much more sound design opportunity.

[@lucid484]

@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene The he Hydrasynth has more. It has 32 user defines slots with 191 destinations. The MB has 16 slots with 28 destinations , plus it has all the CV ins/outs on back. The Hydrasynth also has 8 Macro slots vs the MB's 4.

[@lucid484]

@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene Yup, there are lots of things you can do with them. I love both of them equally. I would be hard pressed to choose just one. But I always find myself turning on the MB first and really enjoying twisting all the knows and stuff.

[@Truthasvictim]

I often wonder if people making those claims really know much about sound or synthesis. So many times I think i;ts more that they want to just rifle through patches and make statements based on not finding what they want to hear. Synths and softsynths have become so incredible in the last 10 years, we should be happy about what we have access to, especially with some of the price poits we are getting them at.

[@lucid484]

@@Truthasvictim Exactly. Synths are SO powerful now. But it's like any modern thing. People want quick and convenient. Most of these newer synths are so much more powerful than we would ever use them for because no one either wants to take the time or are afraid to dig into them.

[@Truthasvictim]

@@lucid484 I wonder all of the time how many people are using many of the parameters available, let alone understand the more esoteric functions. If you look at a synth like U-he's free Zebralette alone, its oscillator's programmability alone are mind boggling!

[@Perceptes]

Fantastic video. I appreciate the level of detail you go into. It's refreshing to hear someone with knowledge and experience talk in depth without the usual marketing hype of KZbin. Can't wait to see you do some sound design on this synth!

[@BucF16]

The presets that come with it are very digital for the most part. Celebrates more of the wave table aspect of the instrument. I've owned it for a couple years and while sitting next to my OB-6 it sounds a bit digital, but in a gig or band sitch, I doubt anyone would notice. But then again the Hydra covers way more ground than any other analog synth. And you're right about the UI, it's absolutely genius.

[@joshtackett]

Yes please on the comparison vs a sequential! Would love to hear it up against the OB-6

[@shermanchow4264]

Yes! SEM vs SEM esp. modulating through the different types!

[@joshtackett]

Good to know!

[@randy7894]

This synth is worth every penny. Cool video by the way.

[@scottk3292]

I'm pretty sure if you hold Shift while adjusting parameters, it makes the values snap to some step size.

[@shermanchow4264]

Great review! Again your recent videos have been really good touching on real issues we face but few discuss

[@mwmacp]

Would be great to see a similar demo/overview from you of one of the UDO synths if you get your hands on one :)

[@malikdavis6091]

I hate when people say it sounds digital. Of course it sounds digital it's a freaking digital synthesizer. But I must say people who say they don't like this synthesizer you probably aren't good at creating patches from scratch. I called them preset surfers

[@alexwestconsulting]

it's digital in a good way. I don't get why so many people TRY to make it sound analog, or compare it to analog. Maybe it gets views.

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

Well apparently there must be a huge amount of them with everyone selling "fresh sounds" that they could make themselves. That is probably not that big a deal if they actually end up making music with them.😁🎶🎹🎶Play On

[@davyboyo]

@@alexwestconsulting I like to have the flexibility of crafting old school sounds on a new school instrument. From a practical standpoint it's just kind of bread and butter synth sounds that come in handy in a lot of bands and scenarios. I agree the digital sound is super cool and I prefer it but again it's like 'well now I really don't need to drop big $$ on an unreliable vintage machine to get those sounds'. Ya dig

[@mungewell]

The CPU/DSP in the Hydrasynth is the Medeli A5, it's used in a number of their other high-end products. They describe the A5 as: 256 polyphony, 11-core, 1500 MIPS, Arm9 CPU, 32-bit RISC. ASM (maybe by accident) released the 2.0FW with some tools to read-back the memory of the device, these were discussed a bit on Reddit and there's a GitHut project called 'A5Pack'.

[@DankePlace]

Brilliant info, why they don't use more polyphony if what's said as true is a shame. Part of why I don't get into the whole digital synth, I prefer analog gear where I know what I am paying for.

[@Fuzzfooger]

@@DankePlace It will be a theoretical polyphony capability based on the capacity of the chip if only generating oscilators, but it doesn't only generate oscillators in practical application. The chip also generates all the other engines for VCA, Filters, modulations, displays, effects etc so is probably working near to full capacity.

[@DankePlace]

@@Fuzzfooger It's not theoretical, it exists. DP650K/BK

[@nyanko2077]

Thanks for the review. Superb quality as usual. Gonna get the desktop version soon to pair with two analog synths. I think the pads must be good on this. Reminds me a lot of Arturia's Pigments in this regard.

[@evanglicanism]

I thought I was gonna sell mine, because I'm just not skilled enough with synthesis yet to get the most out of it. I can't hear tones in my head, which makes using this hard compared to a "what you see is what you get" synth. But, I still really value the keyboard and ribbon, so I think I'm going to choose to grow with it for awhile. Enjoy yours, it is a quality instrument for playing, and the fact that Vangelis owned one and liked it is enough for me.

[@odmusicman]

Understanding synth programming, modulations and the relationships between them opens your world up to where most good synths can sound top flight and sound like other synths. There are filter considerations and morphing features that make certain synths sound different, but the basis of synthesis and the technical creative approach is similar whether it is wavetables or oscillators or both.

[@ilovecatsandsynths9702]

I think we have the same taste in synths. I have a Deluxe and it’s great, though I tend to use it as a digital synth and use my analog synths for analog things. But for those who want a synth that can do it all, this is it. BTW, check out my piece “Prom Night” on my channel, it predominately features my HS Deluxe and also some OB-6 and Take 5.

[@AngMoKio8]

Great overview. Thanks! Happy I found your channel....

[@EchoKraft]

Hi 👋🏻 I was going to buy the desktop version because I own the Expressive E Osmose so I can use the poly after touch. But I think the Keyboard version seems cooler. What do you think I value your opinion.

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

Never tried the osmose but I hear it feels nice. I really do like the keybed on the Asm though.

[@JonathanKillstring]

I have a Deluxe, it's my only hardware synth. IDK, I *really* like the keybed. That's why I bought it. Some of the sounds are really delightful, and this has been the best tool for learning synthesis in a practical sense I've ever run across. It is a joy to play, and a joy to use. It has a lot of cool sounds in it! Some that I love. It *doesn't* have the kind of sound that really speaks to my heart and makes me feel joy. I really like instruments that have that vibe - a guitar, bass, piano, whatever - something that has a lovely sound to it. This, for my purposes, doesn't. So it doesn't give me a like, open filter/raw oscillator warm fuzzy feeling the way that other synths (even VSTs) do. It can sound "analog" but I haven't had much success getting the vibe that I'd get from something like an Oberheim, Prophet, Juno, etc. I kind of wanted to have one synth that I use, and this is probably not actually gonna work for me. The answer is probably some vibey analog synth module, sitting on top of the Hydra. But even though it's huge and heavy, I love playing the Deluxe.

[@klstay]

Other than Summit name a synth with great sounding onboard reverb. (The 2 slot V2 reverb on Modal kit is actually pretty good...) As another mentioned voice mod with firmware 2.0 can bring it to another level of "analog" sounding. It has been on sale twice now. Anyone considering it does themselves a favor maybe waiting for the next sale when deluxe will only be $200 more than this which is nuts.

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

I will counter saying the modal reverb on firmware 2 is actually worse than what the hydra has. I have owned both a cobalt and argon and those had horrendous reverb even with version 2.

[@klstay]

@@YukiTheSynthDragon memory seems to be such a malleable thing - I honestly remember quite liking the V2 cobalt reverb, but it has been gone almost a year now. Of my current gear only the TB-03 (which is probably going on the chopping block) has internal effects and I never use them.

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

@@klstay I need to also mention the Minifreak has really usable and decent sounding reverb.

[@klstay]

@@YukiTheSynthDragon a full size 2 engine 5 octave "Freak" with a somewhat expanded interface for each layer and shared full size matrix similar to matrix/polybrute would be fantastic. Maybe even put that fancy new keybed on it?

[@ZedCactus]

I really loved the Virus TI reverb (and the whole FX section, especially after some of the later OS patches). I think the Analog 4 has a pretty good reverb as well. I've never owned a Summit but it always sounds great in demos, etc.,

[@alexwestconsulting]

I think the keybed is great. I personally like minikeys, but as minikeys go (relative to other minikey synths) it's top notch even before the polyphonic aftertouch. even without the synth engine, i use it as my main vst keyboard now, absolutely phenomenal with pigments.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Last thing great job on the video. Sounding lovely.

[@joshtackett]

I would also like to hear the hydra up against your peak! That way we can hear it vs a hybrid and an analog

[@ja-kidnb6416]

What's so bad about a synth sounding digital? I actually prefer that since it means MUCH more possibilities and analogs always sound the same. Also I did like that reverb... Strange video tbh

[@hakonsoreide]

It might sound analogue to some people, if they didn't know it was digital. Wavetable synths do sound different to other types of digital synths, however, and also more digital, even if not everyone can hear it. I might be one of the odd ones out, but listening to any wavetable synth for just a few minutes makes my ears ring. My theory is I have some kind of low-level tinnitus that is triggered by the inevitable variation in aliasing you get when you have wavetables that are modulated, even if the aliasing in itself is not possible to hear directly. I don't get this from any other kind of digital synthesis except wavetable, and I suspect that the effect would be gone if wavetables used in synths like this had a higher resolution. Since I absolutely love the sonic possibilities of wavetable synthesis, I am hoping for - and looking forward to - future generations of synths that will use higher resolution wavetables so I too can use them (or listen to them) without my ears ringing. As it is now, I unfortunately cannot get a Hydrasynth, even though it otherwise has all the features I'd ever want in a synth, and I've really wanted one so much I've tried listening to it again a few times over the last few years, but the ear ringing comes back every time. Analogue synthesis, no matter how noisy, doesn't make my ears ring at all, and at least there are lots of options for that too. Just not as versatile as the Hydrasynth would have been.

[@charthers8903]

Anyone can help me make a decision between the Jupiter x, Hydra and Summit?

[@KickzNBeatz]

Jupiter X

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Had the desktop. Sold it and then a year later I bought the Explorer, which is all I need for what I do.

[@tombasports]

This video made me start looking at the hydra the hydra can do amazingly real 90s va supersaw via jp 8000 and that’s what’s really interesting

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

The wave stack mutator will get you to that supersaw for sure.

[@AbsurdTV1]

Sounds real good 👍

[@xiaoxia5]

the only thing i don't like about the Hydrasynths is that they run off wall warts.

[@weapea]

Is there another one of these but The keyboard starts from left and the pots are right, that way you could double the keyboard leghth without gap. 😳🤔

[@tombasports]

You mentioned the trigon 6 which I am not only gazing for but also heartfelt about adding to my set up. Though your comparison comment to the hydrasynth really has me thinking in a different direction now. Can I ask? How is having both good or choosing between both? The teo 5 is also in my radar. Some of the preset packs I’ve heard of the hydrasynth are awfully impressive as well

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

The things is all the synths listed are great so you can’t go wrong with any, but especially for ambient and synthwave music. I can’t say yet for the teo5 but I will cover that when I get one. The trigon 6 has very little benefit over the hydrasynth but it has unique character and if you like the sound it’s great. I will compare it against the hydra one day soon in a video.

[@tombasports]

Thank for the reply your channel is inspiring. When you said I can’t words I laughed and said “you speak synth!”

[@ThePCxbox]

What are your thoughts on the newly announced TEO-5? I keep saying that when it drops im gonna sell the hydra to pick one up but the sonic range of the hydra is just so insane. Yeah you cant upload custom wave tables and you have to work to get good bass out of it but name another hardware (hell even software synth) with such a fantastic and well thought out interface. Not to mention the 5 Envelopes, 5 on board LFOs (+ the extra ones) which can emulate analog wave shapes including S&H and can be turned into an 8 step stepsequencer with note locking, voice modulation and like you said - the damn fine analog modeled filters My only real gripe with the hydra is the lacking FX section but thats what pedalboards and DAW post processing is for, sequential synths are only limited to 2 digital FX anyway. I do lust for a real SEM filter though 🥺

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

The teo5 will have very little overlap with the hydra. I will be getting a teo but keeping the hydra.

[@carrera3.262]

Currently have a minilogue and keeping going looking for a deeper option in the 500 range. Since I already have a microfreak, would you go explorer or minifreak?

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

Explorer for sure. Just ended up selling my Minifreak since I hardly use it over my asm.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

The fact someone would spend $900 on the Vongon replay over the hydra explore for what five or $600 doesn’t make any sense in my opinion

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

The vongon synth turned me off of that company.

[@tombasports]

One last question about the hudrasynth Could you use the hydrasynth as a controller for the polyps within the trigon? Meaning can you play the trigon with poly aftertouch?

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

Yes, with the latest update on the 6 series you can, the ob6, trigon 6, and p6 support Mpe.

[@brentvirgin4902]

There is a lot I like about the design of this synth. Would really like the poly AT. As you mentioned , the UI is really innovative. But I just can’t get past the sound. I already have the Summit, and an Access Virus TI2. Based on the audio from videos like yours, I just don’t like the sound of the Hydra versus those two. I have been tempted to buy the Explorer just to compare head to head against the Virus.

[@playonkorg]

Why do you use that Reverb lubricant?

[@jakobymaster]

Best way to "unclip" a sound is doing it in the AMP module

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

very cool.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

They nailed the tone on this synth which is the most important part.

[@audivit_xyz]

This synth would have been my favourite ever if only had analog filters to cure the "sound from a distant virtual reality...tis" which unfortunately is affected from. Maybe next gen.. let's hope!

[@donnydarko7624]

processor is probably made by Global foundries or Samsung, those 2 chip manufacturers are the number 2 and 3 largest in the world after TSMC. Intel is having a rough go at trying to get other companies to buy fab allotment since they started offering chip manufacturing to third parties.

[@Ferrous_Bueller]

Perfect timing, I'm on the fence about the Hydrasynth Explorer....hoping this video nudges me in either direction

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Get one

[@alexwestconsulting]

@@LoVeAmBiEnT explorer is awesome. the synth engine is great (though it does not sound analog, digital in a good way) and the mpe on the keybed makes for an awesome vst controller (assuming you are ok w mini keys), makes playing something like Pigments that much better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eonJmWqkf7p1gas

[@alexwestconsulting]

explorer is awesome. the synth engine is great (though it does not sound analog, digital in a good way) and the mpe on the keybed makes for an awesome vst controller (assuming you are ok w mini keys), makes playing something like Pigments that much better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eonJmWqkf7p1gas

[@alexwestconsulting]

@@LoVeAmBiEnT explorer is awesome. the synth engine is great (though it does not sound analog, digital in a good way) and the mpe on the keybed makes for an awesome vst controller (assuming you are ok w mini keys), makes playing something like Pigments that much better.

[@Kung_Fu_Jesus]

It’s a great synth , get one

[@Christian-op1ss]

I think this is a fair video, but warm and digital are not opposites. This synth sounds noisy aliased and harsh up top IMO, and it's probably because it has a fairly low internal samplerate, the price for so many features. If you make lo-fi music it may not make as much of an impact, and it can also disappear in a mix. So it's not necessarily a deal breaker.

[@liviou2004]

We can't speak of "sample rate" as there's no sample in Hydrasynth.

[@Christian-op1ss]

@@liviou2004Hi, I get what you are saying, but sample rate as I referred to is about the processing frequency used internally for digital audio processing. Any digital audio stream you listen to has a sampling rate, including any digital synth. It is unrelated to using samples, aside from digital audio being made up of a stream of samples of sound. Higher internal processing frequencies require more powerful or dedicated hardware, and is more expensive in both production and research. For example, the Novation Peak and Super-6 use an FPGA for internal processing that is in the MHz audio rate where most digital synths use 48 or 96Khz internal sample rates for processing (sometimes literally using a raspberry PI inside). The benefit of higher sample rates is a reduction in digital aliasing artifacts and inter modulation distortion when filtering. These are audible as a harsher and somewhat rougher tone usually.

[@liviou2004]

@@Christian-op1ss Ok, Christian, I get it, you're right, thanks. But, I don't fully agree with you : I get some warm and "soft" sounds on my Hydrasynth Deluxe, without any aliasing. Saying that this "synth sounds noisy aliased" is not the truth, I'm sorry. There are many parameters designed especially to "round" warm or soften the sounds. All depends on how the sound has been designed.

[@Christian-op1ss]

@@liviou2004 I don't think we disagree there. What you say is what I meant when I said "warm and digital sounding are nit opposites". There's a lot of people saying that sample rate is related to warmth, but you can equalize for a warmer sound, like the Hydrasynth does with its new modes in the 2.0 firmware. In my original comment I did not say the Hydrasynth sounds cold, I said it (to me) has a noisy and aliased sound to it. My very subjective name for it would be "scratchy" and "less depth" but that may just be how I hear and name things. But not cold or clean. I think you can make any synth tune to sound warmer or colder, that's a matter of filtering. Also, sound perception is subjective, and I don't want to diminish anyone from enjoying it! In fact I seriously considered the Hydrasynth myself, for its flexibility and fantastic interface.

[@thehillbillysynthesist]

Doesn't really sound analog to me but it does sound nice and big

[@scaryfontofficial]

I adore my Explorer. My only criticism is that the PolyTouch feels a bit "overqualified" for the smaller keys, but it's not a dealbreaker for me. Super-sturdy design otherwise. I get something new out of it everyday.

[@gdrdm]

Annoying question -- Peak or Hydrasynth (desktop) if you could have only 1 poly? And why?

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

Personally it would be the peak because the effects are fantastic and has the ability to load user wave tables as well as having analog filters, vca’s, and distortion and drive. It will distort more pleasantly.

[@entropybentwhistle]

I think it was MajorOSC U-Toob channel that does a head to head comparison between the Summit (Novation’s 2 Peaks in one synth) vs. Hydrasynth. Worth having a deep listen to see which made the most usable timbres for your style.

[@gdrdm]

@@YukiTheSynthDragon Thanks for the input! Cheers

[@gdrdm]

​@@entropybentwhistleThanks, will check it out. Cheers

[@2112jonr]

@@YukiTheSynthDragon +1 to this - the Peak's reverb is the gold standard amongst all synths for effects.

[@DankePlace]

Blofeld was my 1st synth, still have it, sold my HS desktop and got the Explorer 3 years later as needed a cheap PAT keybed and the engine sounded so much nicer this time round as the custom patches were getting more love. Keybed is a little better than KSP/Minifreak has longer travel. xd I have too and that's not in the ball park of either synth mentioned above. Great vid, thx.

[@SkyscanX1]

Your right, the reverb is not the best. I have a Bigsky - together they are wonderful.