Hydrasynth Warm Analog & Vintage Sounds

The ASM Hydrasynth has surprised in its ability to create warm and punchy sounds with vintage character. Here is a selection of demos from the Synth Universe sound banks volumes 1 & 2; each patch is inspired by the warmth and character of vintage analog and string synthesizers. See below for more information and the link to purchase these sounds.
I first bought the Hydrasynth intending it to be used for strident digital sounds to complement my analog synthesizers. However, after some use I realized it was capable of much more and it began to produce sounds with warmth, richness and subtle movement. The pads, strings, brasses, poly synths, sines, basses and leads emerging from the Hydrasynth were rivalling those on analog synths, which was unexpected!
All the sounds in this video are available to purchase as part of the Synth Universe sound banks volumes 1 & 2.
For the full set of sound demos and more details for each bank of 64 patches, see the following links:
Video demo of Vol. 1 patches 1- 32: • ASM Hydrasynth | Synth...
Video demo of Vol. 1 patches 33- 64: • ASM Hydrasynth | Synth...
Video demo of Vol. 2 patches 1- 32: • ASM Hydrasynth | Synth...
Video demo of Vol. 2 patches 33 - 64: • ASM Hydrasynth | Synth...
Buy the sound banks here: synthuniverse.sellfy.store
Please note: the sound banks contain single patches that will load into all Hydrasynth models including Hydrasynth 49 key, Desktop, Explorer and Deluxe.
If you like what you hear on these videos, please subscribe to my channel! It will help the channel to grow so I can deliver more content.
Time stamps
00:00 Touch brass
00:47 Warm pad
01:23 Analog string
02:04 Touch poly
02:40 Q sine
03:10 Wide pad
03:46 Mo bass lead
04:29 Dark phaser
05:14 Fat mute brass
05:47 Sine lead
06:31 Synth strings
07:27 Oscillator warmth
08:10 Vintage poly
08:54 Mellow bell
09:24 String machines
No external FX or processing was applied in producing these demos - you are hearing the sounds as they were played from the synth, using only internal Hydrasynth effects. However, be sure to listen to these demos through good quality speakers or headphones and you will hear the depth in the sounds. The Hydrasynth has a very wide audio frequency range and small phone or laptop speakers do not reproduce the full sound well!
There was no affiliation to ASM or their products in the creation of this video.
All musical ideas in this video are my own and are copyright to me.
Channel description - Synth Universe
Hi I'm Jim, a musician, composer and sound designer. Welcome to my channel! This channel focuses on the musical and performance potential of synthesizers and helping you to get the most out of the ones you already have.

[@SWATTECHNOLOGIES]

This is beautiful and shows the wide depth this instrument can do.

[@elarielo]

2:04 really reminds me of Japanese 80's pop, I love it!

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks for the feedback!

[@WayneJoness]

Looking forward to buying these patches! Thanks for doing all the hard work! 😃

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks - you're welcome! I hope you find them inspiring...

[@perfektspace]

Awesome job on these Jim. I'll be picking up the patches in the near future.

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks for your feedback and for your interest in the patches! I hope you find them inspiring...

[@thefool2007]

Sweet. These HSD patches were masterfully created. Nailed vintage and then some.

[@synthuniverse]

Hey many thanks for the feedback - appreciated!

[@timothyjohnson7971]

sounds awesome and your playing is awesome!

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks for your kind feedback! Pleased you enjoyed it

[@hughkremer4026]

You had me at sine lead. Heading to your site now to grab these. Beautifully done

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks for your feedback and for purchasing the sounds - I hope you find them inspiring!

[@williamshaneblyth]

Love it I'll buy a unit hopefully in a few months and these have inspired me

[@synthuniverse]

Great - many thanks for the feedback!

[@patsalty]

Amazing sounds and top notch performance!

[@synthuniverse]

Hey many thanks for your feedback!

[@minisynthmaniac]

Some of those sound really convincing!

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks for your feedback! Yes I've been surprised by Hydra's ability to do these sounds. It's beginning to challenge some of my old poly synths - particularly with the Deluxe as you can use each sound engine as an 'oscillator' and double up on everything, to create fat vintage sounds. My Deluxe Dual Layer Sounds videos give a few examples of this.

[@greggmurray4681]

Great sounds

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks for your feedback!

[@bulletheadbeatz2296]

These are dope! I just bought a Deluxe a week ago and I HAD to have these patches!!!! 👍😎

[@synthuniverse]

Hey thanks so much for the feedback and for buying the patches! I hope they inspire you...

[@jeanlot]

I've always dreamed about these sounds

[@synthuniverse]

Great thanks for sharing!

[@thedarkestrainbow]

Always?

[@DreamscapesMusicCinema]

Thank you for the awesome music video 📹. Very well presented. I just took mine ut of the box today! This thing is so awesome! Can you tell what the latest firmware is...I don't seem to be able to find a 2022 answer. Have a amazing 2023! Mark Bensette Aux Bois 🇨🇦.

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for your feedback Mark! Great that you've received your unit - I'm sure you'll have lots of fun with it. Latest firmware is shown on the last page of the System Setup menu. Press that button then page down button to scroll to last page. Here's to a musically inspiring 2023!

[@emptyfame7141]

🔥🔥🔥

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@GedCartwright]

Great selection of sounds. Would you consider doing preset packs for software synths?

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for the feedback! Yes I would consider this. I've created some similar sounds in Cherry Audio and UVI soft synths although to date I've mainly worked with hardware.

[@Jerewalch]

Awesome patches ! Any spring sales planned ? :) I would love buy all of them but it’s been a tough month and I can’t afford it right now! Thanks again and take care

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks for your feedback and question! No, sadly it's tough for most of us at the moment so no sales planned. If you subscribe then you'll be alerted to any promotions or new sound releases. Hopefully you'll find the sounds worth saving up for... All best

[@slanderhal]

Looks like the Explorer is $100 this month ($499)

[@ZedCactus]

Yeah, the Hydra does analog sounding patches really well. It actually wasn't until quite recently that I started making more digital patches... you can add a lot of sparkle and movement on top of the sounds with the Wavetables, mutators, etc.,

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for sharing! Agree that the combination of analog sounding + digital can be really interesting and powerful - particularly with dual layer patches on the Deluxe

[@ZedCactus]

@@synthuniverse I can imagine! I only have the 49 keys one though ;) ... great patches, btw, I forgot to say that in my first post.

[@RayyMusik]

Yes , the HS can sound pretty analog, but I don‘t make much use of it for that purpose because I have enough real analogs. I also love VA pads, but these are smoother on a D-50 or various Waldorfs. So I use the HS mainly for metallic sounds.

[@ZedCactus]

@@RayyMusik I don’t have an analog polysynth (other than the analog four, but it’s only four voices) so the Hydra fills that role for me. It lives up to it’s name, doesn’t it? 😄

[@OmniTorch]

Will you be doing patches for the Minifreak? I have one coming and would be stoked to add your patches to it.

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for the feedback! I don't own a Minifreak so no patches yet - maybe in future...

[@shawnlyday3039]

Need some Zawinul,Corea, Hancock, Jan Hammer, Wakeman,Emerson lead sounds!

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for the feedback! Yes you're right I haven't yet worked on many lead sounds. There is one in my Deluxe sound bank demoed here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4vbo6emosd0pMU

[@Pulse2AM]

Nice job! So does it have a ll the common wave forms, saw, trianglen square and pulse width etc.? Can you stack those with wavetables on a single patch? I'm not familiar with the Hydrasynth, only heard some demos.

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for your feedback and question! To answer: yes, each of the 3 oscillators has all the standard waves including sine plus 200 or so digital waveforms. Each oscillator can operate in 'wavescan' mode moving through the waves to create wavetables or be just a single wave. With very generous and flexible mod options too (5 LFOs, 5 ENVs etc) it's a beast of a synth yet very easy to use. The 'Colourful sounds of Hydrasynth' videos elsewhere on my channel also give more information about Hydra's features, if you're interested.

[@Pulse2AM]

@@synthuniverse Great thanks, sounds good.

[@lewchootrain]

Fucking beautiful, do you create your own songs? If so where do we find them?

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for the feedback! Yes I'm working on my own stuff but not ready for distribution yet. If you're a subscriber I'll post when I have something to share. Cheers

[@lewchootrain]

@@synthuniverse thanks yes def post it 🙏

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

Can Hydrasynth Explorer make the same sounds?

[@WayneJoness]

Hey Jim! I think...maybe...I made some progress, but my first sound is not 'Touch brass' but it is 'Fat Synbrass'. Also in all the patches I have tested there is no modulation wheel assignment, and there is no aftertouch/polytouch assignment. Is this correct? I love using controllers with the Hydrasynth but it looks like nothing is assigned.

[@synthuniverse]

Please contact me direct at [e-mail] not via the comments thanks and I will assist with your questions

[@jfracine_composition]

beautiful patches and playing ! How do you find the Hydrasynth Deluxe keybed ? Is the poly aftertouch responsive to subtle pressure change ?

[@Bouwput]

Very much so. But it's adjustable. And it depends on the programming of a patch. I tuned it down a little. Matter of taste. (I'm Deluxe owner btw...)

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks for the feedback! Yes I find the Deluxe keyed just fine - giving enough control of poly AT - particularly at higher parameter values you only need a small amount of pressure to effect the modulation

[@HonorV2ultimate1tb]

does it have smooth transition when selecting another preset while the sound from the first preset is held down by the keys on the left hand?.....

[@danhelgesen2792]

Very nice sounds i want to buy sounds from you, i have sent you a mail😊

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks!

[@MusicFed]

Love this synth but can’t decide. This or Novation summit?

[@synthuniverse]

The Summit is a very capable and well-made hybrid synth for sure. For me the Hydrasynth Deluxe edges it, with the extra keys, the poly AT and ribbon, the more flexible modulation options and a more distinctive sound.

[@MusicFed]

@@synthuniverse extra keys? Aren’t they both 5 octaves?

[@FutureFenyx]

I own peak and hydrasynth…. They aren’t comparable apples oranges. Both good for what they do.

[@janneliimatainen6186]

@@MusicFed Hydra Deluxe has 6 octaves

[@piteft]

Great work, as always ! Btw, can I ask you a question? Sometimes my HS Deluxe starts latching a note. For example, I can play some complex pattern with two hands. Usually, I use from 3 to 5 voices. And after that HS( sometimes) starts holding a note, used in played pattern. It only goes away when I press the key related to that note. Did you notice smth like this?

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for your feedback - appreciated! To answer your question, yes I've experienced exactly that many times. As you say, usually when I'm playing a complex series of notes. Then I need to swipe down all the white notes and black notes until the sticking note is re-triggered - then it's fine. It's kind of like a MIDI overload but without using MIDI! It's annoying but I can live with it.

[@piteft]

@@synthuniverse Oh, I relieved. I asked many people about it, but no one gave me a positive response. I just needed to reassure myself that this isn't a rare software/hardware bug that I'm lucky to have. Like you said, it's annoying, but I can live with it. Thank you very much for your reply! You helped me a lot.

[@laveaux8915]

Mine did the same thing i returned it and got a different brand synth I use them live. Thinking about getting it again hoping they will fix that issue. I do miss it. only had it 2 weeks. happened multiple times is was playing about 5 hrs a day during that time.

[@e-conrecords4665]

Stunning sound design. Each sound is so beautifully articulated. I gather you need the dual engine of the deluxe to play these patches?

[@synthuniverse]

Many thanks for your feedback! Yes you're right you need a Deluxe to play these sounds, or two Hydra units such as a keyboard and desktop would achieve the same effect. I am working on a sound bank of Multi patches for the Deluxe including the sounds featured here, to complement my Single Hydra sound banks which are already available (purchase link from demo videos elsewhere on my channel). Cheers

[@SuperHonkyPodcast]

I'm literally 3 or 4 brain cells away from buying one. Am I wrong? Should I look elsewhere? Someone please help me decide! I've been looking to get a synth that allows me to easily create melodies. One that I could pair alongside my MPC X. My X is my sequencer and would be the brain of the operation. It's where I'd do my sampling, my drums/percussion etc. As soon as it's time to lay out some insanely good melodies, that's where I feel something like this Hydrasynth would compliment my X and the workflow I already have going. I also use FL Studio, but lately I've been focused more on the hardware side of things and that's exactly why I'm in the market for my first synthesizer. I've used plenty of synths on the software side of things as far as VSTs go (mostly Omnisphere 2), but was often times lazy and relied on only tiny modifications to what would've been mostly just presets. However, I want that to all change! With all that in mind, let me know what I should do! 😩

[@synthuniverse]

Yes the Hydrasynth can handle strong melodic sounds no problem. Many other synths can do this, but the Hydra USP is if you want to dive deeper into sound design it has a very intuitive interface that makes everything straightforward and accessible - it's a great synth to learn on. The poly aftertouch and ribbon means you can play melodies very expressively, which sets it apart from many other synths. As my demos and sound banks hopefully show, it can do virtual analog really well, as well as digital FM/ wavetable. Hope that helps!

[@kierenmoore3236]

Not bad … but, straight up; I mainly want it for that keybed, anyway … 😊

[@synthuniverse]

Thanks for sharing. I know some folks want it mainly for the poly AT keyboard, but I think they're missing out if they don't exploit its potential as a synth!

[@bustagrinds865]

I've bought many synths, and the synth engine, flexibility, and workflow is the reason to buy it. Out of the box it may sound generic, but dive in and see what the combination of mutators, voice mod, warm/analog feel, fx, and modulation can do. The ribbon (in theramin mode) is still fairly unique, but Poly AT is becoming more common. 6 octave Poly AT is the most unique feature. The only synth I've played to rival this one is Waldorf Quantum/Iridium, which is a lot more. Oddly, Waldorf's synth has less filter and "analog feel" options... it's an amazing digital synth though, especially if you're into granular and custom wavetables.

[@kierenmoore3236]

A year on, I still mainly like it for the keybed (and ribbon). I have other synths to cover analog sounds much better, but the Hydrasynth engine really does excel (I think) for Industrial and Rhythmical sounds …

[@janpieternieman5295]

2:04 Which song is that actually?

[@synthuniverse]

It's not a song it's just a chord progression 🙂

[@janpieternieman5295]

@@synthuniverse you composed it yourself?

[@janpieternieman5295]

@@synthuniverse which synth sounds best, JP-X or Hydra.