Learn With Me - Hydrasynth: Ep22 - Sound Design - Macro Drone

Having explored the complex sequenced LFOs, we take a different route and make a drone sound to which we apply some macros to perform.
In this series of videos you'll join me as I learn the ins and outs of the ASM Hydrasynth (Explorer). I've had it for about one month and used it to a limited degree alongside reading the manual. I'll demonstrate my end to end learning and exploration process starting with the basics of how to use the synth, through all the features, and ending with some sound design demonstrations.
Episode 00 - First Impressions - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 01 - Overview & Paradigm - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 02 - Oscillator 3 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 03 - Oscillators 1 & 2 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 04 - Mutants Part 1 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 05 - Mutants Part 2 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 06 - Mutants Part 3 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 07 - The Filters - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 08 - Envelopes Part 1 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 09 - Envelopes Part 2 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 10 - LFOs Part 1 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 11 - LFOs Part 2 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 12 - Mod Matrix Part 1 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 13 - Mod Matrix Part 2 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 14 - Effects Part 1 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 15 - Effects Part 2 - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 16 - Voice Modes - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 17 - Macro Controls - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 18 - Sound Design - Aftertouch Pad - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 19 - Sound Design - Modwheel Keys - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 20 - Sound Design - Poly & Lead - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 21 - Sound Design - Sequenced Plucks - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Episode 22 - Sound Design - Macro Drone - • Learn With Me - Hydras...
Playlist - • Learn with Me - Hydras...
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#learnwithme #asm #hydrasynth #ashunsoundmachines #synthesis #sounddesign

[@Vladi_mir_M]

Interesting

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for your comment, and for watching. Listening back I could have made the macro effects a little more extreme: one of the down sides of working in one take and designing the sounds live. Hopefully I demonstrated a viable approach, if not the most compelling sound or performance.

[@mansourd4917]

Thank you so much for the time! I would be interested to similar series on Korg wavestate and maybe a comparison between the two synths?

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for your comment, and for watching. Unfortunately I don't have a Wavestate, so I can't really offer a very informed opinion, or a series on it. What I can say is that the wavestate is much more focused on layered sequenced sample playback (aka wave sequencing). While there are oscillator like waves and digital filters which can be combined to do traditional subtractive synthesis, I wouldn't say that's the focus of the Wavestate. In other words, if you want something that does what the wavestate does, the Hydrasynth is a poor choice and visa versa. I did do a series on the Opsix which is also a very different synth, and I can offer some comparison there. At its heart, the Hydrasynth is a subtractive synth with a kitchen sink thrown in; the Opsix is a synth built around 6 audio processing and generation blocks that can be combined as you wish: FM synthesis is a subset of this. The Opsix lacks the custom macro controls of the Hydrasynth and is much worse built, it also only has 12 mod slots and 3 LFOs and 3 envelopes (aside from the ones in the operators). Where it comes out ahead is the tremendous complexity of sounds you can achieve combining and routing the operators with their unique modes. At its core, it sounds great with excellent sounding filters and excellent effects. On paper, the Hydrasynth looks hard to beat; 32 mod slots, 8 macros with 8 destinations each, great build, poly aftertouch keyboard. It also provides the (quite unique) mutants for the oscillator section. Add to that dual filters, 5 LFOs (sequencable and one shot) and 5 envelopes (loopable and with unique trigger options). When you bring all this to bear you can make very complex and performable sounds. The negative is in the sound for me: the oscillators, filters and effects don't sound as nice as those on the Opsix. The result is that while both can achieve really complex sounds, they do so with different sets of trade offs. I feel like either could be improved to become "must have synths", but as it is they are both good, but have flaws which may matter to you more or less. Anyway, there is a comparison you didn't ask for: enjoy :D.

[@mansourd4917]

@@ChalkWalkMusic God bless you. You are amazing! thanks!

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

Think about getting a hydra. What are ur thoughts? Deluxe, 49 key, desktop or explorer?

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for watching, and you comment. My take is that they all have their own trade offs. I'll first talk about the down side of each. The explorer only has 4 encoders and buttons which makes the UI less fluid and efficient. The desktop doesn't have keys and poly aftertouch keys are a big selling point for the Hydrasynth; other devices like the launchpad pro give poly aftertouch pads. The Hydrasynth 49 feels like a fairly big price jump over the other two given that it has the same sound engine. Each one, therefore, has a slightly different target audience. The deluxe offers more keys and two timbres: this is for the live player or the sound design focused computer; the 49 is the middle ground: a trade off between UI and playability (e.g ribbon controller); the desktop is for someone whose focus is sound design and can do without the keys, possibly someone doing live ambient where the macro controls are their primary means of expression; the explorer is for someone who wants the engine and a poly aftertouch keyboard at the lowest possible price (it makes for a nice controller for VSTs too). So how do you choose? I would say first ask: do you need poly aftertouch keyboard, as the Hydrasynth is a fairly easy way to get one; if not, then the desktop is the one for you, it gives the UX of the 49 at a much lower cost. If yes, it's a matter of how much the extra features of the 49 are worth to you. Personally, if the explorer had 8 encoders it would be top of the list by far. As it is, the 49 costs nearly 2x what the explorer costs; personally I'd probably prefer a Minifreak + Hydrasynth Explorer to a Hydrasynth 49 (given the total cost is the same), but I'm okay with mini keys and I value variety a lot. Things to consider about my opinion: I play keyboards and am okay with anything keyboard shaped, I'm not super fussy on action or size; I play live in a few contexts and like live sound design (which is something of a weak point on the Hydrasynths); In the studio I use hardware and software and am not someone always searching for "that special sound", but rather focused on sound designing to create the music and sounds I imagine. I'm not someone who makes much 80s inspired or synth wave type music, but rather lean more toward trying to create unique sounds which can be played and retain musical form. I hope this helps; the reason the decision on which to buy is hard, is that they are all quite good synths and one isn't inherently the best or worst all around, meaning no perfect or bad choices.

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

@@ChalkWalkMusic this is such a great answer. Thank you so much. I also just like creating sound and making music with different types of sound as well. Don’t so much make any kind of genre or anything like that. Again I really appreciate you taking the time and thought you put into this answer it’s really gonna help me make a decision. Thank you. Keep rockin.

[@wgaule]

Am I mad, or is the Explorer just that little bit better looking than the original 49 key model. I think it's the contrast of the black with the orange as opposed to the glittery dark grey of the og!

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for watching, and for the comment. I haven't actually seen them side by side as I saw the original Hydrasynth about (over?) 3 years ago and have only had this one for a few months now. That's to say the colour may be more similar than my video would have you believe (as I adjusted the exposure to try and get readability). Either way, the Hydrasynth Explorer is a pretty good looking synth.