ASM Hydrasynth Walkthrough: Part 1 (Overview, Oscillators, Filters)

The Ashun Sounds Machine Hydrasynth is an 8 voice digital wave morphing synthesizer with polyphonic aftertouch. This is a series of videos going over its features and what makes it special.
In this video we go over a general overview, the oscillators, and filters.
00:00 intro
02:13 overview
07:13 oscillators
15:07 filters
Check out the playlist: • ASM Hydrasynth
Check prices: reverb.grsm.io/hydrasynth
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[@gwecc]

I feel like the visual part of it is a big time saver for a lot of artists. Almost like a synth VST in a DAW using many plugins to see what you're doing, but it's all in one physical space. Love it. Really great walkthrough. Can't wait for more episodes!

[@MisterMajister]

This is gonna be a great series! :D Damn I love the looks (and sounds) of this synth!

[@floyd101954]

FYI, I thought anyone here might want to know this. I just purchased my Hydrasynth Desktop from Sweetwater, have had it only had it 3 days now. I discovered that it now ships with Presets Patches in all 5 Banks (A B C D E). There are not any Empty Banks as stated 7 minutes in this tutorial, all the Banks now have Preset Patches. Also some seemed to be different than ones I heard and saw on several older tutorials on KZbin. I was curious about this and contacted Ashun Sound Machines Support and they confirmed this. So now you will have to use the Patch Manager Application if you want to keep any or all of the Factory Preset Patches. Anyway this Synth is incredible, with 2 more Banks of presets I am just starting to experiment with them all before I start to create my own Presets. Here is their email response: Hello, Yes we have now included 2 more banks and updated the patches as well. Please use the patch manager if you would like to arrange banks differently . You can also refer to our KZbin channel for more videos on this. Kind regards, Support

[@JuanUys]

A year later with firmware V2: > Patch memory has increased in v2.0! The Hydrasynth now holds 8 banks of 128 patches, for a total of 1,024. I was hoping that on a box this big they'd be able to squeeze in some more memory. It's akin to MacBook Airs only coming with 8GB RAM in this day and age.

[@TheoVoidTV]

I love my Hydra desktop. So much fun to program. Maybe the most intuitive UI I've ever used!!! The system for Assigning modulations is in-genius! Also, the macros are awesome!!!! You can really PLAY your patches with those 8 knobs! This is an inspiration machine!

[@malikdavis6091]

I love that you can make analog vintage sounds better than true analog synths

[@NicChap]

Man I wish I had a Fraction of your knowledge and creativity. Thanks again for the awesome content.

[@lassejensen1210]

When I discovered you had a playlist for this beast, I was almost as excited as I was when I received the synth. I always enjoy your perspectives, since you have such a creative and unique approach to synths and music. Especially your modular work, and I can't wait to consume your deliciously juicy, sweet content when integrating this with my eurorack. Sorry it became a bit weird there, but I'm just so excited..

[@krystledawne]

So excited to dig in to this series and learn about my new Explorer!!!

[@studilocker4439]

I already have that synth since some weeks but I still love to watch videos about it :) I can recommend it completely! I am making a new patch at least every morning and evening since I own it.. Nothing gets me out of my bed so easily... grab a coffee, sit down and nobody knows where it will end... My learning curve about synthesis increased hundert times more than with my other synths like the model d, neutron, massive or serum... The oscilloscope tells you what's happening all the time, the synth want's you to experience synthesis... Did I say that I love it? :) PS. Reading my comment again and there is so much I want to talk about haha..

[@dennis1954]

Studi Locker, had mine for a week. No prior synth experience except fighting an iPad app with a Keystep for about 5-10 hours. Still dont know how to save a patch but have made unbelievable sounds within the first hours. Every day my goal is to learn a new aspect of the Hydra. At first it was deconstructing a few patches, then building one new from a sign wave. Today it was the ribbon. Wow, unbelievable what it can do when tweeked in the menu. Even if I just stuck with the factory sounds I am glad I jumped right to the keyboard Hydrasynth. A lot to learn especially since I am also a beginner playing a keyboard. I know what you are saying about the “synth want’s you to experience synthesis.” Got to go, it’s calling me. . . . . Be there in a second, just adding a period.

[@studilocker4439]

@@dennis1954 that's exactly what I mean :) have fun with it! :) the new functions are really nice, too.. The distortion for example transposes many friendly happy presets to a sad or aggressive characteristic. Try it out ;)

[@1980VINZ]

drp5 for save a patch you have to turn off the protection in the menu system at the first page.👍

[@dennis1954]

Vinz RR , Thanks, I actually stumbled on that just a few days ago while reading the manual for another issue. So many new things to learn but I’m totally determined to keep trudging through feature by feature until I actually know what’s happening vs twisting or punching buttons hoping for an outcome. Thanks again for your concern. Do you know if there is an online forum group that focuses on the Hydrasynth?

[@1980VINZ]

drp5 no problem mate. I’m like you, coming back to music after 20 or 25 years and discovering this synth who is amazing. It’s so interesting... Good for brain and ears! Btw sorry if my English can be weird, I’m French and we are so dumb at English. Anyway About an Hydra forum I don’t know one but it should be very interesting! I will search one and let you know. Have a good day👍 Salut from France 🙋‍♂️

[@Getthenderson]

Yes perfect timing, will be looking out for further vids.

[@Soundwrecker]

Love my Hydrasynth Desktop to death. It's like a powerful VST wavetable synth in a box and does things the rest of my HW synths do not.

[@GamboTheGent]

Great and clean walkthrough. Thanks !

[@donaldpriola1807]

It's nice to see digital synths make a comeback, isn't it? (You can pry my MS2000 from my cold, dead hands). The versatility of current digital synths is hard to beat for the cost. And man, that Hydrasynth desktop version...it's just about the best build quality I've ever had in a synth. What a bargain.

[@SynthAddict]

great video as usual - demo series like these made me decide to order the keyboard this week :-)

[@Mooncrumb463]

My wallet sweats nervously everytime I watch your videos

[@K.KILLORAN]

Ain’t that the truth.

[@14rs]

I love your videos!!! Great work

[@dougjamesberwick2625]

Brilliant tutorial, thanks for creating!!

[@BarryWarne]

very nice walkthrough (and nice playing!)

[@RayyMusik]

Excellent synth, excellent video.

[@suboptimalsynthesis]

I'm in my early 40s, and recently got a Hydrasynth as a machine to try to learn a lot more about synthesis than I've ever dabbled in before your channel and content is great, inspirational and super helpful. Keep it up!

[@Fotofred007]

Great video series to go through while waiting for my Hydrasynth explorer to arrive (one day later than expected, grrr ;) )

[@POSTONBEATS]

Thanks man this very helpful information I just got one I was confused at first but this video definitely helped me understand my way

[@Dolores5000]

Fantastic explanations direct and clear

[@Jimantronic]

Yay, perfect timing! Thanks man

[@sawyerthereal]

Can't wait for mine to arrive, damn!

[@Truthasvictim]

Woohoo, 2 years after wanting this, I finally have the desktop coming in a few days. really excited for the first time in a long time about some hardware after going the VST route for many years. I am just so im pressed with the company itself too, how well thought out the architexture is, how well made it lookslike it is and how powerful it is for sonic shaping.

[@chadduncan9716]

How has your experience been so far? I’ve been debating this synth for a year now. And now down to explorer or the desktop version.

[@Truthasvictim]

@@chadduncan9716 If this helps indicate anything, due to the fact that I got a great deal- for Canada that is- I've already bought the 49 note version too. The experience has already been fantastic with both pieces. I've probably owned 20-25 synths since the 80s and these are the best designed in terms of the interface especially I've come across. Editing is so immediate and intuitive and in my opinion the sonics are great too. The vast majority of pages are never more than one or two deep. Hope that helps you.

[@BackspinZX]

Maaaaaaaan I want one of these now this is dope

[@MaynardAndEuniceShow]

OK, so I wanted to come back in here again to thank you - I just received my Hydrasynth this week and to be honest I wasn't exactly excited about the new learning curve (I'm getting too old for this crap sonny! LMAO) But after staying right there with you I discovered something that's pretty cool - you are knocking things out bit by bit and I kept on pausing this video to do my own tweaking as I am making my VERY first patch on the HS and it's already sounding amazing (the patch name is "New World Order" lol). There's TOO many vids on YT that make this synth sound like bacon sizzling, which may be fine for some, but I really appreciate the deeper sounds that I KNOW this beast is capable of and I'm already harvesting these things which makes this even more exciting! I actually watched all of your tutes on the HS before it arrived and I have to admit it was a bit intimidating, but now that I have one under my fingertips and am following along with you, it's becoming fun and amazing! Great vids!

[@johnsaucerhunter]

Got mine (HydraSynth) a month ago and have been having a blast. I think I spent the first 5 days only on Darcy's Sawpressive patch. Perhaps the finest designing synthesizer I've ever owned (and I've had and own a number of them). I know that someone down the way is going to figure out a way to do a (faux) split board.

[@God-eu6sz]

haha piano go beep boop

[@SatanEatsJesus]

Piano also go *WOO-SWWW-CCCUURRU-BEEEEEEURREEEEEEEESH-WHOOOSWWWWSHISHWOOOBRRRRRRP*

[@stephenmurphy8349]

Nice intro!

[@Charieldeleon]

I’m hoping future updates allow us to import our own wave tables that would be awesome 👏

[@dani538]

The HS is awesome. Just got the Desktop a couple days ago. It is so easy to use! Nice vid as always!

[@joshuamorganmusic]

1:14 I literally said “woah, wtf!!” I’ve been saving my shmekles for this one

[@csharp57]

I HAVE to own this!!!

[@ToyKeeper]

I love this thing so much. Almost as much as I love you.

[@ToyKeeper]

Real question though... Out of Hydrasynth, Peak, and Pro 3, if you could only keep one (for use with a DAW)... which would it be, and why?

[@just_pierre9730]

Thanks for this great video series! btw.....another difference between the keyboard and the desktop version is that the desktop has no chord mode.

[@010203109]

Thanks for the very informative walkthroughs. This synth still seems amazing and there's a fair bit of tips, walkthroughs, and reviews out there. But I'm eyeing a Hydrasynth Deluxe for a first hardware synth, because certain retailers have it closer to Hydrasynth keyboard MSRP than one might expect and I really want a wider MPE capable keyboard. Been ages since I properly played piano or clarinet but I'm still instinctively used to having more than 32 notes tap like on my midi controller and really don't feel like 49 is enough either when I want to explore a patch without having to constantly fiddle with the octave keys. The potential in simultaneously working with two Hydrasynth engines also appeals, of course, as does note off velocity tracking as an extra cherry of expressive potential atop this synth.

[@BlakeHeart]

Oh boy, I’ve had my eye on this for a few months...you’re not making it any easier for me to hang onto my cash!!

[@muitosabao]

min 1:50, beautiful! Reminds of Fever Ray, first album.

[@dennispena5496]

Well shoot. I'm just grateful to have these tutorials so I can feel like I know what I'm doing when pushing buttons and twisting knobs. #impostersyndrome

[@paulburkhart2619]

GOT MY HEADFOAMS wheeeeeeeeee

[@DoffThyFace]

lmao when the video started I thought you were playing ave maria for a second

[@ErikStDon]

Me too!!!

[@sriharshaeati]

I thought he was playing My heart will go on from Titanic...

[@ChickyNYC]

❤️❤️❤️

[@GrootsieTheDog]

You could easily dedicate an entire part just for filter analysis on the hydra. Resonation behaviors, filter 2, the musical qualities, sound of a filter sweep, etc,etc, etc,depending on filter in use, is rather significant.

[@joshuamorganmusic]

Aaaand now that my hydrasynth is here, I’m rewatching all these (best walkthrough evah!) while following along on mine. Haven’t been this excited about a synth since the Yamaha FS1r. Also, I feel like this thing is a spiritual successor to the Ensoniq Fizmo. Thoughts??

[@SynthAddict]

I'm going to pair this with my Fizmo :-)

[@Feanarth]

No no No NO NO NOoooooooo! The never ending cycle of selling old gear for new one continues!

[@SourDiesel69]

I’ve been doing it for too long

[@huukihuuki]

I'm just hoping Jexus will demo this thing one day

[@maxamills1929]

you are in luck my friend

[@K.KILLORAN]

The desktop comes with rack ears. This mounted next to my neutrons is killer.

[@studilocker4439]

I have a question about the filters: is it possible to make some statements about the characters of the filters? I heard in the synth world you can differentiate between "Oberheim, Moog and Roland" filter characteristics. Are there some links? I mean there is a MS20 filter so that should be the Korg MS20, I never had one so I don't know how comparable they are.

[@RedMeansRecording]

Not a filter nerd so I can't really comment on this outside that some sound different.

[@MaynardAndEuniceShow]

These are SOOoo cool - thanks for helping us out here! Quick question - at 15:42 the video was cut and you had a totally different screen and you said "Turn up the attack" but you neve showed the viewer how you got to that screen. Please let us know - thanks again!!

[@RedMeansRecording]

its the same envelope i just assigned. envelope 3.

[@MaynardAndEuniceShow]

@@RedMeansRecording thanks so much! Your videos are great to help us new users navigate around this really cool synth!

[@brianobush]

Wish the desktop unit had the touch strip and pitch bend.

[@repeatdefender6032]

This... this is the one.

[@darksentinel082]

me: ooo i want this me: *deathly afraid of checking the price* me: *finally checks it* price: 800 USD me:

[@jriceblue]

...If you want the module.

[@1980VINZ]

Yeah..... I just bought the HydraSynth since 2 weeks and I’m still speechless about the price I paid. (1350€) It’s the biggest bargain ever in synth domain to me... And when I think about the module one, 800usd, it’s just UNBELIEVABLE.

[@TheMarkusHK]

I am torn between purchasing keyboard or desktop version. I tried the keyboard version and liked playing it but the "theremin controller" didn't seem that useful and I can't tell, whether the polyphonic aftertouch would be essential. Plus, buying the desktop version would safe a lot of money to get a nice master keyboard. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks for the in depth walkthrough!

[@Musicninja007]

Desktop also has poly aftertouch on its pads

[@TheMarkusHK]

@@Musicninja007 It does, I am just not comfortable with playing pads. Bought the keyboard version a week ago and it sounds killer.

[@tuftyindigo]

16:30 Tell me more about your "woody drive"

[@RP-mp4ow]

I swore I was done buying gear. Why did I have to click on your video?!?!

[@CrisBlyth]

I still want to get an OP-1 but this seems to be ‘more’ on a hardware touchy-feely level... I’m kinda stuck on which to get !

[@p4rsec]

I think it really depends on your usecase. this doesn't appear to be nearly as portable as the OP-1, so if portability and that small form factor and design are what you're after, OP-1 is the clear winner. if you just want something to use at your desk and nice sounds... I think the question becomes a little harder. Also, the OP-1 has built in DAW functionality. This doesn't seem to. Also also, OP-1 is currently $1300, and this is $800. So, price would be a big factor for you too.

[@thegreaterconundrum]

Environment plays a role in that kind of decision. If you enjoy making music laying on the floor, at friend's houses, on vacation, bus rides etc., or maybe if you spend a lot of time on a computer/desk and no longer find it an inspiring environment, the OP-1 is a great tool to refresh a stagnating creative process. If you can't focus on ideas or get inspired while you're out and about, and find it easier to focus when you're sitting down without distractions, perhaps the hydrasynth would offer you more sonic possibilities.

[@Mandingo_Cule]

The question that we should ask ourselves is that if with OP 1 it is possible to create these sounds pads, soundscapes, leads, arpeggios, lead for all kinds of genres from dance to synthwave, future bass, etc, I have the same dilemma and the truth is I have weeks watching tutorials and every time I do I see a better synth hahaha who recommend the truth?

[@PDZofficial]

If you can afford an OP1 you might as well just pick up both

[@mvsr990]

Hated the OP-1 - every control is obscured with quirkiness, the only really good thing about it is the sampler which is pretty limited for $1000+. The Hydrasynth is the opposite - every control is simple, plain and easy to use, but it doesn't sample of course.

[@zippygogo3660]

so far in all the HYDRASYNTH tutorial vids ,nobody explains exactly what the GLIDE button does, I've had the synth for over a month now and still cant figure out what it does, it lights up but that's about it, I don't hear any change in the ribbon control and it doesn't open up any menu, so far it just seems just like a useless button that just lights up

[@bryanbytes]

got Vangelis vibes on opening melody

[@christoroppolo8742]

Having any issues with syncing? 🤔

[@Erick360.]

I debated with myself on whether or not I needed another synth in my life. I concluded that; Yes, I in fact need more synths in my life. I also concluded that there is no such thing as "Too many synths". I tell myself this as I run out of room for them. I may sell all the home furniture to fit them in... I also tell myself, "there are others like me.... right? ... right? .... RIGHT!?

[@teklapeterson8126]

is there no video on you tube for this machine for a beginner?

[@RedMeansRecording]

Read The Manual

[@teklapeterson8126]

@@RedMeansRecording of course I"ve tried reading that terrible manual! many times.

[@Rooftopaccessorizer]

Somebody buy Tycho one of these

[@Mandingo_Cule]

The question that we should ask ourselves is that if with OP 1 it is possible to create these sounds pads, soundscapes, leads, arpeggios, lead for all kinds of genres from dance to synthwave, future bass, etc, I have the same dilemma and the truth is I have weeks watching tutorials and every time I do I see a better synth hahaha who recommend the truth?

[@CaidicusProductions]

I really like your tutorial, but I have one complaint. You use jump cuts, for example at 20:10 you're talking about assigning the LFO1 to Morph, but I can't see your button combination because your jump cut skipped that button combination. If you continue to make any more of these, please don't use jump cuts during the process. Aside from that, I'm really grateful for these videos, they're helping me immensely.

[@facemanva6021]

why do I not have any empty presets

[@ignasiv1]

Me too. All banks are filled with factory presents. Have you found an answer why is that?

[@chateautemp]

6:36 shows how to unlock presets to write over.

[@EarthDoesGaming89]

skrr

[@kawaiseries2033]

02:34 You have cute elbows. For reals!

[@zibbybone]

I really wanted to watch this whole video, but had to stop after 5 minutes. You say "uh" every 5-10 seconds. The short ones are OK, but the ones you hold on are very annoying. I'm guessing you don't write scripts and just ad lib your dialogue. Other than that, your presentation is great.

[@jayaphillips1647]

dude... picky much? this info is free and GOLDEN... your loss