The Mind-Blowing Features of the Hydrasynth 2.0! Voice Modulation, Bit Redux, and More!

[@vanessajazp6341]

I have the Hydrasynth Deluxe, but it is SO FAR above my league in sound design, that I just resort to working strictly with the presets I like and modifying them to taste. I could lose hours tweaking dials on this machine and come away with little more than a scratchy squeak.

[@Jimbo386000]

I loved this synth before, but now It's even cooler with 2.0!

[@edjwise]

Hydrasynth is a modern classic. I do not know why it doesn't get more recognition.

[@indek]

Umm… it’s the most recognized, hyped and talked about synth of the past decade.

[@antonyfaulkner8649]

It gets trolled a lot on Gear Space.

[@julko28]

Hydra got a ton of recognition. There is s..t load of stuff on the net about it. Reviews, soundbanks, tutorials, comparisons you name it.

[@ultrajayme]

When they stop production on it, it'll be what everyone chases after and will go for like $2300 someday. ASM is just getting started. This is a total guess but I have a hunch they're working on a drum synth, like a Tempest or something complex and percussive. I love my Hydrasynth.

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

@@ultrajayme To be fair, I just purchased the Hydrasynth Deluxe last week, I've spent a few days with it now in the studio and I've gotta say, WoW...from a purely sound designers aspect I'm actually blown away by it. I'm Really REALLY shocked by how good it is. I'm literally surrounded by 16 other synthesizers, a mixture of Analog and Digital from many different manufacturers but this Hydrasynth Delux has me more engaged in sound design than any of them. I'd say it's on par with the Waldorf iridium keyboard I have above it on a stand for sound design although quite different. I kind of look at it as a big modular synth that is polyphonic, capable of creating the weird and wonderful soundscapes especially in Multi mode. A truly amazing synth indeed, and at its pricepiont I can't think of anything else that could replace it. Truly remarkable, I tip my hat to ASM for making the Delux version at its price too!!

[@GertBoers]

I really liked some ideas you've showed in this video! A few things I would like to point out: - In the mod matrix, to quickly select the source VoiceMod, simply click the Voice button. Or use Shift combined with turning the endless encoder, to jump to a next group. - At 17.05 you route LFO3 to Filter. You know LFO1 is somewhat wired for this purpose? Saves you a ModMatrix slot. 😉 But, great video!

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

Great tips, noted - thanks!

[@lvgnc]

I always wondered if there was a shortcut to find voice mode, now I know, thanks. Similarly, I recently appreciated the use of shift when editing the Wavelist, which changes 8 waves at once according to the order in the table.

[@GlitchWolf]

Another arguably faster tip is to hold down Voice (Source), and then Press the Module you want to Modulate (Destination) and Hydra sets that up in the Mod Matrix for you :)

[@TheWilliamSnfrd]

That step-mod performance at 25:00 was beautiful. Can't wait to get my hydrasynth!

[@Demoulous]

Love my hydra. Not only an awesome synth, but love the aftertouch and ribbon over midi for allowing for more expression when playing instruments that respond to them.

[@buckeroonii]

Love the sonic exploring, great video!

[@antonyfaulkner8649]

Setting up Voice Mod has a shortcut to Mod Matrix also... Hold Voice Button, then press Module Button.... Osc, Filter, Envelope etc. Creates a new Mod crosspoint on the next free slot in the Mod Matrix. Or.... if you want to choose the slot, go to Mod Matrix, hit the Control Button for the slot you want to *ASSIGN*, then press Voice button, then Module Button. 👍

[@jamesdefrancesco7765]

I just purchased a piece of gear from a fellow synthaholic and when talking about our setup we discovered the Hydrasynth was our main board! We are out there. Thanks for the vid.

[@paulbergin4239]

Such a subtle... in depth run through. Well done mate.

[@azazabacheche3973]

3:15 so great, thanks for this tip!

[@MusicWizard85]

It would have been nice if the screen was zoomed in on because sometimes it's hard to tell what settings you're adjusting. I own a HS Deluxe and was slightly overwhelmed at first but grew to love it. What I would tell new owners is to learn the mod matrix and module settings first. Then learn the macros, voice settings, and Shift + (insert button here) shortcuts. For the price, HSD is a fantastic value. It pairs really nicely with my Korg Wavestate. Between the two of them I can get pretty much any sound I'm looking for from ambient drones, fat bass, stabbing leads, or experimental craziness.

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

Thanks! Worth noting the video can be viewed in 4K full screen to better see the panel, but you're right, it would be better to zoom in on the details! Sounds great on the Wavestate pairing, what a powerhouse that must be.

[@Screaming-Trees]

This synth sounds pretty nice. It takes big balls to release an all digital synth in 2020s at these price points but hats off to them it actually sounds pretty nice. Reminds me of Ensoniq hybrid synths from the 80s with these kind of screens it has. Good overview thanks.

[@mixolydian2010]

Cheers Alex Had mine for about 2 weeks, i know already its going to be unfathomable, cheers for this. Take care

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

Thanks - Hopefully the good kind of unfathomable! 😅

[@mixolydian2010]

@@Gear4musicSynthsTech for sure the good kind!

[@thrakd]

I am having a religious experience right now listening to this.

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

Gotta get a hydra. Great video

[@l1fef0rm]

2.0 has been out for a while for the desktop model, no? Got excited for a second. Nice video as always, Mylar.

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

Thank you. Yes, the update applies to all models!

[@payt01]

I'm going to regret not having bought this earlier. I do have one on the way though :) This thing is something else :)

[@neonblack211]

Great video, the bit reduction part sparked my interest the most lol hellow fellow kids

[@Jossco1371]

Love my Hydrasynth, will never let it go. Wish mine sounded as good as this one...

[@wernerhaider2338]

...glad, I own one too 👍 great synth!

[@G7noG7nelli]

Thanks Alex. I need to crack this one open again

[@GeorgeLocke]

12:00 Seems like you could patch up similar bit reduction tricks using a comparator or other logic type modules in your modular environment of choice.

[@GeorgeLocke]

I don't own the hydra (goals/GAS), but I enjoy watching videos like this because you can get ideas for how to work with my existing gear. I feel like this synth has some similar ideas compared to the OpSix, which i do own...

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

That's definitely an interesting idea, passing waveforms through logic modules at audio rates!

[@allkeyspro6606]

Great work here! I must say, I’ve never understood buying a digital synth, and trying to make it sound analog, there are so many great analog synths out there these days, emulating them in the digital domain is completely unnecessary, IMHO.

[@Curious_Skeptic]

Hope we get sample custom wave import. Wishful thinking I guess.

[@MagicCvstle]

Just bought my second. 🤩

[@Helena081107]

Best part I love most about watching this video, is knowing I can go upstairs and turn on my Deluxe model. So twice the already absurdly huge power this synth has... :) Btw, the FANTASTIC interface of the Hydrasynth is very much based on the interface of the Xpander. I have both synths here, and you can find back video's of one of the guys from the ASM team where he has an Xpander in clear view in his studio. Both fantastic synths, but the Hydra can do way more and is obviously way more affordable and reliable.

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

That's right - Also we believe the Ensoniq ESQ-1 was an inspiration for Glen too!

[@macronencer]

This is a nice update. I'm slightly nervous about installing it though, because last time I tried that I ended up bricking the synth and having to send it back to the factory to be reset. I hope whatever caused the firmware updater to hang has been fixed! Maybe I'll try it on a different computer this time - my old laptop is on an older OS...

[@mrcgia1136]

Hi! ASM synths are wonderful and with infinite potential, at least it seems to me. Is it possible to create a realistic acoustic piano sound? Thank you

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

That's a good challenge, it should be possible to make an approximation, but there are probably other choices for an absolutely realistic tone!

[@jedisid]

I didn't even know there was a new update!

[@HouseOfSpheres]

Several weeks ago I was scrolling through my Hydrasynth manual and was disappointed to find out there was no bit depth or sample rate reduction for individual oscillators. Glad to see that they’ve at least somewhat addressed this with the new firmware update.

[@Tigerex966]

Breath control patches?

[@MottiWolkenbruch]

My volume knob is weird when I play a new patch with headphones (with speakers it’s ok): Turning it clockwise, the volume does not increase as it should, but it has louder and less loud positions. Overall, the volume is extremely low. There is massive crackling with the movement. The problem disappears when I add OSC 1 pan value. I already had the unit replaced, but the replacement shows the same behaviour. Anyone know more?

[@happylittlesynth]

Mmmm. Mylar AND Hydra. Tasty, tasty, tasty!

[@christoroppolo8742]

I did a video of the hydra vs the Ani Moog z. I think Moog created the most interesting and powerful digital synth wave juggling engine ever for a digital synth . If they did Ani Moog z as a hardware synth it would crush everything else in my humble opinion.Especially with its ability to record bits of audio and stitch them together to create evolving sounds is something no other digital synth can do that well with a “truly “ intuitive hands on method and a complete overview of all sections for editing like no other .most importantly it is fun to dive deep into which isn’t the experience here for me . But the hydra has already paid for itself in design gigs so it earns my cautious respect.( paying customers literally asked me to get the hydra )but why can’t we just play in sequences? And have it sync perfectly? Beats me. 🤔👽

[@projectvime]

Hi, can you apply voicemod to pan to spread the voices individually?

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

Yes you can!

[@projectvime]

@@Gear4musicSynthsTech Cool! Thx

[@koumospecial]

Well, what about being able to create things while playing instead of menu diving for minutes if not hours?… I want to unlock the potential while playing and not while checking on the manual or KZbin videos on how to do things. And yes it’s a powerful tool (I bought one) but the console needs a complete revamp. Suggestions: Get rid of the knobs. Bring sliders. Bring a decent screen instead of that keyhole “mini me” shit sitting there. Reduce the times a user has to click a button or turn a knob to access something or control parameters AND that doesn’t mean adding a touchscreen. Seriously ! …this is the 21st century. Has ASM heard of Design Thinking or UX? Would that kick the price up? Maybe but then they would create a legendary synth that would sell like warm bread 🥖 . Right now I feel there is a Ferrari engine but with 🐎 reins instead of a steering wheel 🛞 … and that kills expression and creativity.

[@HP-BeatssSynSkrift]

👍

[@MurrayDagostino]

I chose the Modal Argon8 and I’m not regretting it.

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

Also a great synth.

[@macronencer]

FYI "redux" already means "brought back", so it's not really a suitable abbreviation of "reduction".

[@Fluxwithit]

brings you back to the old days of aliasing and low bit rate... lets chalk it up to artistic license for the sake of limited character displays lol

[@macronencer]

@@Fluxwithit Fair enough!

[@Clammyclams]

If Yeezus was a synth

[@hanzvolt]

I Hate the hydrasynth...nah sorry

[@franksaraceno1171]

Thanks - can you import your own waveforms? Or no need to with built in ones?

[@Gear4musicSynthsTech]

You can't upload your own to the best of our knowledge, but given there are 219 waveforms you can smoothly blend between and shape further with Mutants, then there's a massive range of sounds to be had!