NAMM 2020: ASM’s Hydrasynth is a feature-rich eight-voice polysynth
Find out what’s new in the 1.3 firmware update from NAMM.
NAMM 2020: Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) has been showing off Hydrasynth, an eight-voice polysynth with a raft of cool features. The instrument is available with a 49-note keyboard or as a desktop version with pads. Both formats feature ASM’s new polyphonic aftertouch tech, which the brand has aptly named “polytouch”. Here are the details:
Digital wavetable
The polysynth offers up to eight voices, with three oscillators each. The oscillators themselves can be loaded up with 219 waveforms. Adding to these components are four mutators that are designed to execute “complex FM synthesis” in addition to pulse width modulation, hard sync and harmonic sweeping. For stranger and denser sounds, you can rely on the Wavestack function that generates five detuned copies of incoming waves.
Filters and modulation
Besides its feature-laden digital wavetable, Hydrasynth also boasts two filters that can be configured in either series or parallel. And as for modulation, you’ll be armed with five loopable envelopes and five LFOs. These go into a modulation matrix that has 32 modulation slots for you to save preferred routing settings.
Polytouch tech
Polytouch enables you to play Hydrasynth more expressively, ASM says. Applied to the polysynth’s keyboard version, this aftertouch feature is designed to add “life and dynamics” to your sounds, the brand says. On the desktop version, you’ll find 24 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads – in place of keys – that also boast polyphonic aftertouch functionality.
Hear the sounds of Hydrasynth below:
More info at ashunsoundmachines.com.
