ASM

A
SM’s original
Hydrasynth was
an impressive
debut, so how
how does one go
about creating a
‘deluxe’ version?
In basic terms the Hydrasynth Deluxe
combines two Hydrasynth sound
engines into one unit and marries it
with a 73-note keyboard. Obviously,
there is a little bit more to it than that
but ultimately this version is intended
as the senior partner in a range that
starts with a compact mini-key
straight to the relevant sound engine
component (oscillators, fi lters and
LFOs etc). This very much reminded
me of an expanded version of that
employed effectively by Ensoniq’s
ESQ-1 – a classic hybrid synth from
the 1980s. The extended 73-note
keyboard means that there is a large
slab of free space on the top right of
the synth. This, however, is quite
useful for placing a laptop, mouse or
additional synth, and ASM kindly
provide a screw-on extension bracket
which increases the depth and
usefulness of this area – a nice touch.
The Hydrasynth sound engine is
an all-digital affair, and in this version
offers 16-voice polyphony in single
mode, or two sets of eight-voice
polyphony when using the dual or key
split modes. The synth engine itself
has three oscillators per voice. Two of
the oscillators operate in both Single
and Wavescan modes while the third
is Single mode only. The same range
of wave shapes are available to all
oscillators but Wavescan mode adds
some interesting movement options
not available in the more conventional
single mode (which simply allows you
to choose a waveform from one of the
219 on-board). Wavescan mode is
closest to wavetable synthesis, though
in this instance you can choose up to
eight different waveforms to morph
between (unlike traditional systems
where you are often restricted to a
specifi c wavetable sets). If these were
the only sound generating options
then you’d already have a decent
synth, but the ASM unit goes quite a
bit further as each of the two main
oscillators can in turn be extruded
through the so-called Mutator
Modules (two for each oscillator).
Mutators allow you to dial-in
conventional techniques such as
pulse width modulation (PWM) and
oscillator sync, but also extend to
linear FM and oscillator stacking, to
more obscure forms of phase shifting
and harmonic mutation. These add a
whole additional level of harmonic
mangling to the individual waveforms,
and mean that the synth can cover an
enormous range of tones and timbres.
One important aspect is that, where
relevant, the Mutators include their
own internal oscillator sources,
freeing-up each main oscillator for its
own distinct blend of techniques.
Finally a ring modulation in the noise
section can be pressed into action
before all of these audio streams are
combined in the mixer module.
Next we come to the fi lters which
version (in the guise of the portable
Explorer, see p76).
Hydrasynth Deluxe keeps much of
the look and layout of the original,
with only a few extra buttons and a
balance knob on the front panel as
clues to the functional difference.
This means that once again you get a
solid metal case, backlit buttons,
OLED screens and a combination of
continuous rotary encoders and pots
for making parameter changes.
Programming sounds involves all of
these, with a matrix of module
selection buttons allowing you to dive
THE PROS & CONS
+
Extremely fl exible
oscillators and fi lter
section which allow
the sound engine to
go from analogue-
style warmth to
steely FM coldness
Polyphonic
aftertouch and
ribbon controller
really add to the
realtime control
possibilities
Larger keyboard and
dual sound engine
make this a great
performance synth
-
Module Select
buttons are all lit
with the same colour
even when selected,
which makes
navigation hard
No way to directly
enter patch numbers
ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe | Reviews
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