Anyone here using the Hydrasynth Explorer as a midi controller for other synths? can you give me feedback on how practical it is for that purpose (quickly changing midi channels, for example)?
I used it with Syntakt. The arp can be synced. You can map CCs to macros, envelopes, lfos, keytrack, etcā¦
Midi channel can be set on 7th System Setup page, and afaik you have to scroll page each time (it goes back to first page).
I donāt like ribbon pitchbend and modwheel, but it is usable.
I donāt feel confortable with aftertouch yet, but Iām new to it and didnāt take the time to set it up for my personnal taste.
From what I read and specs I think HSE is better than a Keystep 37, but I didnāt try it.
Thanks for the feedback!
Thatās kinda of a bummer, I was hoping for a quicker way to change midi channelsā¦ I might have to reconsider, then. 
Remember last page option would be nice.
A midi processor would allow you to set the midi channel with a macro assigned to a CC.
That means pressing one button seven times. I donāt know about others but once i know, itās fast.
Itās four presses on all the other HS. Itās because the Explorer screen is smaller.
PLUS : Unless the Explorer is different which i doubt, you are allowed to change MIDI TX channel freely and stay on that page. It sends a CC: All Notes Off on channels in between, which needs to be said. Itās only if you want to use the Master Controls for an other function, youāll need press the System button multiple times then to get back to the MIDI TX page. All the fixed controls are usable though, without the page changing.
Sorry this post is long, just trying to be accurate.
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Ah, so youāre saying if I only want to use it as a midi controller, I could open that config page and leave it open to quickly change the channel, is that it?
Yes you can change the MIDI TX channel all day and stay on that page. But if you wanted to use those same Macro Control knobs for another function, like most usefully for your need, as custom macro CC controls, then you leave the System page.
Annoying is if you have changed the MIDI TX channel and donāt set it back to what it was originally there is a small delay writing the changes to memory. ( Is this delay the same on the Explorer, i have the HSK ? )
Thatās why an external channel switch may be preferable.
All the gyrations possible with the Mod Matrix, are still available. It would have been nice as a controller, if MIDI channel was settable with the CC number in the Macros and the Mod Matrix, but it is not.
But if you only want to be able to change MIDI TX channel, just for the keyboard, wheels, ribbon ( if applicable ), Mod Matrix, you can stay on that System page.
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Thanks, that was very helpful!
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I like ribbon pitch bend/mod wheel since having that on the AX Edge.
The feel of the mini keys was pretty similar when I tried them in store.
Keystep has a sequencer and only MonoAT from my understanding. Also I believe the chord mode transmits through MIDI.
Hydrasynth Explorer has PolyAT and the ability to act as an MPE controller. No sequencer and the chord button doesnāt transmit over MIDI from my understanding.
I donāt know if the Keystep has NoteOff velocity but the Explorer does.
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Thanks for precisions.
I guess HS Mod Matrix with CC destination can bring another level of control (with sources like envelopes, lfos, aftertouch, keytrackā¦)
I can confirm it is pretty fast on HS E. You can change channels staying on that page. I could record 11 tracks on ST without issue, except changing channel before releasing keys : no notes off sent, stuck notes. Not surprising. Just have to release notes before channel change.
Btw I didnāt notice All Notes Off behavior exiting System Setup, nor changing channels, Iāll check later with a midi monitor to be sure.
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Apparently. And it has also a Warm mode, Start Stop arp, Slide, channel pressure, natural scale, releaseā¦
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The big knob is cutoff?
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wow, with natural release!!
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Iām in the process of eliminating preset patches as my Explorer came with every bank filled with presets. Iām thru banks A, B, and C so far. So far I have 159 keepers, 164 that will be chucked into the abyss, and 60 āmaybesā that will most likely also be thrown to the wolves. And 10 that I would rate as top tier stars.
Iām hoping to clear up a bank for the Board of Canada (128 total I think) and 128 for me.
I created a spreadsheet ā¦ ASM has an excel file on their website but it didnāt correlate to the order of presets on my Explorer so I just started from scratch. Kind of a pain, but I would rather have quality vs quantity at my disposal. With 640(!) presets to go thru, they have to impress me quickly to stay.
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In regards to the keys for the Explorer, they have almost an identical feel to the Arturia Keystep 37. The Explorer has a little more travel distance for the MPE effects. That is how it feels to me.
Also, I just got thru grading the bank D preset patches ā¦ much better presets on average than banks A, B, and C. I know bank E has some really good ones as I started randomly going thru those over the last week.
Maybe it is just more my style, but if you just got an Explorer and are checking out preset patches, I would recommend starting from Bank E and going backwards to check out how the Explorer sounds. Bank C seemed the weakest (70 of my throw-away are in Bank C). Bank B has 57 throw-away.
That is if it is setup the same as mine (no idea of knowing ā¦ as noted, for some reason the patch listing on ASMās website does not correlate to the order on my machine)
Keep in mind thereās 2 versions of the banks and I found the V2 one was much better as it weaved the 3 banks by sound designers in and updated some of the presets.
These are available in the Hydrasynth Patch Manager as the Legacy and V2 sound banks.
Your banks likely didnāt match the spreadsheet as you were on the Legacy banks.
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Oh crap, I need to go thru them again 
As long as I donāt need to type stuff out, it should be ok. Good to know, I will try hooking up the preset manager over the next few day. Time for bed.