Hydrasynth from ASM

The Lounge Other Gear
#3658

When I think about having keys on every single device it just seems like such a waste of space. In the ideal setup, couldn’t you own 1 single extremely high quality 73-note midi keyboard which has every bell and whistle weighted/aftertouch/etc and then use that to route to all your devices which are keyless.

In the studio setting this would save a huge amount of space, and allow you to buy even more gear. When I see pictures of studio setups and they have stand after stand of full sized keyboards stacked on top of eachother… it just seems so redundant.

I appreciate the idea that having a keyboard detached from the synth removes you a bit from the experience, but depending how you situate things I think it can work. At most having one deluxe midi keyboard in each area, preferably driving multiple keyless synths.

2 Likes
#3659

I had the explorer but leveled up to the keyboard for the use of the ribbon controller. It was a great decision.

4 Likes
#3660

I also don’t want keys on everything. My 61-key SL61mk3 just fits in the keyboard spot in my studio, the Hydrasynth Keyboard fits more comfortably. I don’t miss the extra keys, even though I had a 76-key EX5 long ago in Seattle.

2 Likes
#3661

More differences besides the keys and ribbon, the wheels, more dedicated filter and arp controls, and a big one for me that often gets forgotten … chord mode !

3 Likes
#3662

The wheels are way better on the keys for sure!

2 Likes
#3663

In theory, I agree. In practice, if I swapped my Explorer for the Desktop I’d miss the keys. I sometimes use it as a controller and more often than that I sequence it, but mostly it begs to be played as its own instrument. I’m not even much of a keys person… which might be why I like it that much?

1 Like
#3664

Me too. Mod In for audio in, the extra knobs are very appealing though !

I really appreciated Explorer and Desktop form factor, but if I’d swapped, it would probably be with the Keyboard version (Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel and Ribbon…)

1 Like
#3665

there‘s eq, distortion (and lo-fi) effects build in :wink:

2 Likes
#3666

Drive and osc bit reduction ! :+1:

#3667

Thanks for the replies ya’ll! Reallyyy considering pulling the trigger, but definitely going to wait until after NAMM, to see what’s good.

I’m particularly interested in this thing’s ability to cycle through waves using the different voices and LFOs. I do a quick and dirty version of this on Digitakt with single cycle waveforms and the LFO, but it seems like I could really explore this idea more with Hydrasynth.

#3668

You mean on a wave table, right ?

First be aware the waves are only the 219 single cycle waves built onto the HS. You can’t scan your own single cycle waves, though you do have a wide range of choices. Not everyone is aware of this up front.

There are two ways to select these single cycle waves.

One is making a wavescan table with your choice of 8 waves, and scanning across these. This is nice in that it morphs between each of these waves in the table as you scan. This method can only be used with oscillators 1 & 2.

The other is with the oscillator in Single Mode, where you can scan through any of all the 219 wave forms, though in this mode the HS does not morph between waves, but instead switches between these waves. This way does give access to all 219 waves without modifying wavetables on the fly. This method can be used with any oscillator, 1, 2 & 3.

You can have all three oscillators switching simultaneously, each with It’s own separate modulation control and method, and each with its own changing dynamics and position in the stereo space, plus much more. ( OK, the patch is getting more complicated, but you can also use things very simply too. )

Between these two approaches you can achieve many interesting results.

3 Likes
#3669

I got a desktop and immediately regretted not having the ribbon controller when I saw it used in a video. Definitely a “fun to have” but not a dealbreaker. sniffle :sleepy:

2 Likes
#3670

I got a HS desktop today and I just love how this thing can growl and spit! :laughing:

You could get a Doepfer ribbon controller and plug it into a mod input:

Alternatively it could be possible to DIY a simple ribbon and connect it to the expression pedal input. I don’t know exactly how to do it but I’m not expecting it to be that hard since an expression pedal is just a variable resistor (pot). Unfortunately I couldn’t find anything ready made like this - looks like a gap in the market if you ask me.

Obviously it’s not the same as the keyboard as you lose theremin mode and probably other features but it might still be fun.

3 Likes
#3671

Good thought. This question came up before.

I posted about it over three years back. I am not sure i was making any sense back then. Follow the posts after this as well.

There must be a ribbon with MIDI output. though i didn’t immediately find one via Google.

I have a Kurzweil ExpressionMate in a box somewhere, which is this weird multifunction MIDI controller, from another century, with a ribbon that output MIDI.

Would CV to MIDI with an analog ribbon work ?

Not much help, im afraid.

Take a look at the ZORX ribbons. You could see if crispy did something.

1 Like
#3672

Finally got around to doing the update. I was snowed in for about a week and I had been putting it off because it involved updating the os on my computer first (which I hate doing). I know everyone else here has already done this (months ago) but I’m really happy with the result. I would have been happy even if it had just been the expanded memory slots as I find it a big workflow advantage.
The longer I own this synth the more I like it. It has the opposite of the honeymoon effect. After a couple of years there are very few things I wish were different. Waterfall keys instead of diving board maybe but that’s an uncommon personal preference. Bi-timbral and more keys? Maybe someday I’ll upgrade to a deluxe.
Nothing important to report, I just wanted to gush about this thing as it’s become one of my favorites.

9 Likes
#3673

I didn’t even consider this, thanks for the info! I forgot about those little dodads

1 Like
#3674

4 Hydrasynth recordings randomly played with OT…

17 Likes
#3676

This is great.

Not sure I understand how you made it. Are you saying these are sampled loops that are playing randomy on the octatrack?

1 Like
#3677

Thanks ! I recorded 4 patches (+“Live Thru” Lemondrop and Blackhole pedal reverb, hence noisy recording) in Octactrack, then played them randomly with rdm lfo on start.
Played at 30 bpm, I didn’t sync anything, didn’t use timestretch. Unexpected results, not my favorite parts in this one. I should select some slices maybe.
On an OT scene I selected specific start points.

OG recordings :




11 Likes
#3678

Listening to this in a crowded U8 from Kotti going north in Berlin.
Perfect soundtrack.
Thank you for posting :pray:

2 Likes