I just want to make sure you’re not using older info.
The patch storage space increased with the firmware 2.0 release. This expanded the total internal patch storage from 640 to 1,024 patches.
Also see this post for a ribbon option on the HSD.
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Thanks, ive seen that ribbon long time ago but it’s really hard to find in Europe.
Schneidersladen
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Quick question, the ladder filter : can the hydrasynth sounds like a Moog with a bit of work ? Does it cut through a mix like a Moog ?
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There are 8 banks (A - H) of 128 presets each with the latest firmware. There is a lag when switching presets which people find annoying for live play - you have to find some way to fill the gap.
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The HS architecture frequently allows you to take two patches and set up a new patch that will allow you to morph quickly from one set of patch characteristics to another. These techniques are not completely universal, nor totally flexible, but it can work pretty well.
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Also, on the Deluxe in Multi Mode, you can change the preset on one layer while the other layer continues to play.
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I was just listening to some nice Opsix patches from Jexus ( post ), so decided to see what they did for the HS. These are from after the link above.
Nice !
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If you get a chance, read his write ups on the synths on his page
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I’ve seen a Stock-B Hydrasynth keyboard that was an exposition/demo one in a big national music shop (selling mostly via internet), it’s 10% off with only 6 months warranty. Not really good as an offer, isn’t ?
Warranty is bugging me. Are ASM synth usually reliable ?
Depends on which version. The Deluxe has an output issue when changing patches–essentially a loud noise burst. You’d have to send it in for repair. From the FB group, I have yet to see someone with the Deluxe not have the issue.
The 49 key seemed to be the most stable and I had no issues with mine when I had it. I sold mine but miss it quite a bit.
I have the Hydrasynth Explorer which had the display go out, also a known issue with Explorers but random if it goes out on your unit or not, so this one’s a crapshoot.
Overall it’s reliable. In all cases, ASM are usually pretty fast to respond and have them fixed and sent back quickly and the warranty is probably from them is longer.
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I have a Deluxe and have experienced the noise burst issue. It happens rarely but I’ve almost jumped out of my seat on a few occasions.
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I think we had a couple of LED failures in the thread ( probably the driver ). Mine from the first manufacturing batch has been flawless.
I also know ASM has covered repair outside of warranty on something they saw as a manufacturing issue. That’s to their credit.
If the seller is not giving a good deal on the unit, i say pass. It’s not a rare synth so another one will come along. ( If it’s on something like Reverb-dot-com you could make an offer. )
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Thanks guys. If there was a 3 year warranty like Thomann does on it’s Stock-B I would go for it but that’s the biggest money Im putting on a synth so I think I will go for a new one since the same shop does 12 month financing free of charges.
Still pondering, big bucks for little me !
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Only you can tell what is your ceiling, but I feel that 10% and not much warranty is hardly worth the savings, if the possibility is you ending up with a 1100€+ brick.
I would also consider getting the desktop honestly. Poly after-touch keys are a great thing, however, a cheaper desktop will save you about 500€, and you do get the same exact sound. You can always purchase a good keyboard later and split the pain, but I do know some people really dig keyboard synths for several reasons I don’t even disagree with.
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Exactly.
I was tempted by the desktop but Im really into having a polyphonic aftertouch kb AND the ribbon controler, for the Hydra but also to use with arturia’s CS80 vst (im more and more into ambient and Blade Runner type jams)
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Received my HydraS keyboard today, and I feel like talking about it.
Really solid stuff, VERY impressed by the quality build !
I went through the first 2 banks, nothing revolutionary but I can see the possibilities, so : quite impressed again.
For the sound, it’s what I expected, I can see that it can sound warm too, just need to work on it. All those parameters are making my head spin !
I send it through my Syntakt for the Drive and Filter, it’s great. I found that I need to send the volume to it at only a quarter of the Master, otherwise it get “cracky” if I play “hard”, maybe aliasing (I dont know much about that) ?
I LOOOOVE the keyboard and though I don’t really like the feel of the ribbon Im fond of having one now, can’t get enough of the theremin mode 
I found the AnalogFL and Warm parameters, they are a tiny bit hardcore to my taste. What do you think of those ?
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For me the HS is best at creating acoustic like sounds, sounds that live in that space between instruments and synths - not full on physical modelling but sort of close.
Warm mode isn’t that useful for that, but analog feel can some times be useful, as can subtle microtuning scales.
With all the mod options and sources available there is a lot you can do yourself without using Analog Feel. Warm mode seems like an EQ curve is applied to the output. I could be wrong of course…
The HS does make you work hard for your gratification though. It’s not an easy or immediate synth IMO
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I was tweaking some bell preset earlier and that’s EXACTLY what came to my mind !
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