Ashun Sound Machine Hydrasynth Deluxe
Introducing the Ashun Sound Machine Hydrasynth Deluxe. Offering a duel-engine setup with a total of 16x voices the Hydrasynth Deluxe is a truly versatile 73-note flagship synth. With KeySplit and Dual voice mode patches offering 8x independent voices, the Hydrasynth Deluxe is essentially two Hydrasynths in one instrument. The KEY-BED provides you with great playability and expression as it features polyphonic aftertouch. The easily accessible 4-octave ribbon controller will further add for truly expressive playing. This versatile deluxe synth is perfect for home, studio and live performance use.
Dual Sound Engines
In SINGLE mode the Hydrasynth Deluxe offers 16x voices of polyphony. You can however split the 16voices into two completely separate 8 voice sound engines in MULTI mode. The two MULTI modes for separate sound engine operation includes KEYSPLIT which creates classic keyboard splitting between two patches, and DUAL which enables layering of two patches over the whole keyboard.
A dedicated balance knob for direct adjustment of the mix between LOWER and UPPER parts of the MULTI patch is available on the panel, as well as separate stereo audio outputs and MIDI channel assignments for true bi-timbral operation.
POLYTOUCH & Ribbon Controller
The proprietary 73-note semi-weighted KEY-BED offer users polyphonic aftertouch for full expression. The high-quality key bed allows for both ON/OFF velocity and aftertouch as well as full polyphonic aftertouch. The Hydrasynth Deluxe features a high-quality KEY-BED with 73 standard-sized keys. You can also add an additional level of expression to any patch using the 4-octave Ribbon Controller. Located above the KEY-BED you can freely assign the Ribbon Controller as a source in the Mod Matrix. You can also use it in Theremin Mode where it will send both trigger and pitch.
Oscillators and Mutators
The Hydrasynth Deluxe offers 3x Oscillators that provide you with a selection of 219 single cycle waveforms. Because creating user WAVETABLES on synths is arduous or downright impossible the Hydrasynth Deluxe offers Oscillators 1 & 2 to have a WAVE-LIST mode instead. The WAVE-LIST mode gives uses to pick and choose from 8 waves and from a bank of 219 so you can arrange them in the order you want. Once selected you can then morph from one to another.
Mutators allow you to modulate, bend and sculpt a new sound. Oscillators 1 & 2 can be routed into Mutators in order to alter the sound in new (and old) ways. When using a Mutator it can also generate its own waveforms in both FM and Sync modes. This means that that you do not have to use another Oscillator. However, the routing is flexible so you can choose the other Oscillators as mod sources if you like.
Mixer & Filter Routing
When using one of the 3x Oscillators they are fed into a mixer with the Noise generator and Ring Modulator. Aside from panning, you can mix the levels of the input source. The balance control allows you to choose how much of each source signal is routed to filters 1 & 2. You can also set the filters to series and parallel for ultimate flexibility.
LFO’s and Envelopes
The Hydrasynth Deluxe features 5 Low-Frequency Oscillators. You can create patterns of up to 64 steps with the STEP mode function. This provides you with an amazing amount of possibilities as you have 5x mini step sequencers that allow for shaping your sound. The Hydrasynth Deluxe also offers 10 standard waveforms to choose from. The LFO’s all have delay, fade-in, 3 triggering modes, smoothing, start phase, one-shot mode so that they can act as envelopes and BPM sync.
Furthermore, 5x DAHDSR Envelopes have been included. The 6x stage envelopes feature Delay, Attack, Hold, Decay, Sustain and Release stages. Setting a time setting for the stage can be set in seconds or in time divisions which ensures the envelopes can be played in sync with your song. You can also loop the envelopes to create LFO’s whose shape can be voltage controlled in the modulation matrix. The envelopes have the added ability to be triggered from multiple sources.
Modulation Matrix in the Hydrasynth Deluxe
Arpeggiator & CV/GATE
Hydrasynth Deluxe Macros & Patches
In a live performance situation, the patch MACROS allow the user deep control over the engine. Each of the 8x assignable encoders and buttons can be routed to 8 destinations. This results in a complete sound transformation that can take place with the press of a button or the turn of a knob. In Hydrasynth Deluxe, it is possible to control the macros of both the LOWER and UPPER parts in MULTI mode at the same time.
With 5x banks of 128x patches in total, the Hydrasynth Deluxe offers plenty of choices. The included browser makes searching for the right patch in the library easy. When using the PC/MAC based Patch Manager application it also offers you to create a favourite order that you are comfortable with. You can also load in new patch libraries for future use.