ASM Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth Explorer Synthesizer, 37-Key

The Explorer harnesses Hydrasynth power in a portable mini-keys package with polyphonic aftertouch, an intuitive interface, and versatile tone generation.

Overview

The ASM HYDRASYNTH EXPLORER is the ultimate in power and portability, offering the powerful Hydrasynth sound engine together with battery powered operation and an ASM PolyTouch polyphonic aftertouch mid-sized keybed. The greatest attention has been put to its user interface, making sound creation a breeze. This is the ultimate companion for a portable setup, where a smaller footprint is needed.

Utilizing an advanced wavetable synthesis engine, 3 Oscillators, dual Wave Mutators and 2 filters that can be configured in series or parallel, the tone generating capabilities are unmatched.

As for the performance capabilities, The HYDRASYNTH EXPLORER has ASM's proprietary 37-note mid-sized Polytouch keybed that offers polyphonic aftertouch over each note, giving you the type of expressive control found only in certain vintage synths.

Features:

- 8-voice polyphonic digital wave morphing synthesizer
- POLYTOUCH Polyphonic Aftertouch, Note on/off velocity keyboard with 37 mid-sized keys
- Battery powered operation using 8xAA batteries (not included)
- MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) compatible
- Microtuning support via MIDI Tuning Standard files
- 3 Oscillators per voice with 4 Mutators total
- 1 Multimode filter and 1 variable LP-BP/Notch-HP filter per voice
- 640 program locations with Category search
- CV/Gate interconnectivity

Specs

- Type: Polyphonic Wave Morphing Synthesizer
- Sound Engine Type(s): Wavescan
- Analog/Digital: Digital
- Number of Keys: 37 mid-sized keys
- Type of Keys: ASM POLYTOUCH Polyphonic Aftertouch Keyboard, On/Off Velocity-sensitive, Semi-weighted
- Other Controllers: Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel
- Polyphony: 8 voices
- Number of Presets: 640
- Oscillators: 3 x Wavescan oscillators (219 Waveforms), 4 x Mutator wave shapers (8 Types), Noise (7 Types)
- Mutators: 8 Types (FM-Lin, WaveStack, PW-Orig, PW-Squeeze, PW-ASM, Harmonic Sweep, Hard Sync, PhazDiff)
- Noise: 7 Types (White, Pink, Brown, Red, Blue, Violet, Grey)
- LFO: 5 per Voice (Sine, Triangle, Saw Up, Saw Down, Square, Pulse 27%, Pulse 13%, S&H, Noise, Random, Step), Tempo syncable, Semitone Lock
- Envelopes: 5 per voice, Tempo syncable, Variable trigger sources
- Filter Types: 1 Multimode Filter (16 types) and 1 Variable LP-BP/Notch-HP filter, series or parallel routing
- Filters: Filter 1 (LP Ldr12, LP Ldr24, LP Fat12, LP Fat24, LP Gate, LP MS20, HP MS20, LP 3-Ler, BP 3-Ler, HP 3-Ler, LP Stn12, BP Stn12, HP Stn12, LP 1 Pole, LP 8 Pole, Vowel), Filter 2 (LP-BP-HP, LP-Notch-HP)
- Effects: 9 Insert Effects, 5 Delays, 4 Reverbs.
- Effects Types: Chorus, Flanger, Rotary, Phaser, Lo-Fi, Tremolo, EQ, Compressor, Distortion, Delay, Reverb
- Arpeggiator: 8 types (Up, Down, Up&Down, Up/Down, Order, Random, Chord, Phrase)
- Other: Mod Matrix (32 slots), Macro Controllers (8), Favorites (32), Randomizer (Patch and Module), MPE Compatibility, Warm Mode, Microtuning
- Audio Outputs: 2 x 1/4" Balanced (L/Mono, R)
- Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
- USB: 1 x Type B
- MIDI I/O: In/Out
- Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (sustain)
- Other Outputs: 5 x 1/8" Outputs (CV, Gate, Mod1, Mod2, Clock)
- Power Supply: 12V DC switchable power supply
- Height: 2.28" / 5.8cm
- Width: 21.81" / 55.4cm
- Depth: 9.72" / 24.7cm
- Weight: 7.63lbs / 3.46kg

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item: Shipping Weight: 10.5 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 26 x 13 x 5 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): HSMK

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Web: https://www.ashunsoundmachines.com/contact-support

Reviews

(2 ratings)

Submitted December 29, 2023 by Steve Grumpka

"ASM AMAZING! Small, but full pro quality and abilities!"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

First, I want to say zZounds had me a bit concerned with this no credit check thing! I could fully pay for this synth, but figured anyone giving away interest free loans, why not! Thanks zZ! Next, Shipping! Literally barely 2 days! Insane!Now, for the synth! I'm going to be very honest. I opened the box just 20 minutes ago! Quick history, I've been into synths for over 36 years! So, no novice. This thing? If you know anything about synths, especially modern plastic junk, you immediate know what ASM is about! At this price, they are giving it away! It is ROCK SOLID metal case! Only the bottom seems to be plastic. It's not a toy, doesn't feel like a toy. Even the tiny little keys will give you a chuckle, but you realize quickly, very playable. Remember, this is less than half the price of the full 49 key, and $200+ under table top! SAME ENGINE! The knobs, OMG, super solid, super quality! Better than any roland or korg I've ever owned! Even the screens, although tiny? Bright, super sharp, super easy to work with. The sounds? I didn't need to go but 20 or so presets in and was amazed with the instant creative inspirations! The filters are better than many 'analog' synths. I highly doubt you will feel anything but excitement and satisfaction with most everything about this little hidden gem! This is my forth home studio build. Starting out very boutique as I'm going through a divorce. So, not going to put too much into any sort of personal investment. At the price point of the Explorer,… read more it's unlikely I'll be able to find anything that lives up to the build quality and experience! Why a review so fast? I'm just that excited and impressed! First impressions are the ones that count! So, congrats to ASM. I wouldn't doubt there will be a Deluxe 71 key sitting in my studio after the divorce!! (along with a lot less stress).If you want a toys R us plastic synth, go for it. There are many out there. If you want a serious professional beast that is being sold for next to nothing, this is IT! ASM nailed it 1000%. Korg, Roland, those little 'freak' synths? They sound good, but they feel like old Casio plastic. Enough said. Go buy the darn thing before too many others find out what a steal this is!

Musical Background:
36 years of synth experience

Musical Style:
Ambient, New Age, Celtic, Progessive Rock, Viking (lol), and many more I couldn't even give a proper name.

5 of 5 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?