ASM Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth Explorer Synthesizer, 37-Key

zZounds Gear Experts Say...

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
Black: 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

(4 ratings)

Submitted October 26, 2024 by a customer from gmail.com

"Great Synth, Right Size"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.

I just acquired a Hydrasynth Explorer. I've gone through a lot of presets and I find myself lost in the sound. It's really nice. Keys are mid sized but easily played. The after touch is responsive and fun to play around with. I find it's expression surprisingly broad. It's such a great size and portability is easy. It's hefty for it's size. I think it's around 10lbs. The plastic top is tough. It came with a power cord and manual. It's nice to have a printed manual. Easy to update firmware. It does not come with a USB cable to connect to computer for firmware updates, FYI. Overall I believe I've made a good investment.

4 of 4 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?