New polysynth from ASM - the Hydrasynth (and it has poly aftertouch)

[Eddy Deegan]

Digital 8 voice polysynth, 3 oscillators per voice, 2 filters, 5 envelopes, 5 LFOs. Poly aftertouch and full-length ribbon controller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhBi6rzFkCA

I'd not heard of this one... looks interesting.

Sorry Elf, it's only got a 4 octave keybed (though not sure if longer ones will be an option), and it looks from the video as if it has an external power supply too.

[Logarhythm]

That does indeed look interesting. No UK price I can find yet, but $1299 likely to translate to £1299 these days. Or $799 for a module version, for those who are already drowning under the multiple poly AT KBs around at present

Does have a wall wart though, but may be forgiveable. Full specs: http://www.ashunsoundmachines.com/hydrasynth-key

[The Elf]

Falls at the last fence. Why would anyone design an 8-voice PAT polysynth with 4 octaves?

And external PSU? Nope, not welcome here!

Hopefully I'll get a chance to hear it first hand to see how the digital sound translates. From the few Youtube demos I've heard it's not an 'instawant'.

[Logarhythm]

I've asked them about the prospects for 61/76 key versions, will update if they respond.

[Arpangel]

I thought, jeeze, not another synth, please.

Er-herm.....

THIS IS THE BEST THING IV'E HEARD FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

It actually sounds like a guy I used to know who was a genius synth programmer in a box.
Clive, did you work on this......??
I am going to buy one tommorow, or tonight, if I can find a shop open.
SOS, is this a good review? Will you employ me in the future as your chief synth reviewer?
You must admit, I don't sit on the fence....

[Hugh Robjohns]

There's another demo here https://youtu.be/74NFyK2K85I from Sweetwater which shows off the poly aftertouch a bit better, as well as a broader range of sound possibilities.

I agree, a 61 or 76 note pro version with internal PSU could be very attractive!

[Arpangel]

There's another demo here https://youtu.be/74NFyK2K85I from Sweetwater which shows off the poly aftertouch a bit better, as well as a broader range of sound possibilities.

I agree, a 61 or 76 note pro version with internal PSU could be very attractive!

Hugh, what I found so interesting about the Sonic State video was that it didn't really use typical filter settings, the Sweetwater guy made it sound very conventional. If I'd have first seen that Sweetwater video I wouldn't be feeling inclined to buy one.

[Eddy Deegan]

I have to agree, from the videos I've seen I do like the sound very much and it's certainly an interesting offering. For the time being however, my gear budget has been consumed by the Novation Summit, though I will be keeping an eye open to see what folks do with the Hydrasynth as more end-user demos appear.

That said, 4 octaves is a huge limitation for me. If they bring out a larger version I can see myself giving it some serious consideration in future. I wish them well with it, for sure!

[Arpangel]

I'm not sure, I'm wondering about getting the desktop version now, but what compromises have been made? I take it you won't be getting a ribbon controller, but I'm out of space, so a desktop would be great. I've got an 8 octave keyboard I can plug in, so that gets over the short keyboard issue. But I can't find any in stock, anywhere at the moment.

[Logarhythm]

The desktop version does look interesting at the price, but passes up on the rare chance for a poly AT keybed.
They haven't responded to my questions via Instagram (normally faster than email these days) about the potential for a larger version. Or to those who have asked if there is going to be scope to chain units together to up the polyphony.

[Arpangel]

The desktop version does look interesting at the price, but passes up on the rare chance for a poly AT keybed.
They haven't responded to my questions via Instagram (normally faster than email these days) about the potential for a larger version. Or to those who have asked if there is going to be scope to chain units together to up the polyphony.

That's no good then, if it hasn't hot poly after touch.
I'll back off I think, until a get few more real world opinions.

[thea_cochr]

I'm really interested in the prospect of using a Hydrasynth Desktop with a Roli Seaboard controller.

[Arpangel]

I'm really interested in the prospect of using a Hydrasynth Desktop with a Roli Seaboard controller.

I'm just looking forward to seeing one!

[N i g e l]

I'm just looking forward to seeing one!

5 - 6 weeks apparently

At least theres a ton of stuff on youtube now.

and one song demo on VIMEO

https://vimeo.com/368182467

my favourites are the Sweetwater/Daniel Fisher demos previously mentioned by Hugh

1 1/2 Hrs deep-dive !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chCQz-O4Gns

weird that youtube links dont preview but Vimeo ones do ?

[N i g e l]

Still 6-7 weeks

Some WWW discussion as to whether they are affected by the HK situation.

[Arpangel]

I'm still sort of interested in this, it's vying for a place alongside the Summit as a next poly.
Still not sure.

[The Elf]

The HS strikes me as icing sugar. Definitely on my list, but if I didn't have a 'bread'n'butter' poly it wouldn't be my first choice.

[Arpangel]

The HS strikes me as icing sugar. Definitely on my list, but if I didn't have a 'bread'n'butter' poly it wouldn't be my first choice.

Hmm? I'm only ever after the icing sugar, bread and butter can be picked up anywhere I guess.

[Zukan]

Hydrasynth, Summit and Folderol's Pi thingy caught my eye at Synthfest this year.

[The Elf]

I think Hydrasynth and Summit would compliment each other really well.

At least that's my plan!

[N i g e l]

Hydrasynth, Summit and Folderol's Pi thingy caught my eye at Synthfest this year.

Todays products are certainly eye catching with their colourfull LED bling. I wonder if that look will stand the test of time ?

The hydra synth is definitely niche, being digital with only mono timbral and 8 note poly.

But not just the icing but a layer of marzipan and a good chunk of fruity cake as well.

While its big thing is wavetable it does seem tto have a selection of filters, so maybe VA is a bonus feature. Maybe like blofelds big brother with knobs on and using steroids.

Ive not found out if the waves are programmable, somebodys bound to want to load it with PPG waves. Maybe they are already in there, or emulate-able ?

[BillB]

I'm going to ask one of those stupid 'versus' questions. I have mildly lusted after a Roland System 8, especially since they made the Jupiter 8, Juno 106 and JX3P the default plug-outs. This is because of a somewhat uniformed desire for "the Roland sound" which has been with me for a few decades.
I get that Summit is a more competent synth in terms of modulation, oscillator options etc, but would it cover that ground - "the Roland sound" - or is that better found on the System 8 or even the Deepmind for Juno-esque sounds?

[nathanscribe]

I get that Summit is a more competent synth in terms of modulation, oscillator options etc, but would it cover that ground - "the Roland sound [...]"

Can't speak for the alternatives, but I've got a Peak, and have had a bunch of old Roland gear over the years. The Juno 6/60 have alternated as my go-to simple poly for almost 30 years.

The Peak can do ballpark Juno, but it's not the same. You can get close enough for music, but in a side-by-side trying to match patches, I've found it doesn't get the flavour. The Peak doesn't really have much of a vintage thing going on really, I think. It can be nudged that way, with a bit of drift dialled in, and filter/vca drive to just begin to roughen things a little, but if it's close to any kind of vintage synth it's more like the later 80s than the earlier models. Probably helps to put it through some period-correct effects and whatnot. The onboard chorus, for example, doesn't sound anything like the Juno's. And it's not just about being able to match patches, it's also about the reach and curve of the controls. Sweep envelope modulation on one synth and it's not the same as on the other. That difference in interaction is, I think, part of the character of each device, and although it might not be important when you just noodle on a preset, it becomes more significant when you're playing the sliders.

The whole 'does this new thing sound like this old thing' is an interesting discussion. I've compared a few new re-issues/clones/models to older gear, and even when they're meant to replicate something exactly, they don't sound like old synths so much as like newly made old synths. If that makes sense. 40 years of use will give anything a patina, and it's this the new gear lacks. That's not to criticise it, I love that we can get Odysseys or MS20s or 808s or whatever for less than the price of a month in the Caribbean – but even the truly analogue recreations are going to sound a little cleaner, a little less wayward, than their ancestors. I'm happy with this, I've got outboard that can mucky stuff up just fine, but it's a matter of preference I think (not mentioning the money).

[BillB]

Thanks Nathan.
First of all, I meant Peak, not Summit - I couldn't possibly justify a Summit, but a S/H Peak or System8, maybe...
Secondly, you are consistent with something you have said before, that, if anything, Peak has a late 80's vibe, perhaps more like the DW8000 (digi osc, analogue filters) - which also sounds gorgeous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky8868Xbej0
I have also gone on record as saying that I really don't need any more synths, but that itch...
Let's just call it 'horizon scanning'

[The Elf]

System 8 definitely has the flavour of old Roland synths. I ditched my real JP8 in frustration at having to tune the thing every session. I don't miss my JP8 one bit with the S8 around. Personally I long since forgot about using the Jupiter model per se, since the S8 raw waveforms are identical to the JP8 model, from what I can tell, yet I can enjoy the benefits of the full synthesis capabilities of the S8 native engine. It has one or two quirks - only recently I discovered that you can't apply pitch envelope to only one of the oscillators; not a big deal, but it has a few restrictions like that.

Pity about some of the hardware design choices (4-octave keyboard, external PSU, no aftertouch, plastic case), but it is what it is. For me it's all about the sound.

Peak has a smooth, creamy character more reminiscent of vintage Oberheim to my ears. It certainly treads a path close to my old Xpander. I've turned to it more and more as time has gone on. The fact that each voice has three oscillators is a huge part of the appeal for me - you can create some truly gob-smacking pads and string patches that drip with fat like the Christmas turkey. You can create 'super' versions of waves for each oscillator - and even virtual sync without taking up a second oscillator... and then there's that mod matrix. Peak really is a synth powerhouse. Only the Summit is now going to pry it from my hands.

So if you definitely want that Roland sound the S8 is it. If you want a superb-sounding polysynth that walks its own path, then Peak will not disappoint.