Ahead of the 2026 NAMM Show, Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) has introduced the Leviasynth, a new 16-voice, 8-oscillator digital / analog hybrid synthesizer.
The Leviasynth combines many of the features that have made its Hydrasynth a hit – including rugged build, the Polytouch polyphonic aftertouch keybed and ribbon controller – with a new hybrid synth engine that combines the best of analog and digital worlds.
It’s available in keyboard and desktop models.
Here’s what they have to say about the Leviasynth:
“With its 4-pole analog filter with pre-drive, create everything from thundering bass to shimmering pads.
At the heart of Leviasynth is an advanced algorithmic sound engine featuring eight oscillators per voice and seven distinct synthesis types, freely configurable across more than 140 algorithms, including user “custom” algorithms. Two independent layers can be stacked or split, while voices may be paired into true binaural stereo sets with independent modulation of carriers and modulators for wide, animated soundscapes.
The signal path fuses digital precision with analog character. A flexible digital filter section, offering 18 models with morphing and drive, feeds a custom analog pre-drive stage into a Q-compensated four-pole analog low-pass filter, delivering depth, weight, and searing warmth.
Modulation and expression form the lifeblood of Leviasynth. Thirteen envelopes, five LFOs, a deep modulation matrix, per-voice modulation offsets, and expansive Macro control keep the sound in continuous motion. Through real-time algorithm morphing, Leviasynth transforms its voices organically, drifting between textures and opening doors to distant sonic depths.”
Leviasynth also offers a three-track sequencer and an eight-mode arpeggiator with Ratchet, Probability, and Entropy controls, designed to work independently or together. Other performance features include deep hands-on controls, expressive Envelope Bias touch response, illuminated wheels, and a four-octave ribbon controller.
The keyboard model features a 61-key semi-weighted Polytouch keybed, while the compact version replaces keys with 16 Polytouch-enabled pads.
Leviasynth Video Demos:
Leviasynth Audio Demos:
Pricing and Availability:
The ASM Leviasynth is available now to preorder, priced at about $2500 for the keyboard version and $1,800 for the desktop model.
No Audio input or output over USB…. that’s just lazy for a mostly digital synth. UDO DMNO will have it.
Suggesting that they’re being ‘lazy’ when they’ve released one of the most advanced synths ever made is a little dramatic, don’t you think?
They were too cheap to put in two simple ADCs and send it over USB. I’m not asking for the world. I just wanted a synth that does midi and audio over one single cable.
Anyways, it’s not that advanced. Typical flexible fm synth topology with an interesting morphing twist. But, rather basic serial filter design. It should have allowed you to use the filters in parallel, and allow selection of which filter comes before the other.
And the effects are still pretty bad.
All the extra stuff like binaural, phase offsets per oscs, vintage-ness etc are cool though nothing we haven’t seen before.
And I don’t want to get talking about other missing synthesis methods. Just feels like a bit too much of the same thing. Would have loved more different kinds of oscillators…
Old mate Walking is the chief judge of all Synthtopia. It’s what he does here in his capacity as the alpha and omega of opinions. We should be humbled that he told us the bean soup is not for him.
In the meantime, I agree with you EMK, this is the most advanced synth I’ve ever seen. The options this thing offers are bloody impressive. Being able to make binaural patches with morphing analog FM algorithms is incredible.
But Walking is clearly right about ASM being lazy.
DMNO will not dominate it? You missed the mark.
Audio over USB introduces audible latency unless your name is RME.
You can just not use the Audio over USB as it would be optional. Lots of companies offer USB audio including small boutiques. And the latency is small and you can offset it with any built in DAW tool. I’d prefer that over having to route cables and require audio interfaces for smaller setups.
It’s not bad on my Ultranova….that being said, I really won’t be using such a feature.
If the audio output is already a digital bitstream, there will be little difference between routing it to a DAC or streaming it over USB as a low-latency isochronous audio stream.
The latency issue with Instruments audio over USB is when you inject it into a plugin (like elektron Overbridge) or use an aggregate device to combine the inputs with your main audio interface (like on Roland instruments). The latency from analog-to-digital conversion itself isn’t an issue, never was.
I was really into the idea at first, but in practice, I never use it unless I use the instrument as my main audio interface, which I rarely do.
Even with elektron, I just use the editor and the recall part of Overbridge, but connect the audio directly
Leviasynth is very nice if you do not already have things that sound like it. All those algorithms remind me of Kurzweil’s VAST.
Seems like a great product, nice price point. My only complaint is the new ASM logo is somehow even worse than the orange one, but they sent enough stickers with my Hydra to fix that.
Could be worse… have you seen the new Fender logo on Studio One? They have it on their new controllers too lol
when i saw the new fender logo i thought: “oh kleenex is doing midi controllers now!”
I’m set with a Peak, Iridium and OB-6, but if I was shopping for a new desktop synth, $1800 isn’t a bad price for something that powerful.
The ability to morph between algorithms is astounding. That’s a new and musical behavior we haven’t seen before. It says “sound design beast” very clearly. If you are more of a keys >player<, it will require some added thought. The feature can clearly sound impressive. It will just require added tweaking, like adjusting a filter envelope to give you a bit of nicely 'faked' touch sensing on an analog poly, for example.
This feels a little like the Roland V-Synth GT did: a serious leap ahead. I think it will become a central instrument for a lot of players.
Heh, kinda dissapointed by these demo’s about the “next evolution of FM” not touching anything beyond the 80s! But anyway, I am super happy to see hybrids are being explored some more (probably sells a bit better than purely digital these days) after all the granular and wavetable toys.
Personally I am not a big fan of FM (I am perfectly happy with my few synths that deliver such sounds without it being their main focus: P12, M, ..), but I am glad for those who do… Sounds like a fine level up from the Opsix! Those analog filters do a lot of lifting here!
It being less affordable like the Hydrasynth, I do expect to not be as put off by the synth via the endless barrage of hype in whichever random synth thread you dive.
Frap Magnolia is an interesting analog through-zero fm synth. Here are some demos https://soundcloud.com/fraptools/sets/magnolia-newsletter-sound/s-X2t5aaD9sXw
Holy sh#t Batman
We cannot talk about this without talking a bit of price. The article says about $2500 – in Norwegian kroner this is about NOK 24900. However Thomann takes pre orders at NOK 42690. Even with some added VAT that is a tad steep (we have 25%VAT here – so it should add up to about NOK31125)
Check evenstadmusikk