The latest Sonic State Sonic Lab review, host Nick Batt takes a look at the new ASM Hydrasynth.
With the Hydrasynth, ASM bucks the cheap retro analog trend, instead delivering an 8-voice wavetable synth design, with some rare pro features like polyphonic aftertouch and a ribbon controller.
“I think this is a prime example of how to design a heavily featured digital synth, notes Batt. “I can’t really find fault with it.” He adds that, at £1,299/$1299, the Hydrasynth is “a very reasonable (possibly under-priced) proposition.”
Check out the video and let us know what you think. Is it time for more forward-looking synth designs with expressive performance features>?
“I think this is a prime example of how to design a heavily featured digital synth”
I agree.
I’m impressed. This is a great price, great sound, covers the same sort of sonic territory that Waldorf’s MicroWave did with a superior UI and what seems to be great build quality. I’d have to sell something else to make room for it…and if it feels as nice as it looks, I think I just might.
This looks pretty spectacular. The question is, can it do bass? I just haven’t heard demos where it is able to grind good bass, although on paper there is no reason it shouldn’t be able to.
It definitely can! Deep punchy digital fm bass, smudgey, thick “analog” bass. But yeah I agree, most of the demos are showing off pads and strings
Cool!
A+
Dear Dave Smith & Sequential Co. Inc.,
Here is the benchmark, the bar is set, to meet or beat for the future Pro 3.
(You too, Roland-Yamaha-Korg-Waldorf)
Such a beautiful beast… looks as awesome as it sounds !
Jesus H Christ my brain hurts just taking in all those features/options. Im with Robert D if this was the PRo-3 it would be a massive hit. This thing is seriously tempting me to buy my first digital synth!
I had high hopes for this – especially with the poly aftertouch, but It doesn’t seem to be an inherently musically-pleasing synth based on this demo. Screechiness seems to predominate.
Unfortunately for me, 8 voice is a deal breaker.