Old gold! The well-respected Blofeld includes user-sample-upload, virtual analogue synthesis, three fast LFOs per voice and four fast envelopes per-voice, 16 parts, arpeggiator, three oscs per-voice (with wavetables) and FM. The arpeggiator has all the standard arpeggio directions plus a few twists (up, down, and/or sideways, sort of). There's also a built-in phrase mode, and version 2.0 adds new features like Step Offset and increases the range to 6 octaves. Parameters like RATCHET and CHANCE will generate other semi-random rhythmic patterns to add life and spontaneity to your performance. You’ll also discover linear FM within the 'mutants' and some unique types of pulse-width modulation. Furthermore, there are five (looping) envelopes per-voice, an amp module, two filter modules, five LFOs, reverb and delay modules, plus pre and post effects. Seldom has a new synth from a new company excited so much anticipation as the Hydrasynth. Should you believe the hype? It's fast and logical: you select a module to work on and tweak the parameters with LED-ringed encoders. Indeed, it's possible to get so fixated on the encoders you entirely forget the dedicated controls. Incidentally, all controls send and respond to NRPNs, rather than the lower-resolution CCs. The resulting parameter changes are smooth and not constrained to 128 possible values. However, NRPNs aren't a perfect fit for step sequencing or generic controller duties, for example, while some expected CCs are ignored, such as CC7 (volume).

Hydrasynth Desktop Polyphonic Synthesizer | Reverb ASM Hydrasynth Desktop Polyphonic Synthesizer | Reverb

This is a free of charge update for all current and new users of Hydrasynth. The biggest news in this update includes: We had no doubt that his attention to detail on the Hydrasynth would be exacting. But sometimes expectations can be misplaced. Does the Hydrasynth live up to ours? The Synth is a beast - simple and complex - its all about how deep you want to dig and how much time you have to explore and learn.Of course, there is more! Using the macro facility, each knob and related button can control eight user-assigned parameters at once – meaning that you can set up your go-to performance parameters and tweak them on fly during a performance or studio jam. Note: each button also has several trigger modes.

Hydrasynth Explorer review | Engadget Hydrasynth Explorer review | Engadget

Each of the oscillators lets you choose from a selection of 219 single-cycle waveforms. And on top of that, two of the oscillators have powerful wavemorphing capabilities. The response is pretty much perfect too – not too hard to trigger, not too easy. This is reason alone to buy it, and an achievement all round. Sounds: Contrary to misconception this can sound very analogue when using the traditional saw and square/pulse waveforms with the FAT24DB Ladder filter. A slight detune and you're away. On top of that you get a further 200 or so waveforms which can be scanned during play for complex and evolving tones. Build quality is flawless, sound quality is pristine and the light show from all the knobs and buttons coming on is a lovely touch.

Polyphonic aftertouch, or poly pressure, allows the player to modulate notes individually from within a range already held down. This requires sensors for every key and is therefore more complex to produce than channel or mono aftertouch. Typically based on a strip beneath the keyboard delivering a single value to the whole synth, channel aftertouch is ideal for monophonic instruments but less effective when applied to a whole chord. This is where the CS‑80 — and just a handful of other synths — score so highly. The Hydrasynth effects chain goes beyond the typical ones found in other synths. Pre-effects and post-effects give you some unique ways to process your sound, including pitch effects, Lo-Fi, EQ, and Distortion.

ASM Hydrasynth Virtual Analog Wave-Morphing Desktop Module

Almost everything in the synth engine can be a modulation destination, including the effects and arpeggiator. MusicRadar verdict: This is a very impressive debut release. The Hydrasynth looks and sounds great, dares you to explore it further – plus, it is impeccably built and fairly priced. There is a lot to like here. The web says A quirky synth with an odd workflow definitely not for beginners. Trying to design a bread-and-butter patch on this synth can take many times longer than on a straightforward VA synth like a Nord or DSI/Sequential. Oscillators also alias a bit more than I had been led to believe by reviewers. But it is very deep and I think it can take you places you haven't been before!As well as performance controls, we saw earlier how straightforward it is to rope in conventional modulators. Of those, the five LFOs are identical, having all the expected waveforms, noise, plus a user waveform with up to eight steps. Each step of this 'almost sequencer' is programmed by those ever-present encoders, with a smoothing option if necessary. With 32 slots to fill, the Hydrasynth's matrix is the tool for programming the interaction with those expressive controllers. It can reach parts of the synth not always open to modulation, such as the effects, arpeggiator parameters, envelope stages and even the levels of other slots, with only a few omissions as of the current firmware (such as Glide and envelope shapes). Allowing you to get the envelopes perfectly in sync with your music, you can adjust the stages in seconds or time divisions. The INIT and RANDOM buttons make it possible to initialize or randomize a complete patch, a specific module, or an individual parameter with a simple press & hold button combination. There's even an option that randomly selects features from other patches to make a new patch. The results are surprisingly good! It has never been easier to find new inspiration.