ASM Diosynth digital wind instrument

General

For years, the Hydrasynth (any variant) has been one of the most interesting synthesisers on the market. A very comprehensive synth engine, a pretty clear user interface, and above all an insanely good keyboard with downright addictive polyphonic aftertouch. In that engine, you can also choose monophonic aftertouch, though it remains to be seen if anyone has ever used that setting. For years, Hydrasynth groups have been speculating on social media about "what's next?". Now the answer is there: the ASM Diosynth, and we really didn't see that one coming!

Features of the ASM Diosynth

As you may know, the Hydrasynth is one of the 'wavetable' type, with a lot of possibilities to turn such a wave into something else. The number of possibilities with all those waveforms should really not be underestimated! In the Diosynth, there are 219 synth-waves. However, there are also 128 sample instruments present, from wind instruments, strings, and more. This also includes some less conventional instruments, such as a double bass flute. Both synthetic sounds and samples can be played in combination, up to four wavetable-waves and two sample-waves together! Those with a more adventurous spirit can, for example, combine a trumpet with a synthetic soundscape.

Everything under control

As the Hydrasynth keyboards praise aftertouch, so does the Diosynth. Breath and bite sensors are naturally present, as is a gyroscope for the big movements you make with the Diosynth. An X/Y joystick, two pressure-sensitive pads and three programmable switches are also at your disposal. The Dio itself is not a device on which you will tinker with sounds; you can use external software for that, both for Mac/Windows and iOS/Android. DIN-MIDI, USB-MIDI, Bluetooth-MIDI, and even Bluetooth audio is present - so you can play along with an audio stream. Once again, ASM has beefed up their product considerably, and so is what ASM did with their Hydras; few products are so accomplished and give such a satisfied feeling when you fiddle with them. You may also understand where the price comes from; the Dio is not just another digital wind instrument.

Target audience of the Diosynth

There are not very many manufacturers who make this kind of electronic wind instrument, the market is naturally also somewhat limited. After all, you need wind players who will accept such an instrument alongside their real instrument, and musicians can be somewhat conservative. After all, if guitarists already feel that their new guitar should really resemble a 1960s guitar anyway, what about a synthesiser that should resemble an acoustic instrument hundreds of years old? The Diosynth, then, is of particular interest to wind players who are profressively inclined. And let's also not forget that the Hydrasynth's engine (i.e. even without the new waveforms) is already capable of creating horns that can rival samples, for example. The Hydra is definitely not a synth for little useful bleeps and blops. Instead, in terms of expression, it is an incredibly human and beautiful synth, and you find those qualities in the Diosynth as well.

"What's next?"

And so we get back to where we started; what's next? Is there perhaps also a new keyboard hydrasynth on the assembly line containing these samples? Until we know the answer, we can only recommend the Diosynth to wind players interested in unusual soundscapes. The quality is plentiful - an unexpected treat from Ashun Sound Machines!