ASM Hydrasynth Desktop Synthesizer

General

The last few years have seen a few fresh synths emerge and it's usually the smaller boutique builders that offer more minimalistic machines that fit the standard pattern: oscillor, filter, envelope. Naturally, larger-name brands have done the same by issuing reproductions of vintage synths including features that just couldn't happen at the time of their original release. As such, it's likely that more than a few sound-designers and producers will sigh with particular relief when they encounter the AMS Hydrasynth since, after the influx of 'new' machines that often fall short of actually introducing something new, a straight-up, old-school style synth that, in terms of functionality, dares to open its big mouth.

The Many features of the AMS Hydrasynth

At first look, the face of this desktop machine has all the tight and pleasing features you might hope for; aluminium sides, encoders, pads, displays and chrome-style-capped rotary knobs. This is definitely the desktop version of the Hydrasynth: a digital synth with morphing wavetables, extensive envelopes and just as many LFOs. The size is also considerably substantial but this only makes the whole experience that much more satisfying. The modulation matrix is just as big, the number of effects also matches up and, for spitting refined grooves, a highly comprehensive arpeggiator has been included. Communication and interaction with other devices happens via MIDI, CV and USB, a sustain and expression pedal can also be jacked in and more than enough preset-storage is included (256 factory presets and 384 user presets). While AMS (Ashun Sound Machines) is certainly not the only maker of more affordable synths, it's equally true that not every one of them can do what the Hydrasynth does. A future classic? We think it might be.