ASM Leviasynth Desktop synthesiser

General

The ASM Leviasynth Desktop is an outstanding new synth from the makers of the Hydrasynth. Too bad for your savings, but this synth is a must-have if you consider yourself an experienced sound designer. In terms of naming, we are sticking with mythical monsters, and Leviathan really does cover it here. While the Hydrasynth was already an insane synth, the Leviathan synth is at least as potent. However, it is a different synth from the Hydrasynth, and not a successor or extension to it. So, like the Diosynth, it is a new product group within Ashun Sound Machines.

Synthesis in the ASM Leviasynth

At first glance, the device is fairly reminiscent of the Hydrasynth, but then again, if the knobs, dials and logistical layouts work, why do things any differently? The differences, of course, are there. No longer is it all about wavetables, like the Hydra, in the Leviasynth it's all about algorithms - that's the biggest difference. Another difference is the 'raw meat', the oscillators. In the Hydrasynth Deluxe, you got sixteen voices with three oscillators per voice. The Leviasynth also has sixteen voices, but with eight oscillators per voice. With the algorithm, you determine how those eight oscillators work together. There are over 300 waveforms per oscillator, and five LFOs and envelopes are available. A digital and an analogue filter are also ready, with countless types of filters. Effects are not lacking either, so in terms of sound, everything is nice and complete.

Algorithms

A big difference with the Hydra, and that is why this Leviasynth is definitely not a Hydrasynth: it is not based on wavetables, there are no Hydrasynth mutants either. In their place are the aforementioned algorithms and the eight oscillators. There are 144 preset algorithms available, and per patch you can also design your own. And just to mention something: FM synthesis is then of course so up for grabs, as are phase-distortion, phase-modulation, sync and PWM. Coming back to envelopes: someone with FM experience knows that an FM operator should have his own envelope. So it is the same here: the eight oscillators each have their own volume envelope. The five envelopes mentioned earlier are more global, and thus shared for the whole sound. Given the great visual similarities with the Hydrasynth, it is important to have mentioned these details.

Further features

The Hydrasynth has an extraordinary number of extra luxuries, and you'll also find them in the Leviasynth. To start with, of course, what the Hydrasynth Desktop has become so famous for: the very nice polyphonic aftertouch for the pads, the synth is also MPE-compatible. There is also CV/gate support, so you can integrate the Leviasynth into your Eurorack wall. There is more than enough space for storing your presets. There is also a 32-slot modulation matrix here. Do you already have a Hydrasynth keyboard? Then this module (compared to the Keyboard model) might be the most interesting investment to make. After all, you already have their Polytouch keyboard, and in fact that's the only real difference. That way, you can still save a very nice amount of money.