ASM HYDRASYNTH Owner's Manual
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ASM HYDRASYNTH Owner's Manual

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Summary of Contents for ASM HYDRASYNTH

  • Page 1 Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 2 Special Thanks DESIGN & DIRECTION PRODUCT MANAGER ENGINEERING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN TESTING SOUND DESIGN MANUAL...
  • Page 3 Important Safety Instructions Save Your Ears! Precautions Include, but Are Not Limited to, the Following: Specifications Subject to Change Before Requesting Service...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Rear Panel Make Some Noise! Hydrasynth Desktop Check for Updates Attaching the Rack Ears That’s Enough Reading for Now. SHIFT + Pad Functions Overview Top Panel: Hydrasynth Keyboard Top Panel: Hydrasynth Desktop General Concepts Understanding the Modules Module Groups Main Systems...
  • Page 5 The Amp Module How the Parameters Interact Other Modules Module Shortcuts The Envelopes What’s an Envelope? The Oscillator Group Oscillators 1 and 2 Envelope Shortcuts Oscillator 3 Mutants 1–4 The LFOs What’s an LFO? LFO Shortcuts The Effects Pre- and Post-FX Ring-Noise Module Waveform List The Mixer Module...
  • Page 6 More Shortcuts Voice Parameters: page 2 Modulation Sources Modulation Destinations The CV / Gate Section Basic Concepts Voice Parameters: page 3 A Few More... Output Connectors Ribbon Controller (keyboard only) Theremin Mode Input Connectors Esoteric Uses The Ribbon as a Mod Source The Ribbon as a Trigger Source The Arpeggiator Section Arp Edit Mode...
  • Page 7 [SHIFT] + Control Knob X [SHIFT] + Control Button X Scales MIDI CC Charts Keys / Pads: Page 3 Sorted by Module Sorted by CC Number Hydrasynth Specifications MIDI: Page 4 Keyboard Desktop Connections: Rear Panel Connections: Top Panel MIDI: Page 5...

  • Page 8: Welcome To Hydrasynth

    Welcome to Hydrasynth! Main Features Hydrasynth Specifications (p. 107) User interface Patch features Sound engine...

  • Page 9: Keyboard-Specific Features

    Effects Hardware Keyboard-specific Features Desktop-specific Features...

  • Page 10: Quick Start Guide

    Quick Start Guide Inside the Box Save Your Receipt! Plug It In Power Master Volume control Audio Using a mixer MIDI Using headphones without...

  • Page 11: Make Some Noise

    CV/Gate The CV / Gate Section (p. 82) Make Some Noise! Select Patches Octave shift Using the Browser (p. 85) Arpeggiator basics Arpeggiator: Both units Control Function...
  • Page 12 The Arpeggiator Section (p. 71) Keyboard-specific controls Arp parameters: page 2 (p. 72) Control Function Tweaking the sounds The Home page: Macro City The Filter section Mastering the Macros (p. 74) Master Control Section (p. The Filters and their Controls (p. 43) Saving Save the Patch (p.

  • Page 13: Check For Updates

    Check for Updates www.AshunSoundMachines.com That’s Enough Reading for Now.

  • Page 14: Overview

    Overview Top Panel: Hydrasynth Keyboard Section Name Section Name Top Panel: Hydrasynth Desktop Section Name Hydrasynth Desktop (p. 24)

  • Page 15: General Concepts

    General Concepts Access buttons Control buttons Master: Page 2 (p. 90) Function buttons Module Select buttons select Control knobs The Mod Matrix (p. 78)

  • Page 16: Main Systems

    Knob types The displays Selection knobs Swing (p. 71) The Arpeggiator Section (p. 71) Variable knobs Main Systems Patch selection Browse 6 15 Patch knob Using the Browser (p. 85) Favorites (Shift + Browse) Left / Right arrows...
  • Page 17 The HOME button Initialize a Module All Notes Off Initialize a Patch The SAVE button The RANDOM button Randomize a parameter Save the Patch (p. 87) System Setup Randomize a Module The System Setup Pages (p. 89) The INIT button Reset a parameter Random Patch generation...

  • Page 18: Master Control Section

    The SHIFT button Percent of Randomization Random Patch selection Control Combinations (p. 98) Master Control Section Understanding the Modules (p. 30) Mastering the Macros (p. 74) EXIT button...

  • Page 19: Cv/Gate Section

    VOICE button MACRO ASSIGN button Mastering the Macros (p. 74) Voice module (p. 31) MOD MATRIX button PAGE Up / Down buttons The Mod Matrix (p. 78) CV/Gate Section The System Setup Pages (p. 89) The CV / Gate Section (p. 82)

  • Page 20: Arpeggiator Section

    Arpeggiator Section Arpeggiator Section (p. 71) Filter Controls The Filters and their Controls (p. 43) Module Select PAGE Up / Down buttons (p. 19) Performance Controls...

  • Page 21: Front Panel (Keyboard Only)

    Select a Scale (p. 67) The Voice Module (p. 64) Overflow (p. 94) Chord mode (keyboard only) Ribbon controller (keyboard only) Ribbon Controller (keyboard only) (p. 69) Front Panel (keyboard only) Headphone jacks Phones volume control...

  • Page 22: Rear Panel

    Rear Panel 23 24 25 26 27 Rear panel of the Hydrasynth desktop model is pictured Section Name Description Outputs Control Inputs Headphones Sustain Expression The System Setup Pages (p. 89) Stereo Outputs...
  • Page 23 MIDI Power Cable lock MIDI Out MIDI In On/off switch MIDI Thru Kensington lock...

  • Page 24: Hydrasynth Desktop

    Hydrasynth Desktop Attaching the Rack Ears 1. Undo the 3 screws on each of the side panels. 2. Put one of the rack ears on the appropriate side of the unit. 3. Use the screws you removed to attach it.
  • Page 25 Changing the Pad Key 1. Hold [SHIFT] through the final step. 2. Press the top-row pad labeled [KEY]. The Left display shows the current Pad Key. The bottom two rows of pads show colors representing a single chromatic octave: yellow = the current root note (C), blue = white keys, green = black keys, grey = inactive.
  • Page 26 Pad Modes Octave Row Key Lock (p. 67) Octave Row and the Pads Chromatic Fretboard Where is Octave Row? Note: Fretboard is the only mode in which grey pads indicate notes that are outside the selected scale. Octave Pad Scale vs. Voice Scale (p. 29) To view Octave Row mode, select the Major scale ([SHIFT] + pad 2) and change the Pad Mode again.
  • Page 27 Pad Mode examples Chromatic: C Pad # Pad Mode = Chromatic, Pad Key/Scale = C Chromatic; = root (yellow), # = red, all others = blue Chromatic: C# Pad # Pad Mode = Chromatic, Pad Key/Scale = C# Chromatic; = root (yellow), # = red, all others = blue Fretboard: C Major Pad # Pad Mode = Fretboard, Pad Key/Scale = C Major;...
  • Page 28 Fretboard: C Major x2 Pad # Pad Mode = Fretboard, Pad Key/Scale = C Major; Voice Scale = Major = root (yellow), CAPS = in scale (blue), lower case = quantized to note in scale (grey) Fretboard: C# minor Pad # Pad Mode = Fretboard, Pad Key/Scale = C# minor Octave Row: C Major Pad #...
  • Page 29 Octave: C Major Pad # Pad Mode = Octave, Pad Key/Scale = C Major; = root (yellow), in-scale notes = blue Octave: C Maj Pent Pad # Pad Mode = Octave, Pad Key/Scale = C Chromatic; = root (yellow), # = red, all others = blue Pad Scale vs.

  • Page 30: Understanding The Modules

    Understanding the Modules Module Groups Oscillator group The Filters and their Controls (p. 43) Envelope group The Oscillator Group (p. 33) Mixer module LFO group The Mixer Module (p. 41) Filter group Filter 1 Filter 2...
  • Page 31 Amp module FX group LFO 2 Amount Velocity The Effects (p. 58) Amp Level The Amp Module (p. 47) Other Modules Voice module Ribbon (keyboard only) Ribbon Controller The Voice Module (p. 64) (keyboard only) (p. 69) Module Shortcuts Create Mod routes Modulation Sources (p.
  • Page 32 Select Macro Destinations Modules that will Modules Copy/Paste is possible between... Mastering the Macros (p. 74) Modules that won’t Copy / Paste settings Modules Copy/Paste NOT possible... Copy / paste procedure...
  • Page 33 The Oscillator Group Oscillators 1 and 2 Waveform List (p. 40) Switching modes Single mode Parameter Range Description Waveform List (p. 40))
  • Page 34 WaveScan mode Parameter Range Description Wavelist Edit page Oscillator 3 Oscillators 1 and 2 (p. 33) The Mixer Module (p. 41)
  • Page 35 Mutants 1–4 Mode Description FM-Lin FM-Lin parameter Range Description...
  • Page 36 WavStack Depth Dry/Wet OSC Sync OSC Sync parameter Range Description About Ratio four...
  • Page 37 Pulse Width modulation PWM parameter Range Description PW-Orig PW-Sqeez PW-ASM [Warp]...
  • Page 38 Harmonic Harmonic parameter Range Description...
  • Page 39 PhazDiff Parameter Range Description 1. Initialize the patch by pressing [INIT] twice. 2. Press [MUTANT 1] to access that Mutant module. 3. Use Control knob 1 to select the PhazDiff mode. 4. Use Control knob 8 to set the Dry/Wet control to 50%. This provides an equal blend of the raw wave and its mutation.
  • Page 40 Waveform List Waveform group Waveforms Waveform group Waveforms...
  • Page 41 The Mixer Module Page Feature Range Description Setting Levels The Solo Function...
  • Page 42 Set the Pan Positions Osc 1-3 Pan Ring + Noise Pan Filter Routing of Sources Osc 1-3 Filter routing Ring + Noise Filter routing Filter Configuration Filter Routing of Sources (p. 42)
  • Page 43 The Filters and their Controls Filter 1 Filter 1 types Name Description Name Description Compensated vs. Uncompensated filters Filter 1 parameters: page 1...
  • Page 44 Control knob Parameter Range Description Control LFO 1 amount The Mod Matrix (p. 78) Cutoff Vel Env Resonance ENV 1 amount The Mod Matrix (p. 78)
  • Page 45 Keytrack increase decrease Filter 1 parameters: page 2 Control Parameter Range Description knob Filter Route Drive Route Filter Routing of Sources (p. 42) Post Vowel Order Drive...
  • Page 46 Filter 2 Filter 2 parameters Control knob Parameter Range Description Filter 2 Types Morph Filter 1 parameters: page 1 (p. 43)
  • Page 47 The Amp Module Control knob Parameter Range Description How the Parameters Interact LFO 2 Amount decrease Amp Level Velocity...
  • Page 48 The Envelopes What’s an Envelope? Envelope features Looping envelopes ADSR plus Modulation and interaction Adjustable curves Envelope Shortcuts (p. 52) Envelopes 1 and 2 Time-based segments Mod Matrix (p. 78) The wonderful thing about triggers Reset (p. 50)
  • Page 49 Envelope parameters: page 1 Control knob Parameter Range Description BPM Sync settings Value Duration...
  • Page 50 Envelope parameters: page 2 Control knob Parameter Range Description Envelope curves Reset Set speaker/headphone levels low Legato...
  • Page 51 Reset = On: Reset = Off: Freerun Envelope loop Envelope parameters: page 3 Control Parameter Range...
  • Page 52 Envelope Shortcuts Copy Env A to Env B Create a direct Mod route...
  • Page 53 The LFOs What’s an LFO? LFO features Vibrato settings (p. 66) LFOs 1 and 2 The Mod Matrix (p. 78) LFO parameters: page 1 Control knob Parameter Range Description...
  • Page 54 BPM Sync option Phase Level Value Duration TrigSync Poly: Single: Off:...
  • Page 55 LFO parameters: page 2 Control knob Parameter Range Description Smooth One-Shot The Step LFO SemiLock...
  • Page 56 Key / pad note entry Keyboard: Pads: Hydrasynth Desktop (p. 24)
  • Page 57 More Step LFO ideas Mod Matrix (p. 78) LFO Shortcuts Copy LFO A to LFO B Create a direct Mod route...
  • Page 58 The Effects Pre- and Post-FX Bypass Chorus Control knob Parameter Range Description...
  • Page 59 Flanger Control knob Parameter Range Description Rotary Control knob Parameter Range Description Phaser Control knob Parameter Range Description...
  • Page 60 Lo-Fi Control knob Parameter Range Description Tremolo Control knob Parameter Range Description Control knob Parameter Range Description...
  • Page 61 Compressor Control knob Parameter Range Description Distort Control knob Parameter Range Description Delay Types Basic Mono Basic Stereo Pan Delay LRC Delay Reverse...
  • Page 62 Delay Parameters Control knob Parameter Range Description Reverb Types Reverb Parameters Control knob Parameter Range Description Freeze the Reverb Mastering the Macros (p. 74)
  • Page 63 Mod Route Shortcut...
  • Page 64 The Voice Module Voice Parameters: page 1 Control knob Parameter Range Description Polyphony settings Density & Detune Density Poly, Mono, Unison Detune Random Phase Lo, Hi, or both...
  • Page 65 7 5 3 1 2 4 6 8 Alter Stereo mode: Alter Random Rotate Warm mode 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 1-7-8, 2-3-4, 5-6-7, 1-2-8, White noise from Hydrasynth with Warm Mode ON (left) and OFF (right) Voice Parameters: page 2 Control knob Parameter Range Description...
  • Page 66 Pitch Bend Glide settings Vibrato settings logarithmic exponential Theremin Mode (p. 69) linear...
  • Page 67 Voice Parameters: page 3 Control knob Parameter Range Description Scales (p. 101) Master: Page 2 (p. 90) Master: Page 2 (p. 90) Key Lock Select a Scale Scales (p. 101) Master: Page 2 (p. 90). Custom Scale Scale Edit Quick assign...
  • Page 68 Clear a note Individual note assign Microtonality www.AshunSoundMachines.com Selecting a Microtuning Scale Master: Page 2 (p. 90). Snap...
  • Page 69 Ribbon Controller (keyboard only) Pitch bend Mod Only The Mod Matrix (p. 78) Lock Global Theremin Hold Lock Global Theremin Mode Hold Lock Global Theremin parameters: page 1 Theremin parameters: page 2 Key span Key Lock Scale Octave shift Custom Scale (p. 67) Quantize Glide Wheel volume...
  • Page 70 The Ribbon as a Mod Source The Mod Matrix (p. 78) RbnAbs Ribbon Absolute RbnAbs+ Ribbon Absolute Positive RibbnRel Ribbon Relative The Ribbon as a Trigger Source Envelope parameters: page 3 (p. 51).
  • Page 71 The Arpeggiator Section Arpeggiator basics (p. Arp Edit Mode Arp parameters: page 1 Octave mode Tempo Dn (down) MIDI: Page 4 (p. 92) Division UpDn Swing Alt 2 Octave Gate...
  • Page 72 Mode Down Up / Dn Arp parameters: page 2 Up & Dn Tap Trig Order Random Chord Phrase Phrase Ratchet Length Chance...
  • Page 73 ClkLock after Additional Arp Features Latch and Sustain Latch Sustain [LATCH] LED status Initialize the Arp...
  • Page 74 Mastering the Macros Home Page Master: Page 2 (p. 90) Make a Macro Many orange-lettered Access buttons are lit now; these are potential destinations. Assign a Destination The bottom Control button cycles through Additional information for some steps is all of the fields, and also escapes the value included below in italics.
  • Page 75 The MacroBtn parameter on System The Macro knob/button pair you are Setup page 2 defines the behavior of the editing will behave this way on the Home Macro buttons: If the setting is “Trigger” or page. “Reset” the button is a Trigger. When set to “Toggle”...
  • Page 76 Macro Button Response The System Setup Pages (p. 89) Toggle Switch Reset Trigger When MacroBtn setting is... [SHIFT] + Macro button response is...
  • Page 77 Preset Macro Name List Name the Macro (p. 75) Macro name Macro name Macro name Macro name Macro name...
  • Page 78 The Mod Matrix Creating Mod Routes Additional notes are entered below some steps in italics. The Whole Process ...unless you used Shortcut 3 in step 5 already. The orange-lettered buttons are now lit; these are the available source modules. The Shortcut Shortcut 1: Hold [SHIFT] while turning the Control knob to jump through modules by category.
  • Page 79 Direct Assignment Notes About Mod Routes Ribbon Controller (keyboard only) (p. 69) More Shortcuts Copy Mod X to Mod Y Clear a Mod Slot Warning!
  • Page 80 Clear the Entire Mod Matrix Be Random Modulation Sources Group Modulators The Ribbon as a Mod Source (p. 70)
  • Page 81 Modulation Destinations Group Parameters...
  • Page 82 The CV / Gate Section Basic Concepts A Few More... CV/Gate Polyphony Clocks and Sync The Ribbon and CVs CV – Pitch Gate: Page 7 (p. 95) The System Setup Pages (p. 89) Theremin Mode (p. 69)
  • Page 83 Compatibility Output Connectors Pitch – Pitch Gate: Page 7 (p. 95) Mod 1 and 2 Polyphony settings (p. 64) CV – Pitch Gate: Page 7 (p. 95) Gate CV – Mods: Page 9 (p. 96) Clock CV – Clock: Page 8 (p. 95) Input Connectors CV –...
  • Page 84 Esoteric Uses CV Attentuator Process Audio Mutants 1–4 (p. 35) CV – Mods: Page CVs and Arpeggios 9 (p. 96) CV Inverter Mode (p. 72)
  • Page 85 Patch Management Using the Browser The Browse page Control knob Parameter Range Description Sort Methods Find by Patch # Find by Name...
  • Page 86 Find by Category The LED ring will flash quickly to confirm the assignment. Compare The Left display indicates which of the 4 groups is selected. Browse Favorites Favorite Assign... The Control button and the display field for the active patch are brightly lit.
  • Page 87 Save the Patch Patch Protection The Save page Control knob Parameter Range Description Name the Patch Select a Category...
  • Page 88 Macro Options Choose a Color Return Patch Backup Save Convert MIDI: Page 6 (p. 93)

  • Page 89: Master

    The System Setup Pages Operational Notes Navigation Saving the Settings Save System State Access, Action Notes About Notes Master: Page 1 Control knob Function Range Description...
  • Page 90 Master: Page 2 Control knob Function Settings Description Knob Mode Tempo Lock Variable knobs (p. 16) Selection knobs (p. 16) Macro Button Absolute Macro Pickup Button Response (p. 76) Scale Safe Edit Knob Speed Slow...

  • Page 91: Keys / Pads

    Microtuning Menu The Voice Module (p. 64) Control Parameter Range Description Scale Select Receive Scale Scale Name Send Scale Keys / Pads: Page 3 Control knob Function Settings Description Velocity settings...

  • Page 92: Midi

    Aftertouch settings Delay Fade Release Curve Offset MIDI: Page 4 Control with... Function Settings Description Clock Sync Local INT RUN Expression Pedal setup MIDI In AUTO...

  • Page 93: Midi

    MIDI: Page 5 Control knob Function Settings Description PolyAT Transmit What is MPE? Modulation Sources (p. 80) MIDI: Page 6 Control with... Function Settings Description...
  • Page 94 Parameter send/receive options Overflow MIDI CC Charts (p. 103) What’s a NRPN? www.AshunSoundMachines.com Send Patch / All Patches Arp TX Pgm Chg TX / RX...

  • Page 95: Cv - Pitch Gate

    CV – Pitch Gate: Page 7 Control knob Function Range CV Source: Keyboard, Theremin Theremin Mode (p. 69) CV – Clock: Page 8 Control knob Function Range Clock Division...

  • Page 96: Cv - Mods

    CV – Mods: Page 9 Control knob Function Range Calibration: Page 10 (keyboard) Control button Function Range Description Calibrate Ribbon Calibrate Wheels...
  • Page 97 System: Page 10 (desktop) / System: Page 11 (keyboard) Control button Function Description Range OS: Page 11 (desktop) / OS: Page 12 (keyboard)

  • Page 98: Control Combinations

    Control Combinations [INIT] + Button X Button Button Button Button [INIT] + Control Button X Location Parameter...

  • Page 99: [Random] + Button X

    [RANDOM] + Button X Button Button Button Button [SHIFT] + Button X Button Function...

  • Page 100: [Shift] + Control Knob X

    [SHIFT] + Control Knob X Location Control knob Behavior [SHIFT] + Control Button X Location Control Button Behavior Macro Button Response (p. 76)

  • Page 101: Scales

    Scales Scale C /D D /E F /G G /A A /B...
  • Page 102 Scale C /D D /E F /G G /A A /B...

  • Page 103: Midi Cc Charts

    MIDI CC Charts Sorted by Module Module Parameter...

  • Page 105: Sorted By Cc Number

    Sorted by CC Number Module Parameter...

  • Page 107: Hydrasynth Specifications

    Hydrasynth Specifications Keyboard Desktop Connections: Rear Panel Connections: Top Panel CV inputs: Two (1/8” TS) CV/Gate/Clock outputs: Five (1/8” TS) Control Voltages Clock Output Gate Output Connections: Front Panel (keyboard)

  • Page 108: Declaration Of Conformity

    Declaration of Conformity Important Notice: DO NOT MODIFY THE UNIT! IMPORTANT NOTE CANADA NOTICE AVIS EUROPE...

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