ASM Hydrasynth Explorer Synthesizer

ASM Hydrasynth Explorer — Portable 8-Voice Polyphonic Wave-Morphing Synthesizer

The ASM Hydrasynth Explorer delivers flagship-grade sound design in a compact, battery-powered 37-key format. Polytouch® polyphonic aftertouch makes every key pressure-sensitive independently, so each note can bend or modulate on its own. An 8-voice engine with three oscillators per voice and four Mutator waveshapers gives a tonal range that rivals larger workstations. CV/Gate outputs and USB MIDI drop it into hybrid rigs with Eurorack modules or any DAW.

What makes the Explorer unique

Patented Polytouch® keybed technology is the headline feature — true polyphonic aftertouch on a compact 37-key layout is rare, and ASM's semi-weighted slim keys keep the playing feel responsive without bulk. The Mutator section adds seven waveshaping modes including FM-Linear, WavStack™, PW-ASM, Harmonic Sweep, and Hard Sync.

Sound engine and oscillators — deep wavetable morphing per voice

Three oscillators per voice with 219 single-cycle waveforms and a WaveScan mode that morphs through user-defined wavetables form the tone-generating core. Oscillators 1 and 2 carry the full wavemorphing engine, while Oscillator 3 acts as a fixed-wave source.

• Polyphony: 8 voices — headroom for layered pads, splits, and MPE performances
• Oscillators: 3 per voice, 219 waveforms with WaveScan wavemorphing on Osc 1 & 2
• Mutators: 4 per voice — FM-Lin, WavStack, PW-Orig, PW-Squeeze, PW-ASM, Harmonic Sweep, Hard Sync

Modulation matrix and performance controls — expressive depth

A 32-slot modulation matrix with 35 sources and 191 destinations gives near-limitless routing. Five LFOs and five DAHDSR envelopes per voice supply the modulation material, and eight macro knobs each target up to eight destinations for one-knob sound transformations.

• LFOs: 5 per voice with 10 waveforms, 64-step mode, and BPM sync
• Envelopes: 5 DAHDSR per voice with looping, BPM sync, and 8-level quantize
• Arpeggiator: Yes — 8 modes including phrase, ratchet, chance, and 1–6 octave range

Filters, effects, and I/O — studio and stage ready

Two routable filters per voice shape the tone — Filter 1 offers 16 models including a vocal formant filter, while Filter 2 is a continuously variable 12 dB/octave SEM-style design. Pre-effects, post-effects, delay, and reverb cover chorus, rotary, compression, distortion, and BPM-synced delays.

• Pitch Bend: Yes via touchstrip with adjustable depth
• CV/Gate: 5x 3.5 mm outputs — CV, Gate, Mod 1, Mod 2, Clock — supports 1 V/oct, 1.2 V/oct, Hz/V, Buchla
• Power: 12 V DC PSU or 8x AA batteries for portable sessions

Who should choose this synthesizer

The Explorer suits sound designers, electronic producers, and performing keyboardists who want flagship-grade wavetable synthesis in a portable format. Software-synth users will appreciate the 32-slot modulation matrix and eight macro knobs, which translate complex patch routings into hands-on control. Live performers benefit from polyphonic aftertouch, MPE support, and CV/Gate outputs that interface with Eurorack systems.

Ashun Sound Machines — boutique digital synthesis

Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) designed the Hydrasynth line around the pursuit of better ways for musicians to express themselves, with patented Polytouch® polyphonic aftertouch as the centerpiece. The Explorer continues that philosophy by shrinking the flagship's 8-voice engine, Polytouch® keybed, and Mutator waveshapers into a 37-key chassis that runs on AA batteries.