The price on the Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth Explorer has dropped to $499, the cheapest we’ve seen for this synthesizer.
The Hydrasynth Explorer packs the sound engine of the original Hydrasynth into a portable mini-key synth. It features the same powerful sound design options and even polyphonic aftertouch, but in a much more compact, battery-powerable package.
The synth is an eight-voice polyphonic design, with an extremely deep voice architecture that combines wave-morphing oscillators, two filters per voice, extensive modulation options and flexible effects.
With the sale pricing, the Hydrasynth Explorer is arguably the most powerful mini-key synth ever, and is one of the most affordable options for trying out polyphonic aftertouch.
Features:
- Eight-voice polyphonic wave-morphing synthesizer
- 37 mid-sized keys with polyphonic aftertouch
- Battery-powered option
- Two OLED displays for waveform visualization and patch editing/performance display
- Four endless encoders for individual or macro controls
- Complex arpeggiator with extensive control options
- Extensive modulation matrix with up to 32 paths
- Three oscillators per voice with 219 selectable waveforms
- Oscillators 1 and 2 offer Wave Scanning between user-definable wave lists
- Four mutators per voice, allowing FM, several flavors of PWM, Harmonic scanning, Sync, and more
- Open-ended ring modulator and noise section
- Two filters per voice, with parallel or series configurations
- Filter 1 offers tons of distinct types, including LPG and Formant filters
- Filter 2: classic state-variable 12dB/octave morphing filter
- Five looping DAHDSR envelopes with option for relating segment duration to current BPM
- Five complex LFOs
- Integrated delay, reverb, and various modulation effects
- CV & Gate outs for easy integration into modular synth workflows
- Global & per module randomization and initialization always accessible straight on the front panel, with several intelligent randomization features
- Easy access to each module’s internal parameters via dedicated Module Select buttons
Pricing and Availability:
The Hydrasynth Explorer is available with sale pricing for $499 (normally $599) via Amazon, Perfect Circuit, Sweetwater and other retailers. Details on the Hydrasynth Explorer are available at the ASM site.
If you’ve used the Hydrasynth Explorer, share your thoughts on it in the comments!
It’s concerning to see companies dropping prices. Is the market softening?
I thought you lowered prices to be more competitive. I’d like to understand why all of these prices are going down too? Anyone have a theory?
Severe inflation in the economy is sometimes followed by deflation. Korg Nautilus and Behringer synths have had their prices lowered also. Let’s see.
There was some mention of some chip prices going down– but it seems odd that they wouldn’t just take this as an opportunity to bump up their margins. But yea, soft market is more likely, I guess.
This did it to compensate for tax season. They said it on their IG.
the entire world economy is a flacid pole
good, maybe it’ll quit f*ing the working folk.
keep making music. change hearts and minds
“I am… the altered destiny”
Here in Europe we saw severe inflation and a devastating rise of living costs in the last months, so it’s likely that gear sales dropped. I noticed the synth department in my local music store downsized, and one of the clerks told me they were still in crisis mode.
Arturia’s MiniFreak is eating Explorer’s lunch.
MiniFreak can do like 3% of what the Hydrasynth can do. With all the bricked MiniFreak’s, it’s clear that Arturia lost their best to ASM.
This is too good to pass up.
Supply chains easing, chip shortages easing, and Behringer kicking off this round with deep cuts.
If you don’t have a problem with the mini keys, this thing makes a great polyphonic aftertouch controller. In many ways I find the polypressure a lot easier to control with the Explorer than I do with the 49-key Hydrasynth. On top of that, you get the Hydrasynth engine, so what’s not to love about this little synth?
agreed. however, that’s the reasoning I used to collect a ton of minikeys; big mistake. hydrasynth deluxe is more my bag in the long run.
Hey John… If you have any more to say about your experience? I’d love to hear it!
I’m in the same boat as you. Right now I’m wrestling with getting Explorer vs Hydrasynth 49. The key difference (pun) for me being full size keys (and 4th octave).
My main board is a Nord Electro 5D 61. Which I occasionally pair with my Microkorg XL. I’ve always thought the MK keys good, but in retrospect, it ends up more as a special effect. Being a keyboard player (in live bands), I can imagine wanting to compose + play full synth songs two-handed.
But I’m wondering if the cost/size/weight difference is worth it. The Explorer seems like such great value. Curious what others journey/learning/insights have been? Cheers.
people aren’t buying gear due to the prices; it becomes a habit, and we get used to not buying. so now the companies have to stimulate gear lust again.
An unbeatable amount of power for the money. I have the desktop, and it is truly endless. As long as you understand synthesis. Even if you don’t that well, you can grow with this instrument.
I can’t say enough about my Hydrasynth 49. I like the Minifreak too but the Hydrasynths feel more robust and instrument-like. There’s a solid feel they give that makes you feel like you’re having a premium experience with very few compromises.
I also agree with dtp’s comment above. It’s one of the deepest yet most accessible synths I’ve ever experienced. Poly aftertouch is a magical thing – it feels like each note you play is a person in an orchestra.
ASM should pull this quote and put it on their website. Seriously, this comment alone makes me G.A.S. even harder!! (I’ve been lusting for a polyAT board since my EPS 16+ died so many ages ago).
Thomann’s still selling it for 658€.