ASM Hydrasynth Explorer 37-Key Wave Morphing Synthesizer - Black

Ideas do not always arrive in front of a full studio rig—they happen on the couch, backstage, in a hotel room or anywhere a sound suddenly needs to become real. The Hydrasynth Explorer brings ASM’s powerful wavemorphing synth engine into a compact, battery-powered instrument built for serious sound design and expressive performance on the move. With three oscillators, dual Mutants, dual filters, five LFOs, five envelopes and a 32-slot modulation matrix, it delivers the same deep sonic architecture that defines the Hydrasynth family. Add the 37-note mid-sized Polytouch keybed, 1,024 patch locations, onboard effects, MIDI/USB connectivity and CV/Gate outputs, and the Hydrasynth Explorer becomes a portable creative workstation for producers, performers and sound designers who need maximum power in a smaller footprint.

Polytouch Expression in a Portable Format

The 37-note mid-sized Polytouch keybed gives the Hydrasynth Explorer a level of expression rarely found in compact synthesizers. Each key responds to polyphonic aftertouch, allowing individual notes within a chord to swell, bend or shift independently under your fingers. Note On and Note Off velocity add further nuance, while selectable velocity and aftertouch curves let players tailor the feel to their own performance style. Combined with pitch and modulation strips, octave controls and Chord mode, the Explorer makes expressive playing feel immediate without requiring a full-size keyboard.

Advanced Wavemorphing Sound Engine

The Hydrasynth Explorer is built around an 8-voice advanced wavetable engine with three oscillators and access to 219 single-cycle waveforms. Oscillators 1 and 2 feature WAVELIST wavemorphing, allowing you to arrange up to eight waves per oscillator and scan between them using modulation, macros or performance gestures. Dual Mutants expand the sound with FM, hard sync, WavStack, harmonic sweeping and multiple forms of pulse-width shaping. With two filters that can be routed in series or parallel, including ladder, SEM-style, vocal and low-pass gate models, the Explorer can create everything from glassy pads and animated leads to distorted basses and experimental textures.

Deep Modulation and Performance Tools

Five LFOs, five DAHDSR envelopes and a 32-slot modulation matrix give the Hydrasynth Explorer the movement and depth expected from a flagship sound-design instrument. LFOs can act as step sequencers with up to 64 steps, while envelopes can loop, sync to tempo and function as additional modulation sources. The arpeggiator adds phrase modes, ratchet, chance, swing and up to six octaves of range for generating evolving rhythmic ideas. Eight Macros across two pages allow dramatic sound transformations from a small control surface, making complex modulation easy to perform in real time.

Battery Power, Connectivity and Compact Control

Portable operation is a key part of the Hydrasynth Explorer’s design, with support for eight AA batteries for hours of music-making away from a fixed power source. USB MIDI, MIDI In/Out, sustain pedal input and CV/Gate outputs make it easy to connect with DAWs, hardware synths and modular systems. The CV outputs support multiple standards, including 1V/octave, Hz/V and 1.2V/octave formats, helping the Explorer integrate with Eurorack and other analog gear. Its sturdy plastic and metal construction, rubberized controls and compact footprint make it practical for mobile setups without sacrificing real synth power.

A Travel-Ready Hydrasynth for Serious Sound Design

The Hydrasynth Explorer balances portability with the depth musicians expect from ASM’s advanced synthesis platform. Its OLED-guided interface, patch browser, randomization tools and onboard effects keep sound creation fast, while 1,024 patch locations provide room for extensive custom libraries. Pre- and post-effects, delay and reverb help complete sounds without external processing, making the Explorer equally useful for sketching ideas, performing live or building finished productions. For musicians who want expressive control, deep wavemorphing synthesis and battery-powered freedom, the Hydrasynth Explorer delivers the creative range of the Hydrasynth family in its most portable form.