Ahsun Sound Machines has introduced a new orange version of the Hydrasynth Explorer, ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’.
It’s an alternate color version of the standard Hydrasynth Explorer, and is limited to a production run of 888 units worldwide.
What they have to say about it:
“Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units orange has been synonymous with ASM since day one. A compact-sized Hydrasynth featuring a 37-note mid-sized key-bed with proprietary ASM Polytouch technology to provide responsive velocity and expressive polyphonic aftertouch features that are not found in other smaller-sized keyboards in a perfectly portable package (optionally) powered by eight (not included) AA batteries — limited to a production run of 888 units worldwide.
Why 888 units? Ultimately answering that supposedly simple question yields some interesting information — in keeping with ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ yielding some interesting sounds — for not only is 888 a strobogrammatic number, meaning that the numerals used are rotationally symmetric so appear the same when read upside down, the number itself represents triple fortune in numerology!
Needless to say, ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ will surely appeal to both numerology enthusiasts and synth collectors alike.”
The Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units will be available to try at The Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo, being held October 5-6, in Brooklyn, NY. For more info on the limited edition, see the ASM site.
Ed Guild of Circuit Happy recently presented his Missing Link + ML:2m at SchneidersLaden in Berlin.
The Missing Link and ML:2m support Ableton Link, which makes it possible to wirelessly sync your software and hardware instruments.
The Missing Link is a desktop hardware device that makes Ableton Link sync via two configurable outputs.
ML:2m is the Eurorack modular solution, and gives you two configurable outputs.
Ableton Link is supported on a wide range of platforms and applications, including iOS and Android music apps, DJ and VJ software, Ableton Live and other DAWs. The Missing Link & ML:2m let you sync any of these with your analog hardware, so you can do things like sync your hardware sequencer to your DAW.
Spanish synth maker Endorphin.es and synthesist Loopop have collaborated to create the PLUS 3, a desktop expression and sustain controller.
PLUS 3 essentially gives you a desktop controller that takes the place of expression and controller pedals. It’s designed to “unlock” features in MIDI controllers, synthesizers, effects pedals and semi-modular synths, Eurorack instruments and DAWs, for people that don’t want to deal with foot pedals.
The PLUS 3 controller includes a fader for expressive performance and automation, a momentary sustain key, and a “drone mode” toggle switch. In drone mode, the momentary key’s functionality changes, letting you swap droned notes with new ones.
PLUS 3 comes bundled with three cables in the box: a 1 meter TRS cable for the expression side, a 1 meter TS cable for the sustain side, and a TRS breakout cable for connecting PLUS 3 to semi-modular and Eurorack gear. This breakout cable allows use of PLUS 3’s expression side as an attenuator, and its sustain side as a gate control for CV for a greater degree of sonic control.
As a completely passive unit, the PLUS 3 requires no outside power source to function. Further, it features an aluminum encasing, so it’s sturdy, light, and portable. Its sustain key is based on standard mechanical keyboard-style keys and can be customized, so users can swap the key out and use the key of their own choice.
Features:
PLUS 3’s sustain side unlocks instrument capabilities with a sustain jack, subject to the instrument’s own capabilities:
A momentary sustain button for instruments that don’t have a dedicated physical sustain control
A dedicated drone/hold/arp latch switch for instruments that don’t have one. It’s important to note that even if an instrument has a hold button, its sustain jack may unlock additional functionality or behavior (for example, a button that simply holds notes does not cause Piano VSTs to resonate sympathetic strings in the way using sustain does).
Momentary and toggle control of any parameter mappable in a DAW synth’s mod matrix/menu system, or effect pedal (for example, sostenuto, freeze effect, dry/wet bypass, swapping presets, etc.)
PLUS 3’s expression side unlocks features for instruments with an expression jack that include:
The device is useful for adding an expressive physical fader to MIDI controllers that don’t already have faders, but have an expression jack (for example, Native Instruments Kontrol MK3, or M32; or Korg’s KeyStage).
Use PLUS3’s fader for direct access and expressive control of any single parameter mappable in your DAW, effects pedal or synth in ways not possible with a regular keyboard (for example, bowing a violin, an orchestral swell, fine tuning a track’s level in the mix)
For DAWs. synths with a mod matrix or effect pedals with expression jack mapping capabilities (e.g. many Chase Bliss, Boss, EHX pedals, and Endorphin.es’ own Ghost and Golden Master pedals), use PLUS 3’s fader as a macro control to change multiple parameters at once – almost similar to preset morphing, based on your instruments ability to map its expression input to multiple parameters.
