Ashun Sound Machines Launches Diosynth Wind Synthesizer
The Hydrasynth from Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) is one of the great synth success stories of recent years. First launched in 2019, the original model was a digital polysynth that put a fresh spin on wavetable synthesis.
Now the company has returned with its first non-Hydrasynth product – Diosynth. Diosynth is an expressive wind synthesizer that combines sample and synthesis engines in order to produce a variety of acoustic and electronic tones.
Designed with wind players in mind, Diosynth features mechanical keys that replicate the feel of real sax and wind instruments—avoiding the flat button-style controls found on other wind synths. Multiple fingering modes, scale/key locking, and octave keys covering over eight octaves, provide a familiar and versatile playing experience.
Diosynth’s sound engine is based on the Hydrasynth, but with the addition of a sample playback oscillator. This expands the instrument’s sound design possibilities into more emulative territory, letting you create patches using sampled sounds, or combining realistic acoustic sounds with wavescan oscillators – and then running the result through a 16-mode filter. These multiple oscillators can be used to create layered and split sounds.
For the Diosynth, ASM sampled 128 unique reed, brass, fipple, and string-based sounds, including rare instruments such as the contrabass flute, Eb Tubax, and Peruvian llama whistle. Diosynth includes 384 factory patches and 768 total patch locations, covering everything from traditional wind instruments such as saxophones, trumpets, and flutes to synth leads, basses, and tempo-synced electronic textures.
Diosynth is powered by an included USB-C adaptor or by two 18650 rechargeable batteries (not included). For advanced sound design, the Diosynth can make use of a companion app that runs on desktop as well as Android and iOS. Each unit comes with a hard-shell case, cables, and accessories, along with a stand for convenient storage.
For expression, Diosynth includes breath and bite sensors, an internal gyro, X/Y joystick, two pressure pads, and three programmable switches. Connectivity features include ¼” stereo output, headphone jack, both with dedicated volume controls, MIDI DIN In/Out, USB MIDI & Audio In/Out, Bluetooth MIDI In/Out, and Bluetooth audio-in for playing along with music streams. Users can listen via the built-in speaker or headphones.
Here’s a live performance by Matt Marantz and his quartet, featuring the Diosynth wind synthesizer. Also featuring Simon Jermyn on bass, Luke Marantz on Rhodes, and Eliza Salem on drums:
The Diosynth is due to ship in December priced at $1,349/€1,449/£1,249. All units include a hard-shell case, cables and a storage stand. Visit the ASM site for more.
