ASM Polytouch HUDRASYNTH Deluxe User manual

Owner’s Manual
EDIT SUSTAIN
MODE
TEMPO
OCTAVE
RATCHET CHANCE
DIVISION SWING
GATE
IN PUTS
MOD 1 MOD 2 PITCH GATE MOD 1 MOD 2 CLOCK
OUTPUTS
MASTER
VOLUME
PHONES
OC TAVE
1 432
5 876
TRIPLET TAP
TEMPO
LATCHON
GLIDE RIBBON
DOWN UP CHORD
HOME
PAGE
EXIT
VOICE
MACRO
ASSIGN
MOD
MATRIX
MIDI INDC USB SUSTAINEXPRESSIONMIDI THRUMIDI OUT L/MONO OUTPUT RPOWER
UP
UP & DN ORDER
RANDOM
CHORD
PHRASE
DOWN
UP / DN
OFF
58 62
66
70
75
52
54
1
2
3
4
1 32
1 16
1 8
1 4
MAX
MIN
FILTER
1
FILTER
2
ENV 1DRIVE / MORPH LFO 1RESONANCECUTOFF
00
-10 +10
PANIC
FAVORITE
RANDOM
BROWSE
SYSTEM
SETUP
SAVE
FILTER CONTROLS
MODULE SELECT
MASTER CONTROLMAIN SYSTEMSCV / GATE
ARPEGGIATOR
SHIFT
INIT
R L/MONO SUSTAIN EXPRESSION THRU OUT
MIDI
IN
OUTPUT PEDAL 12V 1000mA
OSC
2
OSC
1
MUTANT
3
MUTANT
1
MUTANT
4
MUTANT
2
OSC
3
RING-
NOISE
MIXER
LFO
1
FILTER
2
FILTER
1
LFO
2
ENV
1
AMP PRE-FX
ENV
2
LFO
3
LFO
4
REVERB
DELAY
ENV
3
LFO
5
POST-FX
ENV
4
ENV
5

EDIT SUSTAIN
MODE
TEMPO
OCTAVE
RATCHET CHANCE
DIVISION SWING
GATE
IN PUTS
MOD 1 MOD 2 PITCH GATE MOD 1 MOD 2 CLOCK
OUTPUTS
MASTER
VOLUME
PHONES
OC TAVE
1 432
5 876
TRIPLET TAP
TEMPO
LATCHON
GLIDE RIBBON
DOWN UP CHORD
HOME
PAGE
EXIT
VOICE
MACRO
ASSIGN
MOD
MATRIX
MIDI INDC USB SUSTAINEXPRESSIONMIDI THRUMIDI OUT L/MONO OUTPUT RPOWER
UP
UP & DN ORDER
RANDOM
CHORD
PHRASE
DOWN
UP / DN
OFF
58 62
66
70
75
52
54
1
2
3
4
1 32
1 16
1 8
1 4
MAX
MIN
FILTER
1
FILTER
2
ENV 1DRIVE / MORPH LFO 1RESONANCECUTOFF
00
-10 +10
PANIC
FAVORITE
RANDOM
BROWSE
SYSTEM
SETUP
SAVE
FILTER CONTROLS
MODULE SELECT
MASTER CONTROLMAIN SYSTEMSCV / GATE
ARPEGGIATOR
SHIFT
INIT
R L/MONO SUSTAIN EXPRESSION THRU OUT
MIDI
IN
OUTPUT PEDAL 12V 1000mA
OSC
2
OSC
1
MUTANT
3
MUTANT
1
MUTANT
4
MUTANT
2
OSC
3
RING-
NOISE
MIXER
LFO
1
FILTER
2
FILTER
1
LFO
2
ENV
1
AMP PRE-FX
ENV
2
LFO
3
LFO
4
REVERB
DELAY
ENV
3
LFO
5
POST-FX
ENV
4
ENV
5

DESIGN & DIRECTION
• Glen Darcey
PRODUCT MANAGER
• Dominic Au
ENGINEERING
• Chen Jiejun (engine) • Bob Liao (engine)
• Xie Yingchen (software) • Xu Jun (software) • Banner Xu (software)
• Ye Haipeng (electronic) • Chen Si (electronic) • Luo Liangsheng (electronic)
• Long Ping (Mechanics)
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
• Gao Chao • Yang Yue
TESTING
• Zheng Wei Cheng • Ken “Flux” Pierce • Randy Lee • Leng An
SOUND DESIGN
• Drew Anderson
• Dominic Au
• Roger Austli
• Ski Beatz
• Jim Cowgill
• Glen Darcey
• Daniel Fisher
• Mord Fustang
• Boele Gerkes
• Rob Jervons
• Veronica Lee
• Chris Meyer
• Ken “Flux” Pierce
• Matt Pike
• Aquila Rift
• Ben Scheer
• Paul Schilling
• Matia Simovich
MANUAL
• Randy Lee (author) • Nancy Lee (design & layout)
© Ashun Sound Machines – 2021 – All rights reserved.
www.AshunSoundMachines.com
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does
not represent a commitment on the part of Ashun Sound Machines. The software
described in this manual is provided under the terms of a license agreement or
non-disclosure agreement. The software license agreement species the terms and
conditions for its lawful use. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use, without the
express written permission of Ashun Sound Machines.
All other products, logos or company names quoted in this manual are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Special Thanks

4
Important Safety Instructions
Save Your Ears!
The product and its software, when used in combination with an amplier, headphones or
speakers, may be able to produce sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. DO
NOT operate for long periods of time at a high level or at a level that is uncomfortable.
If you encounter any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, please consult an audiologist.
Precautions Include, but Are Not Limited to, the Following:
1. Read and understand all the instructions.
2. Always follow the instructions on the
instrument.
3. Before cleaning the device, always
remove the USB and DC cable. When
cleaning, use a soft and dry cloth. Do
not use gasoline, alcohol, acetone,
turpentine or any other organic
solutions; do not use a liquid cleaner,
spray or cloth that’s too wet.
4. Do not use the device near water or
moisture, such as a bathtub, sink,
swimming pool or similar place.
5. Do not place the device in an unstable
position where it might accidentally fall
over.
6. Do not place heavy objects on the
device. Do not block openings or vents
of the device; these locations are used
for air circulation to prevent the device
from overheating. Do not place the
device near a heat vent at any location
with poor air circulation.
7. Do not open or insert anything into the
device that may cause a re or electrical
shock.
8. Do not spill any kind of liquid onto the
device.
9. Always take the device to a qualied
service center. You will invalidate your
warranty if you open and remove the
cover, and improper assembly may cause
electrical shock or other malfunctions.
10. Do not use the device with thunder and
lightning present; it may cause electrical
shock.
11. Do not expose the device to hot
sunlight.
12. Do not use the device when there is a
gas leak nearby.
13. Ashun Sound Machines is not
responsible for any damage or data loss
caused by improper operation of the
device.
Specifications Subject to Change
The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing.
However, Ashun Sound Machines reserves the right to change or modify any of the specica-
tions without notice or obligation to update the hardware that has been purchased.
Before Requesting Service...
Please study this manual carefully and consult your dealer before requesting service. Service
charges incurred due to a lack of knowledge relating to how a function or feature works (when
the product is operating as designed) are not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, and are
therefore the owner’s responsibility.

5
Contents
Important Safety Instructions . 4
Welcome to Hydrasynth
Deluxe! ....................................9
Main Features .............................9
User interface..............................9
Patch features .............................9
Sound engine.............................10
Eects ....................................10
Hardware .................................10
Quick Start Guide ...................11
Inside the Box ............................11
Save Your Receipt! ........................11
Plug It In...................................11
Power .....................................11
Audio .....................................11
USB .......................................11
MIDI ......................................11
CV/Gate ...................................12
Laptop shelf ..............................12
Make Some Noise! .......................12
Select Patches ............................12
Octave shift...............................12
Arpeggiator basics........................12
Tweaking the sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Saving ....................................13
Check for Updates .......................14
That’s Enough Reading for Now. .......14
Overview ................................15
Top Panel: Hydrasynth Deluxe..........15
General Concepts ........................15
Access buttons ...........................15
Function buttons .........................15
Mode Select Controls.....................16
Part Select buttons .......................16
Control knobs ............................16
Control buttons...........................16
Module Select buttons ...................16
Knob types ...............................16
The displays ..............................16
Main Systems .............................17
The HOME button ........................17
The SAVE button..........................17
System Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
The INIT button...........................18
The RANDOM button.....................18
The SHIFT button.........................19
Master Control Section ..................19
EXIT button ...............................19
VOICE button .............................20
PAGE Up / Down buttons .................20
MACRO ASSIGN button...................20
MOD MATRIX button .....................20
CV/Gate Section ..........................20
Arpeggiator Section .....................21
Filter Controls.............................21
Module Select ............................21
Performance Controls ...................21
Chord mode ..............................22
Ribbon controller .........................22
Front Panel................................22
Headphone jacks .........................22
Phones volume control ...................22
Rear Panel.................................23
Laptop Shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Outputs...................................23
Control Inputs ............................24
MIDI ......................................24
USB .......................................24
Power .....................................24
Kensington lock ..........................24
Multi Mode.............................25
Single / Multi Mode Comparison .......25
Mode independence .....................25
Patch banks: shared resources............25
Color schemes ............................26
Overview of Multi Mode.................26
Parts & Patches: a primer .................26
What’s a Multi patch? .....................26
Patch selection in Multi mode ............26
Display contents ..........................27
Multi mode controls ......................27
Multi Edit mode ..........................27
Browsing in Multi Mode .................29
Bank / patch map.........................29
Patch bank access ........................29
Browse Multi patches.....................30
Browse Upper/Lower patches . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Copy Upper/Lower patch toSinglemode 30
Favorites: From both modes ..............31

6
Save the Multi ............................31
Multi Save page 1.........................31
Multi Save page 2.........................32
Edit Multi Parts ...........................32
Edit Upper or Lower ......................32
Edit Both..................................32
Multi mode & the Arpeggiator..........33
Arp mode: Single .........................33
Arp mode: Separate ......................33
Multis, MIDI, & the Arpeggiator...........34
The Ribbon in Multi mode ..............35
MIDI and Multis...........................35
More about Multi Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Upper / Lower outputs ...................35
Initialize Multi / Upper / Lower ...........35
Randomize Multi / Upper / Lower ........36
Chord mode and Multis ..................36
CVs and Multis ............................36
Understanding the Modules...37
Module Groups...........................37
Oscillator group ..........................37
Mixer module.............................37
Filter group ...............................37
Envelope group...........................37
LFO group ................................37
Amp module .............................38
FX group..................................38
Other Modules ...........................38
Voice module .............................38
Ribbon ...................................38
Module Shortcuts ........................38
Create Mod routes........................38
Select Macro Destinations ................39
Copy / Paste settings .....................39
The Oscillator Group ..............40
Oscillators 1 and 2........................40
Switching modes .........................40
Oscillator mode: Single ...................40
Oscillator mode: WaveScan...............41
Oscillator 3 ................................41
Mutants 1–4 ..............................42
FM-Lin ....................................42
WavStack .................................43
OSC Sync .................................43
About Ratio...............................43
Window...................................43
Pulse Width modulation ..................44
PW-Orig ..................................44
PW-Sqeez .................................44
PW-ASM [Warp]...........................44
Harmonic .................................45
PhazDi...................................46
Ring-Noise Module ......................46
Waveform List ............................47
The Mixer Module ..................48
Setting Levels.............................48
The Solo Function........................48
Set the Pan Positions ....................49
Osc 1-3 Pan ...............................49
Ring + Noise Pan .........................49
Filter Routing of Sources ................49
Osc 1-3 Filter routing .....................49
Ring + Noise Filter routing................49
Filter Configuration ......................49
The Filters and their Controls .50
Filter 1 .....................................50
Filter 1 types..............................50
Compensated vs. Uncompensated filters.50
Filter 1 parameters: page 1 ...............50
Filter 1 parameters: page 2 ...............52
Filter 2 .....................................53
Filter 2 parameters........................53
The Amp Module ....................54
How the Parameters Interact ...........54
LFO 2 Amount ............................54
Velocity ...................................54
Amp Level ................................54
The Envelopes ........................55
What’s an Envelope? .....................55
Envelope features.........................55
Envelopes 1 and 2 ........................55
Envelope parameters: page 1.............56
Envelope parameters: page 2.............57
Envelope parameters: page 3.............58
Envelope Shortcuts ......................59
Copy Env A to Env B ......................59
Create a direct Mod route ................59
The LFOs.................................60
What’s an LFO? ...........................60
LFO features ..............................60
LFOs 1 and 2..............................60
LFO parameters: page 1 ..................60
LFO parameters: page 2 ..................62

7
LFO Shortcuts.............................64
Copy LFO A to LFO B......................64
Create a direct Mod route ................64
The Eects..............................65
Pre- and Post-FX..........................65
Bypass ....................................65
Chorus ....................................65
Flanger ...................................66
Rotary ....................................66
Phaser ....................................66
Lo-Fi ......................................67
Tremolo ...................................67
EQ ........................................67
Compressor...............................68
Distort ....................................68
Delay Types ...............................68
Delay Parameters ........................69
Reverb Types .............................69
Reverb Parameters.......................69
Freeze the Reverb ........................69
Mod Route Shortcut .....................70
The Voice Module ..................71
Voice Parameters: page 1 ...............71
Polyphony settings .......................71
Density & Detune.........................71
Random Phase............................71
How does Analog Feel?...................72
Stereo mode..............................72
Warm mode ..............................72
Voice Parameters: page 2 ...............72
Pitch Bend ................................73
Vibrato settings...........................73
Glide settings .............................73
Voice Parameters: page 3 ...............74
Key Lock ..................................74
Select a Scale .............................74
Custom Scale .............................74
Microtonality .............................75
Snap ......................................75
Ribbon Controller...................76
Theremin Mode ..........................76
Theremin parameters: page 1 ............76
Theremin parameters: page 2 ............76
The Ribbon as a Mod Source............77
The Ribbon as a Trigger Source.........77
The Arpeggiator Section ........78
Arp Edit Mode ............................78
Arp parameters: page 1...................78
Arp parameters: page 2...................79
Additional Arp Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Latch and Sustain.........................80
Initialize the Arp ..........................80
The Arpeggiator & MIDI ..................80
Mastering the Macros.............81
Home Page................................81
Make a Macro.............................81
Assign a Destination......................81
Name the Macro..........................82
Macro Slot Copy ..........................82
Save the Patch: Macro Options .........83
Macro Button Response .................83
Preset Macro Name List .................84
The Mod Matrix ......................85
Creating Mod Routes ....................85
The Whole Process .......................85
The Shortcut .............................85
Direct Assignment .......................86
Notes About Mod Routes.................86
More Shortcuts ...........................86
Copy Mod X to Mod Y ....................86
Clear a Mod Slot ..........................86
Clear the Entire Mod Matrix...............86
Be Random ...............................87
Modulation Sources .....................87
Modulation Destinations................88
The CV / Gate Section .............89
Basic Concepts ...........................89
A Few More... .............................89
CV/Gate Polyphony .......................89
The Ribbon and CVs ......................89
Clocks and Sync ..........................89
Compatibility .............................90
Output Connectors ......................90
Pitch ......................................90
Gate ......................................90
Mod 1 and 2 ..............................90
Clock......................................90
Input Connectors.........................90
Esoteric Uses..............................91
CV Attentuator............................91
CV Inverter................................91
Process Audio.............................91
CVs and Arpeggios .......................91

8
Patch Management ................92
Using the Browser........................92
The Browse page .........................92
Sort Methods ............................92
Compare..................................93
Favorite Assign... ..........................93
Browse Favorites..........................94
Save the Patch ............................94
Patch Protection ..........................94
The Save page ............................94
Name the Patch...........................95
Select a Category.........................95
Macro Options ...........................95
Choose a Color ...........................95
Patch Backup .............................95
The System Setup Pages.........96
Operational Notes .......................96
Navigation ................................96
Access, Action ............................96
Saving the Settings .......................96
Save System State ........................96
Notes About Notes .......................96
Master: Page 1............................96
Master: Page 2............................97
Knob Mode ...............................97
Knob Speed ..............................97
Tempo Lock...............................97
Macro Button .............................97
Lo / Up Color..............................97
Safe Edit ..................................97
Microtuning Menu........................98
Keys: Page 3...............................98
Velocity settings ..........................98
Aftertouch settings .......................99
MIDI: Page 4 ..............................99
Clock Sync ................................99
Local ......................................99
Expression Pedal setup ...................99
MIDI: Page 5 .............................100
MIDI RX examples .......................100
MIDI: Page 6 .............................100
Aftertouch Transmit .....................101
What is MPE? ............................101
MIDI: Page 7 .............................101
Parameter send/receive options.........101
What’s a NRPN? ..........................102
Send Patch / All Patches .................102
Overow.................................102
Arp TX ...................................102
Pgm Chg TX / RX ........................102
CV – Pitch Gate: Page 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
CV Source: Keyboard, Theremin .........103
CV – Clock: Page 9 ......................103
Clock Division ...........................103
CV – Mods: Page 10 .....................103
Calibration: Page 11.....................104
Calibrate Ribbon.........................104
Calibrate Wheels.........................104
System: Page 12 .........................104
OS: Page 13 ..............................104
Control Combinations ...........105
[INIT] + Button X ........................105
[INIT] + Control Button X ...............105
[RANDOM] + Button X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
[SHIFT] + Button X ......................106
[SHIFT] + Control Knob X...............107
[SHIFT] + Control Button X .............107
Scales ....................................108
Preset Standard Scales .................108
Preset Microtuning Scales..............109
MIDI CC Charts.......................110
Sorted by Module .......................110
Sorted by CC Number...................112
Deluxe Specifications ............114
Physical...................................114
Connections: Rear Panel................114
Connections: Top Panel ................114
CV inputs: Two (1/8” TS)..................114
CV/Gate/Clock outputs: Five (1/8” TS)....114
Control Voltages .........................114
Gate Output .............................114
Clock Output ............................114
Connections: Front Panel...............114
Declaration of Conformity .....115
USA .......................................115
CANADA..................................115
EUROPE...................................115

9
Welcome to Hydrasynth Deluxe!
Everyone at Ashun Sound Machines would like to thank you for choosing one of our
Hydrasynth instruments. We’re very proud of what we have created, and are condent they will
take you into musical realms that have never been explored.
Every aspect of these ground-breaking devices has been carefully considered, from the way
the sounds are generated and processed, to the intuitive layout of the controls and displays.
Everything from impulse to performance has been optimized to unleash the creative potential
of these instruments in your hands.
Main Features
This chapter will only list the main features of the Hydrasynth Deluxe. But there are many more,
and each feature and its related parameters will be described in the pages ahead. Advanced
users might nd quick answers to important questions in Deluxe Specications (p. 114).
User interface
• Intuitive workow, perceived at a glance
• Front-panel controls for instant access to
important features
• Easy shortcuts for patch / mod route
construction (connect / copy / paste)
• Two independent OLED displays
• 8 Control knobs and 8 Control buttons
around the Right display
• LED rings around the Control knobs
indicate parameter values
• 8 assignable Macros per patch, accessible
on Home page
• Arpeggiator: 8 modes with direction,
octave, chord, and phrase options
• Browse Multi or Single patches by Name,
Category, or Number
• Memorize / instantly recall up to 128
Favorites (shared by Multis and Singles)
• Overow mode can link two units for up to
32-voice polyphony (Single mode only)
• Switch instantly between Single / Multi
modes with dedicated buttons
Patch features
• 8 banks of 128 patches each (Single mode)
• Mono and Unison voice modes, with
unison detune
• Glide with programmable time, curve,
trigger mode
• Mod Matrix with 32 routes per patch
• Programmable Analog Feel emulates the
behavior of analog circuits
• Randomize function for individual
modules, a single patch, or an entire Multi
• Use Single mode patches in a Multi, then
edit / store them without changing the
original patch
• 5 banks of 128 Multis
• Each Multi holds two independent patches
(i.e., parts) for an additional 1,280 patches
• Edit Upper/Lower part parameters
together or independently
• Dual or KeySplit modes
• Independent Octave Ranges for Upper
and Lower parts
• Sustain pedal, wheels, and ribbon can
control Upper, Lower, or Both
• Dual arpeggiators can be synced or
shared by Upper/Lower parts
• Macros can control Upper, Lower, or
Both; access up to 16 Macros per Multi
• Dual mode: Denable velocity switch
point with adjustable crossfade
• KeySplit mode: Denable keyboard split
point with adjustable crossfade
• Dedicated Multi section, with Upper/Lower
selection buttons and Balance control

10
Sound engine
• 16 voices, with three oscillators per voice
• Dual/KeySplit modes: layer or split two
independent 8-voice patches
• Single mode: One 16-voice patch
• Analog modeling (Osc 1-3) and WaveScan
synthesis (Osc 1+2)
• Select from hundreds of waveforms and
then morph / mutate / warp them at will
• Preset scales with microtonal options and
the ability to import custom scales
• Filter 1: 16 lter types, including vocal
formant lters
• Filter 2: classic state-variable 12dB / octave
with two modes
• Filters can be placed in series or parallel
• Loopable ADSR envelopes with Delay and
Hold stages
• Curve and BPM value for each segment
• Each envelope can have up to 4 trigger
sources
Eects
• Delay: ve types, including Left-Right-
Center and reverse
• All delays can sync to tempo
• Reverb: four types, with pre-delay and
damping parameters
• Reverb lengths to 90 seconds, plus
“Freeze”
• Independent Pre/Post FX: Chorus,
Flanger, Rotary, Phaser, Lo-Fi, Tremolo, EQ,
Compressor, Distortion
• Eects can be independent or shared
between Upper/Lower parts in Multi Layer
mode
Hardware
• 73-key Polytouch® keyboard with
polyphonic aftertouch and velocity
sensitivity (note on/o)
• Ribbon controller with Pitch bend,
Theremin, and Modulation modes
• Backlit pitch bend and modulation wheels
• Octave Down / Up buttons
• Chord mode with dedicated button
• Glide button
• Additional Filter controls (Envelope
amount, LFO amount)
• Additional Arpeggiator controls (Tempo,
Ratchet, Chance, Gate)
• MIDI In/Out/Thru
• USB type B port, class-compliant
• CV/Gate inputs and outputs for integration
with modular synthesizers
• Four 1/4” outputs (balanced): Main/Upper
L/R, Lower L/R (automatic routing)
• Two headphone jacks share a dedicated
Volume control
• Sustain pedal input (polarity-sensing)
• Assignable Expression pedal input
(reversible)
• LED Dim feature for darkened rooms
• Kensington lock port
• Detachable laptop shelf