In this video I play original sounds using both layers of Hydrasynth Deluxe, demonstrating the power and flexibility of having two Hydrasynth engines sounding at once.

Included are a selection of sounds such as pads, ambient, polysynths, epianos, bells and strings. I’ve recently been working with some old analog poly synths while also programming the Hydrasynth Deluxe and the sound gulf between them is actually not as big as I imagined! Hence several patches in this video are reminiscent of those old sounds. I include also a couple of soundscape patches. I’ve really only scratched the surface here: there’s so much potential in this synth for ambient soundscapes.

* UPDATE: all these sounds are now available to purchase in my Hydrasynth Deluxe Sound Banks volumes 1 & 2. Link to purchase: https://synthuniverse.sellfy.store

Hydrasynth Deluxe Sound bank vol 1 demo:    • ASM Hydrasynth | Deluxe Sound Bank Vo...  

Given that we can layer almost infinite tracks in our DAWs, why do we need a dual layer synth? In my experience there are four main ways of conceiving and creating sounds with two layers, and I’ve included examples of each within this video:

1 – Contrasting sounds. Two distinctive sounds are either played together (e.g. the Harp arp chorale patch) or confined to different zones of the keyboard in split mode (e.g. the Voicestring split patch). This can be useful for auditioning sound combinations to be layered later in a DAW, or for jamming musical ideas

2 – Composite sounds. Here, two distinct sounds are combined to create a single coherent one (e.g. the Key pad or Sparkle bell patches) where neither layer stands out too much. This can give more depth and interest than single sounds

3 – Double sounds. Here an identical copy of a sound is made and ‘doubledup’ with the original (e.g. the Vintage or String Machines x2 patches). Then subtle changes are made to each. Detuning, panning, adjustments to rate of LFOs and chorus effects can all increase size, depth and richness of the overall sound

4 – Designer sounds. Here sounds are conceived ‘from the ground up’ utilizing both layers so the finished patch doesn’t appear layered at all (e.g. 6 oscillator experimental patch). This approach is timeconsuming but gives much scope for imagination, creating unique patches that sound organic

The effects you hear on the sounds are all internal to Hydrasynth: no external effects were used and no other processing applied other than a small amount of limiting and EQ for mastering to YouTube.

The sounds in this video could also be created on any combination of Hydrasynth engine if you own more than one, such as Hydrasynth Keyboard, Hydrasynth Desktop and Hydrasynth Explorer. The Deluxe just makes it a bit easier having both engines in one unit.

There was no sponsorship or affiliation to ASM or their products in the creation of this video.

All musical ideas in this video are my own and are copyright to me.

Other Hydrasynth videos
Colourful Sounds of Hydrasynth Part 1    • Colourful Sounds of Hydrasynth Part 1  
Colourful Sounds of Hydrasynth Part 2    • Colourful Sounds of Hydrasynth Part 2  
Colourful Sounds of Hydrasynth Part 3    • Colourful Sounds of Hydrasynth Part 3  

Time stamps

00:00 Deep sweep
01:19 Harp arp chorale
02:19 Stacked poly
03:18 Key pad
03:59 Fizz punch
04:30 Voicestring split
06:46 Percussive key pad
07:58 6 oscillator experimental
09:54 Vintage
10:37 Choir in 4ths
11:57 Universal
12:59 Sparkle bell
13:40 String machines x2
14:45 Poly string
16:26 Cloud formations

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Contact Jim at: [email protected]

Hi I'm Jim: a musician, composer and sound designer. Welcome to my channel! This channel focuses on the musical and performance potential of synthesizers and helping you to get the most out of them.