Diosynth | Ashun Sound Machines

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Diosynth is an all-new wind synthesizer that combines the familiar tactile feel of a woodwind instrument with an expressive and advanced synthesis engine.

At ASM, we design instruments that create a deep, expressive connection between artist and sound. With Diosynth, we advance this ideal to new levels. Playability comes first and foremost. We feature a familiar keywork that makes the transition from acoustic to electric easier than ever. Add to this a breath sensor that gives life to the sound, a mouthpiece with reed and bite sensor, an X/Y joystick for modulation effects, assignable pressure pads, switches, and a gyroscope for motion control. These physical controls integrate seamlessly with Diosynth’s advanced synthesis and sample engine—delivering the most intuitive and expressive wind instrument available.

Diosynth Manager

We realize all the power of the Diosynth can be dizzying, so we made sure to include a visual software app to help make sense of it all.

Patch Manager – This allows you to manage patches both on your computer and on the Diosynth. You can freely move patches back and forth, create banks, edit patch names, and sort by different criteria like Number, Name, and Category. A simple drag-and-drop interface makes building banks easy.

Diosynth - patch manager.png

Patch Editor

Edit the two parts, and your patch, in an easy-to-use graphic interface. Synthesizer users will be right at home. New users will see the building blocks of the sound laid out in a logical flow that makes tweaking existing sounds or building new sounds from scratch easy and enjoyable.

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Setup

The setup page allows you to do all the editing you can do on the hardware itself, but in a more ergonomic way. This is where you customize the unit to your tastes: adjust the breath amount and bite functions; configure MIDI settings for all the controllers; set which controls are handled per patch or globally; and set up your USB and Bluetooth audio levels.

Diosynth - Setup.png

Patches

The Diosynth can hold a total of 768 patches (6 banks of 128 patches). We ship it with 384 patches that were designed by some of the top wind synth-specific sound designers.

We have created 128 acoustic patches that are based on the 128 different sample sets we have. We have 256 sounds that are totally new synthesizer sounds as well as hybrid sounds where we mix a combination of samples and synthesis.

You can browse the sounds by Bank (the default), where you can organize sounds in a numeric order, or by Category, which allows finding specific types of sounds easier.

Favorites

You can pick any of the onboard sounds as Favorites and place them into a custom order list. This is great for building out a set list for a live show.

Press the FAV button and now you are browsing just your favorite sounds in the order you choose. If you use the assignable buttons and set them to Next Favorite and Prev Favorite, you can navigate through your set list without having to look at the screen.

SAMPLES

The all-new sample set for Diosynth has been crafted for the a new era in wind synthesis.

This sample set is the culmination of meticulously recorded instruments utilizing world-class artists, top-shelf microphones, preamps, and signal chains. Recorded in studios around the world, these artist and instrument pairings give the Diosynth a character all its own.

Our library of 128 different sample sets includes many rare and expensive instruments not found in any other sample library, like the Bass sax, Eb Tubax, contralto and contrabass flutes, contrabassoon, handmade bamboo flutes and whistles, as well as unique playing styles and techniques.

In addition to the traditional instruments found in our sample library, we built hybrids like Flutasaurus©. Using samples from piccolo, C flute, alto flute, bass flute, contralto flute and contrabass flute, we built an instrument that covers the full 8+ octave range. Similarly, Obassoon was built using samples from oboe, to English horn, to bassoon, to contrabassoon. These instruments will give you a new sound not found anywhere else.

Connectivity

Audio – The Diosynth has several ways to monitor your sound and send audio to various devices.

Built-in speaker- The built-in speaker is great for personal monitoring or playing in a small group setting with nothing else connected.

Headphone jack – 3.5mm output jack allows you to connect your headphones for in-ear personal monitoring and silent practice or recording sessions.

¼” TRS output jack - For connecting to standard audio gear like interfaces and mixers, there is a ¼” stereo TRS jack. We include a stereo breakout cable with a custom right-angle jack designed to keep cables close to the body of the instrument. You can also use this jack as a mono output; just change the output mode from Stereo to Mono in the setup parameters.

USB Audio In and Out - For direct connection to a computer, we have 2-in/2-out USB Audio I/O on a USB-C connector. This allows you to connect one cable to your computer for your audio and MIDI interfacing.

Bluetooth Audio In – The Bluetooth audio input is perfect for the times where you might want to play along with something on your phone or computer. It can play through the speaker, the headphones or ¼” audio out.

Accessories

The Diosynth ships with a hardshell case that has custom cut foam to perfectly fit and protect the instrument. It also has storage for the included USB cables (Type A to C, and Type C to C), the custom ¼” TRS to split-TS audio cable, the USB power adaptor, a custom USB splitter (for computers with lower USB current specs), a neck strap, shoulder carry sling, spit scrunchy, an extra mouthpiece (for your friends who will want to try it), and a cleaning cloth. While it does not ship with batteries, we did provide cutouts for storage of four type 18650, 9900mAh, button top batteries.

We also went the extra mile and gave you a stand to put the Diosynth on when you are not playing it.

The sound engine

Diosynth features an advanced sound engine combining the award-winning Hydrasynth® WaveScan oscillators, envelopes and LFOs with an all-new multi-sample playback oscillator section.

This new sample-based section features multi-sampled instruments as well as separate instrument attack sounds, breath noise, and key off samples.

Sound generation

The Diosynth sound path starts with a total of 7 sound generators that can work simultaneously.

2x Hydrasynth Wavescan Oscillators – these are the famous oscillators that allow you to choose 8 waves, out of the 219 waveforms, and morph between them.
Noise generator that feeds a state variable Low Pass/Band Pass/High Pass filter
Sample map oscillator which is a complete sound voice in itself. Our unique legato mode allows legato playing, adding to the realism of sample sounds.

Sample Effects
- Key noise samples – these add subtle noise effects that add a level of acoustic realism
- Breath Noise samples – these sample partials add an extra attack phase to your sound
- Keyoff samples – these are placed after the main breath VCA and add mechanical sounds to your patch.

Sound modifiers

Sound modifiers range from subtle to extreme sound sculpting of the sample and synthesis source material.

Growl – the ‘growl’ is a ring modulator that can be tuned to add inharmonic effects that sound very much like growling or humming into a sax or flute. You can tune this to create subtle or intense effects, and then have it always on or bring it in via breath, a joystick, or one of the other modulation sources.
16-mode Hydrasynth Filter – The famous Hydrasynth filter is included in the voice path. This filter was designed using machine learning algorithms to create a range of filter curves that mimic the frequency and resonance response of many classic filters. The drive function adds a rich warmth and overdrive effect to thicken up the sound.
4-Band EQ – the 4-band EQ allows you to further shape the sound to help it layer or sit just right in your mix.

Part Insert Effects – Our insert effect gives you a choice of 40 effects you can add to each part. Choose between reverbs, delays, chorus, amp simulators, distortions, and more.

Modulation and control sources

True to the Hydrasynth, we have included 5 LFOs and 5 Envelope generators which allow a vast array of ways to control sounds. Beyond this we have multiple ‘player controls’ like an XY joystick, which bring a new level of performance options.

LFOs - Our LFOs can be used for the typical vibrato or filter effects but they can also be 64-step sequencers. In Step Seq mode they can play a note sequence their own. Putting them into Step Advance mode will move through a sequence of notes with each new note you play. This is great for chord-rotate types of sounds.
Envelopes – our 6-stage envelopes have variable slope controls as well as the ability to be synchronized to internal or external clock. They can also loop and become LFOs that you can shape.
XY Joystick – the joystick is placed under the right thumb and can be used in 6 different ways. It can be used for simple pitchbend effects, moving up and down, or routed in the modulation matrix to control any parameter in the voice engine. The joystick gives you instant access to all kinds of sound modifications in a very playable way.
2x Pressure Pads – we have 2 pressure pads which can be routed in the modulation matrix to most parameters in the voice engine. They also feature Latch/Momentary modes so you can use them as continuous controls or on/off switches.
Gyro Sensor – the built-in gyro senses position of the instrument, from vertical to horizontal. Raising the bottom of the Diosynth will increase the amount of Gyro modulation. You could assign it to the filter cutoff to brighten up your sound, or route it to WaveScan to shift harmonics as you lift the instrument.
Breath Sensor – we of course have a breath sensor that breathes life into your sound. We have a secondary breath modulator called Breath Threshold. You can set a threshold amount that determines the level at which the breath kicks in. It’s perfect for creating overblown flute sounds or other effects that will only come in at higher breath levels.
Bite Sensor – The bite sensor has 3 modes of operation allowing for controllable vibrato or pitch bend effects.

Diosynth is truly a power-packed synth, allowing you to double the synthesis engines into two parts that can be layered on top of each other, or split across the key range. This allows for building up beautifully complex textures. Imagine a gorgeous synth brass sound layered with a haunting string section, all coupled to earth-shattering synthesizer waveforms and modulations. Or, split the ranges and place a sequence or drone sound in the lower octaves and a melodic lead in the upper ranges.

Designed for Wind Players

Diosynth features an intuitive design that makes it easy to transition from traditional wind instruments like saxophone or clarinet. Every detail was crafted to feel familiar in your hands while opening new expressive possibilities.

Mouthpiece and Breath Control

The mouthpiece includes a responsive reed sensor for bite control - freely assignable to pitch bend, vibrato, or a variety of modulation destinations. It’s paired with a breath sensor that captures every nuance of your performance.

True Key Action

Diosynth uses a moving key action that is familiar to woodwind players—not flat sensors or push buttons. The keywork delivers the tactile feedback and articulation wind players expect. Multiple fingering modes are also available, including Sax, Flute, Recorder and Trumpet so you can play the way you already know

Performance Controls

On the back, we have added a number controls giving you easy access to key functions: four octave buttons can allow an 8+ octave playing range; three assignable push buttons, perfect for quick patch changes or parameter enables; an X/Y joystick giving you 4-way pitchbend and modulation controls, and two pressure-sensitive pads—all freely assignable for a wide range of control options.

Motion Expression

Taking expression even further, Diosynth includes a built-in gyroscopic positional sensor that tracks the instrument’s physical orientation as you play. Use motion as a performance tool, raise and lower Diosynth to change timbre, and bring your sound to life in entirely new ways.

Synthesis engine based on the award winning Hydrasynth®

- Two WaveScan oscillators with 219 waveforms
- 16 Hydrasynth® filter models, including our vowel filter
- Noise generator with our Hydrasynth® morphing filter
- 32-slot modulation matrix
- 5 LFOs with step sequencer modes
- 5 Envelopes with looping modes
- ‘Growl effect’: Ringmod with 3rd Oscillator

Sample Instruments

- 128 instrument samples
- Flutes from Piccolo down to Contrabass Flute
- Saxes from Soprano down to Eb Tubax
- Clarinets from Eb soprano down to Contralto
- Double reeds, Oboe down to Contrabassoon
- Ethnic Flutes and Whistles
- Trumpets, Trombones, French Horns and Tubas with mute variations and sections
- Violins, Cello, Bass, Ensembles, etc.
- Harmonicas, Accordions (like the cool kids have), and more

KEY FEATURES

- Real keys for real musicians
- 2 Instruments (Parts) so you can layer or split sounds
- Ships with 384 patches (can store up to 768 total)
- Transpose to any key, globally or per patch
- Multiple fingering modes (Saxophone, Flute, Trumpet, Recorder)
- XY joystick for live performance controls
- 2x thumb pressure pads
- 3x assignable buttons
- Gyro, positional sensor can be used as a mod source
- 8+ octave range
- DIN MIDI in/out
- USB C for MIDI/Audio connection
- Bluetooth Midi in/out
- Bluetooth audio input
- Can be powered by USB or by 2x 18650 Li-Ion 9900mAh rechargeable batteries (batteries not included)

SOFTWARE EDITOR

Mac/PC Patch Editor/Patch Manager app
- Edit your sounds and create sound banks
- Download new sound banks as they are released
- Create your own samples and upload them
iOS/Android Set List Manager
- Makes recalling patches easy and visual for live performers

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