Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) have built up a solid reputation thanks to their Hydrasynth digital synth, which is now available in four different keyboard sizes as well as a desktop/rackmount module. Their latest announcement, though, introduces an entirely new instrument to the range, and it’s neither a keyboard nor a module!
The Diosynth is ASM’s take on a wind synthesizer, and is said to combine the expressiveness of acoustic instruments with the power of the Hydrasynth engine. New to the instrument is a sample playback oscillator, which makes it possible to blend realistic-sounding acoustic instruments with the wavescan oscillators found in the Hydrasynth. Everything is then routed through a versatile 16-mode filter.
As for the sample content, ASM have meticulously captured 128 reed, brass, fipple and string-based sounds, including some rare instruments such as the contrabass flute, Eb Tubax and Peruvian llama whistle! The Diosynth comes loaded with 384 factory patches and a total of 768 patch locations, and covers everything from traditional wind instruments such as saxophones, trumpets and flutes to synth leads, basses and tempo-sync’ed electronic textures. A companion Mac/PC editor and iOS/Android apps offers both patch editing and live performance control.
The Diosynth's patch editor software.
Designed with wind players in mind, the instrument features mechanical keys — avoiding the flat button-style controls that are often found on other wind synths — which ASM say replicate the feel of a real wind instrument. Multiple fingering modes are joined by a scale/key locking function, while octave keys covering over eight octaves and provide a familiar, versatile playing experience. As for expression, the Diosynth includes breath and bite sensors, an internal gyrometer, X-Y joystick, two pressure pads and three programmable switches.
A main output is provided on a quarter-inch TRS socket and is also available over USB, with a headphone output present on a 3.5mm mini-jack socket; both outputs are equipped with a dedicated volume control. MIDI I/O is available via USB, five-pin DIN and Bluetooth, and the Bluetooth connection also allows audio to be streamed to the instrument’s built-in speaker and headphone output.
The Diosynth is powered by an included USB-C adaptor or two 18650 rechargeable batteries (not included), and each unit comes with a hard-shell case, cables, accessories and a stand.
Pricing & Availability
The Diosynth will be shipping in December 2025, priced at $1349£1249 including VAT / €1449.
