ASM Leviasynth

[LoboLives]

BoBeast just confirmed it's real. 16 voice FM, bi timbral synth with analog filter

[LoboLives]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVazSG6BREs

[LoboLives]

With an all-new 16-voice digital / analog hybrid synthesis engine, Leviasynthฎ takes a unique approach by providing 8 oscillators with over 300 waveforms available, as well as a range of unique synthesis types including Phase Modulation, Linear Frequency Modulation, Pulse Width Modulation, HTE Sync, and three types of Phase Distortion. It is capable of 16 voices that can be split and layered in two parts and has the ability to combine voices into stereo binaural voices. The 8 oscillators and 7 synthesis types can then be arranged using one of over 140 preset algorithmic combinations.  You can also craft your own custom algorithm and store it in the patch. If this didn’t offer enough options, we also feature Algorithm morphing which lets you select 8 algorithms, place them in any order and modulate smoothly between them. This uniquely powerful sound generator is then fed into the powerful Hydrasynth digital filter section, which includes 18 digital filter models as well as morphing and digital drive. From there the sound is further sculpted by a custom analog variable pre-drive circuit for intense analog warmth, before passing into the pure analog, 4-pole resonant filter. This is hybrid synthesis like you have never heard before.

"
Architecture
　　•　16 voices with 8 oscillators per voice
　　•　Algorithmic synthesis engine with morphing
　　•　Analog filter, hybrid digital / analog signal path


Oscillators
　　• Oscillator modes:
　　　　◦　Phase Modulation (PM), Frequency Modulation (FM),
　　　　◦　Pulse Width Modulation (PW), HTE Sync, Phase Distortion (3 types)
　　• Over 300 waveforms and 140+ preset algorithms
　　• Custom Algorithm mode for user-defined routing



Filters
　　•　Digital filter (18 models including morphing multimode and vowel)
　　•　Analog 4-pole low pass filter
　　•　Analog filter includes pre-drive saturation, self-oscillation and Q compensation


Modulation
　　•　32-slot Modulation Matrix
　　　o　170 total sources
　　　o　Over 425 total destinations
　　•　5 LFOs – Sine, Tri, Saw, Ramp, Square, Random, Noise, and Step
　　•　13 DAHDSR envelopes with looping, BPM sync modes and more
　　•　8 Macros per patch


Performance Controls
　　•　61-key semi weighted Polytouchฎ keybed with polyphonic aftertouch
　　•　4 octave Ribbon controller with multiple modes
　　•　Chord mode, Octave buttons, and Glide
　　•　Dedicated Digital and Analog filter controls
　　•　Innovative Envelope Bias controls for intuitive patch adjustment

Arpeggiator & Sequencer
　　•　Arpeggiator: 8 modes with Ratchet, Chance, Entropy
　　•　Dedicated controls for Mode, Octave, Gate and Entropy
　　•　Sequencer: 2 polyphonic note tracks + 1 Macro automation track
　　•　Up to 128 steps per track with probability and drift options
　　•　Parameters can be modulation destinations in the modulation matrix


Effects
　　•　Pre/Post FX: Chorus, Flanger, Rotary, Phaser, Lo-Fi, Tremolo, EQ, Compressor, Distortion
　　•　5 delay types with tempo sync
　　•　4 reverb types with up to 90s decay and Freeze

Patches
　　•　Single mode: 8 banks ื 128 patches
　　•　Multi mode : 5 Banks ื 128 Multi patches
　　•　Favorites system and randomization options


Connectivity
　　•　MIDI In/Out/Thru DIN & USB-B (class-compliant)
　　•　CV Pitch, Gate & Clock with 2 Mod inputs and 2 Mod outputs
　　•　TRS Balanced outputs
　　•　Dual headphone jacks 3.5mm & 1/4”
　　•　Sustain and expression pedal inputs
　　•　ASM Manager patch management and backup


Hardware
　　•　Tour-ready metal chassis
　　•　Backlit wheels and touch-responsive display
　　•　Single/Multi mode buttons and Upper/Lower part selection


Key Specs
　　•　16 voices; 8 oscillators per voice
　　•　300+ waveforms
　　•　140+ algorithms with Custom Algorithm mode
　　•　Dual filters: Digital (18 Models) + Analog 4-pole with pre-drive
　　•　FX suite: Pre/Post FX, Delays, Reverbs
　　•　Full connectivity: MIDI, USB, CV/Gate, audio outputs"

https://www.ashunsoundmachines.com/leviasynth-key?fbclid=IwY2xjawPbOZ1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeY-vu3KrxdckAym10UYa2BGkBxBpAv9nX8Dj98yESdgAMkzbKo7jlaPP9xIw_aem_R_v0coUzl1FbT9E1VeLq6w

[Elric]

Holy smokes!   That thing looks great!
Seems a bit like a Kurzweil K approach.
And $2500? (1800 for the module). This is going to break the synth world.

[LoboLives]

Admittedly I haven't been overly impressed by the presets. It's not a bad synth and it seems to check all the boxes but like Ken Flux and Glen Darcy said "It doesn't have a specific sound more so a pallet of sounds to choose from. It's not really FM or Phase Distortion first, they are just part of the pallet." That's fair. I just haven't heard anything that's made me go "That's it!" A lot of it sounds like virtual analog.

Personally I was hoping ASM would do something with blending sampling with it's Hydrasynth engine.

I actually did a blind listen between this and the Korg OpSix and to be honest I find the OpSix a bit more pleasing to my ears, likely because it's so similar to the DX7 and can load DX7 sysex files etc whereas the LeviaSynth is it's own thing.

As for the price? It's very close to the price of the Novation Summit which is easier to approach but again doesn't really have an identifiable character.

For a thousand bucks more I could get a Synclavier Regen which would cover both of their territories sonically and a lot more. Also given the fact Synclavier is said to be working on a full size flagship keyboard synth, I think I might hold off GASing for anything else.

[Elric]

After listening to the demos, yea, very digital.

But still, compared to many of the high end synths. This is a good price.

I would rather have a 3rd Wave myself, but...

[LoboLives]

After listening to the demos, yea, very digital.

But still, compared to many of the high end synths. This is a good price.

I would rather have a 3rd Wave myself, but...

Oh yeah I'm happy it sounds digital. Upon further discussion with some of the patch creators (and they got some absolutely insane heavyweights participating-Daniel Fisher, Jexus, Nick Batt etc) they said that it does have a "Classic Digital" mode where it simulates the aliasing of 1980s synths to recreate the brightness and impact of those sounds. Phase Distortion from the Casio CZ series, Linear FM, etc and they have done some of those patches and apparently its incredibly easy to recreate DX7 sounds.

So it's there, I'm just not hearing it as much but this demo has some...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9sXY1QJCb4

[LPF83]

One school of thought:  If it can do Twin Peaks, it's analog enough!    https://youtu.be/pOADNX6hGgc?t=286

My general impression of it is that if deep sound exploration is what you're after, the feature set and possibilities seem as formidable as the name and this synth might be just the ticket for that crowd.  Kudos to ASM for innovating and doing something different. 

One of the reviews I saw said it's deeper yet less immediate than the Hydrasynth, and that's the impression I get from it, it seems more of a sound explorer's synth than a players synth.  I actually like both sound exploration and playing, and where I am in 2026 I feel I have shortage of time to learn lots of deep instruments inside and out (am I the only one missing the Covid lockdown right about now? , and I really gravitate more toward taking an analog synth and pushing it to sound digital when I want digital, rather than taking a digital synth and pushing it to sound analog -- I feel the former takes less time even if it's more limiting in the long run.

It's not to say I won't pick one of these up, I might.  But sometimes it takes a while to hear the right demo that makes me say "there it is, I want it".  ASM really impressed me with their overall delivery of the Hydra, so I respect them as a company and will keep an eye on this one.

[LPF83]

Just an update on my thoughts a few weeks later after seeing more demos.  I love following what ASM is doing and I still have my Hydrasynth.  The Leviasynth makes me want one when I see demos, but more for the features like the screen and visualization than the sound.

The main reason I'm not planning to buy this one (for now anyway) is that it appeals to my inner geek more than it appeals to my inner musician.  I've been writing software since I was 12 and I'm in my late 50s now.  If I want ways to get lost in technology, I have more than enough ways to do that, so on one hand I'm looking at that screen UI and thinking man that looks like exploratory fun.... but simultaneously thinking so much technical fun that it would probably get in the way of my particular workflow which right now is making music for my own enjoyment, the escapism, and maybe coming up with something that will have me humming it the next day.  I love the sound of FM synthesis but having cut my teeth on the much more advanced additive synthesis, I've decided that fiddling with sound design details isn't (usually) what I want from a synth.... I want more immediacy, and from what I can see the Hydrasynth is a bit more immediate in terms of the two main synth options from ASM.

Overall though, it looks like a great synth.  I think these guys are really making their mark on the industry.

[Soundquest]

LPF83,  I'm sort of in the same boat.  I think it might soak me in too much, and I'm already having a hard enough time rotating thru the studio.  But I've learned to never say never   It does look nice. 

[LPF83]

LPF83,  I'm sort of in the same boat.  I think it might soak me in too much, and I'm already having a hard enough time rotating thru the studio.  But I've learned to never say never   It does look nice.

Same on the never say never!  Some of my favorite synths weren't the ones that grabbed me in initial demos I'd heard, but later pulled me in.