ASM Leviasynth for NAMM 2026

[MillerSam]

New ASM Leviasynth is coming for NAMM 2026. Here is the leak
https://synthanatomy.com/2026/01/levias ... akers.html

[cryophonik]

Not something that I’ll be buying, but it looks like a pretty interesting concept. Much more interesting than the Hydrasynth IMO.

[bmanic]

Let's hope this one actually sounds good this time around.

[cryophonik]

Keyboard: $2,499
Desktop: $1,799

[christian f.]

Let's hope this one actually sounds good this time around.

In the videos it has the same sonic characteristic that I remember I hated from the HS.

[Constructed Identity]

Like it or not with each OSC able to be a modulator (carrier) looks like a real FM synthesis playground.
Also, macros make it a pad monster.

[Old Norse]

You can trust the KVRians to hate this one even more than the previous one.

[zerocrossing]

You can trust the KVRians to hate this one even more than the previous one.

Maybe, but historically we have been, by and large, a forgiving bunch. Look at Arturia. They’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but they went from being pretty maligned to being considered one of the top developers.

I had a Hydrasynth Deluxe for a while. I think I looked at it in a clear manner. I bought it for its polyphonic keybed, but figured I could use its synthesis engine for something. Ultimately, I decided not to. I didn’t find it had anything to offer that I didn’t already have in software, and done much better. Not that it wasn’t capable of making good sounds, but I’m already awash with great sounds.

So I held on to it until Native Instruments released their mk3 Kontrol series. The Kontrol’s aftertouch was equally as good as the Hydrasynth’s, but the key action was significantly better, IMO. So, off it went.

Not that I’m in the market for a new hardware synthesizer, but I’d have no problem having a look at their next step. One thing is for sure, is that I would need to have one in my hands before I could seriously consider buying it. One of my biggest issues with the Hydrasynth was the filter and the gain sound, but if that is now done with analog circuits, I’m intrigued.

[Old Norse]

Maybe, but historically we have been, by and large, a forgiving bunch.

As evidenced in the Instruments forum, where someone is currently informing a man whose neck is broken in two places that he's posting in the wrong forum.

[Seafire Mk2]

He shouldn't go to those places...

[bmanic]

Let's hope this one actually sounds good this time around.

In the videos it has the same sonic characteristic that I remember I hated from the HS.

Yeah, I agree. They also seem to reuse the exact same digital filter algorithm and still doesn't seem to have any way to fine tune modulation depth in the modulation matrix. Annoying to say the least.

The analogue filter does sound nice though. That automatically elevates this one beyond the Hydrasynth in my opinion but with the strange overall sound and quirks of the original, it's definitely a no-go for me sound wise.

EDIT: Having now listened through the whole Loopop video, including the preset playthrough, it really does have a very strong "signature sound" that I just do not like. I'd describe it as "compressed and distant". Absolutely nothing is upfront, clear or forward in a pleasant way. Everything is sort of condensed and slightly recessed into the background. It's a very familiar sound for us Hydrasynth owners. It's what I'd describe as the exact opposite to the classic Nord Lead 2 and 3 forwardness, if you happen to be familiar with that type of aggressively forward sound signature. I feel like I need to add a smiley EQ curve to make it sound "normal".

Only reason I keep my Hydrasynth Explorer is due to it being one of the best mini-MIDI controllers around, if not THE best ever made. It's battery driven and amazing as a general purpose controller for all other synths.

[cryophonik]

You can trust the KVRians to hate this one even more than the previous one.

Was the Hydrasynth hated here? I always thought it was generally well-regarded by the KVR members who owned one, with the exception of a few in the vocal minority, which is typical of most synths.

[mambo888]

An FM synth with 16 voices for 2400. Maybe I’m wrong but I just don’t see what’s the deal here. Modx M can be had for 1300, same for the Astrolab which can have 20-40 thousand presets. I can’t count the presets on the Modx M but there are so many to choose from and professionally made that you literally never have to create a patch from scratch. Almost every sonic possibility is already covered. Add a modwave for wavetables and you are still below the price tag and you have hundreds of voices, lots of midi channels.

[cryophonik]

Again, not something I’ll be buying, but the price seems reasonable to me for a 16-voice digital-analog hybrid with 8 oscillators per voice, multiple synth engines with 144 algorithms, 5 LFOs, 5 DADHSR envelopes, and analog filters (which considerably jack up the price). On paper, that’s pretty impressive.

[djrevise5]

Hydrasynth is the worst sounding synth I’ve ever played, I really wanted to like it because their design and functionality is on point. Lifeless and sterile. This seems to be the same to me, too bad as I love these kinds of synths that have so much depth.