Welcome to the Hydrasynth Mastery Course Series, your comprehensive guide to mastering the versatile Hydrasynth instrument. Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced user, our expertly designed courses will elevate your music production skills and deepen your understanding of the Hydrasynth.
The Hydrasynth Mastery Course Series is divided into three parts, spanning approximately 13 hours of high-quality, easy-to-follow video content. Each course is meticulously crafted to guide you through different levels of expertise, from foundational knowledge to advanced sound design techniques.
You can take each course separately or opt for our discounted bundle to gain full access to the entire series. Join us on this journey and unlock the full potential of your Hydrasynth, transforming your music production skills and achieving mastery in your craft.
Scroll down to read more information about each of the three parts...
Welcome to the first part of the Hydrasynth Mastery Course Series: The Comprehensive Guide. This 6-hour course is meticulously designed to help you conquer the Hydrasynth, offering a deep dive into every aspect of this powerful instrument. With 23 detailed lessons, you'll thoroughly understand Hydrasynth's capabilities and learn how to leverage its features to elevate your music production.
Throughout this course, you'll explore everything from the basics of the front and rear panels to the intricacies of oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, and effects. Each module is broken down into easy-to-follow segments, ensuring even complex topics are made simple and accessible. You'll also get hands-on with patch selection, system setup, the mod matrix, and more, culminating in practical lessons where you'll create your own bass, lead, and sequence presets.
Join us in this comprehensive guide and take the first step towards mastering the Hydrasynth.
Dive deeper into sound design with the second part of our Hydrasynth Mastery Course Series: The Sound Designer's Toolkit. This 4-hour course, featuring ten comprehensive modules and 69 detailed lessons, is designed to equip you with advanced techniques and tips to unleash the full potential of your Hydrasynth.
In this course, you'll explore a variety of sound design strategies, from adding analog warmth and drive effects to creating expansive stereo sounds and intricate wavescanning techniques. Each module is packed with practical lessons, including tips on ring modulation, mutant parameters, filter manipulation, and advanced sequencing with LFOs and arpeggiators. You'll also learn how to effectively use macros and the mod matrix to create dynamic, evolving sounds.
Unlock the secrets of professional sound design with the third part of our Hydrasynth Mastery Course Series: The Preset Creator Masterclass. This 3-hour course features ten in-depth preset creation masterclasses, guiding you step-by-step through crafting diverse sounds.
Throughout this course, you'll learn how to create rich, dynamic presets that you can immediately apply to your music, including powerful basses, expressive leads, intricate plucks, lush pads, rhythmic sequences, arpeggiated patterns, and unique FX sounds. Each masterclass is designed to provide you with the techniques and insights needed to develop your own signature sounds.
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With over 15 years of experience in the industry, he has gained support from renowned artists like Boris Brecha, Dave Clarke, Helena Hauf, Hector Oaks, RLGN, Umwelt, Dave Clarke, Ben Pest, Idris Elba, Monika Kruse, David Guetta, Will Clarke and Dense & Pika. His work has also been featured on platforms such as BBC Radio One, Spotify Official Playlists and ADE.
As a versatile artist, James aka Druum has toured in various bands and solo projects, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the table. As the owner of Balter Records – he has demonstrated expertise in managing the business side of the industry.
With previous experience as a sound designer for Ampify, Novation, Elektron and Audiotent, James has honed his skills in audio production. Over the past few years, he has been mentoring students one-on-one, helping them finish and release music by overcoming creative blocks.
As the course creator and owner of Mixhackers, James is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring musicians.
I can’t recommend this course highly enough!
There isn't a course like it out there and nothing on YouTube comes close.
The course is filmed well and you can tell James put a lot of effort into the production.
I would definitely recommend!
James does a nice job of running through an astonishing array of functions, giving overviews of how they work, and providing you with the fundamentals!
Thorough, methodical, clear and considered course. 10/10 would recommend it! Amazing value. ️️️️️️️️️️
So glad that I invested, learning loads and its much quicker than trying to do it on my own, or by watching random YouTube videos!
The courses are very linear and that makes it much easier than grabbing 100 different videos from a 100 different people and trying to navigate that mess!
1000% satisfaction! Could easily be the best Syntakt course on the market!!!
Tons of must-know tips and tricks. Very playful, motivating and inviting!
James' teaching style is great, fast paced but not too fast. And his enthusiasm for the subject is clear.
I recommend this course to all owners of a Hydrasynth.
This course covered everything in regards to learning the Hydrasynth. I look forward to being able to go over the information over and over again!
This is the most comprehensive course on the Syntakt and it has completely changed my workflow!
Super helpful content helping me to master my Syntakt skills. James provides creative processes presented in a way that’s easy to follow and apply!
Introduction & Synth Overview: Familiarise yourself with the Hydrasynth's layout and features
Main Systems & System Setup: Master the essentials for patch selection, browsing, and customization
Oscillators, Mutants & Ring Noise: Explore the unique sound generation capabilities of the Hydrasynth
Mixer & Filters: Dive deep into the powerful sound-shaping tools
Amp, Envelopes, LFO's & Effects: Unleash the full potential of modulation and FX processing
Voice, Arpeggiator, Macros & Mod Matrix: Unlock creative possibilities with advanced control options
CV/Gate, Hydrasynth Manager & Preset Creation: Integrate the Hydrasynth into your setup
3 Patch Masterclasses: Learn how to create your own patches from scratch
Embark on your Hydrasynth mastery journey with an all-encompassing introduction that sets the foundation for your exploration into this powerful synthesizer.
Familiarise yourself with the Hydrasynth's layout, components, and signal flow to harness the full potential of its sound design capabilities.
Navigate the heart of the Hydrasynth, mastering the processes for patch selection, browsing, saving, and utilising the intuitive interface for optimal workflow.
Delve into the core settings that define your playing experience, from master tuning to intricate MIDI configurations and CV/Gate integrations.
Gain expertise in using the Hydrasynth's responsive pads for triggering sounds and enhancing your live performance techniques. We will also dive into its very useful advanced features!
Discover the power of Hydrasynth's oscillators, learning how to manipulate waveforms and harness wavescan technology for innovative sound creation.
Explore the Mutant modules to radically transform your sounds, applying techniques like FM, wave stacking, and oscillator sync for groundbreaking results.
Utilise the ring modulator and noise generator to add unique textures, from subtle warmth to aggressive timbral changes in your sound palette.
Master the mixing stage within the Hydrasynth, balancing oscillator levels, panning and routing to achieve the perfect sonic mix.
Manipulate the Hydrasynth's versatile filters to shape your sound's timbre, from classic low-pass to innovative formant filtering.
Control the dynamics of your sound with the amp module, sculpting the volume envelope for everything from punchy attacks to smooth decays.
Harness the expressiveness of the Hydrasynth's envelopes to modulate various parameters, creating evolving textures and movement within your patches.
Experiment with the LFO’s to add rhythmic pulsations or subtle motion to your sounds.
Understand the voice architecture, from polyphony to unison settings, to craft everything from massive leads to complex, layered soundscapes.
Create compelling and intricate melodic patterns with the Hydrasynth's arpeggiator, learning advanced functions to elevate your sequences.
Assign and manipulate macros for quick access to multiple parameters, enhancing your efficiency and performance expressiveness.
Unlock the potential of the modulation matrix, routing sources to destinations to bring dynamic change and complexity to your patches.
Integrate your Hydrasynth with modular setups using CV/Gate connections, expanding your creative possibilities through external control.
Streamline your workflow with the Hydrasynth Manager software, enabling efficient patch management and library organisation.
MODULE 21: PRESET 1 - BASS Create powerful and cutting-edge bass sounds, learning the intricacies of crafting foundational tones that cut through any mix.
MODULE 22: PRESET 2 - LEAD Design lead sounds that stand out, from silky smooth to aggressively biting, perfect for any solo or melody line.
MODULE 23: PRESET 3 - SEQUENCE Construct intricate sequences that captivate and engage, using the Hydrasynth's sequencing capabilities to their fullest extent.
Each module is carefully structured to ensure you gain both the knowledge and practical skills to harness the full sound design potential of the Hydrasynth. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, these modules will elevate your sound design toolkit and inspire your musical creations.
Analog Tips: Achieving warmth & character
Drive Tips: Gain staging & distortion techniques
Stereo Tips: Enhancing the stereo field
Wavescan Tips: Creative wavetable modulation
Ring Modulation Tips: Using ring modulation creatively
Mutant Tips: In-depth exploration of mutant parameters
Filter Tips: Advanced filter techniques & routing
Sequencer & LFO Tips: Melodic sequences & polyrhythms
Arp Tips: Crafting unique phrases & rhythms
Macro & Mod Matrix Tips: Mastering modulation and macro's
Dive into the warm and rich textures of analog synthesis with the 'Analog Tips' module. You'll explore how to infuse your Hydrasynth patches with an authentic analog feel, learning techniques like Random Phase, Oscillator Tuning, and Noise Oscillation. We'll also delve into the characterful variations of Filter Models and Drives, and how to shape envelopes and delays for that classic tape-style warmth.
Unleash the power of distortion and drive in your sound design. 'Drive Tips' offers insight into the nuanced world of Filter and Pre/Post FX Drive. Discover the secrets of Gain Staging, create aggressive Mutant Feedback, and stack distortion for massive sonic impact. You'll also experiment with Cable Feedback Loops for truly innovative sounds.
Expand your sonic horizon with 'Stereo Tips'. This module teaches you how to create immersive stereo landscapes using Unison Mode, Poly Stereo Width, and Wavstack. Learn the art of Oscillator Panning and utilizing Stereo FX to add depth and dimension to your tracks. We'll also cover how to dynamically modulate stereo fields for a truly enveloping listening experience.
Transform static sounds into evolving textures with 'Wavescan Tips'. Get hands-on with envelope and LFO modulation over wavescan amounts, learn to sequence your wavescan for rhythmic variation, and modulate wave parameters for complex, animated patches. This module is a deep dive into the dynamic world of wavescanning synthesis.
Discover the metallic and bell-like tones achievable with Ring Modulation. In this focused module, you'll use the Ring Mod to turn simple waves into complex oscillators, creating unique timbres and textures that will set your patches apart.
Harness the full potential of the Hydrasynth’s Mutants. From envelope shaping to intricate LFO applications, learn how to sequence and layer Mutant parameters for groundbreaking sounds. Explore Pulse Width Modulation, and even Mutants modulating other Mutants, for unprecedented control over your sonic creations.
Master the Hydrasynth’s powerful filters with 'Filter Tips'. This module covers techniques like playing the filter with keyboard tracking, adding extra oscillators for thickness, modulating self-resonating filters for percussive effects, and utilising the second filter for creative routing. Push the boundaries with Vowel Filters and Drive modulation.
Revolutionise your sequences with 'Sequencer & LFO Tips'. Combine multiple LFOs, create custom LFO shapes, and build complex melodic sequences. Learn to manipulate sequencer filter routings, note slides, and octaves for intricate patterns, and discover how to repurpose envelopes as LFOs for polyrhythmic effects.
Create compelling melodies with ease using 'Arp Tips'. This module will guide you through crafting unique phrases, manipulating step divisions, and controlling arp octaves, modes, and lengths. Experiment with Random Arp Modes and introduce swing to bring life and variability to your arpeggiated patterns.
Take command of the Hydrasynth’s modulation capabilities with 'Macro & Mod Matrix Tips'. Learn to create powerful macro controls for complex modulations, utilize the mod matrix for nuanced sound shaping, design builds with a single knob, and integrate external controllers for live performance dynamism.
Dynamic & Subsonic Bass: Forge powerful bass sounds with rich harmonics and deep, sub-focused tones
Expressive & Energetic Leads: Design soaring, unique leads that cut through the mix for high-impact performances
Immersive & Textured Pads: Construct lush, evolving pads and layered atmospheres for cinematic and ambient soundscapes
Engaging Arpeggiated Patterns: Build intricate arpeggiated sequences and explore innovative arp settings for captivating patterns
Complex & Creative Sequencing: Develop multi-layered sequenced patches and master the art of crafting inspiring sequences for dynamic performances
8 Performance Macros for Enhanced Expressivity: Add a new level of expression and excitement to your patches with 8 pre-programmed macros that are ready to be used on stage or in the studio
Discover the core principles of crafting the perfect bass preset in 'Bass 1'. This module will guide you through the process of creating a bass sound that serves as the powerful backbone of your tracks, with techniques to ensure it sits perfectly within any mix.
Take your bass sound to the next level with. Learn advanced techniques for designing a bass preset that complements and contrasts with your initial bass, providing you with versatility and depth in your production arsenal.
In 'Lead 1', you'll learn how to design lead sounds that capture attention and convey emotion. This module focuses on the raw energy of leads, crafting presets that stand out and carry the melody with confidence.
'Lead 2' builds upon your lead design skills, teaching you how to infuse your leads with complexity and a unique character. Explore how to create leads that not only stand out but also integrate seamlessly with the rest of your sonic palette.
'Pluck 1' dives into the art of creating plucked presets that add rhythm and energy to your tracks. Learn to create crisp, clear pluck sounds that can serve as both rhythmic backbones and melodic leads.
In 'Pluck 2', you'll refine your pluck presets, adding layers of sophistication and depth. This module will show you how to craft plucks that evolve over time, adding interest and variation to your compositions.
Pads are the lush landscapes of the sonic world, and 'Pad' will teach you to create atmospheric presets that fill out the harmonic spectrum and add emotional depth to your music.
'Sequence' is all about motion and progression. Learn how to create engaging sequence presets that move your track forward, providing a dynamic and evolving backdrop to your compositions.
The 'Arp' module focuses on arpeggiated patterns that bring life and complexity to your music. Discover techniques for designing presets that produce captivating, automated melodies and harmonies.
In 'FX', you'll explore the world of sound effects and textural elements. This module will guide you through creating presets that add a unique signature to your tracks, from subtle atmospheric touches to dramatic sonic moments.
You will need a Hydrasynth, a good listening environment (headphones / speakers), relevant ASM software (Hydra Manager and firmware updates) and an internet connection.
Modules differ in length, some are just 5 minutes, the longer ones go up to 40 minutes so it really depends on where you are in the course and how long you have at that given time. The course is structured in chapters and modules so you can pick up where you left off and easily go back to previous lessons.
Forever! :)
This is a lifetime access license, content will forever be available via the student login portal along with any other courses and masterclasses that you purchase from my website.
No, you don’t have to create an account.
An account for the student login portal will automatically be made for you upon purchase.
Unfortunately not, each student should have their own login and license.
I publish these courses at an affordable price, in the hopes of not pricing anyone out from the educational content that I provide.
By being a good egg and supporting me properly, it will allow me to create even more courses and free tuition to help you all make better music :)
This is not that kind of course, although, I will be launching the Mixhackers flagship production curriculum later. The Mixhackers Discord channel will be a place where you can share your creations, live jams and music to get feedback and also give others feedback. So if you are looking for accountability and communal support please come join the Mixhackers Discord community :)
Technical support is at hand, if you have an issue with the student portal or you need to access something that you have lost, I will be there to help. Any further questions can be asked in the Discord Community.
I haven't had to refund a student yet, which is great! But for any reason you are not happy with the course material, you can let me know why within 3 days of purchasing and I will happily refund you. After this you will lose access to the courses in your student learning portal.
Yes :)
Absolutely! When the Hydrsynth 2.0 update came out, I added a 1 hour module as an update for all students :)
