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clementshawes
Joined: Mar 04, 2012
Posts: 64
Location: Truro, Cornwall
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 Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 4:10 pm Post subject:
Desktop Evolver
Subject description: Absolutely amazing |
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I've been lucky enough to indulge myself in a lot of different software, hardware and hybrid 'toys' over the past 12-months and, by landslide, I have to say that the Evolver has got to be my favourite indulgence so far.
Sure, I'm sure there's plenty of people who loved and left it, or simply didn't like it at all but I am absolutely dumbfounded by what this thing can do and I've only scratched a tiny bit of its surface.
Can anyone suggest any good resources for this amazing device?
I don't know if I I'll be able to resist a poly key version in the new year instead of the Mopho X4 I was planning on...
_________________
Yamaha Rm1x + A3000 + CS6r + AN1x, DSI Evolver Desktop, Akai S3000XL, Korg MS-20ic + Micro X + MonoTron + Zero8, Nord Modular Rack G1, Emu CommandStation MP-7, Zoom Sampletrak, UAD-2 Solo, iLemur, NI Kore-1, Novation Launchpad, Apple MacBook + Mac mini.
NI Kore 2 & Komplete 7, Ableton Live Suite 8, Max4Live, Korg Legacy, many FX plugins.
Considering: SP404, G2X Engine, MPC JoJo/1000, MachineDrum 2/OctaTrack, RME Fireface, DSI Tempest, Pulse2, MonoMachine, Live9/Push |
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EdisonRex
Site Admin
Joined: Mar 07, 2007
Posts: 4449
Location: London, UK
Audio files: 168
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| Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 9:28 am Post subject:
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Can't blame you at all. I think it is one of the more misunderstood Dave Smith products (probably because of the crap documentation) and is incredibly rich. I have a PEK. 
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Garret: It's so retro.
EGM: What does retro mean to you?
Parker: Like, old and outdated.
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clementshawes
Joined: Mar 04, 2012
Posts: 64
Location: Truro, Cornwall
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| Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:32 am Post subject:
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I dread to think what the poly is capable of - I find my self forgetting, a lot, that the desktop is 'only' mono!
I'm going to have to get at least another desktop if not the PEK!
_________________
Yamaha Rm1x + A3000 + CS6r + AN1x, DSI Evolver Desktop, Akai S3000XL, Korg MS-20ic + Micro X + MonoTron + Zero8, Nord Modular Rack G1, Emu CommandStation MP-7, Zoom Sampletrak, UAD-2 Solo, iLemur, NI Kore-1, Novation Launchpad, Apple MacBook + Mac mini.
NI Kore 2 & Komplete 7, Ableton Live Suite 8, Max4Live, Korg Legacy, many FX plugins.
Considering: SP404, G2X Engine, MPC JoJo/1000, MachineDrum 2/OctaTrack, RME Fireface, DSI Tempest, Pulse2, MonoMachine, Live9/Push |
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namnibor
Joined: Apr 26, 2012
Posts: 43
Location: Ohio, USA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 6:16 am Post subject:
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| clementshawes wrote: | I dread to think what the poly is capable of - I find my self forgetting, a lot, that the desktop is 'only' mono!
I'm going to have to get at least another desktop if not the PEK! |
I too firstly had the desktop evolver. When I heard they had discontinued the Mono Evolver Keyboard as of June, 2012, decided I wanted to buy one for all the hands-on controls and poly chaining and also I happen to like the "endless encoders" and only FEW new ones being sold by only one seller in NYC are all the "PE version". Low and behold a seller I have dealt with before posted one with original encoders and had been completely services with no jumpy encoders AND had all the pretty Prophet 08 knobs fitted as well. They are holding their MAP $$ amount about one hundred below.
****OMG****...Firstly know that it's actually advantagious to have the MonoEvolver Keyboard (MEK hereafter) and polychain up to 20 desktops or total evolvers rather than the PEK. (I have been communicating with DSI support for a bit and have learned ALOT of cool stuff) Also, if you do not have this free download of an evolver owner's labor of love (do a search or it is even now free download on DSI site) by Anu Kirk, "THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE EVOLVER"...it is like taking a Master Course on the Desktop Evolver however it applies to ALL Evolvers, as it takes you through exercises using the Evolver signal flow, modulations, etc, etc.
Now, advantages of MEK over PEK are just a few but important few: ONLY the MEK also has an arpeggiator and then even though the MEK does not have "combos" like the PEK has but with the PEK, for each Evolver used within a COMBO, one actually loses an Evolver per instance in an PEK "combo", whereas the MEK does not have "combos", when polychained, you absolutely always have those voices in a polychain, sacrificing nothing!!!
When the MEK is polychained, the midi out is still able to send note-on data for how many poly voices you may have in a polychained set-up. You also need to have each audio out of each polychained evolver going to a pre-mixer (I bought an older Kawai MX-8R rack mixer for the two desktop Evolvers I now have polychained to my MEK that ALSO has one midi IN and THREE MIDI THRU, which in no way affects the mixer signals nor even have to be from that same source), then I send that MASSIVE stereo-summed L/R to either my main rack mixer and/or to audio interface, then Reaper)...The MEK manual is actually much better than the desktop in explaining so many things that combined with the free download of must-have aforementioned guide, I cannot express how expressive and high quality of the key-action of the MEK and with aftertouch as a multiple modulation destination, other than my Blofeld Black Keyboard and both Virus KB and KC, have never played such wonderful keys. It is worth noting that all desktop evolvers need to be on O.S. 3.0 and all serial numbers 1586 upwards come with it from DSI. It involved replacing a PIC/eprom-like, for still $25. from DSI THEN following instructions and sending sysex update to finish....good to know when looking for other desktop evolvers at good price to build your polychained monster!!
So much more and not time nor space but if you have any other questions that I may be able to answer, surely will do so or contact Carson Day at DSI Support, whom has been so very helpful!
The sound....even when isolating and playing 2 DCO alalog osc's on just ONE Evolver, I am convinced without a doubt that it is more FAT than one voice on the Prophet 08!!!!
Hope this helps and firmly believe Evolver is most ingenius invention by Dave Smith in the DSI incarnation! Three Evolvers, including the MEK all polychained to, is so massive cannot imagine any more considering rest of synth arsenal. Having the MEK with all the functions 1 to 1 per knob/switch, makes night and difference in immediacy of controlling parameters. Rant over!
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_________________
Sonic Arsenal: Waldorf: Blofeld Black Kbd, MicroQ Omega, Yellow MicroQ, Microwave XT, Q-Rack, PULSE PLUS (arriving soon), Miniworks 4-Pole; Access Virus KB and KC; DSI Evolver Desktop and Mono Evolver Keyboard (poly-chained)-x2; Korg: Radias Kbd, Wavestation SR, Kontrol 49; Alesis: Ion, Fusion--for HollowSun SampleBanks; Novation Supernova 1, SL MK II 61; Roland SH-32; Yamaha: RM1X, CS2X, Reaper, Fast Track C600, Studio Maine Coone Cat pre-loaded with wavetables on each fang! |
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clementshawes
Joined: Mar 04, 2012
Posts: 64
Location: Truro, Cornwall
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:22 am Post subject:
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She looks gorgeous, congrats
Thanks for the info - it all makes a lot of sense. I was looking for a DSI purchase in the new year which started with a Mopho key, then I thought about MophoX4 but maybe now this is the way forward.
I've recently picked up Nord Micro Modular which seems to sit really well alongside my Evolver - for my tastes, better than the Mopho does. I'm doing an exchange with a chap in Jan which involves my White Blofeld keys for his Nord Modular Rack G1.
So I'll be left with the Virus Indigo but I'd happily barter that for a MEK to poly with my desktop lol (I have less and less space so will be condensing my gear more and more in the new year).
I think I might have my work cut-out finding an MEK in UK/EU though...
_________________
Yamaha Rm1x + A3000 + CS6r + AN1x, DSI Evolver Desktop, Akai S3000XL, Korg MS-20ic + Micro X + MonoTron + Zero8, Nord Modular Rack G1, Emu CommandStation MP-7, Zoom Sampletrak, UAD-2 Solo, iLemur, NI Kore-1, Novation Launchpad, Apple MacBook + Mac mini.
NI Kore 2 & Komplete 7, Ableton Live Suite 8, Max4Live, Korg Legacy, many FX plugins.
Considering: SP404, G2X Engine, MPC JoJo/1000, MachineDrum 2/OctaTrack, RME Fireface, DSI Tempest, Pulse2, MonoMachine, Live9/Push |
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clementshawes
Joined: Mar 04, 2012
Posts: 64
Location: Truro, Cornwall
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 9:10 am Post subject:
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Oh, and, Anu Kirk's Definitive Guide To Evolver has been on my iPad since before i bought an Evolver - top guide for sure!
_________________
Yamaha Rm1x + A3000 + CS6r + AN1x, DSI Evolver Desktop, Akai S3000XL, Korg MS-20ic + Micro X + MonoTron + Zero8, Nord Modular Rack G1, Emu CommandStation MP-7, Zoom Sampletrak, UAD-2 Solo, iLemur, NI Kore-1, Novation Launchpad, Apple MacBook + Mac mini.
NI Kore 2 & Komplete 7, Ableton Live Suite 8, Max4Live, Korg Legacy, many FX plugins.
Considering: SP404, G2X Engine, MPC JoJo/1000, MachineDrum 2/OctaTrack, RME Fireface, DSI Tempest, Pulse2, MonoMachine, Live9/Push |
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namnibor
Joined: Apr 26, 2012
Posts: 43
Location: Ohio, USA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 10:31 am Post subject:
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| clementshawes wrote: | She looks gorgeous, congrats
Thanks for the info - it all makes a lot of sense. I was looking for a DSI purchase in the new year which started with a Mopho key, then I thought about MophoX4 but maybe now this is the way forward.
I've recently picked up Nord Micro Modular which seems to sit really well alongside my Evolver - for my tastes, better than the Mopho does. I'm doing an exchange with a chap in Jan which involves my White Blofeld keys for his Nord Modular Rack G1.
So I'll be left with the Virus Indigo but I'd happily barter that for a MEK to poly with my desktop lol (I have less and less space so will be condensing my gear more and more in the new year).
I think I might have my work cut-out finding an MEK in UK/EU though... |
That was my issue, wanting an anolog monophonic but NOT the MiniBrute as I personally want more osc's, et al, and considered the Mopho and Mopho x4. Having already the desktop evolver at time, a friend showed me how to isolate just the two anaolg osc's for programming and I realized for sake of space (me too) and it only made sense to get the MEK with one extra octave that Mopho and although am sure the Mophox4 is quite capable, the FACT that there is NOT the external input the Mopho possessed, it was a simple choice and came across great deal on the second desktop evolver to polychain two to MEK and once polychained, other than the connections and needing to have their audio outs each going to a mixer, you essentially set up polychain and tuck them away as ALL control is from the MEK. The variety of sounds, versatile uses in having the external input on MEK and the PHAT, from ambient-ethereal to the downright rip your face off sounds was a no-brainer!
I am a hardware kind of guy...just me as less time clicking a mouse and training as a pianist--vst's are fine for other's needs as well but just not for me...on that note (mind the pun), with SO many people ditching their hardware synths to go full vsti, I am sure you will come across an MEK and FYI on USA Ebay, there's ONE reputable seller called ProAudioStar that has the MEK (the PE version) at $1119. usd buy it now....but also has MAKE AN OFFER option. With your VAT/Customs, and buying the Queen a new hat (LOL), you still may at least inquire.
Robert
_________________
Sonic Arsenal: Waldorf: Blofeld Black Kbd, MicroQ Omega, Yellow MicroQ, Microwave XT, Q-Rack, PULSE PLUS (arriving soon), Miniworks 4-Pole; Access Virus KB and KC; DSI Evolver Desktop and Mono Evolver Keyboard (poly-chained)-x2; Korg: Radias Kbd, Wavestation SR, Kontrol 49; Alesis: Ion, Fusion--for HollowSun SampleBanks; Novation Supernova 1, SL MK II 61; Roland SH-32; Yamaha: RM1X, CS2X, Reaper, Fast Track C600, Studio Maine Coone Cat pre-loaded with wavetables on each fang! |
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clementshawes
Joined: Mar 04, 2012
Posts: 64
Location: Truro, Cornwall
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 10:55 am Post subject:
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I can buy a new MEK here in the UK for around £950.
A rough calculation of the $1130 MEK, after import/customs approximates to around £1020 - gotta love the UK taxes 
_________________
Yamaha Rm1x + A3000 + CS6r + AN1x, DSI Evolver Desktop, Akai S3000XL, Korg MS-20ic + Micro X + MonoTron + Zero8, Nord Modular Rack G1, Emu CommandStation MP-7, Zoom Sampletrak, UAD-2 Solo, iLemur, NI Kore-1, Novation Launchpad, Apple MacBook + Mac mini.
NI Kore 2 & Komplete 7, Ableton Live Suite 8, Max4Live, Korg Legacy, many FX plugins.
Considering: SP404, G2X Engine, MPC JoJo/1000, MachineDrum 2/OctaTrack, RME Fireface, DSI Tempest, Pulse2, MonoMachine, Live9/Push |
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namnibor
Joined: Apr 26, 2012
Posts: 43
Location: Ohio, USA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 2:40 am Post subject:
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| clementshawes wrote: | I can buy a new MEK here in the UK for around £950.
A rough calculation of the $1130 MEK, after import/customs approximates to around £1020 - gotta love the UK taxes |
Those UK Taxes are the very reasons musicians that have "made it" to include sales of past works, move to The States and set-up lables/studios here or wherever. I remember an interview I saw where Allan Parsons and David Gilmore stated if they had remained in UK they could BARELY cover costs and touring they would only make a nominal profit after costs and then keeping the "Roylas men AND women in silk panties"...LOL! Pretty sure most of Depeche Mode members and past have done same.
_________________
Sonic Arsenal: Waldorf: Blofeld Black Kbd, MicroQ Omega, Yellow MicroQ, Microwave XT, Q-Rack, PULSE PLUS (arriving soon), Miniworks 4-Pole; Access Virus KB and KC; DSI Evolver Desktop and Mono Evolver Keyboard (poly-chained)-x2; Korg: Radias Kbd, Wavestation SR, Kontrol 49; Alesis: Ion, Fusion--for HollowSun SampleBanks; Novation Supernova 1, SL MK II 61; Roland SH-32; Yamaha: RM1X, CS2X, Reaper, Fast Track C600, Studio Maine Coone Cat pre-loaded with wavetables on each fang! |
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