Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

----- Original Message -----

From: wbuttler2002

To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 5:00 PM

Subject: [Evolver] First impressions

As mentioned, just got my evolver yesterday. Thought I would post
some first impressions and a couple of suggestions for future
software updates.

First ... my favourite preset patch is #12. Of course, most of these
will disappear as I program my own, but I'll keep this one (at least
until I learn what makes it tick). Nice woody sound, almost ethnic
drums, with a spooky early kraftwerk/tdream feel. Particularly like
the way the noisy crashes fade in and out in the background.

Hardware: feels solid, well-made. I can't believe the circuitry is
really that heavy - did Dave put a chunk of metal inside to make it
feel good? Pots very smooth, only occasional glitch is that some
numbers get skipped between the detents.

Programmability: that matrix layout looks very similar to photos I
have seen of the Sequential Multitrack. Incidentally, why is the
Multitrack not in Dave's gallery of historical projects? I have never
seen one for sale, although I like the sound of it and would buy one
if it came up. Anyway, The Matrix works fine. Initial annoyance
trying to find some parameters in what is a big list, but fast once
you get to know where they are.

Sounds: the emphasis is on grunge, distortion and feedback. Not
really what you would hear in my music, which is more ambient, even
(gasp!) nu age. However, this little box is capable of a huge range
of sounds. The delays and feedback options can make interesting
sounds out of almost anything. Plus, it's fun to program.

At first, the range of options is almost overwhelming. I want to get
to know this synth inside out. I plan to set up a simple analogue
style patch with just one oscillator, and explore the waveforms and
filters etc first, then branch out from there.

Suggestions for future upgrades: these come from Yamaha. I'd like
a "fast" option for using the knobs - hold down a button while you
turn a knob to get it to scroll in steps of 10. In sequencer mode,
hold down a button and turn any knob to set every step to the same
value. If there isn't a spare button, perhaps hold down two buttons
to do this.

Last comment: including a sequencer was a brilliant idea, which turns
this into a self-contained instrument rather than just another synth.
However, I am puzzled by the "poly" option.

Think about it. For even 4-voice polyphony, you would have to buy 4
evolvers. That's US$2,000, and you end up with 4 desktop synths, no
keyboard, and presumably having to edit each one separately (can
perhaps use MIDI to avoid this). Starts to look uncompetitive,
compared to something like the new Novation keyboards.

What's more, I don't think the evolver's sound would suit use for a
polysynth. The very things that make it good would make it unusable
as a poly. What do you use a poly for? Playing chords, vamps, pads,
right? You need cutting, clean, fairly simple sounds for this - too
much grunge, fatness or noise just ends up sounding turgid.

What I'd like to see Dave do is a SEPARATE poly, in a simple little
box like the evolver, with say 4 or 6 voices, but with the kinds of
unique features appropriate to a poly - polymod, for example (like on
the SC Prophet), perhaps an arpeggiator.

- Bill B




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