DSI Mono Evolver Keyboard

[namnibor]

Wanted to know if anyone else has DSI Evolver(s) in set-up? Have owned the Desktop Evolver for a bit and wanted the extra hands-on control of all parameters the Mono Evolver Keyboard offers and to polychain for duophonic/4 real analog DCO's and 4 digital osc's with FM, Ring Mod, and all the wavetables of the Prophet VS.
The Mono Evolver keyboard was discontinued in June this year and because it's going to be a future classic, prices will go nowhere but up so snatched one that matches my desktop one in that it has Prophet 8 knobs--58 of them, plus 30+ switches! These have a true stereo pathway and output as well as L/R stereo external input like our Virus. However, running the Evolver THRU my Virus KB or KC to use effects and extra filtering is pure DELIGHT! Kind of alien abduction-like because time seems to fly-by when diving deep in programming because the Evolver has 4 LFO's, with ability to modulate anything with everything. Thought I'd share my findings with this genius of Dave Smith. Once I have some finished tracks from newly put togethr home studio, will start a SoundCloud account and post. The 16x4 sequencer can ALSO work as a modulation/wav sequencer, with ability to have each step as far away from previous step as you can think of with no glitching.

[boreg]

Hi Namnibor,
Congrats on your purchase! I would love to have a MEK too, but got no funds/space for it. Got a MED (desktop version), which is cool in its own way - packing so much sonic power in such a compact box. Yeah, I can spend hours tweaking sequences and modulations on this thing - the name 'evolver' fits it perfectly

FWIW, this track features the Evolver prominently:
http://soundcloud.com/grooveboreg/drop-theory

[namnibor]

Yes, the desktop's interface has never been an issue for me as it's very simialr to alot of Waldorf gear. The Mono Evolver Keyboard (MEK hereafter) is night and day difference in the immediacy to ALL tweaking madness and FYI the three ocatve velocity/aftertouch keys are REALLY NICE! Using aftertouch as one of plethora of mod sources is also incredibly responsive! Having now polychained two beasts with the MEK controlling the desktop, when isolating the coupled 4 DCO real analog osc's, I dare to say duophonic actually BEATS the sound of the Mopho hands-down!
Thought I'd add that in an alternative set-up where using midi rather than polychaining the two for sonic madness, when not using the polychain 5-pin midi extra port, it acts as a fully SECOND MIDI OUT!!! Talk about versatility!! If you DO get a MEK, make sure your Desktop Evolver has been upgraded to O.S. 3.0, which required either a do it yourself exchange of an eprom/pic for $25. and then a sysex/midi O.S. update. This wa done to maintain backwards compatibility and also places the same soundsets on it that the MEK/PEK have and also adds ALOT of midi cc controllable parameters whereas version on desktop previously was primarily sysex. DSI will do this update for the $25. plus shipping as well--FYI in case you are not updated.
I really believe the Evolver is a nice match-up with ANY Virus!
What did you think when you first listened to "Dream Sweets" program and it's preset assigned sequence of Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams"??? Blew me away from just ONE evolver! I truely is hard to believe at times it's actually monophonic but when you see the twin stereo signal flow, in all it's complexity, it's actually very simple. Hope you can get a MEK to add to your desktop in future!

[namnibor]

Originally Posted by boreg

Hi Namnibor,
Congrats on your purchase! I would love to have a MEK too, but got no funds/space for it. Got a MED (desktop version), which is cool in its own way - packing so much sonic power in such a compact box. Yeah, I can spend hours tweaking sequences and modulations on this thing - the name 'evolver' fits it perfectly

FWIW, this track features the Evolver prominently:
http://soundcloud.com/grooveboreg/drop-theory

Wanted to let you know I REALLY enjoyed that, especially the incredible modulations going on in the intro!!! Because i have not taken the time to set-up a SoundCloud account yet, thought I'd give kudos here and thanks for sharing that. I am just learning REAPER, and love the very helpful REAPER community/Forum. Started-out with AVID's ProTools but their customer support actually really sucked and unfortunately even on a forum they have, I encountered predominantly elitist snobs whom have unjustifiable disdain for any form of the Virus. Glad I found REAPER and actually purchased s DVD tutorial from GROOVE3, by Kenny Gioia. Cool beans!

[boreg]

Namnibor, thanks for the feedback mate!

My MED came alive after I've programmed the MIDI controller (Novation Remote SL) - for instance, now I have dedicated knobs for filter parameters (LPF, HPF, resonance, filter env) and sliders for controlling individual oscillator volumes. I even figured out a way to set the sequencer steps with sliders, albeit with decreased resolution

[namnibor]

Originally Posted by boreg

Namnibor, thanks for the feedback mate!

My MED came alive after I've programmed the MIDI controller (Novation Remote SL) - for instance, now I have dedicated knobs for filter parameters (LPF, HPF, resonance, filter env) and sliders for controlling individual oscillator volumes. I even figured out a way to set the sequencer steps with sliders, albeit with decreased resolution

Yes, of the plethora of midi controllers out there, I too love my Novation SL MK II 61 key. I do not bother with the Automap rather, pretty easy to assign controllers/CC's. Also like an older Korg Kontrol 49 which I use with Wavestation SR Rack because Kontrol 49 has a vector joystick and rest of it is so similar to the Novation that can't help but thinking there was a bit of "borrowing" by Novation.
You probably know this already but DSI Evolver's ability to assign deeper modulation to aftertouch, freeing-up the Mod Wheel, footswitch, pedal to do an awful LOT with just one evolver program. Having the step sequencer setting at very low speed and having each step do whatever you may want as well makes it such a utilitarian instrument.

[Rick Boogie]

Haven't been here in a while, but wanted to jump in with more praise for the MEK. It's quite alot of features for a small monosynth, and sounds great. I'm trying to trim down and sell ONE of my synths, but MEK is not going anywhere. Right now, it's my Virus KB that may go, but I can't part with it either. Other 2 are Little Phatty and Blofeld kb. Only want to keep 3, but can't part with any of them. At least it's a good problem to have. Love that MEK track above!

[TweakHead]

Yeah, me two. Your story inspires me in some very pleasant way. Was really impressed the first time I read about your life experience and how music has become your personal way of dealing with it and all. And you really come across as a good guy. My musical endeavours are sort of taking off, starting fresh and also investing making sure I'm 110% satisfied before turning on the lights on me eheh

Most recently had some trouble with an HDD, and I'm going through recovery of some files right now, which is going well but very very very sloooooooow. So afterwards, I'll get my super sayen powers back and will drop some music for you guys to listen. Cheers

[namnibor]

Originally Posted by TweakHead

Yeah, me two. Your story inspires me in some very pleasant way. Was really impressed the first time I read about your life experience and how music has become your personal way of dealing with it and all. And you really come across as a good guy. My musical endeavours are sort of taking off, starting fresh and also investing making sure I'm 110% satisfied before turning on the lights on me eheh

Most recently had some trouble with an HDD, and I'm going through recovery of some files right now, which is going well but very very very sloooooooow. So afterwards, I'll get my super sayen powers back and will drop some music for you guys to listen. Cheers

I hope you have or NOW plan to get or use an additional HDD to back everything up always. An external HDD used soley for this and ONLY having it connected when wanting to back-up because have also heard of a few horror stores when you leave an HDD connected whilst doing tasks like regular Windows Updates, with sometimes file corruption even happening. I also use Norton 360 Total Security but place in Silent Mode when using DAW PC, which is ONLY connected to internain order to update O.S. or Norton 360 updates. Norton Ghost is a great inexpensive program that actually makes a mirror image of your Windows or otherwise O.S. for really easy recovery.
Are you in the USA, Tweak? I am in Marble Cliff, Ohio, USA--a way Western suburb of Columbus that's like living in country yet only 10 minutes from metro city area. It's a very quiet neighborhood with no ghetto rats as what I experienced where I lived first few years when found myself in Columbus. Marble Cliff location now exactly two years and have not heard a gunshot even one day!! LOL It was a daily occurance where previously lived and NOT good for military PTSD!! HA!

[namnibor]

Have been so blown away by new sonic universe openned-up by the DSI Mono Evolver Keyboard! All the immediate tweakability and visual feedback with so many knobs and buttons really opens the Evolver to consideration if you have been wanting to add a real analog to your set-up that is more than a one trick pony--because half, 2 of the 4 osc's are DCO analog osc's, 2 analog LPF, analog vca, etc.
My MEK happens to be the endless encoder version that has been pro-serviced with no skippy encoders and have it polychained to a desktop evolver for duophonic, 4 real analog and 4 digital wavetable osc's. Originally, was going to polychain this second Evolver Desktop in this set-up but came across ANOTHER DSI Mono Evolver Keyboard at a great price, condition, and is the "PE Version", so will have best of both worlds and plan on polychaining other desktop Evolver to it. FYI--you can isolate those analog or digital osc's or of course design sounds with best of both worlds. The keyboard's feel and after touch is as equally great as my Virus KC! Mentioning this because I personally do not like the sound of DSI Mopho or Prophet 08, yet the analog side of the Evolver has so much more character and versatility and sounds very "juicy", much better IMO than the other DSI analog osc's. Perhaps having 4 LFO's, and able to modulate everything by anything is this phenomenal difference?
Anyway, the Evolver makes a GREAT addition to any Virus and synth set-up and cannot wait to have the second MEK this time next week and will run all for stereo outputs of 2-MEK's and the 2 Desktop Evolvers to a Kawai MX8 mixer that has 4 stereo pair inputs, effects send A and B, AND this gem of Kawai MX8 rack mixer from early 90's ALSO has built-in midi In and THREE Midi Thru's, of which are not affected by mixer's inputs as it is a completely independant midi thru and thought perhaps people should know about this versatile and quiet mixer from past with features on it hard pressed to find today in newer equipment. One of two effects sends go to post-fader and the second gives you a choice of pre/post fader. It's a non-powered mixer and actually Kawai calls it a Keyboard Mixer, very nice knoby box and can be found on ebay for $99. usd or less. I actually purchased a second one because of the versatility and utilitarian nature of it in any synth-based set-up. The second MEK is going to rest on far right half of my Virus KB securely, having heavy duty On Stage Stands Z two-tier racks, with just tiny bit of overhang. Once all set-up, will send gear porn pics then start posting compilations on SoundCloud. Hope this helps someone in some way!