Poly Evolver - Prototype Review

[Ski 1642606170]

For anyone that's interested in a few more details about the upcoming DSI Poly Evolver, along with a few more pics, wander on over to the following topic in the EX5Tech Evolver discussion forum:

 

http://www.ex5tech.com/ex5ubb_cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=23&t=000073

 

I had a prototype Poly Evolver for testing and preset programming prior to Winter NAMM, and finally made some time to post a mini review of sorts.

 

It's quite a nice machine, and I can't wait for the final product!

[Analogaddict]

Ski,

thanks for the review and the links, it´s always nice to see - and hear - a guy like Dave Smith in action "turn the low pass filter all the way down..." And I thought I was really happy with my Evolver, man, the PolyEvolver is giving me really bad GAS...

 

/J nas

[Ski 1642606170]

No problem. I wish I could have had more time for better photos and some good demos.

 

Yeah, Dave's low pass filter remark at the end of the video was hilarious; I had tears in my eyes!

[Magpel]

So, Ski, let me see if my little brain has this right:

 

A single Poly program has all the same components as a single evolver (e.g., 3 delays, not 12, 4 lfos, not 16), but will play with four-note polyphony?

 

But then, in the equivalent of multi mode, you can layer 4 different programs, meaning you CAN employ up to 16 lfos, if you ever found a reason to? But in this scenario--4 layered programs--you're not still getting 4-note polyphony, are you? That would seem to be 16 note polyphony? If you use 4 different programs per note, would it have to be monphonic? My head hurts.

[Ski 1642606170]

Magpel - Whoa! You mean you have a big brain AND a little brain?!

 

I think you have it all correct...

 

On the Poly, in regular old "Program" mode, it's exactly like playing an Evolver, except you have four note polyphony. Well, I guess you could say it's exactly like playing FOUR Evolvers chained together, each of which is playing the same program (aka patch).

 

In "Combo" mode, you can select anywhere from one to four Programs. As stated in my review at EX5Tech, you can specify note range, velocity range, pitch, and # of voices (among lots of other things) for each of those Programs. Some example combinations (sorry for the pun!) of what you can do in a "Combo" include:

 

Layer four instances of the *same* Program (say a detuned four saw wave patch), detune the four Programs a bit, and end up with a monster 16 oscillator detuned saw wave monophonic lead. Or bass.

 

Use two Programs, a bass synth patch, and a pad, creating a keyboard split with a monophonic bass for the left hand and a three note polyphonic pad for the right.

 

Use two Programs, say an analog kick drum and an analog snare, set up the velocity ranges, and have a duophonic Combo that plays the kick at low velocity, and the snare at high velocity.

 

Use four different Programs, each a different analog and/or digital tone, and have a four note polyphonic setup where each of the four notes in a chord play a different tone. Some nice "electronic chamber music", anyone?

 

Use four different Programs, each with its own different sequence (remember each Evo engine has four 16 step sequencers), for a 16 part 16 step sequence. Of course, each sequence can be playing a different tempo and time signature. Now MY head hurts!

 

Clear as mud?

[Magpel]

Very clear. Examples really helped me conceptualize it.