Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

Hello,
I've been trying to set up a droning Evolver patch with an Encore 
Knobby midi controller (using generic midi CCs) to tweak a few 
modulatees.  I can't get this to work. 
The knobby is programmed via PC - I've tried assigning 'modwheel' for 
example to knobby (and this worked) but when I go to evolver and set 
the 'Mod Wheel Amt' and its destination, I get no responses when 
turing 'ModWheel' knob.  (I've tried this with other midi controllers 
as well- breath, foot)
I think I've covered all the troubleshooting bases: knobby is 
working, midi chans. etc are all set up correctly, evolver VCA=100, 
etc.  
Anybody have any experience with this or have any comments?  Am I 
missing something, do generic midi ccs not work with evolver?
PS- I'm not using a keyboard (or any other trig/note generator) with 
this set up, just the knobby...in a rock band (for those times when I 
don't feel like singing, the feedback can speak).  

Thanks
Chris