Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

Let's put opinions and flames aside for a moment, and calmly review a 
few facts...

1) It costs a lot more to build an analog machine than it does to 
build a comparable digital machine.  Believe it or not, this 
statement holds true even if you like the sound and/or features of a 
given digital machine better than a given analog machine.

Conclusion - If you like the sound and/or features of a given digital 
machine better than a given analog machine, just go buy the digital 
machine.  You'll feel much better, and save a lot of time.


2) Buying a used instrument, whether it's analog or digital, will in 
most cases cost less than buying a comparable new instrument.  Of 
course, this doesn't always hold true for certain rare and sought 
after classic synths.

Conclusion - Don't expect the manufacturer of a new instrument to 
price the gear to be competitive with used sales.  If you find a 
great used instrument that you like, for a price you like, buy it.


3) Buying a "new" instrument from a bankrupt manufacturer, whether 
it's analog or digital, will always cost less than buying a 
comparable new instrument from a non-bankrupt manufacturer.

Conclusion - Much the same conclusion as the previous item.  If you 
find a great instrument that you like, for a price you like, and 
you're not worried about support issues from the bankrupt 
manufacturer, buy it.


4) The "economies of scale" are not nearly as great for analog 
machines as for digital machines.

Conclusion - Digital machine #1, with twice the features/power of 
digital machine #2, will usually cost significantly less than twice 
the price of digital machine #2.  The same can't be expected of 
analog machines.  Having twice the analog features/power will usually 
cost nearly twice as much.

- - - - -

The simple act of complaining that an "all analog" or "mostly analog" 
machine should cost the same as a comparable digital machine, or a 
comparable analog machine from a bankrupt manufacturer, doesn't 
change the economics of the situation for the manufacturer of an "all 
analog" or "mostly analog" machine.

I've honestly looked around, and have yet to find a better bargain 
for a new analog synth (from a non-bankrupt manufacturer) with the 
feature set of the Evolver.  I'm sure I may have missed one or two, 
though, so if you know of one, please let us know!  :)


Regarding the *sound* of the Evolver versus other synths... well, 
that takes us squarely back into "Subjective Land"!  Everyone has 
their own likes and dislikes, and there's no right or wrong.  I 
highly recommend buying something that has a sound you like.  :)


Ski
www.ex5tech.com
EX5Tech Evolver forum:
http://www.ex5tech.com/ex5ubb_cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=23