Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

It's been a while since I used my PER, so I may have some of the details
confused.
 
Let's say you set up a Combo Mode patch like this:
 
  Part    MIDI Ch Bank Program
  ------- ------- ---- -------
  Part 1: 1       1    50
  Part 2: 2       2    51
  Part 3: 3       1    52
  Part 4: 4       1    53
 
From a sequencer you can play the 4 individual parts by triggering midi
channels 1-4, just like any multitibral synth.

One would also expect that if you send a bank/program change along
channel 3 of bank 2/program 100, you would end up with this:

  Part    MIDI Ch Bank Program
  ------- ------- ---- -------
  Part 1: 1       1    50
  Part 2: 2       2    51
  Part 3: 3       3    100
  Part 4: 4       1    53

Not so. What you get is a PROGRAM change to bank 2/program 100, and you
are no longer in COMBO mode, but in PROGRAM mode. The only way to remain
in COMBO mode is to avoid sending any program changes from a sequencer.

Regarding the other question you asked... You CAN edit a single program
while in combo mode. However, in my experience the software that comes
with the PER was buggy at this. Sometimes all the programs in a combo
got reset to something not intended by me, like a default patch, or a
duplicate of another one of the combo patches, or some other weird
behavior, while I was editing a patch in a Combo. And without the
software, programming the thing is tedious. I don't know if this quirk
happens with the other DSI editor or if you try editing from the
faceplate.

________________________________

From: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of prof_lofi
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 3:00 PM
To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [DSI Synths] Re: getting more out of the mono desktop evolver


  

Hi Everyone,

I"m still considering a PER but this damn 'combo mode' thing is still
confusing me in terms of how it will really impact using the PER.

I understand that if any patch changes are made via a sequencer that it
pops it out of combo mode, right? and that combo mode is basically what
allows the PER to function as 4 'unique' instances of a mono evolver,
thus allowing multivoice etc? I also read that if you attempt to edit a
program parameter of one voice while in combo mode it won't allow you to
save it...thus, afaict, you really need to program each voice (each one
of the inner four evolvers) of the PER individually before you stack
them in Combo mode, is that right? and if you want to adjust something,
you pop out of CM, adjust it, and then go back in to hear how the four
sound together? Pain in the ass if so...I'd need to hear it adjusted in
the context of the other four really....does any one else have a PER and
have an comments about their experience...it's just hard to tell without
having one to tweak for a couple of weeks...and they're a bit expensive
to buy just to see, if you know what I mean. 

Another forum has many suggestions basically saying that as great as the
evolver is, it's diminishing returns after the first voice. I love my
MED, but I'm wondering if this is true, and if so, what others have
supplemented their kit with beyond a MED etc.

Thanks!

Bill

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> , "prof_lofi" <billthompson@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Iain,
> 
> Thanks, ok. So sounds like it's an issue if you're making live program
changes (either manually or via a sequencer) in that it won't make
independent changes without defaulting to 'start' again (ie bouncing out
of combo mode)? But if you pre-program the patch, it's fine...is that
about right?
> 
> Confusing one there. And I think it could be fixed with an os update
but as the rack polyevolver isn't supported anymore, I wonder if there
ever would be an os update for it at this point?
> 
> Thanks again for everyone's response,
> 
> Bill
> 
> 
> --- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> , "Iain Bryden" <ibryden@> wrote:
> >
> > Sure Bill.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > The PER manual states that Poly Evolvers used in combo mode are like
> > having four Mono Evolvers. This implies that we can assign four
parts to
> > their own midi channel then make independent program changes on each
> > channel, just like every other multitimbral synth on the planet.
This is
> > not what happens. When you send a program change from a sequencer to
one
> > of the channels, the main patch changes and you are often taken out
of
> > combo mode. The only way to use Combo mode with a song is to save a
> > combo patch with the four parts set to the programs you want. This
is an
> > annoyance if you prefer to assign patch changes from a sequencer.
You
> > may have a different methodology when creating music so it may not
be a
> > problem for you.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -- Iain
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ________________________________
> > 
> > From: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> ]
> > On Behalf Of prof_lofi
> > Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 9:23 PM
> > To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > Subject: [DSI Synths] Re: getting more out of the mono desktop
evolver
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Hi Iain,
> > 
> > Do you mind going into more detail about the prob's with how combo
mode
> > was used? I'd really appreciate it as it's so hard to tell without
> > having one to mess around with.
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> > Bill
> > 
> > --- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > <mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> , "Iain Bryden" <ibryden@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > After buying an Evolver Desktop I went on to buy a Mono Evolver
> > Keyboard
> > > and loved it so much that I bought a Poly Evolver Rack. I sold the
> > Rack
> > > because Combo mode was so poorly implemented that I decided to get
> > other
> > > gear instead. I still have the EVO and the MEK.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Before I sold the PER I used it for a project. 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Check out "Henchmen Suite" (3rd piece down). Synth parts are
almost
> > all
> > > Evolver. Percussion parts are from Spectrasonics Stylus RMX.
> > > 
> > > http://obelus.com/music/film.asp
<http://obelus.com/music/film.asp>  <http://obelus.com/music/film.asp
<http://obelus.com/music/film.asp> > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Regards,
> > > 
> > > -- Iain
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > ________________________________
> > > 
> > > From: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > <mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com>
> > [mailto:DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > <mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> ]
> > > On Behalf Of prof_lofi
> > > Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 6:39 AM
> > > To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com>
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com>
> > 
> > > Subject: [DSI Synths] Re: getting more out of the mono desktop
evolver
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > thanks everyone for your posts...will be looking into this and
> > > considering new ideas...selling tons of gear (well, not tons but i
> > never
> > > sell anything) to buy new toys...thinking, in a while, about
trying to
> > > find a poly evolver rack...i'm sure i'm amongst the 1000's that
use
> > the
> > > genetic algorithms to begin building new patches, but i'd be
really
> > > interested to hear some random genetic hits from a poly just to
hear
> > how
> > > much more complicated they might be...my work is experimental, but
> > with
> > > a fairly heavy sound design element, so the poly is interesting in
> > that
> > > respect...no need for a keyboard though...has anyone made the jump
and
> > > found it to be hugely rewarding, or just a bit more rewarding?
<sigh>
> > > money!
> > > 
> > > bill
> > > 
> > > --- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > <mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > > <mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> , "Dale Kay" <dale@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > sorry if this posts twice or more, yahoo likes to ignor my posts
a
> > lot
> > > > 
> > > > I use a sub mixer for that.
> > > > 
> > > > here is my normal route for feed back in
> > > > synth to sub mixer
> > > > sub mixer channel to patch panel
> > > > patch panel to any effect, pedal and so on
> > > > output back to sub mixer
> > > > sub mixer back to synth(s) or to patch panel again to multiple
> > synths
> > > > 
> > > > I have several synths that can feedback in and use it many
different
> > > ways
> > > > and I do not just use the output from the synth, I might effect
it
> > in
> > > > various ways which
> > > > I need to watch the levels ... I often do not just work with one
> > synth
> > > but
> > > > several
> > > > and I often record each level (clean, effect one, effect two if
in a
> > > chain)
> > > > as a separate track too to toy with in the mix
> > > > that is why I have 3 patch panels, I can do that at each stage
> > > > "think modular"
> > > > 
> > > > my end results are more often used with the tracks you hear at
the
> > > links
> > > > below
> > > > never sure what one might call what I do ... ;-)
> > > > 
> > > > sub mixer I use is a Rolls RM 203, I have 2 of those
> > > > a 24 channel main mixer too, sub channels get tasked around as
well
> > > > patch panels are AP , 3 of them, 24 ports each
> > > > effects? hard and soft, even the line 6 gear box DI, nada is not
> > toyed
> > > with
> > > > even a mike to a speaker then feed back in ...
> > > > 
> > > > some things that seem to work nice, having a 31 stereo band eq
> > > > or a good parametric, you can really then find the band you want
to
> > > toy with
> > > > and filter out the rest
> > > > the bbe green screamer, the ADA flanger, the Roland V-wah ...
etc
> > ...
> > > > filter queen, killer eq (electrix)
> > > > 
> > > > PEK here and the SE P'08 ...
> > > > 
> > > > latest crazy things, using FM8 with them
> > > > 
> > > > dale
> > > > 
> > > > Inquisitor Betrayer
> > > >
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
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please contact the sender immediately and take the steps 
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to represent an offer or acceptance to enter into a contract and 
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