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RE: [DSI Synths] Re: getting more out of the mono desktop evolver

2009-08-05 by Iain Bryden

I sent a note about this directly to DSI. Never heard anything back. And
they did respond to other things I asked, which makes believe that they
got the message, know about the problem but are unwilling or unable to
fix it. I also believe others have sent them complaints about it. Maybe
it's hardwired in such a way that it can't be fixed?

________________________________

From: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of evening@...
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 5:20 PM
To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [DSI Synths] Re: getting more out of the mono desktop
evolver


  



Did DSI ever respond to this bug report?

I haven't even tried sending individual prog changes while in combo 
mode, but I think that should be addressed.

Quoting Iain Bryden <ibryden@book.com <mailto:ibryden%40book.com> >:

> 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%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.com> ]
> On Behalf Of prof_lofi
> Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 3:00 PM
> To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com <mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.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> 
> <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> 
> <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%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 9:23 PM
>> > 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
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 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>
>> > <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> >
<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%40yahoogroups.com>
>> > [mailto:DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:DSI_Evolver%40yahoogroups.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>
> <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>
>> > > <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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