Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

Yeah - We know DSI is a small company, I guess that there's not enough  
manpower to create new gear *and*  fix  the existing software bugs.



On Aug 5, 2009, at 5:25 PM, Iain Bryden wrote:

>
> 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 Ofevening@...
> 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@...>:
>
> > 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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