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Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-04 by Ravi Ivan Sharma

Do you have the manual? It is pretty straightforward on how to start with a preset patch and navigate the matrix to change parameters and then save to a preset. If you having a hard time with the what certain parameters mean, then you should a) twiddle each one and listen and figure out what it is doing sonically until you have an idea of what is going on and b) obtain a primer on basic synthesis to explain what such parameters do.
As far as earphones, each output is mono so a splitter will just give you one ear! What you need is a stereo 1/4 female to two mono 1/4 male adapter from radioshack. then you can plug in your headphone. If you have an 1/8 jack on your headphone, then you need a 1/8 stereo female to 1/4 stereo male to plug into the splitter (also avail at radioshack).
Hope this helps.

Ravi
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
From: David
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 3:01 PM
Subject: [Evolver] Stupid question....


Hi all. I just received my Evolver on Saturday and I'm having trouble
being able to program notes and patterns. Can someone please clarify
this for me? Also, what type of cable do I need to be able to use the
Evolver with earphones? I have like this 1/4 inch splitter type deal,
but still only get sound through one side of the earphones. Please
help, and thanks in advance.

-dmn




Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-04 by David

Ok, I have those plugs, but I am still getting sound out of only one 
ear. Is there some sort of "pan" setting? Also, the problem I'm 
having is creating my own sequences. How do I program my own notes 
and sequences and not just modify the existing sequences? Thank you 
very much for your time, I really appreciate it.

dmn

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-04 by Ravi Ivan Sharma

There is no real difference in modifying existing sequences as making new ones. You go in and change the parameters of each of the sequence "tracks" to what you want the destination to be (i.e. the frequency of OSC ALL in order to change notes, etc) and then change the actual parameter per step. It doesn't matter whether you start from a pre-existing patch or zero all the values out in the first place. You still have to do those two steps at minimum to make anything happen the way you want it.
Question, if you plug into a mixer with both outputs, do you only get one channel? If so, then you may have a problem with your unit since there is no global pan and most of the presets run in both channels. If this one ear thing is only with earphones then thankfully the Evolver is not too blame and either your adapters or cords or earphones may be the culprit.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
From: David
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 4:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....


Ok, I have those plugs, but I am still getting sound out of only one
ear. Is there some sort of "pan" setting? Also, the problem I'm
having is creating my own sequences. How do I program my own notes
and sequences and not just modify the existing sequences? Thank you
very much for your time, I really appreciate it.

dmn







Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-04 by David

I think I got the problem solved with the wiring. I think it might 
have just been my earphones. I just can't seem to get the sequencer 
part down. I know how to edit the steps and all that, but I don't 
know how to change the notes of each of the steps individually. Also, 
can you change the duration of each note, such as gate time and all? 
Something to give me a sort of "303" type pattern? What about the use 
of a midi keyboard...that is only used to input notes, right? I mean, 
you can't "record" a sequence using just a midi keyboard, right? I 
really appreciate your help. Thank you.

dmn

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-04 by Ravi Ivan Sharma

It is an analog sequencer which is much different than a midi sequencer. A midi sequencer generates a whole bunch of things to send to a machine, whereas the sequencer in the Evolvers can only send a single value to 4 different destinations per step (hence 4 tracks--but not to be confused with a 4 track midi sequencer).
In order to change a note, you have to assign one or more of the oscillators 9that can be heard) to be the destination of one (or more) of the tracks.
Since the machine is mono, the gate length of a note is controlled by the sustain/release portion of the amplitude envelope of the patch and of which there is only one. So you could have different gates for each step by assigning a destination of (for example) the Envelope 1 release rate or Envelope 1 decay rate (see page 39 of the manual for a list of destinations) to a track and then such durations of the triggered sound can be different per step based on the values of each step for that track .
Check Page 19 of the manual for recording values from a midi keyboard.
I can't stress how carefully and slowly you should be reading the manual page by page while sitting at your Evolver and tweaking the things being described in the manual in order to see and learn how it works. Writing to this list for answers to things stated clearly in the manual is not an efficient use of your time rather than experimenting with constant reference to the manual.
The bottom line is that if you do as I say (which is precisely what I do myself), then after a few days of hard work you will a pro analog synth programmer (not to imply that I am one).
Ravi
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
From: David
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 7:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....


I think I got the problem solved with the wiring. I think it might
have just been my earphones. I just can't seem to get the sequencer
part down. I know how to edit the steps and all that, but I don't
know how to change the notes of each of the steps individually. Also,
can you change the duration of each note, such as gate time and all?
Something to give me a sort of "303" type pattern? What about the use
of a midi keyboard...that is only used to input notes, right? I mean,
you can't "record" a sequence using just a midi keyboard, right? I
really appreciate your help. Thank you.

dmn




Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-05 by David

I've looked over the manual, over and over, but I just don't get it. 
I mean, i'm sure it's really not that complicated, but I could still 
use some help. My intentions are not to waste your time or mine, but 
it's just not clicking with me. Maybe if someone out there could give 
me a quick tutorial on the sequence, maybe how they would build a 
pattern from scratch, that would be extremely helpful. Thank you all 
for your time, in advance.

dmn

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-05 by breakfaster11

Sorry to disappoint you, but if you want to program 303 sliding 
basslines, you'll need to have an external sequencer.  Each 
oscillator has glide, but it only is responsive to incoming Midi 
notes.

With that out of the way, the closest thing to a 303 bassline would 
be to assign Sequence 1 to OAF (Oscillator All Frequency), then use 
rows 1 & 2 in the Sequencer to program note values (you'll enter 
numbers, which will be the number of semitones above your base 
pitch... 12 per octave).  Try also putting some steps to the OFF 
position (can only be done in Sequence 1), then going back out of the 
sequencer to play with the envelopes.    

The Evolver can be a little intense at first, because of all the 
options.   One thing I found to be really helpful is dialing in an 
existing patch, then looking at different settings and where the 
sequences were routed to.

But most of all, have fun!

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-05 by tr8884

That is an exellent idea to control the gate time by modulating the 
amp env per step- I never though of that one.

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "Ravi Ivan Sharma" 
<noision1@h...> wrote:
> It is an analog sequencer which is much different than a midi 
sequencer. A midi sequencer generates a whole bunch of things to send 
to a machine, whereas the sequencer in the Evolvers can only send a 
single value to 4 different destinations per step (hence 4 tracks--
but not to be confused with a 4 track midi sequencer).
> 
> In order to change a note, you have to assign one or more of the 
oscillators 9that can be heard) to be the destination of one (or 
more) of the tracks.
> 
> Since the machine is mono, the gate length of a note is controlled 
by the sustain/release portion of the amplitude envelope of the patch 
and of which there is only one. So you could have different gates for 
each step by assigning a destination of (for example) the Envelope 1 
release rate or Envelope 1 decay rate (see page 39 of the manual for 
a list of destinations) to a track and then such durations of the 
triggered sound can be different per step based on the values of each 
step for that track .
> 
> Check Page 19 of the manual for recording values from a midi 
keyboard.
> 
> I can't stress how carefully and slowly you should be reading the 
manual page by page while sitting at your Evolver and tweaking the 
things being described in the manual in order to see and learn how it 
works. Writing to this list for answers to things stated clearly in 
the manual is not an efficient use of your time rather than 
experimenting with constant reference to the manual. 
> 
> The bottom line is that if you do as I say (which is precisely what 
I do myself), then after a few days of hard work you will a pro 
analog synth programmer (not to imply that I am one).
> 
> Ravi
> 
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: David 
>   To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com 
>   Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 7:00 PM
>   Subject: Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....
> 
> 
> 
>   I think I got the problem solved with the wiring. I think it 
might 
>   have just been my earphones. I just can't seem to get the 
sequencer 
>   part down. I know how to edit the steps and all that, but I don't 
>   know how to change the notes of each of the steps individually. 
Also, 
>   can you change the duration of each note, such as gate time and 
all? 
>   Something to give me a sort of "303" type pattern? What about the 
use 
>   of a midi keyboard...that is only used to input notes, right? I 
mean, 
>   you can't "record" a sequence using just a midi keyboard, right? 
I 
>   really appreciate your help. Thank you.
> 
>   dmn
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-06 by dhamaryder

-
> it's just not clicking with me. Maybe if someone out there could 
give 
> me a quick tutorial on the sequence, maybe how they would 
build a 
> pattern from scratch, that would be extremely helpful. Thank 
you all 
> for your time, in advance.
> 

One thing that'll make it a lot easier is if you have an editor. I think 
programing sequences without one demands an incredible 
memory which I don't have, anymore.
steve

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-06 by Julian

"dhamaryder" <dhamaryder@...> said:

> One thing that'll make it a lot easier is if you have an editor. I think 
> programing sequences without one demands an incredible 
> memory which I don't have, anymore.
> 
of course, this comment calls for someone to bring out the standard
warnings about soundtower as a company......



For our new evolver owning friend, I recommend just playing with the
sequencer! 

As far as programming it goes, don't consider it to ever have an "empty"
sequence, and don't even consider to sequencer to be a separate thing
from the synth parameters - it's a simple thing that's got 16 steps, and
each patch in the evolver has a sequence that's part of it... any patch
you edit will have some sort of sequence already assigned.

Maybe to start, go through and set the destinations to tracks 2,3,4 to
OFF as track one is the master track (that controls triggering the VCA)
then just deal with track 1 set to "all oscs" - It will most likely have
values already set. as already described, pitch is set in semitones from
the base pitch (set in synth parameters!) or can be set to OFF. o this
way you can program basic melodies and rhythms in those 16 steps. As you
start hitting the obvious limitations here, start employing extra tracks
to automate other things, like the "gate time" trick described
earlier....

Remember, it's an excellent fun thing to have in your studio! so play!!!
you *will* work it out.



julian
-- 
http://bleepin.com

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-06 by tattermalion

hello,

i'm a newbie too, so somebody else correct me when i go astray. 

i've come up with some conclusions that have helped me and i think 
will help you. first of all, there is no starting from scratch. you 
can not get a blank slate. the oscillators are always on. i come from 
beatbox programming with the roland style step editors. i'm used to 
sequencing being, put this note/beat here, put this note/beat here. 
that's not how evolver works. there are always things happening, you 
have to shape what's happening into something.

again, the idea of making a pattern is kind of the wrong thinking. 
the sequences are just strings of paramters (numbers to the non-
geeks) that are getting fed to a destination. the numbers can be 
notes (oscillator frequencies) or settings (envelope attack), the 
sequencer doesn't care. 

sorry if i got some or all of this wrong. got my evolver on monday 
and it's taken me the last two nights to wrap my head around this. if 
it's all wrong i'll have to start over. 


--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "David" <lost_one95340@y...> 
wrote:
> 
> I've looked over the manual, over and over, but I just don't get 
it. 
> I mean, i'm sure it's really not that complicated, but I could 
still 
> use some help. My intentions are not to waste your time or mine, 
but 
> it's just not clicking with me. Maybe if someone out there could 
give 
> me a quick tutorial on the sequence, maybe how they would build a 
> pattern from scratch, that would be extremely helpful. Thank you 
all 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> for your time, in advance.
> 
> dmn

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-06 by David

Well, I guess what i'm getting from all this (not sure if i'm right 
or wrong) is that there is only 1 sequencer, a main one. This 1 
sequencer is where you would usually input notes. The other three are 
set up to certain destinations that will modify this one main 
sequencer. I hope I'm right on this. If not, I gots some more trial 
and error and reading.

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-06 by Miles Bader

On Wed, Oct 06, 2004 at 10:07:15PM -0000, David wrote:
> Well, I guess what i'm getting from all this (not sure if i'm right 
> or wrong) is that there is only 1 sequencer, a main one. This 1 
> sequencer is where you would usually input notes. The other three are 
> set up to certain destinations that will modify this one main 
> sequencer.

It's hard to tell what exactly you mean by this.

The Evolver's sequencer works like this:

* Every patch has _four_ sequences attached to it.  Each has up to 16 steps,
  with the loop point placeable anywhere in the sequence.

* These four sequences run in parallel, and are (mostly) independent -- e.g.,
  they can have different periods.

* Each of the four sequences can control any modulatable parameter.  Pitch is
  just a modulatable parameter, so any of the sequences can control pitch,
  but none actually _need_ do so.  You can even control pitch (or any other
  parameter) simultaneously from more than one sequence.

-Miles
-- 
Suburbia: where they tear out the trees and then name streets after them.

RE: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-07 by Robert Krueger

No, that's not the right way of thinking.  If you mean "main senquencer" as
a sequencer that tells which note to play,  there are still 4.  You can tell
all 4 of the sequencers to affect the note of all 4 oscillators if you wish,
that would be 4 main sequencers under your definition.

Just know that you have 4 step sequencers to affect anything you want.  Use
2 for note changes, and the other 2 for filter step and delay time changes,
or whatever.  :)
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: David [mailto:lost_one95340@...] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 6:07 PM
To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....



Well, I guess what i'm getting from all this (not sure if i'm right or
wrong) is that there is only 1 sequencer, a main one. This 1 sequencer is
where you would usually input notes. The other three are set up to certain
destinations that will modify this one main sequencer. I hope I'm right on
this. If not, I gots some more trial and error and reading. 





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Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-07 by David

I'm sorry guys, I'm totally clue-less. I love this synth, and don't 
want to return it, but looks like i may just have to if I can't learn 
to program something simple. Is anyone up to making me a really 
basic, quick tutorial? Just go through the motions, explaining 
exactly what you are doing from start to finish...what parameters are 
being used what parts are being sent to destinations...all that. I 
know that having something to read, step-by-step would be very 
helpful to me. Thanks once again for all your time.

dmn

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-07 by Ravi Ivan Sharma

program what? Start with a preset and start turning knobs and pressing buttons until you like what you here. Figure out what you are doing by reading the manual. check Access' site for a synth tutorial that will help teach you the basics even if the tutorial is for the Virus'. Go find a friend or sit down at a music store and find someone who will show you around, *any* synth to show you.
Okay here goes:
Turn to patch one bank one of the factory presets. It is a 10/8 sequence I programmed for the Evolver.
1. start the sequencewith the Start/Stop button. Nice eh? :) keep the sequencer ON throughout this tutorial.
2. press the sequencer button--light on, press it again until the light is off.
3. press the 8 button--light on.
4. you will see that knobs 1 through 4 now choose sequence desitination for sequences 1 through 4 respectively
5. this particular sequence has each destination going to a different oscillator--this is why it sounds polyphonic even though the evolver is monophonic
6. turn knob 1 one click, this doesn't change anything but shows you its status, a second click will change things (not yet!)
7. turn each of the first four knobs one click each to check their status and you will see 01f for knob one through 04 for knob 4 which shows you the 4 oscillator destinations for each sequence.
8. okay, turn knobs 2 through 4 to the left and until they say off. Now you have turned off sequencers 2, 3 and 4 since they now have no destinations.
9. you should here just one part of the sequence.
turn knob 1 to the right and scroll through 01f, 02f, 03f and 04f. You will hear the sequence being played through each of the different oscillators in turn. You have have just seen how to change the destination of a sequence to another place--in this case the different oscillators.
10. turn knob 1 one more to the right till you get OAF which stands for Oscillator All frequency (i.e. the destination is all four oscillators at the same time). You should hear the same sequence but more full since all four oscillators are doing their thing.
11. okay press the sequencer button. Sequencer light on.
12. watch the lights as the sequence continues to play. You will see that the sequence moves through the 8 lights, then goes through 1 and 2 and the restarts at one. That is because this sequence only has 10 steps instead of 16.
13. Press button 2. The second row deals with the second of the 16 steps of sequence 1. (row one deals with the first 8 steps of sequence 1).
14. Turn knob 3 one click to check for status. You should see rSt. this means restart and sends the sequence back to the beggining.
15. Okay, turn knob 3 again to the right until it says OFF. you will have no removed the restart command and turned that step to off. But you should now see that the sequence flows through knob 3 (step 11) and continues through to step 16 until starting again. the values of steps 12, 13, 14, 15 adn 16 are zero so you will here the same low note for each of those steps.
16. Now turn each of knobs 3 though 8 to the value of 72. You will now hear steps 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 all play the same note.
17. Now turn knob 6 and knob 8 to a value of 96. Each number corresponds to 1/2 a semitone, so in order to go an octave higher than the note that 72 represents, you have to add 24 since there are 2 semitones per octave. so a value of 96 attached to a oscillator sounds one octave higher than the value of 72. You should now be hearing the higher octave steps for step 4 and 16 which you have just done.
18. Press the sequencer button--light off.
19. press button 8.
20. turn knob 2 (seq2dest) to noL (which stands for Noise level) -- this is why the page of the destinations in the manual is your best friend.
21. now sequence two is controlling the level of noise on each of its steps. you should hear it.
22. in order to change the level of the noise on each step of sequence 2 you need to do similarly what we did in order to change the notes for sequence 1: Press the sequencer button and then press buttons 3 and 4 alternately to be able to turn knobs that change steps 1 through 8 and 9 through 16 of sequence 2 respectively.
23. Press button 3 and then turn knobs 1 through 8 to zero. Now you will hear noise on only steps 9 through 16.
24. Now you can tweak the level of each step to add whatever level of noise you want to each step.
25. You can always go back and change the seq2dest to some other destination and see what happens.
26. press the sequencer button. light off.
27. press button 3. Turn knob 1 which is filter cuttoff frequence and play around and do filter sweeps as the sequence plays.
28. turn knob 7 (resonance up to full--100).
29. turn knob 1 (filter cuttoff) to 34.
30. sit back and listen to the freaky drums sequence you just made.
31. smoke something, then press button 5, turn knob 8 (output hack) to full (14).
32. double click shift button (light 5 starts flashing indicating you are in shift-hold mode). Then tweak the distortion amount on knob 8 to acid taste.
Sync a drum kit and party.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
From: David
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....


I'm sorry guys, I'm totally clue-less. I love this synth, and don't
want to return it, but looks like i may just have to if I can't learn
to program something simple. Is anyone up to making me a really
basic, quick tutorial? Just go through the motions, explaining
exactly what you are doing from start to finish...what parameters are
being used what parts are being sent to destinations...all that. I
know that having something to read, step-by-step would be very
helpful to me. Thanks once again for all your time.

dmn




Re: Stupid question....

2004-10-08 by Miles Bader

If you're really stuck on the sequencer thing, don't think of them as
sequencers at all, think of them as four somewhat odd LFOs, where each
cycle of the LFO is structured as a series of equal-sized steps (instead
of a single "ramp" or whatever as in a normal LFO).

You know how you can make the LFOs on some synths (e.g., the K2000) be
"steppy", and use them to make somewhat limited mini-sequences by
routing the LFO output to oscillator pitch?  The evolver "sequencers"
are like that, except they happen to be a lot easier to use in this
manner.

-miles
-- 
Freedom's just another word, for nothing left to lose   --Janis Joplin

Re: Stupid question....

2004-10-08 by breakfaster11

Have you tried playing/programming notes from a Midi Keyboard or other
Sequencer?  That might get things to click.  The LFO analogy is a good
one, and fits more with the overall theme of the Evolver (it's all
about the modulations, yeah!).  There's no rule saying you have to
program notes and patterns with the on-board sequencer.  You could
just as easily tune the oscillators and do the 'house chords' thing
with a keyboard.  The added benefit here is that you can take
advantage of the oscillator glide.  You can have it playing a melody
while you supplement it with your playing. Lot's of different
triggering options to fit different styles.


It is kind of hard to go into the Evolver with any pre-conceived
notions.  It really is a unique concept, and I can't think of a single
other synth out there that does half of what it's capable of.  You'd
have to get into the modulars ($$$) for anything close.


And give it time.  You've only had it for what..  a week?  Once things
start clicking, you'll be coming up with all sorts of ideas.

And if your like many on this group, it will grow on you, and you'll
find a way that you like working with it.  It wears a lot of hats :)

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-08 by mr julian

From: "David" <lost_one95340@...>

> I'm sorry guys, I'm totally clue-less. I love this synth, and don't
> want to return it, but looks like i may just have to if I can't learn
> to program something simple.
>
you know, you *could* always just use it like a normal synth, program sounds
with it, and play it via MIDI.. Having a good handle on the sequencer isn't
necessary to get great use from the evolver.in fact you could completely
ignore the sequencer button and you'd still have a fantastic synth that can
do amazing things.

To be honest, I mostly use the evolver under MIDI note control, and the only
patches I've programmed for the evolver using the sequencer  that I even use
are simple patches that use track one to make the evolver do rhythmic gating
of external sounds (roland GR300 guitar synth!)

So don't stress.. just relax and play with the synth, it'll come to you in
time.




julian

Re: [Evolver] Stupid question....

2004-10-08 by David

Thank you all for all of your help, especially to noision1 for taking 
the time to write me a tutorial! It cleared some things up for me, so 
hopefully I'll come up with some cool stuff some day and post it! 
Thanks again...and of course, I'm always open to suggestions. Thanks.

dmn

an even stupidier question....

2004-10-09 by Bauke van der Wal

hello all,

new to the list (2 days) and i already see there's a lot of information 
and knowledge here. which is good, as (on first sight) the evolver 
looks like a more complex machine then i thought.

allthough i'm used to the waldorf pulse and it's modulation table, it 
will take me some time to get the hang of this (already incredible) 
machine.

just a small question: is it possible to chain the sequencers into a 64 
step?

yours,
bauke from holland

-- 
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