Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

well mebbe I didna phrase my first post too well, but I wasn't trying to knock DS or his creation, just comparing two modes of thought, and everything I said was meant in passion rather than bitterness - the Evo is (to me) so potentially rich in possibilities but so so hard to get a result even approximating to what you want/expect before hand, and that evokes strong emotions, sorry for any hurt feelings.....

As a musican rather than a synthesist I find the "just play with it until you get something you like" a risable response - do you apply that approach to your compositions and playing too ?? 

The EVO is undoubtedly a unique machine but most musicians just want "a box with a bit of individuality and character" to stick atop their rig for sonic variation.

Our band couldn't give too hoots whether it's real analog/hybrid/VA or another rompler as long as it works and sounds inspiring.

In England, the EVO was well hyped as "the answer to a musicians sonic dreams by synth maestro Dave Smith" but it does seem that the main type of EVO sounds are suited only to "musique concrete" or "the b*st*rd offspring of Prog Rock".

Every muso I know who tried the EVO (in uk) soon ditched it in favour of something more intuitive - mebbe that's our failing and not the EVO - but still, I would presume that DS is actually producing these things to make a buck or three and I was trying to point out that the somewhat parochial attitude of "it's not for noobs" is putting off one heck of a lot of potential buyers.

I've been playing synths of all types for 30+ years both in bands and solo so would not think of myself as noob, but in all that time nothing has sat gathering dust like the EVO, it's only the feeling that "there must be something I can do with it that doesn't take ages to sort" that makes me persist (plus the uk s/h value is so low!!) but, as the replies here indicate, it's a case of "if you're not a full on synth geek than tough, buy a Triton"

specifics then: 

it's hard to use with an external  MIDI sequencer as the internal sequence/s seem/s to start whether it's "engaged" or not with the little button 

you can't real time tweak more than one knob at once due to the "first click is the value" system

no dedicated volume pot makes it a pain live

the knobs are ok but those little buttons are real kiddie stuff more suited to a toy than a pro instrument

As for monosynths not being for beginners - get with the program matey, when I started out you were lucky to get anything else on a home musos budget ;o)

If the Evo is only for die hards then the UK marketing should have said so, and, as I implied, if this is the case then it's alost economical suicide.

I would have liked something a bit more friendly (like a proper display, balanced outs and more rugged buttons) and pay a bit more but that's not the case and I still intend to dig deep into this wee beastie and tame it to my will....................

 

anyway have a cool weekend guys, and forgive an old'un his rantings  ;o)


		
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--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, graeme <doghead61@y...> wrote:
> The EVO is undoubtedly a unique machine but most musicians just 
want "a box with a bit of individuality and character" to stick atop 
their rig for sonic variation.

I think it's rather unfortunate that most musicians would not be 
interested in getting the best out of their chosen instrument.  
Getting the best out of a synth means learning to program.

> In England, the EVO was well hyped as "the answer to a musicians 
sonic dreams by synth maestro Dave Smith" but it does seem that the 
main type of EVO sounds are suited only to "musique concrete" 
or "the b*st*rd offspring of Prog Rock".

Definately have to disagree there.  It's just as usable as any other 
analog or virtual analog or wavetable synth for other styles.  If 
your going of the demo's I could see someone getting that 
impression, I think the demo's are pretty poor.

> I've been playing synths of all types for 30+ years both in bands 
and solo so would not think of myself as noob, but in all that time 
nothing has sat gathering dust like the EVO, it's only the feeling 
that "there must be something I can do with it that doesn't take 
ages to sort" that makes me persist (plus the uk s/h value is so 
low!!) but, as the replies here indicate, it's a case of "if you're 
not a full on synth geek than tough, buy a Triton"

The reality of synths is different today than it was 30 years ago, 
30 years ago a noob bought an inexpensive monosynth with the 
synthesist bought a modular.  A noob buying a monosynth these days 
doesn't make any sense, especially if they are just interested in 
good sounds buying a basic rompler is the best way to start out 
unless you have very specific needs.

> specifics then: 
> it's hard to use with an external  MIDI sequencer as the internal 
sequence/s seem/s to start whether it's "engaged" or not with the 
little button 
Not really an issue as you can program patches with empty sequences 
that don't do anything except move the little red light around.  You 
can also use the sequencer as a stock arp among other things.  
Probably the thing I use it for the least is for programming in 
notes. 

> you can't real time tweak more than one knob at once due to 
the "first click is the value" system
Yup.

> no dedicated volume pot makes it a pain live
Never really found the volume knob it has to be an issue.
 
> If the Evo is only for die hards then the UK marketing should have 
said so, and, as I implied, if this is the case then it's alost 
economical suicide.
I hope most people are smart enough to know these days that 
marketting doesn't mean squat.  People in marketting these days are 
about as honest as your average politician.  They will tell you 
whatever you want to hear to get the money out of your grubby little 
hands.