Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

Hi,

(and sorry for not being Simon :-) )

If you already have controller keyboard, the use of MIDI CC's pretty
much overcomes any (minor, the layout is _very_ well though and gets
comfortable to use in no time, in my opinion) shortcomings of the
programming matrix on the desktop Evolver.  I have my keyboard's
faders and knobs routed to stuff like envelopes, cutoffs and
oscillator levels, turning the litte blue box into a very playable
instrument with a configurable interface.

As what comes to the sequencer, the Evolvers have four 16-step
sequencers. The desktop model matrix is 8 x 8, meaning that every
sequence is divided on two rows, and the single row of 8
column-indicator LEDs make two runs per sequence. The MEK seems to
have two rows of 8 knobs and LEDs above both them. This does probably
make it easier to follow a sequence, especially when examing a patch
someone else made.

But in practice, when working with your own sequences it is very
difficult to get "row-confused", as you always hear what you are
doing. And many use the Soundtower editor, which (supposedly, I prefer
working the real thing :-) ) has nice graphical representations of the
sequences and whatnots.

That said, the MEK surely is a great looking synth that surely has
more hands-on control than the desktop model by itself.

sunny days,

.jon

2006/3/7, all@istar.ca <all@...>:

>
>
>  Greetings Simon,
>
>        Would you care to elaborate on the mono Evolver and just what
>  it is about the matrix that inhibits play?
>
>        Having just discovered the Evolver, I am very tempted to
>  purchase the mono. Being a keyboard player, however, and hearing of your
>  'reservations' is giving me pause.
>
>        Thanks very much for any comments.
>
>        Best wishes
>
>
>        Christopher
>
>  ------
>  >Message: 1
>  >    Date: Sun, 05 Mar 2006 22:43:42 -0000
>  >    From: "Simon " <simonvolt@...>
>  >Subject: Re: MEK over MONO
>  >
>  >Thank you Stephan !
>  >
>  >I can see every details in the photo.
>  >I really like the idea of having 16 blue LEds for the sequencer.
>  >I just feel i would play more with evo if i could work with a UI
>  >like the MEK has instead of a matrix like the first EVOLver serie.
>  >Very tempting indeed...
>  >
>  Regards,
>
>
>
>
>
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The desktop Evolver's matrix user interface requires 2 steps to edit a 
paremeter. You have to choose parameter row and then column, while on the 
Evolver Keyboard you have a dedicated knob for each parameter.

Actually it's not quite as simple, because both units have so many 
parameters that sometimes there are even more steps required, but I think 
it's basically correct ;)

Stefan

----- Original Message ----- 

From: <all@...>
To: <DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 1:46 PM
Subject: [Evolver] Mono/MEK?


>
>
> Greetings Simon,
>
> Would you care to elaborate on the mono Evolver and just what
> it is about the matrix that inhibits play?
>
> Having just discovered the Evolver, I am very tempted to
> purchase the mono. Being a keyboard player, however, and hearing of your
> 'reservations' is giving me pause.
>
> Thanks very much for any comments.
>
> Best wishes
>
>
> Christopher
>
> ------
>>Message: 1
>>    Date: Sun, 05 Mar 2006 22:43:42 -0000
>>    From: "Simon " <simonvolt@...>
>>Subject: Re: MEK over MONO
>>
>>Thank you Stephan !
>>
>>I can see every details in the photo.
>>I really like the idea of having 16 blue LEds for the sequencer.
>>I just feel i would play more with evo if i could work with a UI
>>like the MEK has instead of a matrix like the first EVOLver serie.
>>Very tempting indeed...
>>
> Regards,
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>

"Stefan Trippler" <doct@...> writes:
> The desktop Evolver's matrix user interface requires 2 steps to edit a 
> paremeter. You have to choose parameter row and then column, while on the 
> Evolver Keyboard you have a dedicated knob for each parameter.

It's even worse than that, 'cause of the shift key -- I don't mind the
matrix at all, but I hate the mono evolver's shift-key.  I think it
could be made a lot nicer with some tweaking, e.g., make a double-click
on a _row_ button enter shifted state for that row (and a single click
exit), but Dave hasn't seemed interested in doing it.

In some ways I like the mono-evolver _better_ because the steppy control
knobs are much nicer for some parameters than the PEK's smooth knobs
(I think it was a mistake to make them all smooth, they just drive me
crazy sometimes...).

-Miles
-- 
Would you like fries with that?