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Poly Evolver Keyboard Questions

Poly Evolver Keyboard Questions

2007-04-04 by Anu Kirk

I am seriously considering purchasing a Poly Evolver Keyboard.

It would act as a master keyboard controller for my studio (replacing a 
just-sold DX7II FD) and be my primary programming synth (likely means 
I'd sell my little-used Alesis Ion).

Some questions for those who have it:
- What bugs currently exist?
- Do the knobs send out MIDI?  If so, what kind?
- Is it worth it?
- Should I keep my desktop Evolver for use as a 5th voice?  Has anyone 
actually done this?  How does it work?

Given that I have about $2400 to spend on a master keyboard/synth, 
anyone in the group have any other suggestions?  I want a decent 
keyboard, but I am not a very good player, so I don't need or want full 
weighted action.

I need at least the 61 keys the PEK provides (Ion, Nord, etc. only have 
49) but my studio desk won't easily support anything larger than that.

Re: Poly Evolver Keyboard Questions

2007-04-05 by haventwoncrap

> - What bugs currently exist?

Several - do not let anyone tell you there are none. You need to know
about these. It may have influenced my decision to buy one had I known
beforehand how hobbled the interface is at certain ends. Here's a
quote of mine from another message I posted on this board some time ago:

"It appears (at least to me) that the trigger select -> keyboard only
feature has no purpose under program mode, except to steal a voice and
render it useless. However, I
have found that it works perfectly (or at least, as you expect it to)
under Combo mode.
Program your sequence and save it as a patch, then go to combo mode
and make part 1 polyphonic 4-voice, and use the program you'd saved.
Make sure to select the 'trigger
select -> keyboard only' in the combo menu, and there you go. Still
trying to
figure lots of stuff out here, but that one should provide a temporary
solution until DS makes it an update.

I have talked with Dave about this issue and he seemed uninterested to
fix it, offering instead to create another trigger select option to
fix another problem. That being the option that should step the
sequencer values only steps on voice one, or every fourth time on the
PEK. The workaround I describe above works great, but it seems strange
to program this way. There are a lot of things that don't work how you
want in Program Mode on the PEK but work nicely once you incorporate
that program into a Combo in Combo Mode. I hate using Combo Mode,
however, because editing values is incredibly frustrating and poorly
implemented, and no changes to the patches can be saved. We have
discussed this here to an extent, and I will not continue to harp on
this as it is a minor quibble in a glorious machine, but I will ask if
anyone has heard anything *ever* of an update? While incredibly useful
at times, other times this OS seems far from complete."

This is probably my major concern, but if you search this forum,
you'll find more.

> - Do the knobs send out MIDI?  If so, what kind?

Sysex. Can you use that where you want and do you have software that
can remap those commands to actual controllers? Otherwise, all you
have are notes, bend, mod wheel, sustain, pressure (mono-aftertouch),
foot pedal...etc. It does respond to its own MIDI and sysex, so you
can record it all and send it back.

> - Is it worth it?

The sound of this synth is the selling point. It sounds great (as long
as you stay under the digital saturation point). The modulations are
awesome. But the OS has serious flaws and it's frustrating to spend
half your time finding workarounds for things that should just work
already. No notion or mention of any updates - in fact, this is
version 1 - never been updated and no sign of any future updates. Dave
is responsive, but often vague about actually getting around to fixing
any of these. So, sound=10!, support=5.

> - Should I keep my desktop Evolver for use as a 5th voice?  Has anyone 
> actually done this?  How does it work?

I've heard that it can, but have no experience with that.

> Given that I have about $2400 to spend on a master keyboard/synth, 
> anyone in the group have any other suggestions?  I want a decent 
> keyboard, but I am not a very good player, so I don't need or want full 
> weighted action.

Everything these days seems to be feature rich, until you get it, and
realize that not all the features are implemented, and some never will
be. That said, I'd probably get an old Jupiter or Prophet if I had to
do this again. But there is something great about the PEK that those
can't touch, so I'm keeping it. YMMV.
 
-Mark

PEK Product

2007-04-06 by William Soraparu

Dave Smith provides little to no support now for the PEK. I personally would not buy his product from here in out.
I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 encoders by the display...
I'll going to sell my PEK once I get back to Md.
Bill in Hawaii
haventwoncrap wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text

> - What bugs currently exist?

Several - do not let anyone tell you there are none. You need to know
about these. It may have influenced my decision to buy one had I known
beforehand how hobbled the interface is at certain ends. Here's a
quote of mine from another message I posted on this board some time ago:

"It appears (at least to me) that the trigger select -> keyboard only
feature has no purpose under program mode, except to steal a voice and
render it useless. However, I
have found that it works perfectly (or at least, as you expect it to)
under Combo mode.
Program your sequence and save it as a patch, then go to combo mode
and make part 1 polyphonic 4-voice, and use the program you'd saved.
Make sure to select the 'trigger
select -> keyboard only' in the combo menu, and there you go. Still
trying to
figure lots of stuff out here, but that one should provide a temporary
solution until DS makes it an update.

I have talked with Dave about this issue and he seemed uninterested to
fix it, offering instead to create another trigger select option to
fix another problem. That being the option that should step the
sequencer values only steps on voice one, or every fourth time on the
PEK. The workaround I describe above works great, but it seems strange
to program this way. There are a lot of things that don't work how you
want in Program Mode on the PEK but work nicely once you incorporate
that program into a Combo in Combo Mode. I hate using Combo Mode,
however, because editing values is incredibly frustrating and poorly
implemented, and no changes to the patches can be saved. We have
discussed this here to an extent, and I will not continue to harp on
this as it is a minor quibble in a glorious machine, but I will ask if
anyone has heard anything *ever* of an update? While incredibly useful
at times, other times this OS seems far from complete."

This is probably my major concern, but if you search this forum,
you'll find more.

> - Do the knobs send out MIDI? If so, what kind?

Sysex. Can you use that where you want and do you have software that
can remap those commands to actual controllers? Otherwise, all you
have are notes, bend, mod wheel, sustain, pressure (mono-aftertouch),
foot pedal...etc. It does respond to its own MIDI and sysex, so you
can record it all and send it back.

> - Is it worth it?

The sound of this synth is the selling point. It sounds great (as long
as you stay under the digital saturation point). The modulations are
awesome. But the OS has serious flaws and it's frustrating to spend
half your time finding workarounds for things that should just work
already. No notion or mention of any updates - in fact, this is
version 1 - never been updated and no sign of any future updates. Dave
is responsive, but often vague about actually getting around to fixing
any of these. So, sound=10!, support=5.

> - Should I keep my desktop Evolver for use as a 5th voice? Has anyone
> actually done this? How does it work?

I've heard that it can, but have no experience with that.

> Given that I have about $2400 to spend on a master keyboard/synth,
> anyone in the group have any other suggestions? I want a decent
> keyboard, but I am not a very good player, so I don't need or want full
> weighted action.

Everything these days seems to be feature rich, until you get it, and
realize that not all the features are implemented, and some never will
be. That said, I'd probably get an old Jupiter or Prophet if I had to
do this again. But there is something great about the PEK that those
can't touch, so I'm keeping it. YMMV.

-Mark


Get your own web address.
Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by Carbon111

> I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 encoders  by 
> the display...

Those are the only encoders that aren't buffered so the values are a bit 
jumpy...the only time it becomes a problem is while naming a patch. Dave 
said its an easy fix and he will implement it in the next OS.

I've had the best support I've ever had from any company _ever_ from 
Dave smith...and I've owned quite a lot of synths. :)

Obviously YMMV.

Very Best Regards, James
--
http://www.carbon111.com/evolver.html

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by William Soraparu

YMMV? Sorry? Care to elaborate on the James....
In my time....best support I have ever received was from Access and Waldorf....Moog Too!
I'm not impressed with Dave Smith any longer. I am an artist...technician 2nd....and I desire to work with dependable palettes of tonal quality....not questionable equipment...unless of course it is a VCS3 with beautiful burps and blemishes!!..but the PEK is not a VCS3
Peace,
Bill
Hawaii

Carbon111 wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 encoders by
> the display...

Those are the only encoders that aren't buffered so the values are a bit
jumpy...the only time it becomes a problem is while naming a patch. Dave
said its an easy fix and he will implement it in the next OS.

I've had the best support I've ever had from any company _ever_ from
Dave smith...and I've owned quite a lot of synths. :)

Obviously YMMV.

Very Best Regards, James
--
http://www.carbon111.com/evolver.html


Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate
in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.

Re: PEK Product

2007-04-06 by Miles Bader

-- 
Any man who is a triangle, has thee right, when in Cartesian Space, to
have angles, which when summed, come to know more, nor no less, than
nine score degrees, should he so wish.  [TEMPLE OV THEE LEMUR]

Re: PEK Product

2007-04-06 by Miles Bader

William Soraparu <donnbill369@...> writes:
> YMMV? Sorry? Care to elaborate on the James....

Dave Smith's reputation for support is _very_ good (I personally have
had nothing but excellent experiences with DSI).  Yet you say it's bad.

Thus, assuming people aren't lying, one can only conclude "YMMV".

-Miles

-- 
"Suppose He doesn't give a shit?  Suppose there is a God but He
just doesn't give a shit?"  [George Carlin]

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-06 by William Soraparu

Ah Ha..lets be oblique!!

s@...> wrote:

--
Any man who is a triangle, has thee right, when in Cartesian Space, to
have angles, which when summed, come to know more, nor no less, than
nine score degrees, should he so wish. [TEMPLE OV THEE LEMUR]

Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check.
Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta.

SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by Magnus Gladén

I\ufffdm very happy with my PEK and the support from Dave Smith
Instruments. I sent meybe three questions over the years and always got an answer back in a day. They have always been polite even when the answer where clearly written in the manual. J
One time I asked a guestion how to control a function via the sequencer and not trigger the notes. I got a reply with a expliantion how to do it form Mr Smith hemself! Dave has helpt me with some problem I had with me Prophet~5\ufffd That\ufffds support!
Kind regards
Magnus


William Soraparu skrev:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Dave Smith provides little to no support now for the PEK. I personally would not buy his product from here in out.
I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 encoders by the display...
I'll going to sell my PEK once I get back to Md.
Bill in Hawaii
haventwoncrap gmail.com> wrote:

> - What bugs currently exist?

Several - do not let anyone tell you there are none. You need to know
about these. It may have influenced my decision to buy one had I known
beforehand how hobbled the interface is at certain ends. Here's a
quote of mine from another message I posted on this board some time ago:

"It appears (at least to me) that the trigger select -> keyboard only
feature has no purpose under program mode, except to steal a voice and
render it useless. However, I
have found that it works perfectly (or at least, as you expect it to)
under Combo mode.
Program your sequence and save it as a patch, then go to combo mode
and make part 1 polyphonic 4-voice, and use the program you'd saved.
Make sure to select the 'trigger
select -> keyboard only' in the combo menu, and there you go. Still
trying to
figure lots of stuff out here, but that one should provide a temporary
solution until DS makes it an update.

I have talked with Dave about this issue and he seemed uninterested to
fix it, offering instead to create another trigger select option to
fix another problem. That being the option that should step the
sequencer values only steps on voice one, or every fourth time on the
PEK. The workaround I describe above works great, but it seems strange
to program this way. There are a lot of things that don't work how you
want in Program Mode on the PEK but work nicely once you incorporate
that program into a Combo in Combo Mode. I hate using Combo Mode,
however, because editing values is incredibly frustrating and poorly
implemented, and no changes to the patches can be saved. We have
discussed this here to an extent, and I will not continue to harp on
this as it is a minor quibble in a glorious machine, but I will ask if
anyone has heard anything *ever* of an update? While incredibly useful
at times, other times this OS seems far from complete."

This is probably my major concern, but if you search this forum,
you'll find more.

> - Do the knobs send out MIDI? If so, what kind?

Sysex. Can you use that where you want and do you have software that
can remap those commands to actual controllers? Otherwise, all you
have are notes, bend, mod wheel, sustain, pressure (mono-aftertouch),
foot pedal...etc. It does respond to its own MIDI and sysex, so you
can record it all and send it back.

> - Is it worth it?

The sound of this synth is the selling point. It sounds great (as long
as you stay under the digital saturation point). The modulations are
awesome. But the OS has serious flaws and it's frustrating to spend
half your time finding workarounds for things that should just work
already. No notion or mention of any updates - in fact, this is
version 1 - never been updated and no sign of any future updates. Dave
is responsive, but often vague about actually getting around to fixing
any of these. So, sound=10!, support=5.

> - Should I keep my desktop Evolver for use as a 5th voice? Has anyone
> actually done this? How does it work?

I've heard that it can, but have no experience with that.

> Given that I have about $2400 to spend on a master keyboard/synth,
> anyone in the group have any other suggestions? I want a decent
> keyboard, but I am not a very good player, so I don't need or want full
> weighted action.

Everything these days seems to be feature rich, until you get it, and
realize that not all the features are implemented, and some never will
be. That said, I'd probably get an old Jupiter or Prophet if I had to
do this again. But there is something great about the PEK that those
can't touch, so I'm keeping it. YMMV.

-Mark




Stava r\ufffdtt! Stava l\ufffdtt! Yahoo! Mails stavkontroll tar hand om tryckfelen och mycket mer! F\ufffd den p\ufffd http://se.mail.yahoo.com

Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by Bob Henke

Could the people who are happy with support please elaborate on what kind of problems they were having in the first place?

support quality should be gauged by the problems solved, not the pleasant manner with which dave types/talks

I love when guys big-up a companies support, when the biggest problem they had was not knowing how to save a patch or something.

.02

Magnus Glad\ufffdn wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
I\ufffdm very happy with my PEK and the support from Dave Smith
Instruments. I sent meybe three questions over the years and always got an answer back in a day. They have always been polite even when the answer where clearly written in the manual. J
One time I asked a guestion how to control a function via the sequencer and not trigger the notes. I got a reply with a expliantion how to do it form Mr Smith hemself! Dave has helpt me with some problem I had with me Prophet~5\ufffd That\ufffds support!
Kind regards
Magnus


William Soraparu yahoo.com> skrev:
Dave Smith provides little to no support now for the PEK. I personally would not buy his product from here in out.
I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 encoders by the display...
I'll going to sell my PEK once I get back to Md.
Bill in Hawaii
haventwoncrap gmail.com> wrote:

> - What bugs currently exist?

Several - do not let anyone tell you there are none. You need to know
about these. It may have influenced my decision to buy one had I known
beforehand how hobbled the interface is at certain ends. Here's a
quote of mine from another message I posted on this board some time ago:

"It appears (at least to me) that the trigger select -> keyboard only
feature has no purpose under program mode, except to steal a voice and
render it useless. However, I
have found that it works perfectly (or at least, as you expect it to)
under Combo mode.
Program your sequence and save it as a patch, then go to combo mode
and make part 1 polyphonic 4-voice, and use the program you'd saved.
Make sure to select the 'trigger
select -> keyboard only' in the combo menu, and there you go. Still
trying to
figure lots of stuff out here, but that one should provide a temporary
solution until DS makes it an update.

I have talked with Dave about this issue and he seemed uninterested to
fix it, offering instead to create another trigger select option to
fix another problem. That being the option that should step the
sequencer values only steps on voice one, or every fourth time on the
PEK. The workaround I describe above works great, but it seems strange
to program this way. There are a lot of things that don't work how you
want in Program Mode on the PEK but work nicely once you incorporate
that program into a Combo in Combo Mode. I hate using Combo Mode,
however, because editing values is incredibly frustrating and poorly
implemented, and no changes to the patches can be saved. We have
discussed this here to an extent, and I will not continue to harp on
this as it is a minor quibble in a glorious machine, but I will ask if
anyone has heard anything *ever* of an update? While incredibly useful
at times, other times this OS seems far from complete."

This is probably my major concern, but if you search this forum,
you'll find more.

> - Do the knobs send out MIDI? If so, what kind?

Sysex. Can you use that where you want and do you have software that
can remap those commands to actual controllers? Otherwise, all you
have are notes, bend, mod wheel, sustain, pressure (mono-aftertouch),
foot pedal...etc. It does respond to its own MIDI and sysex, so you
can record it all and send it back.

> - Is it worth it?

The sound of this synth is the selling point. It sounds great (as long
as you stay under the digital saturation point). The modulations are
awesome. But the OS has serious flaws and it's frustrating to spend
half your time finding workarounds for things that should just work
already. No notion or mention of any updates - in fact, this is
version 1 - never been updated and no sign of any future updates. Dave
is responsive, but often vague about actually getting around to fixing
any of these. So, sound=10!, support=5.

> - Should I keep my desktop Evolver for use as a 5th voice? Has anyone
> actually done this? How does it work?

I've heard that it can, but have no experience with that.

> Given that I have about $2400 to spend on a master keyboard/synth,
> anyone in the group have any other suggestions? I want a decent
> keyboard, but I am not a very good player, so I don't need or want full
> weighted action.

Everything these days seems to be feature rich, until you get it, and
realize that not all the features are implemented, and some never will
be. That said, I'd probably get an old Jupiter or Prophet if I had to
do this again. But there is something great about the PEK that those
can't touch, so I'm keeping it. YMMV.

-Mark




Stava r\ufffdtt! Stava l\ufffdtt! Yahoo! Mails stavkontroll tar hand om tryckfelen och mycket mer! F\ufffd den p\ufffd http://se.mail.yahoo.com

What kind of emailer are you? Find out today - get a free analysis of your email personality. Take the quiz at the Yahoo! Mail Championship.

Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by William Soraparu

Yes, I understand...and its one thing on how to use the various functions and capabilities of the PEK...but its another when certain hardware features just do not live up to what they were supposed to do.
And I never said that Dave did not answer questions....and politely at that. But one thing remains....the PEK was at least 2,000.00 for me....and when you spend that much....like with the Moog Voyagers and the Access Virus's...upgrades come....firmware fixes...etc....I've seen nothing from Dave on this. I have a Moog Voyager Electric Blue...and a Virus T..and both work as they should...and even more. I am sorry...I do not see the worth in the PEK.
Bill from Hawaii

Magnus Glad\ufffdn wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
I\ufffdm very happy with my PEK and the support from Dave Smith
Instruments. I sent meybe three questions over the years and always got an answer back in a day. They have always been polite even when the answer where clearly written in the manual. J
One time I asked a guestion how to control a function via the sequencer and not trigger the notes. I got a reply with a expliantion how to do it form Mr Smith hemself! Dave has helpt me with some problem I had with me Prophet~5\ufffd That\ufffds support!
Kind regards
Magnus


William Soraparu yahoo.com> skrev:
Dave Smith provides little to no support now for the PEK. I personally would not buy his product from here in out.
I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 encoders by the display...
I'll going to sell my PEK once I get back to Md.
Bill in Hawaii
haventwoncrap gmail.com> wrote:

> - What bugs currently exist?

Several - do not let anyone tell you there are none. You need to know
about these. It may have influenced my decision to buy one had I known
beforehand how hobbled the interface is at certain ends. Here's a
quote of mine from another message I posted on this board some time ago:

"It appears (at least to me) that the trigger select -> keyboard only
feature has no purpose under program mode, except to steal a voice and
render it useless. However, I
have found that it works perfectly (or at least, as you expect it to)
under Combo mode.
Program your sequence and save it as a patch, then go to combo mode
and make part 1 polyphonic 4-voice, and use the program you'd saved.
Make sure to select the 'trigger
select -> keyboard only' in the combo menu, and there you go. Still
trying to
figure lots of stuff out here, but that one should provide a temporary
solution until DS makes it an update.

I have talked with Dave about this issue and he seemed uninterested to
fix it, offering instead to create another trigger select option to
fix another problem. That being the option that should step the
sequencer values only steps on voice one, or every fourth time on the
PEK. The workaround I describe above works great, but it seems strange
to program this way. There are a lot of things that don't work how you
want in Program Mode on the PEK but work nicely once you incorporate
that program into a Combo in Combo Mode. I hate using Combo Mode,
however, because editing values is incredibly frustrating and poorly
implemented, and no changes to the patches can be saved. We have
discussed this here to an extent, and I will not continue to harp on
this as it is a minor quibble in a glorious machine, but I will ask if
anyone has heard anything *ever* of an update? While incredibly useful
at times, other times this OS seems far from complete."

This is probably my major concern, but if you search this forum,
you'll find more.

> - Do the knobs send out MIDI? If so, what kind?

Sysex. Can you use that where you want and do you have software that
can remap those commands to actual controllers? Otherwise, all you
have are notes, bend, mod wheel, sustain, pressure (mono-aftertouch),
foot pedal...etc. It does respond to its own MIDI and sysex, so you
can record it all and send it back.

> - Is it worth it?

The sound of this synth is the selling point. It sounds great (as long
as you stay under the digital saturation point). The modulations are
awesome. But the OS has serious flaws and it's frustrating to spend
half your time finding workarounds for things that should just work
already. No notion or mention of any updates - in fact, this is
version 1 - never been updated and no sign of any future updates. Dave
is responsive, but often vague about actually getting around to fixing
any of these. So, sound=10!, support=5.

> - Should I keep my desktop Evolver for use as a 5th voice? Has anyone
> actually done this? How does it work?

I've heard that it can, but have no experience with that.

> Given that I have about $2400 to spend on a master keyboard/synth,
> anyone in the group have any other suggestions? I want a decent
> keyboard, but I am not a very good player, so I don't need or want full
> weighted action.

Everything these days seems to be feature rich, until you get it, and
realize that not all the features are implemented, and some never will
be. That said, I'd probably get an old Jupiter or Prophet if I had to
do this again. But there is something great about the PEK that those
can't touch, so I'm keeping it. YMMV.

-Mark




Stava r\ufffdtt! Stava l\ufffdtt! Yahoo! Mails stavkontroll tar hand om tryckfelen och mycket mer! F\ufffd den p\ufffd http://se.mail.yahoo.com

Bored stiff? Loosen up...
Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.

Re: PEK Product

2007-04-06 by dodgingrain

I'd have to side on the negative to neutral side.  Another bug that 
exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw is that the 
output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the output on the 
PER and probably the PEK as well.  I made this know well over a year 
ago and got a luke warm response at best.  I was told to use a mixer 
to balance the levels, which frankly, I feel is rediculous given the 
cost of these products and the fact that a lot of musicians no longer 
use mixers at all these days.  One of the selling points of the PER 
was that you could get 5 voices by polychaining with a desktop.... 
well yah, sort of.  I wouldn't have bought an evolver at all if I had 
know about that issue.

I wish someone would do a test on the MEK and let us know if that 
issue exists there as well.  So when people ask if you can chain the 
PEK with an evolver desktop the answer shouldn't be a resounding 
yes.  Personally I would think this would be fixable as a software 
updated to the evolver.  If in poly chain mode the lower the output 
by 6db.

Another issue I have is with the outputs on the PER.  You can't keep 
cables connected to both the main outputs and the individual voice 
outputs.  Personally I feel the best way to use a rack synth is to 
have each output and input connected to a patch bay so you can route 
whatever you want without having to dig around in the back of a 
rack.  Now imagine how much of a pain this is when you have 3 PERs 
like I do, it's not just swaping a few cables it's swaping a LOT of 
cables.

Also when I would point out some of these issues in response to 
questions by users or potential buyers on HC I was all but outright 
told to shut up about it by the HC Admin at the time who works for 
DSI.




--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Miles Bader <miles@...> wrote:
>
> William Soraparu <donnbill369@...> writes:
> > YMMV? Sorry? Care to elaborate on the James....
> 
> Dave Smith's reputation for support is _very_ good (I personally 
have
> had nothing but excellent experiences with DSI).  Yet you say it's 
bad.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> 
> Thus, assuming people aren't lying, one can only conclude "YMMV".
> 
> -Miles

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by Damian Rickert

I'm not sure you want to hold Waldorf up as an example of good customer 
support ;)

+1 another happy and satisfied Dave Smith customer

Damian

William Soraparu wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> YMMV? Sorry? Care to elaborate on the James....
>  
> In my time....best support I have ever received was from Access and 
> Waldorf....Moog Too!
>  
> I'm not impressed with Dave Smith any longer. I am an 
> artist...technician 2nd....and I desire to work with dependable 
> palettes of tonal quality....not questionable equipment...unless of 
> course it is a VCS3 with beautiful burps and blemishes!!..but the PEK 
> is not a VCS3
>  
> Peace,
>  
> Bill
> Hawaii
>
> */
> /*
> ___

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by William Soraparu

Waldor, and the Waldorf folks continued to support me and my XTk and MicroQ..even when they shut their doors.
I hold up Waldorf! And their products are superior to Dave Smith's stuff.
Bill From Hawaii

Damian Rickert wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
I'm not sure you want to hold Waldorf up as an example of good customer
support ;)

+1 another happy and satisfied Dave Smith customer

Damian

William Soraparu wrote:

> YMMV? Sorry? Care to elaborate on the James....
>
> In my time....best support I have ever received was from Access and
> Waldorf....Moog Too!
>
> I'm not impressed with Dave Smith any longer. I am an
> artist...technician 2nd....and I desire to work with dependable
> palettes of tonal quality....not questionable equipment...unless of
> course it is a VCS3 with beautiful burps and blemishes!!..but the PEK
> is not a VCS3
>
> Peace,
>
> Bill
> Hawaii
>
> */
> /*
> ___


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Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by Carbon111

>YMMV? Sorry? Care to elaborate on the James.... 
>    

Thanks for the sourgrapes. ;)

The "YMMV" was because *I* haven't run into anything crippling or annoying after quite a long period of use and programming. Your dismissal of the validity of my perspective is clearly antagonistic - I'm sorry your experience with the PEK has engendered these emotions.

Good DSI Support = software & firmware fixes in a timely fashion, including free OS chips and the tools to replace them. The only niggle I had with the PEK was the 2 jittery encoders next to the LCD and then, only when naming patches. Dave said it was an easy fix, just buffering the output of those two encoders and that it would be implemented in the next OS. Based on the concrete support I've had so far, I see no reason to disbelieve him.

Best Regards, James
--
http://www.carbon111.com.evolver

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by William Soraparu

No Sour Grapes here...just dissapointed in my investment...just airing my opinions. Whats understood does not need to be discussed.
Other than that, your Carbon site is a good one. I refer to it alot!
Keep up the good work James!
Bill from hawaii

Carbon111 wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>YMMV? Sorry? Care to elaborate on the James....
>

Thanks for the sourgrapes. ;)

The "YMMV" was because *I* haven't run into anything crippling or annoying after quite a long period of use and programming. Your dismissal of the validity of my perspective is clearly antagonistic - I'm sorry your experience with the PEK has engendered these emotions.

Good DSI Support = software & firmware fixes in a timely fashion, including free OS chips and the tools to replace them. The only niggle I had with the PEK was the 2 jittery encoders next to the LCD and then, only when naming patches. Dave said it was an easy fix, just buffering the output of those two encoders and that it would be implemented in the next OS. Based on the concrete support I've had so far, I see no reason to disbelieve him.

Best Regards, James
--
http://www.carbon111.com.evolver


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Re: Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-06 by Carbon111

>No Sour Grapes here...just dissapointed in my investment...just airing my opinions. Whats understood does not need to be discussed.     Other than that, your Carbon site is a good one. I refer to it alot!     Keep up the good work James!     Bill from hawaii

Thanks Bill, 

I'm sorry for my "kneejerk" response, its hot in the office today ;)

BTW - I'll be on the Big Island in May :D

Best Regards, James
--
http://www.carbon111.com/evolver.html

Hi James

2007-04-06 by William Soraparu

Hi James, no problem!! Coming to Hawaii for vacation or the music scene? I have been involved in alot of projects here.....to include video mixing for theater and modern dance....as well as independant films....but I must admit.....due to the cost of living here....most artisans have to work 2-3 jobs to make it...leaving little time for artistic endeavors....I work for the Government here....so my situation is fine...but I am moving back to the East Coast.....get back to serious collaboration with artisans there....
Bill

Carbon111 wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>No Sour Grapes here...just dissapointed in my investment...just airing my opinions. Whats understood does not need to be discussed. Other than that, your Carbon site is a good one. I refer to it alot! Keep up the good work James! Bill from hawaii

Thanks Bill,

I'm sorry for my "kneejerk" response, its hot in the office today ;)

BTW - I'll be on the Big Island in May :D

Best Regards, James
--
http://www.carbon111.com/evolver.html

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Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-07 by Robert Krueger

Bob Henke wrote:
> Could the people who are happy with support please elaborate on what 
> kind of problems they were having in the first place?
> 
> support quality should be gauged by the problems solved, not the 
> pleasant manner with which dave types/talks
> 
> I love when guys big-up a companies support, when the biggest problem 
> they had was not knowing how to save a patch or something.
> 


Dave Smith gives amazing support.  When I had my MED for about 8 months, 
I was getting distortion very easily and found if I unplugged and 
replugged the power back in, this would clear.  I mentioned it to Dave 
and in the same day told me it sounded like I had a faulty DSP and that 
he would have it replaced immediately.  The turn around from shipping, 
to fixing, to returning was less than 2 weeks.

Also, when I had been learning how to program sysex with my midi 
controller,  I had some questions about the sysex implementation of the 
evolver I didn't understand.  Again, he replied the very same day and 
was kind enough to take some time and explained to me how the sysex 
should be coded in my controller, etc.

Awesome support.

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-07 by Dale

I was wondering ...
If Dave does not support this, then why is he at every NAMM with the PEKs, racks and most of the time in the booth listening to "god awful buttchecks synths" next to him all day? Surely he does not hate himself to do that? Then why the heck would he even bother to email me a few times for my stupid questions?
I don't know, I would not say he does not support and the synth is so bad it's not worth it.... The one year with the chicks from Body Glove a few down, well I guess that does not count. I think I would suffer to that noise all day ... ;-)
Also, never has Dave expressed to me or I seen, anything but professionalism exhibited ... he is one of the rare ones ...
If your encoders are bad, open the it up, get the part number and get some ... It all looks pretty standard stuff in there...
post the part number here and I will post back to you the link to get ... if you need it repaired, take to a local shop, unless your so far away that isn't possible... then maybe a PEK isn't what you need ... just me, if it's broke, you can bet I be under the hood when it out of warranty looking to repair ... I don't really expect that of everyone but at least a attempt to fix ...
Last and most important perhaps, what else can you buy today that sounds like a PEK? I would be interested to know.
dale
New synth programming group for all synths.
Synth_Programming-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 4:13 AM
Subject: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

I’m very happy with my PEK and the support from Dave Smith
Instruments. I sent meybe three questions over the years and always got an answer back in a day. They have always been polite even when the answer where clearly written in the manual. J
One time I asked a guestion how to control a function via the sequencer and not trigger the notes. I got a reply with a expliantion how to do it form Mr Smith hemself! Dave has helpt me with some problem I had with me Prophet~5… That’s support!
Kind regards
Magnus


William Soraparu skrev:
Dave Smith provides little to no support now for the PEK. I personally would not buy his product from here in out.
I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 encoders by the display...
I'll going to sell my PEK once I get back to Md.
Bill in Hawaii
haventwoncrap gmail.com> wrote:

Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-07 by Dale

I am not sure what functions that don't work are all that useful to what I do anyway ...
Mine was a bit more in dollar but so far I have no regrets ...
I choose it over modular and starting that ... Being a MOTM fan in how they are made, I almost decided to go into that. But the guy who makes them
just started doing things, dropping kits and sole sourcing the new things, which did not met my thoughts of support at all. I decided, I'll let MOTM and modular go for a few years or decade to see how it all shakes out. Who knows .. maybe by the time I look that way again, things will be better ...
dale
----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text

Yes, I understand...and its one thing on how to use the various functions and capabilities of the PEK...but its another when certain hardware features just do not live up to what they were supposed to do.
And I never said that Dave did not answer questions....and politely at that. But one thing remains....the PEK was at least 2,000.00 for me....and when you spend that much....like with the Moog Voyagers and the Access Virus's...upgrades come....firmware fixes...etc....I've seen nothing from Dave on this. I have a Moog Voyager Electric Blue...and a Virus T..and both work as they should...and even more. I am sorry...I do not see the worth in the PEK.
Bill from Hawaii

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-07 by Dale

If the plugs are such a pain and you need those outs in the manner you mention, why not mod it?
I bet he just has it switched with the jacks.
I would not notice the levels, I run all the synths into a rolls RM203 (a pair of them) so I do balance it all out before it gets to the main
mixer... each synth I have has some quirk that has to worked with, levels out being one of them ...
dale
----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
I'd have to side on the negative to neutral side. Another bug that
exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw is that the
output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the output on the
PER and probably the PEK as well. I made this know well over a year
ago and got a luke warm response at best. I was told to use a mixer
to balance the levels, which frankly, I feel is rediculous given the
cost of these products and the fact that a lot of musicians no longer
use mixers at all these days. One of the selling points of the PER
was that you could get 5 voices by polychaining with a desktop....
well yah, sort of. I wouldn't have bought an evolver at all if I had
know about that issue.

I wish someone would do a test on the MEK and let us know if that
issue exists there as well. So when people ask if you can chain the
PEK with an evolver desktop the answer shouldn't be a resounding
yes. Personally I would think this would be fixable as a software
updated to the evolver. If in poly chain mode the lower the output
by 6db.

Another issue I have is with the outputs on the PER. You can't keep
cables connected to both the main outputs and the individual voice
outputs. Personally I feel the best way to use a rack synth is to
have each output and input connected to a patch bay so you can route
whatever you want without having to dig around in the back of a
rack. Now imagine how much of a pain this is when you have 3 PERs
like I do, it's not just swaping a few cables it's swaping a LOT of
cables.

Also when I would point out some of these issues in response to
questions by users or potential buyers on HC I was all but outright
told to shut up about it by the HC Admin at the time who works for
DSI.

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-07 by Dale

I am not aware of any synth
that does not have a problem of some kind...
each one here, has it own bug list, quirk, work around or something that should as written in the book/manual or just general
act like, problem ...
Support is always like beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder.
Also noted, this is a cycle, each group I am in on hardware or softsynths, the cycle of hate, I don't like this or that or general discontent
occurs ... then we will give the other side till it's just silly ... I only offer my experience .. PEK works for me ... Dave has never impressed me
other than supportive and what bugs on the PEK hardware wise there is, are not show stoppers here ....
I live with a ION and a Fusion too ... hum ... I learned to deal with those things. How can a PEK get under my skin? Heck I even still have 3 nano-synth that do not store patches changed and so on.. they even hang up in some odd patch mode which you have to reset the synth with a midi in and out, knobs in certain position and a power on to reset ... maybe I just tolerate more ... many here will tell you, I was not very happy with the ION for a while ... after 3 of them, yea, 3 ..
I deal with what I got now ...
My band member deals with Waldorf and his other synths ... I am sure he can provide some insight on those things .. but over all, it's workable ...
oh well ... never will all be pleased ... there will some always that has a problem of some kind .. all cool with me ... I read as many posts on these things so I am not trying to do something that does not work or will happen .. saves me much time and frustration ... in the mean time, I do like reading the work arounds more ...
I hope I did not offend anyone with my posts ... just expressing my experiences ... that was all ...
dale
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----

I'm not sure you want to hold Waldorf up as an example of good customer
support ;)

+1 another happy and satisfied Dave Smith customer

Damian

William Soraparu wrote:

> YMMV? Sorry? Care to elaborate on the James....
>
> In my time....best support I have ever received was from Access and
> Waldorf....Moog Too!
>
> I'm not impressed with Dave Smith any longer. I am an
> artist...technician 2nd....and I desire to work with dependable
> palettes of tonal quality....not questionable equipment...unless of
> course it is a VCS3 with beautiful burps and blemishes!!..but the PEK
> is not a VCS3
>
> Peace,
>
> Bill
> Hawaii

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-07 by Ravi Ivan Sharma

Continually complaining that the Evolver Desktop is louder than the PER. Pity.
Complaining about an extra feature that is essentially a freebee. I cannot imagine one person less would buy their first Evolver Desktop because it could not be chained to any other. But the fact is, is that when it was made, the PER and the PEK and the MEK were not even conceived of it chains perfectly to other desktops as planned and advertised. Another manufacturer could have easily said that the desktop versions chain with each other and not with PEKS and PERS which are in a *different class*. But in this case, it was left in. The thing about no mixers is nonsense. I don't use mixers: Everything goes into my Motus, but the software has mixers inside which can fix any of this. I have 10 synths and I set the internal levels to balance *them* out. Even synths by the same brand, etc. Please shoot me if I every begin to bitterly complain that one of my Rolands has more gain than the other--even though they speak (and were advertised to) via midi . . . omigod!
And unless that person was private messaged by Dave Bryce, they were *all but* told to shut up, because . . . Dave Bryce did *not* tell him to shut up.
People just get tired of reading the same thing over and over again. Every synth I know, wait, every *thing* I know has limitations. Things do not have issues. People have issues with things, or not. So yes, IF one has three PERS and IF one wishes to work precisely as this person believes is correct--for him--, then it may not be so comfortable, for him. It’s a personal issue with a design choice--or a fact of components--that affects . him . . and, of course, the myriads like him. Show of hands please: Who else does this affect so much they haven't stopped about it for a year or so rather than getting on with life?
If the man who made the synth says--after years of requests-- that he can't or won't fix it--for his--I am certain, excellent reasons--he is after all, a father of this all--then THAT IS IT. Why anyone wants to get on every forum and search high and low for similar disgrunts is seems somewhat sad at this point. Especially when apparently no one Evolver owner really gives a crap about something so miniscule and easily remediable.
Dale has found a solution and seems completely at peace with it. Sounds normal (pun!) to me. While one loves a synth so much to buy so many, then spends countless time bad mouthing it is really . . . not interesting.
I am not telling anyone to shut up, but this thread, ported over from at least two other forums, is truly TIRED.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
From: Dale
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 11:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

If the plugs are such a pain and you need those outs in the manner you mention, why not mod it?
I bet he just has it switched with the jacks.
I would not notice the levels, I run all the synths into a rolls RM203 (a pair of them) so I do balance it all out before it gets to the main
mixer... each synth I have has some quirk that has to worked with, levels out being one of them ...
dale
----- Original Message -----
I'd have to side on the negative to neutral side. Another bug that
exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw is that the
output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the output on the
PER and probably the PEK as well. I made this know well over a year
ago and got a luke warm response at best. I was told to use a mixer
to balance the levels, which frankly, I feel is rediculous given the
cost of these products and the fact that a lot of musicians no longer
use mixers at all these days. One of the selling points of the PER
was that you could get 5 voices by polychaining with a desktop....
well yah, sort of. ; I wouldn't have bought an evolver at all if I had
know about that issue.

I wish someone would do a test on the MEK and let us know if that
issue exists there as well. So when people ask if you can chain the
PEK with an evolver desktop the answer shouldn't be a resounding
yes. Personally I would think this would be fixable as a software
updated to the evolver. If in poly chain mode the lower the output
by 6db.

Another issue I have is with the outputs on the PER. You can't keep
cables connected to both the main outputs and the individual voice
outputs. Personally I feel the best way to use a rack synth is to
have each output and input connected to a patch bay so you can route
whatever you want without having to dig around in the back of a
rack. Now imagine how much of a pain this is when you have 3 PERs
like I do, it's not just swaping a few cables it's swaping a LOT of
cables.

Also when I would point out some of these issues in response to
questions by users or potential buyers on HC I was all but outright
told to shut up about it by the HC Admin at the time who works for
DSI.

Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-07 by William Soraparu

I've been working with synthesizers since I was 15.....I know how to use them. I do not think or feel based on my experience that Dave Smith's PEK lives up to the Hype.


Robert Krueger wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Bob Henke wrote:
> Could the people who are happy with support please elaborate on what
> kind of problems they were having in the first place?
>
> support quality should be gauged by the problems solved, not the
> pleasant manner with which dave types/talks
>
> I love when guys big-up a companies support, when the biggest problem
> they had was not knowing how to save a patch or something.
>

Dave Smith gives amazing support. When I had my MED for about 8 months,
I was getting distortion very easily and found if I unplugged and
replugged the power back in, this would clear. I mentioned it to Dave
and in the same day told me it sounded like I had a faulty DSP and that
he would have it replaced immediately. The turn around from shipping,
to fixing, to returning was less than 2 weeks.

Also, when I had been learning how to program sysex with my midi
controller, I had some questions about the sysex implementation of the
evolver I didn't understand. Again, he replied the very same day and
was kind enough to take some time and explained to me how the sysex
should be coded in my controller, etc.

Awesome support.

The fish are biting.
Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing.

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-07 by William Soraparu

Why should I fix something that is less than 12 months old? I have Waldorf, Access, Moog and Korg systems...as well as a huge Analog system.....its funny...this equipment is working as it should...no encoder problems on my Access or Korg Systems...or even on my Kurzweil.

Dale wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
I was wondering ...
If Dave does not support this, then why is he at every NAMM with the PEKs, racks and most of the time in the booth listening to "god awful buttchecks synths" next to him all day? Surely he does not hate himself to do that? Then why the heck would he even bother to email me a few times for my stupid questions?
I don't know, I would not say he does not support and the synth is so bad it's not worth it.... The one year with the chicks from Body Glove a few down, well I guess that does not count. I think I would suffer to that noise all day ... ;-)
Also, never has Dave expressed to me or I seen, anything but professionalism exhibited ... he is one of the rare ones ...
If your encoders are bad, open the it up, get the part number and get some ... It all looks pretty standard stuff in there...
post the part number here and I will post back to you the link to get ... if you need it repaired, take to a local shop, unless your so far away that isn't possible... then maybe a PEK isn't what you need ... just me, if it's broke, you can bet I be under the hood when it out of warranty looking to repair ... I don't really expect that of everyone but at least a attempt to fix ...
Last and most important perhaps, what else can you buy today that sounds like a PEK? I would be interested to know.
dale
New synth programming group for all synths.
Synth_Programming-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 4:13 AM
Subject: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

I\ufffdm very happy with my PEK and the support from Dave Smith
Instruments. I sent meybe three questions over the years and always got an answer back in a day. They have always been polite even when the answer where clearly written in the manual. J
One time I asked a guestion how to control a function via the sequencer and not trigger the notes. I got a reply with a expliantion how to do it form Mr Smith hemself! Dave has helpt me with some problem I had with me Prophet~5\ufffd That\ufffds support!
Kind regards
Magnus


William Soraparu yahoo.com> skrev:
Dave Smith provides little to no support now for the PEK. I personally would not buy his product from here in out.
I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 encoders by the display...
I'll going to sell my PEK once I get back to Md.
Bill in Hawaii
haventwoncrap gmail.com> wrote:

Bored stiff? Loosen up...
Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-07 by William Soraparu

Its okay for a system to have limitations....but when encoders act flaky after a few months...and lots of folks have mentioned they have than problem...it seems to me Dave Smith used cheap components. Whats understood does not need to be discussed.


Ravi Ivan Sharma wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Continually complaining that the Evolver Desktop is louder than the PER. Pity.
Complaining about an extra feature that is essentially a freebee. I cannot imagine one person less would buy their first Evolver Desktop because it could not be chained to any other. But the fact is, is that when it was made, the PER and the PEK and the MEK were not even conceived of it chains perfectly to other desktops as planned and advertised. Another manufacturer could have easily said that the desktop versions chain with each other and not with PEKS and PERS which are in a *different class*. But in this case, it was left in. The thing about no mixers is nonsense. I don't use mixers: Everything goes into my Motus, but the software has mixers inside which can fix any of this. I have 10 synths and I set the internal levels to balance *them* out. Even synths by the same brand, etc. Please shoot me if I every begin to bitterly complain that one of my Rolands has more gain than the other--even though they speak (and were advertised to) via midi . . . omigod!
And unless that person was private messaged by Dave Bryce, they were *all but* told to shut up, because . . . Dave Bryce did *not* tell him to shut up.
People just get tired of reading the same thing over and over again. Every synth I know, wait, every *thing* I know has limitations. Things do not have issues. People have issues with things, or not. So yes, IF one has three PERS and IF one wishes to work precisely as this person believes is correct--for him--, then it may not be so comfortable, for him. It\ufffds a personal issue with a design choice--or a fact of components--that affects . him . . and, of course, the myriads like him. Show of hands please: Who else does this affect so much they haven't stopped about it for a year or so rather than getting on with life?
If the man who made the synth says--after years of requests-- that he can't or won't fix it--for his--I am certain, excellent reasons--he is after all, a father of this all--then THAT IS IT. Why anyone wants to get on every forum and search high and low for similar disgrunts is seems somewhat sad at this point. Especially when apparently no one Evolver owner really gives a crap about something so miniscule and easily remediable.
Dale has found a solution and seems completely at peace with it. Sounds normal (pun!) to me. While one loves a synth so much to buy so many, then spends countless time bad mouthing it is really . . . not interesting.
I am not telling anyone to shut up, but this thread, ported over from at least two other forums, is truly TIRED.
----- Original Message -----
From: Dale
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 11:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

If the plugs are such a pain and you need those outs in the manner you mention, why not mod it?
I bet he just has it switched with the jacks.
I would not notice the levels, I run all the synths into a rolls RM203 (a pair of them) so I do balance it all out before it gets to the main
mixer... each synth I have has some quirk that has to worked with, levels out being one of them ...
dale
----- Original Message -----
I'd have to side on the negative to neutral side. Another bug that
exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw is that the
output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the output on the
PER and probably the PEK as well. I made this know well over a year
ago and got a luke warm response at best. I was told to use a mixer
to balance the levels, which frankly, I feel is rediculous given the
cost of these products and the fact that a lot of musicians no longer
use mixers at all these days. One of the selling points of the PER
was that you could get 5 voices by polychaining with a desktop....
well yah, sort of. I wouldn't have bought an evolver at all if I had
know about that issue.

I wish someone would do a test on the MEK and let us know if that
issue exists there as well. So when people ask if you can chain the
PEK with an evolver desktop the answer shouldn't be a resounding
yes. Personally I would think this would be fixable as a software
updated to the evolver. If in poly chain mode the lower the output
by 6db.

Another issue I have is with the outputs on the PER. You can't keep
cables connected to both the main outputs and the individual voice
outputs. Personally I feel the best way to use a rack synth is to
have each output and input connected to a patch bay so you can route
whatever you want without having to dig around in the back of a
rack. Now imagine how much of a pain this is when you have 3 PERs
like I do, it's not just swaping a few cables it's swaping a LOT of
cables.

Also when I would point out some of these issues in response to
questions by users or potential buyers on HC I was all but outright
told to shut up about it by the HC Admin at the time who works for
DSI.

No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go
with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started.

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-07 by Ravi Ivan Sharma

Every synth that I have had that has encoders, has had ones that eventuall flake out or start skipping, often earlier than wished. These include: uQ keyboard, Ensonic ASR-X, Elektron Monomachine, Machinedrum, Notron -- so far not with my 2 evolver desktops, PEK or MEK, but one day I am sure it will happen.
Why? Because encoders are inherently prone to dust and use simply because of the way they work. From a mission critical point of view they all suck. But they do have very nice benefits when used with synths, don't they; but if such were so great, then it follows that the reason less than half the synths out ever use them is that they have a higher failure rate than a regular potentiometer.
Rotary encoders are not cheap. Your basis to make the assertion that DS uses cheap parts based on your single experience on a synth with 70 encoders -- that you refuse to get fixed or send in--even though apparently your synth is still under warranty-- is simply not logical and based on all your other continuing grinding, seems more ill will.
But yes, I completely agree that it sucks big time that 2 encoders are flaky. I am sure Dave will fix them. But it still sucks to have to send things in. I had to send my machinedrum to sweden and that really sucked!
But put it into perspective.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 12:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

Its okay for a system to have limitations....but when encoders act flaky after a few months...and lots of folks have mentioned they have than problem...it seems to me Dave Smith used cheap components. Whats understood does not need to be discussed.


Ravi Ivan Sharma <sharmalaw1@hotmail.com> wrote:
Continually complaining that the Evolver Desktop is louder than the PER. Pity.
Complaining about an extra feature that is essentially a freebee. I cannot imagine one person less would buy their first Evolver Desktop because it could not be chained to any other. But the fact is, is that when it was made, the PER and the PEK and the MEK were not even conceived of it chains perfectly to other desktops as planned and advertised. Another manufacturer could have easily said that the desktop versions chain with each other and not with PEKS and PERS which are in a *different class*. But in this case, it was left in. The thing about no mixers is nonsense. I don't use mixers: Everything goes into my Motus, but the software has mixers inside which can fix any of this. I have 10 synths and I set the internal levels to balance *them* out. Even synths by the same brand, etc. Please shoot me if I every begin to bitterly complain that one of my Rolands has more gain than the other--even though they speak (and were advertised to) via midi . . . omigod!
And unless that person was private messaged by Dave Bryce, they were *all but* told to shut up, because . . . Dave Bryce did *not* tell him to shut up.
People just get tired of reading the same thing over and over again. Every synth I know, wait, every *thing* I know has limitations. Things do not have issues. People have issues with things, or not. So yes, IF one has three PERS and IF one wishes to work precisely as this person believes is correct--for him--, then it may not be so comfortable, for him. It’s a personal issue with a design choice--or a fact of components--that affects . him . . and, of course, the myriads like him. Show of hands please: Who else does this affect so much they haven't stopped about it for a year or so rather than getting on with life?
If the man who made the synth says--after years of requests-- that he can't or won't fix it--for his--I am certain, excellent reasons--he is after all, a father of this all--then THAT IS IT. Why anyone wants to get on every forum and search high and low for similar disgrunts is seems somewhat sad at this point. Especially when apparently no one Evolver owner really gives a crap about something so miniscule and easily remediable.
Dale has found a solution and seems completely at peace with it. Sounds normal (pun!) to me. While one loves a synth so much to buy so many, then spends countless time bad mouthing it is really . . . not interesting.
I am not telling anyone to shut up, but this thread, ported over from at least two other forums, is truly TIRED.
----- Original Message -----
From: Dale
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 11:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

If the plugs are such a pain and you need those outs in the manner you mention, why not mod it?
I bet he just has it switched with the jacks.
I would not notice the levels, I run all the synths into a rolls RM203 (a pair of them) so I do balance it all out before it gets to the main
mixer... each synth I have has some quirk that has to worked with, levels out being one of them ...
dale
----- Original Message -----
I'd have to side on the negative to neutral side. Another bug that
exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw is that the
output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the output on the
PER and probably the PEK as well. I made this know well over a year
ago and got a luke warm response at best. I was told to use a mixer
to balance the levels, which frankly, I feel is rediculous given the
cost of these products and the fact that a lot of musicians no longer
use mixers at all these days. One of the selling points of the PER
was that you could get 5 voices by polychaining with a desktop....
well yah, sort of. I wouldn't have bought an evolver at all if I had
know about that issue.

I wish someone would do a test on the MEK and let us know if that
issue exists there as well. So when people ask if you can chain the
PEK with an evolver desktop the answer shouldn't be a resounding
yes. Personally I would think this would be fixable as a software
updated to the evolver. If in poly chain mode the lower the output
by 6db.

Another issue I have is with the outputs on the PER. You can't keep
cables connected to both the main outputs and the individual voice
outputs. Personally I feel the best way to use a rack synth is to
have each output and input connected to a patch bay so you can route
whatever you want without having to dig around in the back of a
rack. Now imagine how much of a pain this is when you have 3 PERs
like I do, it's not just swaping a few cables it's swaping a LOT of
cables.

Also when I would point out some of these issues in response to
questions by users or potential buyers on HC I was all but outright
told to shut up about it by the HC Admin at the time who works for
DSI.

No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go
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Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-07 by Dale

Add Yamaha A5000, A4000 and A3000 to encoders with problems.
due to dust...
ION's are potentiometers, they fail .. OS update helped a bit to control ..
but it took 3 ION's on my side to get a unit stable to work .. even to this day
I still see it happen, a few twist and it's gone ...
Yamaha s-80 and p-60 etc.. they have encoders, but they seem real stable ...
PEK, it has not been a problem ... if it is there, I have not noticed it ...
I tend to rate synths more like sound, then ease of use ... next "can I add to it?"
sound being my number one item, always looking for that unique sound I can use in my tracks ...
The PEK has a different sound from the rest of synths here. I have yet to capture it the same
on the DAW as I think the DAW isn't able to play it back ...
DAW here is a motu 24 i and a presonus firebox ...
well, PEK is welcomed here ...
now to sort out my editors problems ... then I can really dig into it a bit further ... ;-)
Hey if you tune into http://www.harboroughfm.co.uk/ right now, 2:00 pm PST 7 Apr 2007 or 10 PM UK time,
to the Terry Hawke show, you might catch some of our tracks, Steve Hillman and Steve Ballard, more too ... ;-)
dale
New synth programming group for all synths.
Synth_Programming-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Every synth that I have had that has encoders, has had ones that eventuall flake out or start skipping, often earlier than wished. These include: uQ keyboard, Ensonic ASR-X, Elektron Monomachine, Machinedrum, Notron -- so far not with my 2 evolver desktops, PEK or MEK, but one day I am sure it will happen.
Why? Because encoders are inherently prone to dust and use simply because of the way they work. From a mission critical point of view they all suck. But they do have very nice benefits when used with synths, don't they; but if such were so great, then it follows that the reason less than half the synths out ever use them is that they have a higher failure rate than a regular potentiometer.
Rotary encoders are not cheap. Your basis to make the assertion that DS uses cheap parts based on your single experience on a synth with 70 encoders -- that you refuse to get fixed or send in--even though apparently your synth is still under warranty-- is simply not logical and based on all your other continuing grinding, seems more ill will.
But yes, I completely agree that it sucks big time that 2 encoders are flaky. I am sure Dave will fix them. But it still sucks to have to send things in. I had to send my machinedrum to sweden and that really sucked!
But put it into perspective.

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-07 by William Soraparu

I asked Dave Smith yesterday to send me two encoders for my system. Lets see if he sends them to me.
Funny, I have never had a problem with my Moog, Access, waldorf systems...or Korg.....
I did buy an Alesis Ion in 1998 I believe....god what a nitemare....3 encoders went sour within a month....I sent it to Alesis for repair....what they sent back was worse....then I sent it back again....when I received it back...it had a huge scratch across the front panel.....I sent it back again...they then sent me a new one....I sold it....
I have a high regard for Dave Smith....I owned a Prophet 5 and 10 for a number of years....they worked great!! I do not know what happened...but the PEKs quality of components are not the greatest.
Bill from Hawaii


Ravi Ivan Sharma wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Every synth that I have had that has encoders, has had ones that eventuall flake out or start skipping, often earlier than wished. These include: uQ keyboard, Ensonic ASR-X, Elektron Monomachine, Machinedrum, Notron -- so far not with my 2 evolver desktops, PEK or MEK, but one day I am sure it will happen.
Why? Because encoders are inherently prone to dust and use simply because of the way they work. From a mission critical point of view they all suck. But they do have very nice benefits when used with synths, don't they; but if such were so great, then it follows that the reason less than half the synths out ever use them is that they have a higher failure rate than a regular potentiometer.
Rotary encoders are not cheap. Your basis to make the assertion that DS uses cheap parts based on your single experience on a synth with 70 encoders -- that you refuse to get fixed or send in--even though apparently your synth is still under warranty-- is simply not logical and based on all your other continuing grinding, seems more ill will.
But yes, I completely agree that it sucks big time that 2 encoders are flaky. I am sure Dave will fix them. But it still sucks to have to send things in. I had to send my machinedrum to sweden and that really sucked!
But put it into perspective.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 12:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

Its okay for a system to have limitations....but when encoders act flaky after a few months...and lots of folks have mentioned they have than problem...it seems to me Dave Smith used cheap components. Whats understood does not need to be discussed.


Ravi Ivan Sharma <sharmalaw1@hotmail.com> wrote:
Continually complaining that the Evolver Desktop is louder than the PER. Pity.
Complaining about an extra feature that is essentially a freebee. I cannot imagine one person less would buy their first Evolver Desktop because it could not be chained to any other. But the fact is, is that when it was made, the PER and the PEK and the MEK were not even conceived of it chains perfectly to other desktops as planned and advertised. Another manufacturer could have easily said that the desktop versions chain with each other and not with PEKS and PERS which are in a *different class*. But in this case, it was left in. The thing about no mixers is nonsense. I don't use mixers: Everything goes into my Motus, but the software has mixers inside which can fix any of this. I have 10 synths and I set the internal levels to balance *them* out. Even synths by the same brand, etc. Please shoot me if I every begin to bitterly complain that one of my Rolands has more gain than the other--even though they speak (and were advertised to) via midi . . . omigod!
And unless that person was private messaged by Dave Bryce, they were *all but* told to shut up, because . . . Dave Bryce did *not* tell him to shut up.
People just get tired of reading the same thing over and over again. Every synth I know, wait, every *thing* I know has limitations. Things do not have issues. People have issues with things, or not. So yes, IF one has three PERS and IF one wishes to work precisely as this person believes is correct--for him--, then it may not be so comfortable, for him. It\ufffds a personal issue with a design choice--or a fact of components--that affects . him . . and, of course, the myriads like him. Show of hands please: Who else does this affect so much they haven't stopped about it for a year or so rather than getting on with life?
If the man who made the synth says--after years of requests-- that he can't or won't fix it--for his--I am certain, excellent reasons--he is after all, a father of this all--then THAT IS IT. Why anyone wants to get on every forum and search high and low for similar disgrunts is seems somewhat sad at this point. Especially when apparently no one Evolver owner really gives a crap about something so miniscule and easily remediable.
Dale has found a solution and seems completely at peace with it. Sounds normal (pun!) to me. While one loves a synth so much to buy so many, then spends countless time bad mouthing it is really . . . not interesting.
I am not telling anyone to shut up, but this thread, ported over from at least two other forums, is truly TIRED.
----- Original Message -----
From: Dale
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 11:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

If the plugs are such a pain and you need those outs in the manner you mention, why not mod it?
I bet he just has it switched with the jacks.
I would not notice the levels, I run all the synths into a rolls RM203 (a pair of them) so I do balance it all out before it gets to the main
mixer... each synth I have has some quirk that has to worked with, levels out being one of them ...
dale
----- Original Message -----
I'd have to side on the negative to neutral side. Another bug that
exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw is that the
output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the output on the
PER and probably the PEK as well. I made this know well over a year
ago and got a luke warm response at best. I was told to use a mixer
to balance the levels, which frankly, I feel is rediculous given the
cost of these products and the fact that a lot of musicians no longer
use mixers at all these days. One of the selling points of the PER
was that you could get 5 voices by polychaining with a desktop....
well yah, sort of. I wouldn't have bought an evolver at all if I had
know about that issue.

I wish someone would do a test on the MEK and let us know if that
issue exists there as well. So when people ask if you can chain the
PEK with an evolver desktop the answer shouldn't be a resounding
yes. Personally I would think this would be fixable as a software
updated to the evolver. If in poly chain mode the lower the output
by 6db.

Another issue I have is with the outputs on the PER. You can't keep
cables connected to both the main outputs and the individual voice
outputs. Personally I feel the best way to use a rack synth is to
have each output and input connected to a patch bay so you can route
whatever you want without having to dig around in the back of a
rack. Now imagine how much of a pain this is when you have 3 PERs
like I do, it's not just swaping a few cables it's swaping a LOT of
cables.

Also when I would point out some of these issues in response to
questions by users or potential buyers on HC I was all but outright
told to shut up about it by the HC Admin at the time who works for
DSI.

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Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-07 by William Soraparu

Thanks Dale, I will tune in!
I have only owned one yamaha and that was a DX-7...never had any problems with it...
Oh yes....I have 3 Clavia units...never any problems......Love my Clavias..I will be getting the Nord Wave when it gets released!
I am staying away from the new Waldorfs though....too expensive for the capabilities they promise...and since I have the Q and Xtk...well I am sitting good!

Dale wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Add Yamaha A5000, A4000 and A3000 to encoders with problems.
due to dust...
ION's are potentiometers, they fail .. OS update helped a bit to control ..
but it took 3 ION's on my side to get a unit stable to work .. even to this day
I still see it happen, a few twist and it's gone ...
Yamaha s-80 and p-60 etc.. they have encoders, but they seem real stable ...
PEK, it has not been a problem ... if it is there, I have not noticed it ...
I tend to rate synths more like sound, then ease of use ... next "can I add to it?"
sound being my number one item, always looking for that unique sound I can use in my tracks ...
The PEK has a different sound from the rest of synths here. I have yet to capture it the same
on the DAW as I think the DAW isn't able to play it back ...
DAW here is a motu 24 i and a presonus firebox ...
well, PEK is welcomed here ...
now to sort out my editors problems ... then I can really dig into it a bit further ... ;-)
Hey if you tune into http://www.harboroughfm.co.uk/ right now, 2:00 pm PST 7 Apr 2007 or 10 PM UK time,
to the Terry Hawke show, you might catch some of our tracks, Steve Hillman and Steve Ballard, more too ... ;-)
dale
New synth programming group for all synths.
Synth_Programming-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
----- Original Message -----
Every synth that I have had that has encoders, has had ones that eventuall flake out or start skipping, often earlier than wished. These include: uQ keyboard, Ensonic ASR-X, Elektron Monomachine, Machinedrum, Notron -- so far not with my 2 evolver desktops, PEK or MEK, but one day I am sure it will happen.
Why? Because encoders are inherently prone to dust and use simply because of the way they work. From a mission critical point of view they all suck. But they do have very nice benefits when used with synths, don't they; but if such were so great, then it follows that the reason less than half the synths out ever use them is that they have a higher failure rate than a regular potentiometer.
Rotary encoders are not cheap. Your basis to make the assertion that DS uses cheap parts based on your single experience on a synth with 70 encoders -- that you refuse to get fixed or send in--even though apparently your synth is still under warranty-- is simply not logical and based on all your other continuing grinding, seems more ill will.
But yes, I completely agree that it sucks big time that 2 encoders are flaky. I am sure Dave will fix them. But it still sucks to have to send things in. I had to send my machinedrum to sweden and that really sucked!
But put it into perspective.

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Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by James Elliott

ahhh... the nord wave that looks pretty promising! HOWEVER I've had 3 nord lead 2x's and I've had to return all of them for some pretty shitty issues... Regardless, I am looking forward to the wave

-Jim
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message ----
From: William Soraparu <donnbill369@...>
To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, April 7, 2007 4:35:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

Thanks Dale, I will tune in!
 
I have only owned one yamaha and that was a DX-7...never had any problems with it...
 
Oh yes....I have 3 Clavia units...never any problems.... ..Love my Clavias..I will be getting the Nord Wave when it gets released!
 
I am staying away from the new Waldorfs though....too expensive for the capabilities they promise...and since I have the Q and Xtk...well I am sitting good!

Dale <dale@inquisitorbetr ayer.com> wrote:
Add Yamaha A5000, A4000 and A3000 to encoders with problems.
due to dust...
ION's are potentiometers, they fail .. OS update helped a bit to control ..
but it took 3 ION's on my side to get a unit stable to work .. even to this day
I still see it happen, a few twist and it's gone ...
 
Yamaha s-80 and p-60 etc.. they have encoders, but they seem real stable ...
 
PEK, it has not been a problem ... if it is there, I have not noticed it ... 
 
I tend to rate synths more like sound, then ease of use ... next "can I add to it?"
 
sound being my number one item, always looking for that unique sound I can use in my tracks ...
 
The PEK has a different sound from the rest of synths here. I have yet to capture it the same
on the DAW as I think the DAW isn't able to play it back ... 
DAW here is a motu 24 i and a presonus firebox ... 
 
well, PEK is welcomed here ... 
now to sort out my editors problems ... then I can really dig into it a bit further ... ;-)
 
Hey if you tune into http://www.harborou ghfm.co.uk/ right now, 2:00 pm PST 7 Apr 2007 or 10 PM UK time, 
to the Terry Hawke show, you might catch some of our tracks, Steve Hillman and Steve Ballard, more too ... ;-)
 
dale
 
 
Inquisitor Betrayer
New CD "Space Elevator" Get it at http://cdbaby. com/cd/inquisito rbetrayer,
http://www.inquisit orbetrayer. com , http://www.myspace. com/inquisitorbe trayer ,
http://www.musicfor te.com/member/ ib_staff
Apple iTunes http://phobos. apple.com/ WebObjects/ MZStore.woa/ wa/viewAlbum? playListId= 200365877
Podcast http://phobos. apple.com/ WebObjects/ MZStore.woa/ wa/viewPodcast? id=204307934
 
Angel's Wings 
http://www.soundcli ck.com/angelswin gs
 
New synth programming group for all synths.
Synth_Programming- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Ravi Ivan Sharma 
 
Every synth that I have had that has encoders, has had ones that eventuall flake out or start skipping, often earlier than wished. These include: uQ keyboard, Ensonic ASR-X, Elektron Monomachine, Machinedrum, Notron -- so far not with my 2 evolver desktops, PEK or MEK, but one day I am sure it will happen.
 
Why? Because encoders are inherently prone to dust and use simply because of the way they work. From a mission critical point of view they all suck. But they do have very nice benefits when used with synths, don't they; but if such were so great, then it follows that the reason less than half the synths out ever use them is that they have a higher failure rate than a regular potentiometer.
 
Rotary encoders are not cheap. Your basis to make the assertion that DS uses cheap parts based on your single experience on a synth with 70 encoders -- that you refuse to get fixed or send in--even though apparently your synth is still under warranty-- is simply not logical and based on all your other continuing grinding, seems more ill will.
 
But yes, I completely agree that it sucks big time that 2 encoders are flaky. I am sure Dave will fix them. But it still sucks to have to send things in. I had to send my machinedrum to sweden and that really sucked!
 
But put it into perspective.




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Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by mr julian

William Soraparu wrote:

>  since I have the Q and Xtk...well I am sitting good!
>
hahahahaha!!
you own and use an XTk, and you're compaining about PEK firmware updates?

Ok. you can finish trolling the list now.
:-)



julian

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by Yutaka Nakamura

On 8 avr. 07, at 05:02, mr julian wrote:

>
>
> William Soraparu wrote:
>
>>  since I have the Q and Xtk...well I am sitting good!
>>
> hahahahaha!!
> you own and use an XTk, and you're compaining about PEK firmware  
> updates?
>
> Ok. you can finish trolling the list now.
> :-)
>
>
>
> julian
>

Yeah, no kiddin'.  Q was even worse, wasn't it?  I need to have the  
nearly-dead encoders on my microQ - all six of them - soon....

-Yutaka

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by William Soraparu

I have the Nord G2X and 2 Nord Leads...no issues

James Elliott wrote:
ahhh... the nord wave that looks pretty promising! HOWEVER I've had 3 nord lead 2x's and I've had to return all of them for some pretty shitty issues... Regardless, I am looking forward to the wave
-Jim

----- Original Message ----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: William Soraparu yahoo.com>
To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, April 7, 2007 4:35:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

Thanks Dale, I will tune in!
I have only owned one yamaha and that was a DX-7...never had any problems with it...
Oh yes....I have 3 Clavia units...never any problems.... ..Love my Clavias..I will be getting the Nord Wave when it gets released!
I am staying away from the new Waldorfs though....too expensive for the capabilities they promise...and since I have the Q and Xtk...well I am sitting good!

Dale wrote:
Add Yamaha A5000, A4000 and A3000 to encoders with problems.
due to dust...
ION's are potentiometers, they fail .. OS update helped a bit to control ..
but it took 3 ION's on my side to get a unit stable to work .. even to this day
I still see it happen, a few twist and it's gone ...
Yamaha s-80 and p-60 etc.. they have encoders, but they seem real stable ...
PEK, it has not been a problem ... if it is there, I have not noticed it ...
I tend to rate synths more like sound, then ease of use ... next "can I add to it?"
sound being my number one item, always looking for that unique sound I can use in my tracks ...
The PEK has a different sound from the rest of synths here. I have yet to capture it the same
on the DAW as I think the DAW isn't able to play it back ...
DAW here is a motu 24 i and a presonus firebox ...
well, PEK is welcomed here ...
now to sort out my editors problems ... then I can really dig into it a bit further ... ;-)
Hey if you tune into http://www.harborou ghfm.co.uk/ right now, 2:00 pm PST 7 Apr 2007 or 10 PM UK time,
to the Terry Hawke show, you might catch some of our tracks, Steve Hillman and Steve Ballard, more too ... ;-)
dale
New synth programming group for all synths.
Synth_Programming- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com
----- Original Message -----
Every synth that I have had that has encoders, has had ones that eventuall flake out or start skipping, often earlier than wished. These include: uQ keyboard, Ensonic ASR-X, Elektron Monomachine, Machinedrum, Notron -- so far not with my 2 evolver desktops, PEK or MEK, but one day I am sure it will happen.
Why? Because encoders are inherently prone to dust and use simply because of the way they work. From a mission critical point of view they all suck. But they do have very nice benefits when used with synths, don't they; but if such were so great, then it follows that the reason less than half the synths out ever use them is that they have a higher failure rate than a regular potentiometer.
Rotary encoders are not cheap. Your basis to make the assertion that DS uses cheap parts based on your single experience on a synth with 70 encoders -- that you refuse to get fixed or send in--even though apparently your synth is still under warranty-- is simply not logical and based on all your other continuing grinding, seems more ill will.
But yes, I completely agree that it sucks big time that 2 encoders are flaky. I am sure Dave will fix them. But it still sucks to have to send things in. I had to send my machinedrum to sweden and that really sucked!
But put it into perspective.

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Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by William Soraparu

I do not need to troll...my XTK has never burped...knock on wood....Q has been a good boy as well...


mr julian wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text


William Soraparu wrote:

> since I have the Q and Xtk...well I am sitting good!
>
hahahahaha!!
you own and use an XTk, and you're compaining about PEK firmware updates?

Ok. you can finish trolling the list now.
:-)

julian


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Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by William Soraparu

I have no problems with the MQ and the encoders.....guess I was born under a lucky star

Yutaka Nakamura wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text

On 8 avr. 07, at 05:02, mr julian wrote:

>
>
> William Soraparu wrote:
>
>> since I have the Q and Xtk...well I am sitting good!
>>
> hahahahaha!!
> you own and use an XTk, and you're compaining about PEK firmware
> updates?
>
> Ok. you can finish trolling the list now.
> :-)
>
>
>
> julian
>

Yeah, no kiddin'. Q was even worse, wasn't it? I need to have the
nearly-dead encoders on my microQ - all six of them - soon....

-Yutaka

Don't pick lemons.
See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

Enough Said :-) on the PEK and other miseries...

2007-04-08 by William Soraparu

Anyone getting into using Audio to control and modulate video?..not just BPM madness and static video clips ......I'm talking the real deal....applications are endless....I use this towards Theater, Modern Dance and Independant film


William Soraparu wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Thanks Dale, I will tune in!
I have only owned one yamaha and that was a DX-7...never had any problems with it...
Oh yes....I have 3 Clavia units...never any problems......Love my Clavias..I will be getting the Nord Wave when it gets released!
I am staying away from the new Waldorfs though....too expensive for the capabilities they promise...and since I have the Q and Xtk...well I am sitting good!

Dale ayer.com> wrote:
Add Yamaha A5000, A4000 and A3000 to encoders with problems.
due to dust...
ION's are potentiometers, they fail .. OS update helped a bit to control ..
but it took 3 ION's on my side to get a unit stable to work .. even to this day
I still see it happen, a few twist and it's gone ...
Yamaha s-80 and p-60 etc.. they have encoders, but they seem real stable ...
PEK, it has not been a problem ... if it is there, I have not noticed it ...
I tend to rate synths more like sound, then ease of use ... next "can I add to it?"
sound being my number one item, always looking for that unique sound I can use in my tracks ...
The PEK has a different sound from the rest of synths here. I have yet to capture it the same
on the DAW as I think the DAW isn't able to play it back ...
DAW here is a motu 24 i and a presonus firebox ...
well, PEK is welcomed here ...
now to sort out my editors problems ... then I can really dig into it a bit further ... ;-)
Hey if you tune into http://www.harboroughfm.co.uk/ right now, 2:00 pm PST 7 Apr 2007 or 10 PM UK time,
to the Terry Hawke show, you might catch some of our tracks, Steve Hillman and Steve Ballard, more too ... ;-)
dale
New synth programming group for all synths.
Synth_Programming-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
----- Original Message -----
Every synth that I have had that has encoders, has had ones that eventuall flake out or start skipping, often earlier than wished. These include: uQ keyboard, Ensonic ASR-X, Elektron Monomachine, Machinedrum, Notron -- so far not with my 2 evolver desktops, PEK or MEK, but one day I am sure it will happen.
Why? Because encoders are inherently prone to dust and use simply because of the way they work. From a mission critical point of view they all suck. But they do have very nice benefits when used with synths, don't they; but if such were so great, then it follows that the reason less than half the synths out ever use them is that they have a higher failure rate than a regular potentiometer.
Rotary encoders are not cheap. Your basis to make the assertion that DS uses cheap parts based on your single experience on a synth with 70 encoders -- that you refuse to get fixed or send in--even though apparently your synth is still under warranty-- is simply not logical and based on all your other continuing grinding, seems more ill will.
But yes, I completely agree that it sucks big time that 2 encoders are flaky. I am sure Dave will fix them. But it still sucks to have to send things in. I had to send my machinedrum to sweden and that really sucked!
But put it into perspective.

TV dinner still cooling?
Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV.

Don't pick lemons.
See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-08 by Matt Stanbro

I was having issues with the HPF filter on my MED,
Which by the way I am fairly certain is a design flaw.
It seems that the HPF will generate quite a bit of
noise when engaged, so when you are trying to filter
an external signal it becomes quite noticeable which
is a frustration for me. I really wish the HPF worked.

After some correspodence with the DSI guys I finally
got an answer that yes infact we do know about the HPF
bug and we intend to fix it at some point. Nothing
more, nothing less.

Also it would appear that the Digital and the Analog
oscillators become ever so slightly out of tune from
each other when the master tune is adjusted. Odd
little bug, makes the two sets of oscillators phase
when it is happening.

Once again they said they would fix it later.

We will see what happens. I have nothing bad to say
about their support but there does need to be an
upgrade for sure. If they release an update I will be
happy, if not I won't. Simple as that.


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Don't pick lemons.
See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.
http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by mr julian

William Soraparu wrote:

> I do not need to troll...my XTK has never burped...

So that pretty much means that with your xtk....
1) you've never set a sound to mono mode and played or sequenced  legato 
lines.
2) you've never used it as a master keyboard, to control another MIDI 
device with aftertouch enabled
3) you've never run the xtk in multi mode with midi in controlling the 
sounds on multiple channels, and keyboard set to control another sound 
(in another slot) set to channel one.

I know this, because I've owned an XTk for many years now, and for a 
while we tried using it as our main synth(alongside a few other synths,  
with an MPC as the sequencer!) for playing live.... and we went through 
all sorts of hell for what should have been a very simple thing to ask 
of a moderm multitimbral synth. And waldorf knew about these bugs for 
YEARS before they shut down. They always promised to fix the problems 
SOON.... but always, nothing....

So, yeah.... if you think the PEK has more problems than other 
manufacturers gear, and you think that DSI is not as good at support for 
customers as waldorf was, well you just plain haven't been paying 
attention to the gear you own.



julian

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by William Soraparu

Hey Julian....whats understood does not need to be discussed. I will not honor your mail here with a reply...other than for what I just said.
Mahalo

mr julian wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text

William Soraparu wrote:

> I do not need to troll...my XTK has never burped...

So that pretty much means that with your xtk....
1) you've never set a sound to mono mode and played or sequenced legato
lines.
2) you've never used it as a master keyboard, to control another MIDI
device with aftertouch enabled
3) you've never run the xtk in multi mode with midi in controlling the
sounds on multiple channels, and keyboard set to control another sound
(in another slot) set to channel one.

I know this, because I've owned an XTk for many years now, and for a
while we tried using it as our main synth(alongside a few other synths,
with an MPC as the sequencer!) for playing live.... and we went through
all sorts of hell for what should have been a very simple thing to ask
of a moderm multitimbral synth. And waldorf knew about these bugs for
YEARS before they shut down. They always promised to fix the problems
SOON.... but always, nothing....

So, yeah.... if you think the PEK has more problems than other
manufacturers gear, and you think that DSI is not as good at support for
customers as waldorf was, well you just plain haven't been paying
attention to the gear you own.

julian


Get your own web address.
Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by Dale

wow
They look and sound so good at NAMM ... well, like I said and experience, no 100% synth have I seen ... even Moogs .. Nord is usualy near the Moog booth at NAMM...
dale
----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text

ahhh... the nord wave that looks pretty promising! HOWEVER I've had 3 nord lead 2x's and I've had to return all of them for some pretty shitty issues... Regardless, I am looking forward to the wave
-Jim

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-08 by Dale

some things, can't be fixed with a OS update...
hardware is needed ...
Like the MS2000, timing issues with the arp .. sure they did a OS update and that took it as far as it will go ...
AN200, DX200, the skip beat on seq. etc.. workarounds for all ... but
I wish I had a 100% then I would be able to bic. more about the other things ...
Well maybe not, I grown use to these things ... most of the time by beating my head on the wall wondering what stupid thing did I do ..
hence the why I am on over 102 groups ... to ask and keep up on these things so I don't kill off what 2 brain cells I have left ...
Aftertouch is a big issue here, I use it for so many things sometimes on our tracks ... that would be a killer ...
PEK works fine, just not as sensitive as I would like or should I say use too ... Extreme aftertouch is what I use mostly.. Even the Fusion aftertouch drives me
crazy sometimes ... s-80 isn't as bad however on aftertouch either but really that is my wife's keys, I just use once in a while.
Once again, I am very thankful for midi, as I can adjust and mix as needed with all these hardward items that don't work 100% ....
dale
----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: mr julian
William Soraparu wrote:

> I do not need to troll...my XTK has never burped...

So that pretty much means that with your xtk....
1) you've never set a sound to mono mode and played or sequenced legato
lines.
2) you've never used it as a master keyboard, to control another MIDI
device with aftertouch enabled
3) you've never run the xtk in multi mode with midi in controlling the
sounds on multiple channels, and keyboard set to control another sound
(in another slot) set to channel one.

I know this, because I've owned an XTk for many years now, and for a
while we tried using it as our main synth(alongside a few other synths,
with an MPC as the sequencer!) for playing live.... and we went through
all sorts of hell for what should have been a very simple thing to ask
of a moderm multitimbral synth. And waldorf knew about these bugs for
YEARS before they shut down. They always promised to fix the problems
SOON.... but always, nothing....

So, yeah.... if you think the PEK has more problems than other
manufacturers gear, and you think that DSI is not as good at support for
customers as waldorf was, well you just plain haven't been paying
attention to the gear you own.



julian

Re: PEK Product

2007-04-09 by Miles Bader

"dodgingrain" <Chris@...> writes:
> Another bug that exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw
> is that the output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the
> output on the PER and probably the PEK as well

In my experience it's very common for monosynths to have a hotter output
than polysynths, and indeed it rather follows naturally from the need to
allow enough headroom for all voices to be sounding at the same time.

-Miles

-- 
Is it true that nothing can be known?  If so how do we know this?  -Woody Allen

Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-09 by Miles Bader

William Soraparu <donnbill369@...> writes:
>   And I never said that Dave did not answer questions....and politely
>   at that. But one thing remains....the PEK was at least 2,000.00 for
>   me....and when you spend that much....like with the Moog Voyagers
>   and the Access Virus's...upgrades come....firmware
>   fixes...etc....I've seen nothing from Dave on this.

Apparently you weren't on this list in the pre-PEK/PER days (when there
was a lot more traffic) -- there were many stories of Dave sending out
_hardware_ to people (free of charge) to fix some problem they were
having.  That's where he got his crazy good reputation.

I don't know if the support is better or worse these days with the PEK,
because the traffic on this list is much lighter than it was in the old
days.  Still, your negative experiences seem exceptional.

-Miles

-- 
`The suburb is an obsolete and contradictory form of human settlement'

Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-09 by William Soraparu

I have asked dave for the two encoders up by the display. I have heard nothing back from him so far.
Bill From hawaii

Miles Bader wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
William Soraparu <donnbill369@yahoo.com> writes:
> And I never said that Dave did not answer questions....and politely
> at that. But one thing remains....the PEK was at least 2,000.00 for
> me....and when you spend that much....like with the Moog Voyagers
> and the Access Virus's...upgrades come....firmware
> fixes...etc....I've seen nothing from Dave on this.

Apparently you weren't on this list in the pre-PEK/PER days (when there
was a lot more traffic) -- there were many stories of Dave sending out
_hardware_ to people (free of charge) to fix some problem they were
having. That's where he got his crazy good reputation.

I don't know if the support is better or worse these days with the PEK,
because the traffic on this list is much lighter than it was in the old
days. Still, your negative experiences seem exceptional.

-Miles

--
`The suburb is an obsolete and contradictory form of human settlement'

No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go
with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started.

[Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-09 by dodgingrain

Give me a break.  It's in the PER manual that it chains with a 
desktop.  If you claim it's a feature and you even put it in the 
manual you would think you would test it properly.  We are not 
talking about completely different synths here, we are talking 
essentially about the same board.

Not using mixers isn't nonsense just because you don't work that 
way.  The way a user is supposed to chain the audio (per THE MANUAL) 
doesn't use a mixer, again this should have been tested.

Dude, seriously, have some respect for others.  It's funny that you 
seem to think you know what happened with Bryce since you bring him 
up.  Why don't you tell us the whole story and quote all the threads 
and emails since you seem to know it all?

What is truely "TIRED" is people accepting these sorts of flaws and 
even defending them to the death.


--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "Ravi Ivan Sharma" 
<sharmalaw1@...> wrote:
>
> Continually complaining that the Evolver Desktop is louder than the 
PER. Pity.
> 
> Complaining about an extra feature that is essentially a freebee. I 
cannot imagine one person less would buy their first Evolver Desktop 
because it could not be chained to any other. But the fact is, is 
that when it was made, the PER and the PEK and the MEK were not even 
conceived of it chains perfectly to other desktops as planned and 
advertised. Another manufacturer could have easily said that the 
desktop versions chain with each other and not with PEKS and PERS 
which are in a *different class*. But in this case, it was left in. 
The thing about no mixers is nonsense. I don't use mixers: Everything 
goes into my Motus, but the software has mixers inside which can fix 
any of this. I have 10 synths and I set the internal levels to 
balance *them* out. Even synths by the same brand, etc. Please shoot 
me if I every begin to bitterly complain that one of my Rolands has 
more gain than the other--even though they speak (and were advertised 
to) via midi . . . omigod!
> 
> And unless that person was private messaged by Dave Bryce, they 
were *all but* told to shut up, because . . . Dave Bryce did *not* 
tell him to shut up.
> 
> People just get tired of reading the same thing over and over 
again. Every synth I know, wait, every *thing* I know has 
limitations. Things do not have issues. People have issues with 
things, or not. So yes, IF one has three PERS and IF one wishes to 
work precisely as this person believes is correct--for him--, then it 
may not be so comfortable, for him. It's a personal issue with a 
design choice--or a fact of components--that affects . . him  . . . 
and, of course, the myriads like him. Show of hands please: Who else 
does this affect so much they haven't stopped about it for a year or 
so rather than getting on with life?
> 
> If the man who made the synth says--after years of requests-- that 
he can't or won't fix it--for his--I am certain, excellent reasons--
he is after all, a father of this all--then THAT IS IT. Why anyone 
wants to get on every forum and search high and low for similar 
disgrunts is seems somewhat sad at this point. Especially when 
apparently no one Evolver owner really gives a crap about something 
so miniscule and easily remediable.
> 
> Dale has found a solution and seems completely at peace with it. 
Sounds normal (pun!) to me. While one loves a synth so much to buy so 
many, then spends countless time bad mouthing it is really . . . not 
interesting.
> 
> I am not telling anyone to shut up, but this thread, ported over 
from at least two other forums, is truly TIRED.
> 
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: Dale 
>   To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com 
>   Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 11:00 PM
>   Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product
> 
> 
> 
>   If the plugs are such a pain and you need those outs in the 
manner you mention, why not mod it?
>   I bet he just has it switched with the jacks. 
> 
>   I would not notice the levels, I run all the synths into a rolls 
RM203 (a pair of them) so I do balance it all out before it gets to 
the main
>   mixer... each synth I have has some quirk that has to worked 
with, levels out being one of them ...
> 
>   dale
> 
> 
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>     From: dodgingrain 
> 
>     I'd have to side on the negative to neutral side.  Another bug 
that 
>     exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw is that 
the 
>     output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the output on 
the 
>     PER and probably the PEK as well.  I made this know well over a 
year 
>     ago and got a luke warm response at best.  I was told to use a 
mixer 
>     to balance the levels, which frankly, I feel is rediculous 
given the 
>     cost of these products and the fact that a lot of musicians no 
longer 
>     use mixers at all these days.  One of the selling points of the 
PER 
>     was that you could get 5 voices by polychaining with a 
desktop.... 
>     well yah, sort of.  I wouldn't have bought an evolver at all if 
I had 
>     know about that issue.
> 
>     I wish someone would do a test on the MEK and let us know if 
that 
>     issue exists there as well.  So when people ask if you can 
chain the 
>     PEK with an evolver desktop the answer shouldn't be a 
resounding 
>     yes.  Personally I would think this would be fixable as a 
software 
>     updated to the evolver.  If in poly chain mode the lower the 
output 
>     by 6db.
> 
>     Another issue I have is with the outputs on the PER.  You can't 
keep 
>     cables connected to both the main outputs and the individual 
voice 
>     outputs.  Personally I feel the best way to use a rack synth is 
to 
>     have each output and input connected to a patch bay so you can 
route 
>     whatever you want without having to dig around in the back of a 
>     rack.  Now imagine how much of a pain this is when you have 3 
PERs 
>     like I do, it's not just swaping a few cables it's swaping a 
LOT of 
>     cables.
> 
>     Also when I would point out some of these issues in response to 
>     questions by users or potential buyers on HC I was all but 
outright 
>     told to shut up about it by the HC Admin at the time who works 
for 
>     DSI.
>

Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-09 by James Elliott

Can we please give this subject a break.

Dave Smith fucked up. Give it a rest - you can either accept it, pray to the god(s) in the heavens above that our issues will be resolved, or you can sell your evolvers.

-Jim
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message ----
From: dodgingrain <Chris@...>
To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 9, 2007 8:32:25 AM
Subject: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

Give me a break. It's in the PER manual that it chains with a 
desktop. If you claim it's a feature and you even put it in the 
manual you would think you would test it properly. We are not 
talking about completely different synths here, we are talking 
essentially about the same board.

Not using mixers isn't nonsense just because you don't work that 
way. The way a user is supposed to chain the audio (per THE MANUAL) 
doesn't use a mixer, again this should have been tested.

Dude, seriously, have some respect for others. It's funny that you 
seem to think you know what happened with Bryce since you bring him 
up. Why don't you tell us the whole story and quote all the threads 
and emails since you seem to know it all?

What is truely "TIRED" is people accepting these sorts of flaws and 
even defending them to the death.

--- In DSI_Evolver@ yahoogroups. com, "Ravi Ivan Sharma" 
<sharmalaw1@ ...> wrote:
>
> Continually complaining that the Evolver Desktop is louder than the 
PER. Pity.
> 
> Complaining about an extra feature that is essentially a freebee. I 
cannot imagine one person less would buy their first Evolver Desktop 
because it could not be chained to any other. But the fact is, is 
that when it was made, the PER and the PEK and the MEK were not even 
conceived of it chains perfectly to other desktops as planned and 
advertised. Another manufacturer could have easily said that the 
desktop versions chain with each other and not with PEKS and PERS 
which are in a *different class*. But in this case, it was left in. 
The thing about no mixers is nonsense. I don't use mixers: Everything 
goes into my Motus, but the software has mixers inside which can fix 
any of this. I have 10 synths and I set the internal levels to 
balance *them* out. Even synths by the same brand, etc. Please shoot 
me if I every begin to bitterly complain that one of my Rolands has 
more gain than the other--even though they speak (and were advertised 
to) via midi . . . omigod!
> 
> And unless that person was private messaged by Dave Bryce, they 
were *all but* told to shut up, because . . . Dave Bryce did *not* 
tell him to shut up.
> 
> People just get tired of reading the same thing over and over 
again. Every synth I know, wait, every *thing* I know has 
limitations. Things do not have issues. People have issues with 
things, or not. So yes, IF one has three PERS and IF one wishes to 
work precisely as this person believes is correct--for him--, then it 
may not be so comfortable, for him. It's a personal issue with a 
design choice--or a fact of components-- that affects . . him . . . 
and, of course, the myriads like him. Show of hands please: Who else 
does this affect so much they haven't stopped about it for a year or 
so rather than getting on with life?
> 
> If the man who made the synth says--after years of requests-- that 
he can't or won't fix it--for his--I am certain, excellent reasons--
he is after all, a father of this all--then THAT IS IT. Why anyone 
wants to get on every forum and search high and low for similar 
disgrunts is seems somewhat sad at this point. Especially when 
apparently no one Evolver owner really gives a crap about something 
so miniscule and easily remediable.
> 
> Dale has found a solution and seems completely at peace with it. 
Sounds normal (pun!) to me. While one loves a synth so much to buy so 
many, then spends countless time bad mouthing it is really . . . not 
interesting.
> 
> I am not telling anyone to shut up, but this thread, ported over 
from at least two other forums, is truly TIRED.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Dale 
> To: DSI_Evolver@ yahoogroups. com 
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 11:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product
> 
> 
> 
> If the plugs are such a pain and you need those outs in the 
manner you mention, why not mod it?
> I bet he just has it switched with the jacks. 
> 
> I would not notice the levels, I run all the synths into a rolls 
RM203 (a pair of them) so I do balance it all out before it gets to 
the main
> mixer... each synth I have has some quirk that has to worked 
with, levels out being one of them ...
> 
> dale
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: dodgingrain 
> 
> I'd have to side on the negative to neutral side. Another bug 
that 
> exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw is that 
the 
> output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the output on 
the 
> PER and probably the PEK as well. I made this know well over a 
year 
> ago and got a luke warm response at best. I was told to use a 
mixer 
> to balance the levels, which frankly, I feel is rediculous 
given the 
> cost of these products and the fact that a lot of musicians no 
longer 
> use mixers at all these days. One of the selling points of the 
PER 
> was that you could get 5 voices by polychaining with a 
desktop.... 
> well yah, sort of. I wouldn't have bought an evolver at all if 
I had 
> know about that issue.
> 
> I wish someone would do a test on the MEK and let us know if 
that 
> issue exists there as well. So when people ask if you can 
chain the 
> PEK with an evolver desktop the answer shouldn't be a 
resounding 
> yes. Personally I would think this would be fixable as a 
software 
> updated to the evolver. If in poly chain mode the lower the 
output 
> by 6db.
> 
> Another issue I have is with the outputs on the PER. You can't 
keep 
> cables connected to both the main outputs and the individual 
voice 
> outputs. Personally I feel the best way to use a rack synth is 
to 
> have each output and input connected to a patch bay so you can 
route 
> whatever you want without having to dig around in the back of a 
> rack. Now imagine how much of a pain this is when you have 3 
PERs 
> like I do, it's not just swaping a few cables it's swaping a 
LOT of 
> cables.
> 
> Also when I would point out some of these issues in response to 
> questions by users or potential buyers on HC I was all but 
outright 
> told to shut up about it by the HC Admin at the time who works 
for 
> DSI.
>





 
____________________________________________________________________________________
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in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.
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Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

2007-04-09 by Ravi Ivan Sharma

But a minor error with a desktop evolver as opposed to fine working of all 3 other evolvers if a "f*-up" is still a little one, and that is why I agree with you that the issue should be put to rest.

----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 12:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

Can we please give this subject a break.
Dave Smith fucked up. Give it a rest - you can either accept it, pray to the god(s) in the heavens above that our issues will be resolved, or you can sell your evolvers.
-Jim

----- Original Message ----
From: dodgingrain <Chris@cleosoft.com>
To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 9, 2007 8:32:25 AM
Subject: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product

Give me a break. It's in the PER manual that it chains with a
desktop. If you claim it's a feature and you even put it in the
manual you would think you would test it properly. We are not
talking about completely different synths here, we are talking
essentially about the same board.

Not using mixers isn't nonsense just because you don't work that
way. The way a user is supposed to chain the audio (per THE MANUAL)
doesn't use a mixer, again this should have been tested.

Dude, seriously, have some respect for others. It's funny that you
seem to think you know what happened with Bryce since you bring him
up. Why don't you tell us the whole story and quote all the threads
and emails since you seem to know it all?

What is truely "TIRED" is people accepting these sorts of flaws and
even defending them to the death.

--- In DSI_Evolver@ yahoogroups. com, "Ravi Ivan Sharma"
wrote:
>
> Continually complaining that the Evolver Desktop is louder than the
PER. Pity.
>
> Complaining about an extra feature that is essentially a freebee. I
cannot imagine one person less would buy their first Evolver Desktop
because it could not be chained to any other. But the fact is, is
that when it was made, the PER and the PEK and the MEK were not even
conceived of it chains perfectly to other desktops as planned and
advertised. Another manufacturer could have easily said that the
desktop versions chain with each other and not with PEKS and PERS
which are in a *different class*. But in this case, it was left in.
The thing about no mixers is nonsense. I don't use mixers: Everything
goes into my Motus, but the software has mixers inside which can fix
any of this. I have 10 synths and I set the internal levels to
balance *them* out. Even synths by the same brand, etc. Please shoot
me if I every begin to bitterly complain that one of my Rolands has
more gain than the other--even though they speak (and were advertised
to) via midi . . . omigod!
>
> And unless that person was private messaged by Dave Bryce, they
were *all but* told to shut up, because . . . Dave Bryce did *not*
tell him to shut up.
>
> People just get tired of reading the same thing over and over
again. Every synth I know, wait, every *thing* I know has
limitations. Things do not have issues. People have issues with
things, or not. So yes, IF one has three PERS and IF one wishes to
work precisely as this person believes is correct--for him--, then it
may not be so comfortable, for him. It's a personal issue with a
design choice--or a fact of components-- that affects . . him . . .
and, of course, the myriads like him. Show of hands please: Who else
does this affect so much they haven't stopped about it for a year or
so rather than getting on with life?
>
> If the man who made the synth says--after years of requests-- that
he can't or won't fix it--for his--I am certain, excellent reasons--
he is after all, a father of this all--then THAT IS IT. Why anyone
wants to get on every forum and search high and low for similar
disgrunts is seems somewhat sad at this point. Especially when
apparently no one Evolver owner really gives a crap about something
so miniscule and easily remediable.
>
> Dale has found a solution and seems completely at peace with it.
Sounds normal (pun!) to me. While one loves a synth so much to buy so
many, then spends countless time bad mouthing it is really . . . not
interesting.
>
> I am not telling anyone to shut up, but this thread, ported over
from at least two other forums, is truly TIRED.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Dale
> To: DSI_Evolver@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 11:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: PEK Product
>
>
>
> If the plugs are such a pain and you need those outs in the
manner you mention, why not mod it?
> I bet he just has it switched with the jacks.
>
> I would not notice the levels, I run all the synths into a rolls
RM203 (a pair of them) so I do balance it all out before it gets to
the main
> mixer... each synth I have has some quirk that has to worked
with, levels out being one of them ...
>
> dale
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: dodgingrain
>
> I'd have to side on the negative to neutral side. Another bug
that
> exists, actually what I would consider a design flaw is that
the
> output on the desktop evolver is 6db higher than the output on
the
> PER and probably the PEK as well. I made this know well over a
year
> ago and got a luke warm response at best. I was told to use a
mixer
> to balance the levels, which frankly, I feel is rediculous
given the
> cost of these products and the fact that a lot of musicians no
longer
> use mixers at all these days. One of the selling points of the
PER
> was that you could get 5 voices by polychaining with a
desktop....
> well yah, sort of. I wouldn't have bought an evolver at all if
I had
> know about that issue.
>
> I wish someone would do a test on the MEK and let us know if
that
> issue exists there as well. So when people ask if you can
chain the
> PEK with an evolver desktop the answer shouldn't be a
resounding
> yes. Personally I would think this would be fixable as a
software
> updated to the evolver. If in poly chain mode the lower the
output
> by 6db.
>
> Another issue I have is with the outputs on the PER. You can't
keep
> cables connected to both the main outputs and the individual
voice
> outputs. Personally I feel the best way to use a rack synth is
to
> have each output and input connected to a patch bay so you can
route
> whatever you want without having to dig around in the back of a
> rack. Now imagine how much of a pain this is when you have 3
PERs
> like I do, it's not just swaping a few cables it's swaping a
LOT of
> cables.
>
> Also when I would point out some of these issues in response to
> questions by users or potential buyers on HC I was all but
outright
> told to shut up about it by the HC Admin at the time who works
for
> DSI.
>



Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate
in the Yahoo! Answers Food Drink Q&A.

Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-09 by Matt Stanbro

I just had a great experience with support. I am
actually pleasently suprised. It was enough before
that they got back with me in a day but now they are
really helping me out instead of charging me big for
something minor like Korg or Roland would have done. I
give support and the company in general 4 stars. If
they update the OS to be completely midi controllable
from the CC's I will give them 5.  


 
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Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-09 by Dale (Inquisitor Betrayer)

the cc would be very cool
I would then deal with much the same way as I do the ION now ...
in the mean time, there are the editors ...
need them automated to record some knob movement ... ;-)
workaround, for some things, LFO ... not all and not in the way
I would like it ... in the mean time ... (well seq too but that is like
way too much work with compromise on steps ....)
dale
----- Original Message -----
Show quoted textHide quoted text

I just had a great experience with support. I am
actually pleasently suprised. It was enough before
that they got back with me in a day but now they are
really helping me out instead of charging me big for
something minor like Korg or Roland would have done. I
give support and the company in general 4 stars. If
they update the OS to be completely midi controllable
from the CC's I will give them 5.

Re: SV: [Evolver] PEK Product

2007-04-09 by Ron Boots / Groove Unlimited

At 23:19 9-4-2007, you wrote:

>I just had a great experience with support. I am
>actually pleasently suprised. It was enough before
>that they got back with me in a day but now they are
>really helping me out instead of charging me big for
>something minor like Korg or Roland would have done. I
>give support and the company in general 4 stars. If
>they update the OS to be completely midi controllable
>from the CC's I will give them 5.


Dave's Support is second to none when it comes to speed and reliability.
The few times we had problems with the numerous DSI's we sold is 
exemplarily for many companys.





Have a nice day and enjoy life.

     /\  /\
   ( ='.'= )
~(__)_)

Groove Unlimited (Specializing in Electronic Music)
Ron Boots
Helmkruid 28
5684 HN Best
the Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0) 499 474711; Fax: +31 (0) 499 327104
------------------------------
Email: ron@... ; Web pages http://www.groove.nl

Re: PEK Product

2007-04-10 by Miles Bader

"dodgingrain" <Chris@...> writes:
> Dude, seriously, have some respect for others.

Likewise.

Your combative style doesn't help your argument.

-Miles

-- 
In New York, most people don't have cars, so if you want to kill a person, you
have to take the subway to their house.  And sometimes on the way, the train
is delayed and you get impatient, so you have to kill someone on the subway.
  [George Carlin]

Luggable Synth

2007-04-10 by William Soraparu

I travel alot....what would you suggest as far as a good synth goes......I have been using the Clavia 3 octave G2...but with how much it costs..I hate lugging it..I use it to write with...in conjunction with Cubase...I was checking out the new Novation that runs on Batts....has anyone gotten their hands on that one? Care to share? I just need something for the road...but can also stand on its own....
Thanks

Dale wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
some things, can't be fixed with a OS update...
hardware is needed ...
Like the MS2000, timing issues with the arp .. sure they did a OS update and that took it as far as it will go ...
AN200, DX200, the skip beat on seq. etc.. workarounds for all ... but
I wish I had a 100% then I would be able to bic. more about the other things ...
Well maybe not, I grown use to these things ... most of the time by beating my head on the wall wondering what stupid thing did I do ..
hence the why I am on over 102 groups ... to ask and keep up on these things so I don't kill off what 2 brain cells I have left ...
Aftertouch is a big issue here, I use it for so many things sometimes on our tracks ... that would be a killer ...
PEK works fine, just not as sensitive as I would like or should I say use too ... Extreme aftertouch is what I use mostly.. Even the Fusion aftertouch drives me
crazy sometimes ... s-80 isn't as bad however on aftertouch either but really that is my wife's keys, I just use once in a while.
Once again, I am very thankful for midi, as I can adjust and mix as needed with all these hardward items that don't work 100% ....
dale
----- Original Message -----
From: mr julian
William Soraparu wrote:

> I do not need to troll...my XTK has never burped...

So that pretty much means that with your xtk....
1) you've never set a sound to mono mode and played or sequenced legato
lines.
2) you've never used it as a master keyboard, to control another MIDI
device with aftertouch enabled
3) you've never run the xtk in multi mode with midi in controlling the
sounds on multiple channels, and keyboard set to control another sound
(in another slot) set to channel one.

I know this, because I've owned an XTk for many years now, and for a
while we tried using it as our main synth(alongside a few other synths,
with an MPC as the sequencer!) for playing live.... and we went through
all sorts of hell for what should have been a very simple thing to ask
of a moderm multitimbral synth. And waldorf knew about these bugs for
YEARS before they shut down. They always promised to fix the problems
SOON.... but always, nothing....

So, yeah.... if you think the PEK has more problems than other
manufacturers gear, and you think that DSI is not as good at support for
customers as waldorf was, well you just plain haven't been paying
attention to the gear you own.



julian

Don't pick lemons.
See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

Re: Poly Evolver Keyboard Questions

2007-04-10 by prophetvs

I would never consider using my PEK as a master controller, or any
other value-holding analog... it would work fine, but if you wear it
down over the years, it will be much more expensive to replace and
repairing it would probably cost more than a used mint DX7.  Something
like a DX7IIFD is fantastic so long as you compensate for Yamaha's old
middle-c difference(it's an octave higher than other brands, if i
remember);  if you need knobs, Novation keyboardless ReMOTE SL
controller works well and is cheap.

In short, the PEK should retain value, so its not a very economical
idea in the long run to use it as a master synth.

m. 

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Anu Kirk <anukirk@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> I am seriously considering purchasing a Poly Evolver Keyboard.
> 
> It would act as a master keyboard controller for my studio (replacing a 
> just-sold DX7II FD) and be my primary programming synth (likely means 
> I'd sell my little-used Alesis Ion).
> 
> Some questions for those who have it:
> - What bugs currently exist?
> - Do the knobs send out MIDI?  If so, what kind?
> - Is it worth it?
> - Should I keep my desktop Evolver for use as a 5th voice?  Has anyone 
> actually done this?  How does it work?
> 
> Given that I have about $2400 to spend on a master keyboard/synth, 
> anyone in the group have any other suggestions?  I want a decent 
> keyboard, but I am not a very good player, so I don't need or want full 
> weighted action.
> 
> I need at least the 61 keys the PEK provides (Ion, Nord, etc. only have 
> 49) but my studio desk won't easily support anything larger than that.
>

Re: Poly Evolver Keyboard Questions

2007-04-10 by prophetvs

I would never consider using my PEK as a master controller, or any
other value-holding analog... it would work fine, but if you wear it
down over the years, it will be much more expensive to replace and
repairing it would probably cost more than a used mint DX7.  Something
like a DX7IIFD is fantastic so long as you compensate for Yamaha's old
middle-c difference(it's an octave higher than other brands, if i
remember);  if you need knobs, Novation keyboardless ReMOTE SL
controller works well and is cheap.

In short, the PEK should retain value, so its not a very economical
idea in the long run to use it as a master synth.

m. 

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Anu Kirk <anukirk@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> I am seriously considering purchasing a Poly Evolver Keyboard.
> 
> It would act as a master keyboard controller for my studio (replacing a 
> just-sold DX7II FD) and be my primary programming synth (likely means 
> I'd sell my little-used Alesis Ion).
> 
> Some questions for those who have it:
> - What bugs currently exist?
> - Do the knobs send out MIDI?  If so, what kind?
> - Is it worth it?
> - Should I keep my desktop Evolver for use as a 5th voice?  Has anyone 
> actually done this?  How does it work?
> 
> Given that I have about $2400 to spend on a master keyboard/synth, 
> anyone in the group have any other suggestions?  I want a decent 
> keyboard, but I am not a very good player, so I don't need or want full 
> weighted action.
> 
> I need at least the 61 keys the PEK provides (Ion, Nord, etc. only have 
> 49) but my studio desk won't easily support anything larger than that.
>

Re: Luggable Synth

2007-04-14 by electrotimba

Ozonic from M audio is not bad, keys could be better, the FW interface
and a mic preamp are nice features. Otherwise new Edirols are nice but
 little less then 3 octaves. Novations are  bulky and poorly build
though have nice keys.

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, William Soraparu <donnbill369@...>
wrote:
>
> I travel alot....what would you suggest as far as a good synth
goes......I have been using the Clavia 3 octave G2...but with how much
it costs..I hate lugging it..I use it to write with...in conjunction
with Cubase...I was checking out the new Novation that runs on
Batts....has anyone gotten their hands on that one? Care to share? I
just need something for the road...but can also stand on its own....
>    
>   Thanks
> 
> Dale <dale@...> wrote:
>             some things, can't be fixed with a OS update...
>   hardware is needed ...
>    
>   Like the MS2000, timing issues with the arp .. sure they did a OS
update and that took it as far as it will go ...
>   AN200, DX200, the skip beat on seq. etc.. workarounds for all ... but 
>   I wish I had a 100% then I would be able to bic. more about the
other things ... 
>    
>   Well maybe not, I grown use to these things ... most of the time
by beating my head on the wall wondering what stupid thing did I do ..
>   hence the why I am on over 102 groups ... to ask and keep up on
these things so I don't kill off what 2 brain cells I have left ...
>    
>   Aftertouch is a big issue here, I use it for so many things
sometimes on our tracks ... that would be a killer ...
>   PEK works fine, just not as sensitive as I would like or should I
say use too ... Extreme aftertouch is what I use mostly.. Even the
Fusion aftertouch drives me 
>   crazy sometimes ... s-80 isn't as bad however on aftertouch either
but really that is my wife's keys, I just use once in a while.
>    
>   Once again, I am very thankful for midi, as I can adjust and mix
as needed with all these hardward items that don't work 100% .... 
>    
>   dale
>    
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>     From: mr julian 
>    
>   William Soraparu wrote:
> 
> > I do not need to troll...my XTK has never burped...
> 
> So that pretty much means that with your xtk....
> 1) you've never set a sound to mono mode and played or sequenced 
legato 
> lines.
> 2) you've never used it as a master keyboard, to control another MIDI 
> device with aftertouch enabled
> 3) you've never run the xtk in multi mode with midi in controlling the 
> sounds on multiple channels, and keyboard set to control another sound 
> (in another slot) set to channel one.
> 
> I know this, because I've owned an XTk for many years now, and for a 
> while we tried using it as our main synth(alongside a few other
synths,  
> with an MPC as the sequencer!) for playing live.... and we went through 
> all sorts of hell for what should have been a very simple thing to ask 
> of a moderm multitimbral synth. And waldorf knew about these bugs for 
> YEARS before they shut down. They always promised to fix the problems 
> SOON.... but always, nothing....
> 
> So, yeah.... if you think the PEK has more problems than other 
> manufacturers gear, and you think that DSI is not as good at support
for 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> customers as waldorf was, well you just plain haven't been paying 
> attention to the gear you own.
> 
> 
> 
> julian
>   
> 
>          
> 
>        
> ---------------------------------
> Don't pick lemons.
> See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.
>

Re: [Evolver] Re: Luggable Synth

2007-04-15 by William Soraparu

Thank you for your info here..M Audio is great..and so are the edirols...ah now to choose!!
Bill From Hawaii

electrotimba wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Ozonic from M audio is not bad, keys could be better, the FW interface
and a mic preamp are nice features. Otherwise new Edirols are nice but
little less then 3 octaves. Novations are bulky and poorly build
though have nice keys.

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, William Soraparu ...>
wrote:
>
> I travel alot....what would you suggest as far as a good synth
goes......I have been using the Clavia 3 octave G2...but with how much
it costs..I hate lugging it..I use it to write with...in conjunction
with Cubase...I was checking out the new Novation that runs on
Batts....has anyone gotten their hands on that one? Care to share? I
just need something for the road...but can also stand on its own....
>
> Thanks
>
> Dale wrote:
> some things, can't be fixed with a OS update...
> hardware is needed ...
>
> Like the MS2000, timing issues with the arp .. sure they did a OS
update and that took it as far as it will go ...
> AN200, DX200, the skip beat on seq. etc.. workarounds for all ... but
> I wish I had a 100% then I would be able to bic. more about the
other things ...
>
> Well maybe not, I grown use to these things ... most of the time
by beating my head on the wall wondering what stupid thing did I do ..
> hence the why I am on over 102 groups ... to ask and keep up on
these things so I don't kill off what 2 brain cells I have left ...
>
> Aftertouch is a big issue here, I use it for so many things
sometimes on our tracks ... that would be a killer ...
> PEK works fine, just not as sensitive as I would like or should I
say use too ... Extreme aftertouch is what I use mostly.. Even the
Fusion aftertouch drives me
> crazy sometimes ... s-80 isn't as bad however on aftertouch either
but really that is my wife's keys, I just use once in a while.
>
> Once again, I am very thankful for midi, as I can adjust and mix
as needed with all these hardward items that don't work 100% ....
>
> dale
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mr julian
>
> William Soraparu wrote:
>
> > I do not need to troll...my XTK has never burped...
>
> So that pretty much means that with your xtk....
> 1) you've never set a sound to mono mode and played or sequenced
legato
> lines.
> 2) you've never used it as a master keyboard, to control another MIDI
> device with aftertouch enabled
> 3) you've never run the xtk in multi mode with midi in controlling the
> sounds on multiple channels, and keyboard set to control another sound
> (in another slot) set to channel one.
>
> I know this, because I've owned an XTk for many years now, and for a
> while we tried using it as our main synth(alongside a few other
synths,
> with an MPC as the sequencer!) for playing live.... and we went through
> all sorts of hell for what should have been a very simple thing to ask
> of a moderm multitimbral synth. And waldorf knew about these bugs for
> YEARS before they shut down. They always promised to fix the problems
> SOON.... but always, nothing....
>
> So, yeah.... if you think the PEK has more problems than other
> manufacturers gear, and you think that DSI is not as good at support
for
> customers as waldorf was, well you just plain haven't been paying
> attention to the gear you own.
>
>
>
> julian
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Don't pick lemons.
> See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.
>


Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos.

Re: PEK Product

2007-04-17 by Miles Bader

James Elliott <johans121@...> writes:
> Dave Smith fucked up.

No, you simply don't understand the issue.

-miles
-- 
My books focus on timeless truths.  -- Donald Knuth

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2008-02-05 by chuddy023

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Carbon111 <carbon111@...> wrote:
>
To say Dave Smith instrument gives no suport for their instruments is 
crazy.  I just emailed them to say I think my MEK has a midi cc#7 
receiving problem and within 20 minutes they had responded by email 
to ask me for further details.  And I'm in Australia!  



> > I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 
encoders  by 
> > the display...
> 
> Those are the only encoders that aren't buffered so the values are 
a bit 
> jumpy...the only time it becomes a problem is while naming a patch. 
Dave 
> said its an easy fix and he will implement it in the next OS.
> 
> I've had the best support I've ever had from any company _ever_ 
from 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Dave smith...and I've owned quite a lot of synths. :)
> 
> Obviously YMMV.
> 
> Very Best Regards, James
> --
> http://www.carbon111.com/evolver.html
>

Re: [Evolver] PEK Product

2008-02-19 by synthmdl76

I add to that Dave Smith Rocks!!! 
Screw the other brands.... well.. excepts a few ;-)
Sorry just my 2 cents


--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "chuddy023" <chuddy023@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> --- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Carbon111 <carbon111@> wrote:
> >
> To say Dave Smith instrument gives no suport for their instruments is 
> crazy.  I just emailed them to say I think my MEK has a midi cc#7 
> receiving problem and within 20 minutes they had responded by email 
> to ask me for further details.  And I'm in Australia!  
> 
> 
> 
> > > I own a PEK..it works 99.9 percent of the time...cept for 2 
> encoders  by 
> > > the display...
> > 
> > Those are the only encoders that aren't buffered so the values are 
> a bit 
> > jumpy...the only time it becomes a problem is while naming a patch. 
> Dave 
> > said its an easy fix and he will implement it in the next OS.
> > 
> > I've had the best support I've ever had from any company _ever_ 
> from 
> > Dave smith...and I've owned quite a lot of synths. :)
> > 
> > Obviously YMMV.
> > 
> > Very Best Regards, James
> > --
> > http://www.carbon111.com/evolver.html
> >
>

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