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Newbie

Newbie

2003-01-29 by rickyannotta <rickyannotta@yahoo.com>

I just picked up an Evolver after selling a digital keyboard b/c i 
found the sounds on the digital synth a bit uninspiring. It's like 
when you go to a bad chinese food take-out and no matter what you 
order it tastes like same thing! (weird analogy huh)

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows of or can share some 
insights, tutorials, tricks working with the step sequencer. I've 
only had it a few days and the Evolver is different than anything 
I've used before.  Besides the step sequencer on my JX-3P, the only 
experience I've had is with a real time digital sequencer!  

If anyone can think of anything let me know! (but it probably just 
comes down to spending more time with my new toy!)

-Rick

Re: Newbie - Sequencer Questions

2003-01-30 by ski_ex5tech <ex5tech@excite.com>

Actually, I thought the bad take-out analogy worked quite well!  ;)


WRT the sequencer... Yes, as with anything, time with the new toy 
will help immensely.  Even after you've learned its architecture, 
programming the Evolver in general DOES take a bit of getting used 
to.  When working quickly, I found that I would often forget to 
switch back from sequence mode to normal, or out of shift mode back 
to normal, prior to making edits with the knobs.  I'd think, "Now 
whyyyy isn't that sound changing the way I thought it would...  DOH!  
I just ruined one of my sequence tracks while trying to edit the 
filter!"  ;)

A few random thoughts and ideas about working with the sequencer:

• For nearly all of the "musical" sequences I programmed for the 
Evolver presets, I worked out the little riffs on one of my keyboard 
synths prior to spinning the knobs on the Evolver's sequencer 
tracks.  I found it easier to plan ahead this way, as opposed to 
trying to compose the little riffs on the sequencer.

• Having a keyboard synth handy while actually programming the 
Evolver sequencer can be useful in a number of ways.  For instance, 
it can help when trying to remember the specific notes of a riff you 
just composed.  It's also useful to quickly audition your sequence 
across a wide range of notes to see where it sounds best.

• Don't forget that the sequencer can modulate just about anything on 
the Evolver.  Don't get stuck in the rut of using it only to modulate 
pitch (i.e. play your notes).  Digital waveshape, filter settings, 
and all sorts of things can be "sequenced".

• Get more mileage from the four sequencer tracks:  You can use one 
or more of the four "Modulation Sources" to apply a sequencer track 
to more than one destination.  For instance, if you want Oscillators 
1 and 2 to play the same notes, you don't have to use two sequencer 
tracks to accomplish your goal.  You can use one sequencer track 
applied to Osc 1 pitch, and then use a Modulation Source to apply 
that same sequencer track to Osc 2 pitch, making sure to set the 
modulation amount to maximum (99).

• Note that the speed of the LFO's can be sync'd to the sequencer.  
Above a speed amount of 150, an LFO can be set anywhere from one 
cycle per 32 sequence steps, to 16 cycles per one sequence step.  See 
the "LFO's" section in the manual for details.

• Each of the four tracks in the sequencer can use a different number 
of steps.  This makes it easy and fun to set up little polyrhythms, 
which make the sequence sound as if it were a lot longer than just 16 
steps.

• Using square wave LFO modulation of various synth parameters, and 
sync'ing the LFO speed to the sequencer, can also make the sequencer 
sound as if it is capable of more than 16 steps.  Using a 16 step 
sequence, start out with a an LFO speed setting of 1 LFO cycle per 16 
sequence steps, and you'll start to get the idea.

• You can make "keyboard gated sequences".  In other words, sequences 
that don't make a sound until and unless you play the keyboard.  
These can act and play more like regular patches... with the 
exception that you have the added complexity of the four sequencer 
tracks at your disposal to mangle the sound as you play a hot lead or 
bass.


I'll spot you that none of the above tips are deep, complex, or earth 
shattering, but I hope they help get you started having fun with your 
Evolver.


Ski
www.ex5tech.com
EX5Tech Evolver forum:
http://www.ex5tech.com/ex5ubb_cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=23


--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "rickyannotta 
<rickyannotta@y...>" <rickyannotta@y...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> 
> I just picked up an Evolver after selling a digital keyboard b/c i 
> found the sounds on the digital synth a bit uninspiring. It's like 
> when you go to a bad chinese food take-out and no matter what you 
> order it tastes like same thing! (weird analogy huh)
> 
> Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows of or can share some 
> insights, tutorials, tricks working with the step sequencer. I've 
> only had it a few days and the Evolver is different than anything 
> I've used before.  Besides the step sequencer on my JX-3P, the only 
> experience I've had is with a real time digital sequencer!  
> 
> If anyone can think of anything let me know! (but it probably just 
> comes down to spending more time with my new toy!)
> 
> -Rick

Re: [Evolver] Re: Newbie - Sequencer Questions

2003-01-30 by Robert Shanks

Cool thanks Ex5te -

>• Each of the four tracks in the sequencer can use a different number
>of steps.  This makes it easy and fun to set up little polyrhythms,
>which make the sequence sound as if it were a lot longer than just 16
>steps.

Hi all -  I just finished tweaking up a patch with all four sequences
changing the pitch of all the oscillators.  The sequences are setup to
reset at 16 steps, 15 steps, 14 steps, and 13 steps.   My calculator tells
me that will repeat after  43,680  steps.  :)    It doesn't feel like it
really repeats, but it does have a key and a groove to it.  I'll see if I
can slam it up to the Yahoo files section.  Its called EndlessOrg_A128.syx
-  It's kinda organy sounding, but it changes from percusive sounding to a
more soft attack.

It's kind of a soundscape.  I'm also ganging LFOs together in ways to try
to create much longer feeling LFOs.

Mod wheel brings up ringmod for a more steel drum precusion sound.
Pitch wheel changes filter cutoff.
Pressure brings in noise.
Velocity use env3 to put a blip on one of the osc.  - I normally start off
by playing a key very softly.  Playing hard puts a squeek at the begining
of a note.

Anywho - I'll see if I can upload it so you can here it.

< dumb question alert >   Ex5te,  people are also putting up patches at
your site, yes?  I'm registered on your site.
Where are the patches?  And how do I put mine there?  Seems like I remember
you saying just email them to you.  ???   For right now I'll put it in the
Yahoo files section.   I'll get all this figured out after a while.

Cheers - Robert

Re: Newbie - Sequencer Questions

2003-01-30 by ski_ex5tech <ex5tech@excite.com>

Hey, Robert, your sequence sounds like it's a good one!  Can't wait 
to hear it.

If you can post it to the "Files" section in the Yahoo Group, that's 
great.  If for some reason you can't, or don't want to... yes, you're 
more than welcome to email it to me.

To clarify a bit, EX5Tech DOES have a lot of patches, samples, 
tutorials, utilities, etc. available to download for the Yamaha EX5.  
We DON'T have any Evolver files available... yet!  :)  We also don't 
have a "self serve" mechanism like the Yahoo Groups, where group 
members can upload their own files.  People get their work to me 
(more often, we're involved in group projects), and I post the files 
on the site, which are available on our downloads page.  

There are lots of links to the EX5Tech downloads page on the site.  
If you're on the "main" site (non-discussion forum pages), the 
downloads page is listed on the "Departments" dropdown menu.  If 
you're on the discussion forum pages, go to one of the forum summmary 
pages, and you'll see a link to the downloads page in a bulleted list 
toward the upper right.

Whenever our Evolver "User Soundset" is finished, I WILL make the 
final set available for download from EX5Tech.  I hope that we also 
have enough room to post the file in the Yahoo group Files section, 
too - which shouldn't be a problem - I think there's still plenty of 
space.

I also still intend to put together a set of custom waveshapes to 
load into the Evolver "user waveshapes" memory.  Hopefully, a utility 
for users create single cycle waveforms and do this themselves, too.  
Another Evolver owner - Vincent a.k.a. Noiseswapper - is working on a 
similar utility, and is a bit ahead of me I think!  :)  In any case, 
this will be made available at EX5Tech when finished, too.  Check out 
the following topic in the forums:

http://www.ex5tech.com/ex5ubb_cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?
ubb=get_topic&f=23&t=000010

Catch you later.


Ski
www.ex5tech.com
EX5Tech Evolver forum:
http://www.ex5tech.com/ex5ubb_cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=23


--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Robert Shanks <synthlab@n...> 
wrote:
> Cool thanks Ex5te -
> 
> >• Each of the four tracks in the sequencer can use a different 
number
> >of steps.  This makes it easy and fun to set up little polyrhythms,
> >which make the sequence sound as if it were a lot longer than just 
16
> >steps.
> 
> Hi all -  I just finished tweaking up a patch with all four 
sequences
> changing the pitch of all the oscillators.  The sequences are setup 
to
> reset at 16 steps, 15 steps, 14 steps, and 13 steps.   My 
calculator tells
> me that will repeat after  43,680  steps.  :)    It doesn't feel 
like it
> really repeats, but it does have a key and a groove to it.  I'll 
see if I
> can slam it up to the Yahoo files section.  Its called 
EndlessOrg_A128.syx
> -  It's kinda organy sounding, but it changes from percusive 
sounding to a
> more soft attack.
> 
> It's kind of a soundscape.  I'm also ganging LFOs together in ways 
to try
> to create much longer feeling LFOs.
> 
> Mod wheel brings up ringmod for a more steel drum precusion sound.
> Pitch wheel changes filter cutoff.
> Pressure brings in noise.
> Velocity use env3 to put a blip on one of the osc.  - I normally 
start off
> by playing a key very softly.  Playing hard puts a squeek at the 
begining
> of a note.
> 
> Anywho - I'll see if I can upload it so you can here it.
> 
> < dumb question alert >   Ex5te,  people are also putting up 
patches at
> your site, yes?  I'm registered on your site.
> Where are the patches?  And how do I put mine there?  Seems like I 
remember
> you saying just email them to you.  ???   For right now I'll put it 
in the
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Yahoo files section.   I'll get all this figured out after a while.
> 
> Cheers - Robert

Re: Newbie - Sequencer Questions

2003-01-30 by tompaulsen2002 <tompaulsen2002@yahoo.de>

Whoa...i gotta try those things...never really had a powerfull step 
sequencer like that...

Thanks a lot!

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "ski_ex5tech <ex5tech@e...>" 
<ex5tech@e...> wrote:
> 
[...]

Re: [Evolver] Re: Newbie - Sequencer Questions

2003-01-30 by Robert Shanks

Thanks - ex5te - the patch is now up at Yahoo.   - rs
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>Hey, Robert, your sequence sounds like it's a good one!  Can't wait
>to hear it.
>
>If you can post it to the "Files" section in the Yahoo Group, that's
>great.  If for some reason you can't, or don't want to... yes, you're
>more than welcome to email it to me.

[Evolver] Re: Newbie - Sequencer Questions

2003-01-30 by ski_ex5tech <ex5tech@excite.com>

Got it!  Thanks.  I look foward to listening.

BTW, you keep calling me "ex5te"...  Your email, or Yahoo, must be 
truncating my name/address or something.  My (real-life) nickname 
is "Ski", and my site is "EX5Tech".  :)

Oh, and am I going to have to listen for all 43,680 steps?!  ;)


Ski
www.ex5tech.com
EX5Tech Evolver forum:
http://www.ex5tech.com/ex5ubb_cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=23


--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Robert Shanks <synthlab@n...> 
wrote:
> Thanks - ex5te - the patch is now up at Yahoo.   - rs
> 
> >Hey, Robert, your sequence sounds like it's a good one!  Can't wait
> >to hear it.
> >
> >If you can post it to the "Files" section in the Yahoo Group, 
that's
> >great.  If for some reason you can't, or don't want to... yes, 
you're
> >more than welcome to email it to me.

Re: [Evolver] Re: Newbie - Sequencer Questions

2003-01-31 by Robert Shanks

My (real-life) nickname is "Ski", and my site is "EX5Tech".  :)      -- DOH!

>Oh, and am I going to have to listen for all 43,680 steps?!  ;)     --
>Yes, you do.  Let me know if it repeats early.

- Robert

(thanks Ski)

Re: Newbie - Sequencer Questions

2003-01-31 by ski_ex5tech <ex5tech@excite.com>

Da Da Do De woop tsh bing bop...
(17,894 steps!)

De ding do whish zing pop De Do...
(17,902 steps!)

Do do bzz... DOH!!! Bumped the RESET button!!!


Ski
www.ex5tech.com
EX5Tech Evolver forum:
http://www.ex5tech.com/ex5ubb_cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=23


--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Robert Shanks <synthlab@n...> 
wrote:
 
>>Oh, and am I going to have to listen for all 43,680 
>>steps?!  ;)     --

Yes, you do.  Let me know if it repeats early.
 
- Robert

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