Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

I've decided to buy the Evolver desktop! And now I need midi controllers to control the 
Evolver.


The thing is, I'm not really experienced in these subjects, so I'm going to paste here some 
brands and models, and wait for you to tell me if they are good choices or not. I would 
also like that you advise me of other good midi controllers, that could easily fit my needs 
controlling the Evolver.

So, so far I've seen these that seemed OK:


- Korg MicroKontrol
- Akai MPK 49
- CME UF-5
- M-Audio Axiom 25
- Novation ReMote 25 SL Compact

- Korg Kaossilator (?)
- Korg Kaoss Pad (?)


What can you tell me about this gear? Will it work alright with the Evolver?

Thanks :)

I have an E-MU Xboard 25 that i like. But any of those controllers will 
work. It's all up to your personal preference. 



stuzender wrote:

> I've decided to buy the Evolver desktop! And now I need midi controllers to control the 
> Evolver.
>
>
> The thing is, I'm not really experienced in these subjects, so I'm going to paste here some 
> brands and models, and wait for you to tell me if they are good choices or not. I would 
> also like that you advise me of other good midi controllers, that could easily fit my needs 
> controlling the Evolver.
>
> So, so far I've seen these that seemed OK:
>
>
> - Korg MicroKontrol
> - Akai MPK 49
> - CME UF-5
> - M-Audio Axiom 25
> - Novation ReMote 25 SL Compact
>
> - Korg Kaossilator (?)
> - Korg Kaoss Pad (?)
>
>
> What can you tell me about this gear? Will it work alright with the Evolver?
>
> Thanks :)
>
>
>
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

The Kaossilator doesn't have MIDI, so it can't control the Evolver.  
The Mini KP, on the other hand, might be really fun with the Evolver.  
Not as a controller (it doesn't have MIDI either), but to add effects  
to your Evolver's output.

Any of the other controllers you listed would probably work fine. It  
mostly depends on what you want to do with the Evolver and what kind  
of physical controls you prefer - keyboard? more knobs? sliders? drum  
pads? touch pad? all of the above?

I also want to add one to your list. I've been looking at the Peavey  
PC 1600. Dave Smith's site lists templates for the 1600x, but not for  
the 1600. Anyone using the 1600 with the Evolver?

Matt

I have a novation SL61 I use to control my Polyevolver Rack, I have 
freinds who have got or had everything you mention in your post, I 
think that the akai and the novation are probably your best bet. The 
akai comes with vizyor software to control it, the same company that 
makes a rival editor for the evolver family. The SL through my own 
experence has never had software problems the drivers are soild and 
the templates Ive created are flawless. It also has the added benfit 
of being able to control almost instantly most main software synths 
as well as haveing every knob and slider,drumpad you could want.

stefan 


--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "stuzender" <stuzender@...> wrote:
>
> I've decided to buy the Evolver desktop! And now I need midi 
controllers to control the 
> Evolver.
> 
> 
> The thing is, I'm not really experienced in these subjects, so I'm 
going to paste here some 
> brands and models, and wait for you to tell me if they are good 
choices or not. I would 
> also like that you advise me of other good midi controllers, that 
could easily fit my needs 
> controlling the Evolver.
> 
> So, so far I've seen these that seemed OK:
> 
> 
> - Korg MicroKontrol
> - Akai MPK 49
> - CME UF-5
> - M-Audio Axiom 25
> - Novation ReMote 25 SL Compact
> 
> - Korg Kaossilator (?)
> - Korg Kaoss Pad (?)
> 
> 
> What can you tell me about this gear? Will it work alright with the 
Evolver?

> 
> Thanks :)
>

You should ABSOLUTELY use the PC-1600. Yes, I know that means you'd
probably have to buy a Keyboard as well (the pc-1600 has buttons you
can use as keys, but you can't exactly tinkle the ivorys that way).

What the PC-1600 has that the others don't (or at least most of them)
is full SYSEX implementation. So, while you can get at 90% of the
parameters with midi, there are some tricky ones that aren't (or at
least I don't think they've been implemented with a software update)
like LFO routings. With the PC-1600 you can set up a full bank of
faders to deal with the lfos:

Fader1: LFO Shape
Fader2: LFO Frequency
Fader3: LFO Amount
Fader4: LFO Destination
etc

Now... what THIS allows you to do is, theoretically, to be changing
ALL the LFO parameters at ONE TIME - ie: lay your arm across the
faders and pull down. While this may not be a pleasant sound to
most... think of it this way... how many knobs can you tweak at once
verses how many faders can you move at one time.

See what I mean?

The SYSEX presets for the PC-1600 found in the files section work
perfectly well for most applications.

ok.. rant over :)

j

I've only used the 1600x - Its worth it to go for the 1600x because it
has a cv to midi converter built in... maybe not needed for everyone,
but very handy.

I suspect those templates would work fine with the 1600 tho

j

I've got both a Kaossilator (can't put the damn thing down) and an old
Kaoss pad with midi.  I hooked up the Kaoss pad to the MEK and it
screwed up alot of my presets.  I think If you take the time to figure
midi control settings on the MEK it could be cool, but I didn't really
enjoy it much.  My controller is an old Roland E-20, and although its
this giant heavy beast it works fine and I don't have to worry about
computers.  

Cheers.


--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Matthew Calhoun <calhounm@...> wrote:

>
> The Kaossilator doesn't have MIDI, so it can't control the Evolver.  
> The Mini KP, on the other hand, might be really fun with the Evolver.  
> Not as a controller (it doesn't have MIDI either), but to add effects  
> to your Evolver's output.
> 
> Any of the other controllers you listed would probably work fine. It  
> mostly depends on what you want to do with the Evolver and what kind  
> of physical controls you prefer - keyboard? more knobs? sliders? drum  
> pads? touch pad? all of the above?
> 
> I also want to add one to your list. I've been looking at the Peavey  
> PC 1600. Dave Smith's site lists templates for the 1600x, but not for  
> the 1600. Anyone using the 1600 with the Evolver?
> 
> Matt
>

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "J Lesser" <j.doerck@...> wrote:

I've only used the 1600x - Its worth it to go for the 1600x because it
has a cv to midi converter built in... maybe not needed for everyone,
but very handy.

I suspect those templates would work fine with the 1600 tho

j

--- End forwarded message ---

Just bought a 1600X and I agree, it's great to use with the Desktop.  
I think the documentation that comes with the presets listed on 
www.defectiverecords.com discuss whether the 1600 will handle the 
templates but remember: Peavey still has the parts to upgrade the 
1600 to the 1600X.  I think it's about $50.

Stuzender:  I don't mean to cause you greater anxieties, but while I 
love the desktop, my choice to have it over the MEK is only because 
of finances and because I cannot have a large collection of keyboards 
right now.  For me, it's the perfect choice.  Plus, I think that 
having such a powerful synth in such a tiny box is incredibly cool.

If I wanted an EVO as my first and only synth, I'd definitely go for 
the MEK.  Reason:  once you have gotten the Desktop and a quality 
keyboard controller (and a separate control surface) you will have a 
bigger footprint than the MEK and you will have spent nearly the same 
amount of money.

Laters,
Tommy