All user reviews for the Dave Smith Instruments Mono Evolver PE

Monophonic synthesizer stereo, hybrid analog and four digital oscillators (VCO 2 analog & 2 DSP wavetable): sawtooth, triangle, sawtooth and triangle + digital PWM Summary: wavetable based on 96 tables Prophet-VS (128 x 12 bits) that ansi 32 user tables (downloadable via MIDI) (128 x 16 bits). Sound distortion due to the implementation is the same as the Prophet-VS Hard Sync on the analog oscillators. Frequency-modulation and ring modulation for digital oscillators - Independent Glide 2 filters per oscillator 12/24 dB 100% analog and resonant (one per channel) - 2 analog VCA two filters 24 dB high pass - Stereo input to treat external signal - noise generator - Envelope Follower modulation that can serve three ADSR envelopes - 4 LFO with MIDI sync generators feedback 3 2 multitap delays with MIDI sync and feedback - 2 digital distortion - 4 banks of 128 programs, representing 512 MIDI Dump - analog sequencer 4 x 16 with no MIDI sync (that is downright practical)

UTILIZATION

Some knowledge of the synthesis seems to me essential to understand how the MEK.
At first the general configuration seems sensible and without great difficulty. So we have a lot of things under the eyes, especially for real-time control (Osc, filters, substain, attack etc ...) but for what is to come in the heart of Evolver, he will look a little later in the sub menus but it's not too mess we found it fast enough even without manual. Editing sounds is easy and rather intuitive, so no problems with 4 banks busy sounds (512 programs in all). For the French manual require ironing, it just does not exist. The Us for its version is a little light anyway! The size of a paperback book, in English and not really easy to follow, but it's always good to end it and if one knows a little synthesis was largely in hand. For the curious a certain Anu Kirk has made a very interesting guide on Evolver http://www.carbon111.com/evolverguide.pdf
Anyway, in other words the use of MEK requires a little patience and perseverance, just to navigate the various settings.
Word of advice to recent users and especially for beginners, power get quick results, without getting discouraged (the possibilities are huge) make simple approaches.
Ex: Take a basic wave (last program I think) use one see two oscillators to start, although manage bet ADSR filter, do not use effects and get into the LFO & Modulation & co party once your sound honed and adjusted. Otherwise headlock and despondency programming are real risks with this type of architecture.

SOUNDS

Here it must be said that the sound is quite impressive! Not very realistic sounds of course, it is not at all meant for that. It is far, far from the 'faux analog' or VST, here we are in the drive, in which highlights the expression of your creativity. It has a grain, sure, right down to a Prophet (Prophet VS he embarks tables wave) and because it is indirectly benefit from the stable Sequential Circuits. While small, handy, compact and portable, there is a common spirit (a sacred potato). It is true that four oscillators (two FM), 4 LFO, a very good filter and a bunch of possibilities in terms of modulation can be patched (via encoders) as you want in a very intuitive so that there is huge what can be done without limit.
One can imagine the best and we are right, especially the sounds of plants are particularly successful for once. You just have to play with all the knobs and you will see that the Evolver is not left for powerful bass, expressive leads and FX really, really strong. As for presets, Dave Smith kept his job and the lighting for the first time it's really printing, powerful bass, lead very expressive, haunting fx.
The sequencer typed 'analog' is an excellent initiative. Can through four 'lines' of 16 steps program simple or complex sequences plus the modulation matrix. Amazing what you can do with it! This time we regret that all analog modern bikes do not feature.
There is a hidden arpeggiator in the bike that Dave Smith asked at the last moment of the production is effective and interesting to experiment.
The effects are not terrible (delay among others) and not very intuitive, it helps out but I still prefer to go through a simpler and more effective external rack. If a distortion happening, but only a very small dose (harder sound). As for the level Grunge function. Here I do not understand the value of such a function ... It messed sound like a bad distortion. This is anything but subtle and nuanced. Moving is a detail in its menu construction.En contrast distortion, used sparingly, can be very relevant on voluntarily aggressive or massive sound.

OVERALL OPINION

Otherwise level construction, wood sides are beautiful and the machine is 100% metal very sturdy (if preserve a little knobs). Oh, and small diodes are quite nice in the dark, it gives him a side living is enough.

It is probably one of the most successful of the new millennium Monos (well above the Moog Little Phatty him, in contrast, offers a very conventional and very / too limited possibilities).
It is very modern in the sense that it is not a simplistic architecture Yamaha CS type, Moog Prodigy or Juno 6, here it is more compact, so complex also significantly changed. I think that's what makes many have not adapted to this Evolver and sell it quickly.
I've had more than a year and I discovered a little every day and especially it surprises me every time. Certainly it has a sound that does not go unnoticed and possibilities almost infinite routing you will work much much but what fun.
I just blame him (for earlier versions) this annoying approach potentiometers but hey, it is not prohibitive either since they can be changed and the EP release completely catching the sauce.
If it is a true 'pro' in its field. There is no doubt the single is a bit frustrating and you find yourself dreaming of the Poly and 4 channels at the same time when you look back, a bunch of bands we had some great sequences with simple mono (New Order, Yazoo, Depeche Mode ...) Note that I never sticks to the compressor, it is sufficient in itself to that level. FYI I tried several in my life analos Roland Juno, Polysix, Trident, Prodigy, MS20, Teisco, Sequential Circuits but Evolver Key is one of those I like the Prophet 08 and Mopho (though I'm not working not in Dave Smith).
The value for money is very good when you see the digital junk competition and VA. At the same time one that grabs on a whim to play the 'fashion analog synth' (if there is so look at the number of broken arms on Youtube it's worth it ..) was all wrong because as I said this is a modern analogue 'with all the complexities associated with it (menus, options, effects, routing, modulation etc ...). So you really have to use it and try to uncover the true potential of this device. But once mastered it is a synth with a very high value. If we ignore the problems of the first version of the encoder (not PE) we are faced with a nice tool, powerful and completely in tune with the times.
And after four years of use I can confirm my opinion and without fear store the Mono Evolver Key in the category of Best mono-analogique/hybride of the new century (with the Mopho but it is a bit 'light' in term possibilities). Its price around 1000 € (used) if you find one, totally worth the looks of old cuckoo in listed and tired. Not ready to be dethroned in terms of value for money!