Dave Smith Instruments Updates Poly Evolver Keyboard

Unlike endless rotary encoders, potentiometers allow the full range of a knob’s values to be accessed in a single turn of about 300 degrees, the company says. That is designed to simplify filter sweeps and other more performance-oriented gestures. A kit with potentiometer-equipped panel boards is available to convert older Poly Evolvers.

Specifications

• 5-octave, semi-weighted keyboard action with velocity and aftertouch

• Backlit, spring-loaded pitch wheel and assignable mod wheel

• 512 fully editable Programs (4 banks of 128) and 384 Combos (3 banks of 128)

• Numeric keypad for direct access of Programs and Combos

For each of the four voices:

• Oscillators: 2 digitally controlled analog oscillators (DCOs) with selectable sawtooth, triangle, saw/triangle mix, and pulse waves (with pulse-width modulation), and hard sync; 2 digital wavetable oscillators with Prophet VS waves and wave sequencing capability, FM and ring modulation

• White noise generator

• 2 Low-pass filters: 1 analog Curtis filter per channel, selectable 2– and 4-pole operation (self-resonating in 4-pole mode)

• 3 Envelope Generators: filter, VCA, and assignable (four-stage ADSR). 4 LFOs

• Glide (portamento): separate rates per oscillator

• Analog VCAs

• Digital high-pass filter

• Digital delays: 3 separate, syncable, stereo delay lines

• Tuned feedback with Grunge: use feedback as a pitched sound source

• Distortion and Output Hack

• 16 × 4 step sequencer

Ins and Outs

• MIDI In, Out, Thru, and Poly Chain

• Stereo audio input: 1/4 unbalanced

• Main stereo audio output: 1/4 unbalanced

• Separate stereo outputs (per voice): 1/4 unbalanced

• Stereo Mix Input: for Poly Chained Poly Evolvers

• Sustain pedal input: accepts normally on or normally off momentary footswitch

• Pedal/CV1 and Pedal/CV2 inputs: responds to expression pedals or control voltages ranging from 0 to 5 VDC

• Headphone output: 1/4 stereo phone jack

Pricing & Availability
The updated Poly Evolver Keyboard is available now with an MSRP of $2,899.00 and an MAP of $2,599.00. The conversion kit requires nothing more than a screwdriver for installation and is available directly from DSI for $399.00 or factory installed for $449.00.

For more information, visit www.davesmithinstruments.com.