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Dave Smith Instruments PolyEvolver Keyboard
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All user reviews of 4/5 for the Dave Smith Instruments PolyEvolver Keyboard

Hybrid synthesizer from Dave Smith Instruments

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  • FredgafieiraFredgafieira

    dangerous!

    Dave Smith Instruments PolyEvolver KeyboardPublished on 06/15/12 at 08:43
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    Overall it is a hybrid analog / digital, with lots of knobs for direct control over the entire chain synthesis + integrated part sequencer.
    The PEK is actually the equivalent of four versions of the Evolver rack. 4 channels are available simulatnément. BUT if 4 different notes can be played simultaneously, this is no longer the case for some instruments that require multiple channels alone .. But the system runs well and lights show to each note where we are in the polyphony.
    (See the spec of the machine for the rest: OSC, LFO, filters, etc ...)
    The sequencer, I come back later.
    4 separate stereo audio outputs transmit, each turn, each note played .. I see not well the interest of t…
    Read more
    Overall it is a hybrid analog / digital, with lots of knobs for direct control over the entire chain synthesis + integrated part sequencer.
    The PEK is actually the equivalent of four versions of the Evolver rack. 4 channels are available simulatnément. BUT if 4 different notes can be played simultaneously, this is no longer the case for some instruments that require multiple channels alone .. But the system runs well and lights show to each note where we are in the polyphony.
    (See the spec of the machine for the rest: OSC, LFO, filters, etc ...)
    The sequencer, I come back later.
    4 separate stereo audio outputs transmit, each turn, each note played .. I see not well the interest of these outings! A main stereo output allows more simply to have her at any time.
    Is a utility for editing but that only works in stand-alone, not as a VSTi, shame!

    UTILIZATION

    There are 128 preset, divided into four banks. The sounds are mixed. As a DAW, you better have a "patchnamescriptlist ..." to organize it all! I've been getting in cubase do mine ;-)
    It can therefore transmit MIDI CC message to call an instrument and only one!
    To play several different instruments, we must switch to COMBO (which will of course be limited to 4 channels). It then defines four preset and assigned each a MIDI channel (1 to 4).
    OK .. except that it is impossible to send a CC to change instruments on the fly in a COMBO! it will change the combo and not preset. A little heavy when you want to test different instruments from the DAW ..
    The manual is sufficient. However there is another guide on the net that extensive use of PEK and notament the sequencer.
    Precisely, the sequencer ..
    It has 16 pot to adjust to wish each step that can be routed to any kind of modulation. We can therefore make a near-infinite time in search of a sequence! .. Once the sequence obtained, it can be used in a combo with other instruments.

    SOUNDS

    The sounds are varied and very unexpected for some! (Lower the volume before testing ..) Clearly there are sounds that dismantle! most have really fishing. After it's like anything, they must find their place in a mix.
    This synth is well suited to experimentation with sounds that I sometimes struggle to integrate into my songs. His sound design possibilities seem oversized when compared to my style of music. More than a C Virus I have already.

    OVERALL OPINION

    I own the PEK for 3 years and uses it to each of my songs. He therefore at his place near my Orbit and my Proteus Virus C. I would have preferred a simple arpeggiator instead of the step-sequencer, too long to plan for my taste.
    Q / P? bah above € 2,000 is enough! I was lucky to have him for just € 1400 through a reseller in the USA. Otherwise ...
    And that famous kit to replace the pots, allowing among other correct pblm of knob ... I hope mine hold out to avoid being off-budget! ...
    Not to repeat this choice. I orienterai possibly to the Prophet or Moog Phatty.
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  • WavinghandWavinghand

    Dave Smith Instruments PolyEvolver KeyboardPublished on 11/17/10 at 12:10
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    See the link for the manufacturer to the exact configuration.
    We appreciate the separate outputs for all 4 channels, especially since they are stereo, as odd oscillators are wired to Left and even on the right.
    4 channels polyphony, expandable via the "Polychain" to link several (eg racks and 3 polyevolver PEK)


    UTILIZATION

    Any editing is very simple, and can therefore take advantage of the great complexity of the machine. The menus are clear, the legends are clear, the manual is too simple, but quite a few small details escape him. Just to experiment, and it will be understood easily. The manual is NOT enough, and rightly so, we would need is an encyclopedia.
    For those who wa…
    Read more
    See the link for the manufacturer to the exact configuration.
    We appreciate the separate outputs for all 4 channels, especially since they are stereo, as odd oscillators are wired to Left and even on the right.
    4 channels polyphony, expandable via the "Polychain" to link several (eg racks and 3 polyevolver PEK)


    UTILIZATION

    Any editing is very simple, and can therefore take advantage of the great complexity of the machine. The menus are clear, the legends are clear, the manual is too simple, but quite a few small details escape him. Just to experiment, and it will be understood easily. The manual is NOT enough, and rightly so, we would need is an encyclopedia.
    For those who want to deepen, there is somewhere a manual on the net a, sort of scrawl depth of PEK. Ness about the existence not deprive it, it gives very good ideas.


    SOUNDS

    Expression: Not bad at all.
    The noise generator (digital I think) is disgusting. Difficult to do something with peak loads without ringing "Commodore 64". Tolerable in small doses.
    The HPF is truly minimal, it does not color the sound much, it is flat and not very interesting. It is used all the same, with the third envelope, for example ...
    Distortion is the average, although it incorporates an effective noise gate, and Hack (sort of degrade bit) accentuates frequencies 'metal' that is hard to capitalize. We would have preferred engineering focuses a little more about these terrible encoders with a nut on the side of the hood. Detail we would also welcome with female output jacks, very average, the design leaves little cable types not to be spit out by the internal spring. It's bad that side.
    Everything else is delusional, the possibilities are endless, the little "squeak" strangled by the high pass to low-unison through the water capsized Rolandienne sci-fi. May be missing some very serious, but it's not embarrassing. There is also incredible opportunities modulation, LFOs p.exe of them (for beautiful accelerations) envelope with a third period (excellent) sequencer very well built and full of surprises, opportunities for craft with chorus three delays implemented, and envelopes that can be really long attack and release, and then synchronized analog oscillators, disagreements, and oscillators to digital wavetable, cycling through the sequencer used in FM and ring modulation .
    Very, very good.
    A synth of research when you've found, is stored, we assign modifiers (mod wheel and / or pedals), and we play live, even if it is bad enough for my taste. It is high end but, it saves a little aesthetic level. The blue LEDs are not my cup of tea, it screwed up his eyes, and that makes "toys are us." Maybe in thirty years we love it.


    OVERALL OPINION

    I use it for a year, and I am far from having been around.
    I have or have had in his hands several synths, sound modules, racks, analog, digital, old cuckoo clocks and small modern machines. It sounds "modern" or rather "recent". It was still not a 100 or a Yamaha CS-80. It's not good for much less, it's just something else.
    I paid less than 1500 € secondhand from a guy who wanted it more. At that price, it's worth it. I'd be a little less enthusiastic if I had to buy new, especially to those # & @ ¤ * encoders.
    Yes, I would do this choice.
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