TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Production Studio
-- Dave Smith Evolver Keyboard [MEK]

Dave Smith Evolver Keyboard [MEK]

Anybody here have one of these? I've got an opportunity to pick one up at a good price and I'm seriously considering adding it to my arsenal. It seems like it would complement my Prophet '08 pretty nicely. I especially like the idea of the inputs. Any thoughts, issues I should be aware of, etc.?

Go for it! I'm betting it's good for trippy atmospheres and such.

Already done. I'm picking it up tomorrow evening, then locking myself up in the studio for the weekend!

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Already done. I'm picking it up tomorrow evening, then locking myself up in the studio for the weekend!

How much did you pay? Is it the Keyboard? Poly Evolver? Mono Evolver?

It's the Mono Evolver Keyboard (MEK). It's essentially a brand new unit that I bought for $800 (it sells for $1200 new). I almost bought the Poly Evolver a few months ago, but decided to go with the Prophet '08 instead and I'm glad I did.

Nice! Post a sample or two when you get it.

Will do! Yup - that's the one! [drool]

I wasn't really impressed when I tried it.

quote:

Originally posted by Eldritch I wasn't really impressed when I tried it.

What didn't you like about it?

http://www.studioelectronics.com/orion-galaxy.php

quote:

Originally posted by jupiterone http://www.studioelectronics.com/orion-galaxy.php

SE is a great company but i don't really like the look of this one. but the Omega 8 would be awesome. just a little bit too expensive

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik What didn't you like about it?

I doesn't really sound as fat as a moog for example. But it does sound completely fine. Better than a VA atleast. It might just be that I prefer the moog sound more.

quote:

Originally posted by Eldritch I doesn't really sound as fat as a moog for example. But it does sound completely fine. Better than a VA atleast. It might just be that I prefer the moog sound more.

Aahhh, I see. Yeah, I'm definitely not expecting it to sound like a Moog. I'm actually more interested in the features of the MEK that the Moogs don't have (e.g., 16x4 step sequencer, analog and digital ocs's, audio inputs, etc.)

quote:

Originally posted by jupiterone http://www.studioelectronics.com/orion-galaxy.php

Nope - wrong synth. That's an sE synth. The one I'm buying is the DSI MEK that alanzo posted a photo of (above).

Well, here she is next to my Polar. Aren't they a cute couple? I'm thinking about breeding them since they both have inputs and outputs.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Well, here she is next to my Polar. Aren't they a cute couple? I'm thinking about breeding them since they both have inputs and outputs.

Where do you live, and do you have a security system? That blue looks so pretty.

quote:

Originally posted by pwnage1 ...do you have a security system?

Yes. And a one-year old son with rabies.

Not picking up one for 800 $ would be a crime

I want to buy an Evolver for almost a year now for its distinct sound and of course for the arpegiators. The most important thing in every synth is its character, if its lacking one then its rubbish. Evolver has plenty

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Aahhh, I see. Yeah, I'm definitely not expecting it to sound like a Moog. I'm actually more interested in the features of the MEK that the Moogs don't have (e.g., 16x4 step sequencer, analog and digital ocs's, audio inputs, etc.)

Why is it 16x4 when its only monophonic? the x4 means four chanels right?

quote:

Originally posted by csfp The most important thing in every synth is its character, if its lacking one then its rubbish. Evolver has plenty

You're not kidding!

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips Why is it 16x4 when its only monophonic? the x4 means four chanels right?

It has four step sequencers, with 16 steps each. The sequencers can be routed to any of the available modulation destinations, including the oscillator pitch. Since the MEK has four oscillators, you can, for example, assign different pitches (notes) to each sequence/step and the resulting sequences sound like it's polyphonic. If you were to hear some of the sequences that this thing produces, you'd have a hard time believing that it's a mono synth. My Prophet 08 has the same feature and it's very nicely implemented. Dave Smith knows how to build a synth (obviously).

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik You're not kidding! It has four step sequencers, with 16 steps each. The sequencers can be routed to any of the available modulation destinations, including the oscillator pitch. Since the MEK has four oscillators, you can, for example, assign different pitches (notes) to each sequence/step and the resulting sequences sound like it's polyphonic. If you were to hear some of the sequences that this thing produces, you'd have a hard time believing that it's a mono synth. My Prophet 08 has the same feature and it's very nicely implemented. Dave Smith knows how to build a synth (obviously).

Ah I see, thats very interesting and a very good idea. I like the sounds of this synth, can you post some samples when you get a feel for it, and give us a quick review?

800 bucks is a steal for something of this quality, but I'm still tossing up between this, prophet 08, Virus and nord lead 3.... Wish I had more money, but maybe when I'm a rockstar

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips ...I'm still tossing up between this, prophet 08, Virus and nord lead 3

Tough choices. My opinion would be that, if you're only going to have one hardware synth, go with the Virus because it has the most features, 16-part multi-timbral, and TI (assuming you're considering a TI - if not, the other advantages also to apply to the Virus A/B/C). I've owned an A, B, C, and now a Polar and I think that they're just great machines for the money. The Snow looks like an incredible low(er)-cost alternative to the TI.

Next on the list would be a tough decision between the Nord and Prophet 08. The Prophet 08 is awesome for its sound, but not as versatile or full-featured as some of the others. The Nord 3 is excellent and very versatile, although I much prefer the 2X over the NL3. I've owned the NL1, NL2, and NL2X. I considered the 3, but I like the grittiness and character of the 2/2X much better and it has better DACs.

Last choice would be the MEK. I think it was a no-brainer addition to my synth arsenal, but I wouldn't choose it as a primary hardware synth. It's monophonic and not multi-timbral, but it sure does sound nice and has some very cool features that you can get crazy with.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Tough choices. My opinion would be that, if you're only going to have one hardware synth, go with the Virus because it has the most features, 16-part multi-timbral, and TI (assuming you're considering a TI - if not, the other advantages also to apply to the Virus A/B/C). I've owned an A, B, C, and now a Polar and I think that they're just great machines for the money. The Snow looks like an incredible low(er)-cost alternative to the TI. Next on the list would be a tough decision between the Nord and Prophet 08. The Prophet 08 is awesome for its sound, but not as versatile or full-featured as some of the others. The Nord 3 is excellent and very versatile, although I much prefer the 2X over the NL3. I've owned the NL1, NL2, and NL2X. I considered the 3, but I like the grittiness and character of the 2/2X much better and it has better DACs. Last choice would be the MEK. I think it was a no-brainer addition to my synth arsenal, but I wouldn't choose it as a primary hardware synth. It's monophonic and not multi-timbral, but it sure does sound nice and has some very cool features that you can get crazy with.

Hmmm, thanks for the advice, I'm slightly leaning towards getting the Nord Before the Virus, because its always been a bit of an icon for me, but the virus is probably more versatile. I'm also pretty keen on the Blofeld as well... I need to get more money I think, then I can get all of them

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Well, here she is next to my Polar. Aren't they a cute couple? I'm thinking about breeding them since they both have inputs and outputs.

Using the Virus effects on the Evolver would probably be awesome. That's what I'm going to do if I ever get my hands on an analog synth.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.