Your Thoughts on the Mono Evolver Keyboard

TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Production Studio
-- Your Thoughts on the Mono Evolver Keyboard

Posted by Ravist on Nov-18-2009 19:05:

Your Thoughts on the Mono Evolver Keyboard

http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/index.php

Does anyone have this instrument? And if so how much do you like it? I just found out about this synthesizer and would like to hear from you guys the pro's and con's of it.

Posted by Zombie0729 on Nov-18-2009 19:27:

the only thing i've liked out of owning any of the DSI stuff (and i've owned the mopho, p08 & poly evolver) is the poly evolver, it by far has got an interface that suited me and to be honest i think it has much more soundscape than the p08.

Posted by cryophonik on Nov-18-2009 20:23:

I owned a MEK for a little over a year. I also owned a Poly Evolver Rack during that period (I had them poly-chained), which is essentially 4 MEKs packed into a 1U box with only 4 knobs. Both are great synths IMO and very capable of unique sounds and sequences. The beauty of the MEK lies in its 4-oscillators (2 analog/2 digital), the vast number of digital oscillators available,, routing capabilities (particularly the step sequencer, which can be used as a mod source controller for any available destination), etc. It has an analog lo-pass filter, but also includes a digital hi-pass filter, which is a very nice addition - something I wish the P08 had. It also has very limited FM-type control.

Yes, it's a mono synth, but you'll probably be shocked to hear some of the sequences that it can produce - because of its routing flexibility, each oscillator can be individually controlled by the step sequencer making it almost like a 4-part mono synth. But, don't expect it to sound as beefy as a Moog - it's more renowned for its sequences/effects, but is plenty capable of making killer leads and basses, and the digital side opens up a huge range of sounds that you would probably never expect in such a seemingly simple synth. The Poly Evolver makes some great evolving pads; however, the 4-voice polyphony really limits it IMO.

Anyway, I think the MEK is a great synth and, as DJ Anthony Ross mentioned, has a very nice and intuitive layout. I sold my MEK and PER with the intentions of buying the keyboard version of the Poly Evolver - I'll probably replace my P08 with one next year after I make some room in my studio.