Dave Smith Instruments Evolver Operation Manual
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Dave Smith Instruments Evolver Operation Manual

Analog/digital synth stereo audio processor 16x4 sequencer
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  • Page 1 Evolver Operation Manual Dave Smith Instruments...
  • Page 3 Evolver Operation Manual Version 3.2 April, 2008 Dave Smith Instruments 1590 Sylvaner Avenue St. Helena, CA 94574 USA © 2003-2008 Dave Smith Instruments www.DaveSmithInstruments.com...
  • Page 4 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference- Causing Equipment Regulations.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents Quick Start Basic Operation FAQs Inside Evolver Signal Flow Diagram Main Parameters Main Row 1 Main Row 2 Sequencer Operation Program Parameters Oscillator 1 Oscillator 2 Oscillator 3 Oscillator 4 Lowpass Filter Highpass Filter Amplifier (VCA) Feedback Delay Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO)

  • Page 6: Quick Start

    Quick Start If you are like me, you’ve already been playing with Evolver for a while, and later decided to check the manual. If not, here’s the standard short manual to get started.
  • Page 7 Check page 18 for more information on the sequencer. Using Evolver with a MIDI Keyboard Evolver is quite often used without a keyboard, just using the internal sequencer. Other times, it is used solely from a keyboard. It can also be used in combination, with the keyboard gating the sequencer, for example.
  • Page 8 I should mention that this manual does not include explanations of basic synthesizer functions. It assumes you already know what an oscillator is, how a lowpass filter affects the sound, what an ADSR envelope looks like, etc. Fortunately, these days it is quite easy to find such resources on the Internet. If you want to learn the lingo and the basics, just try a search in Google (or the search engine of your choice), something like “analog synthesizer tutorial”.
  • Page 9 Program Notes Following is a brief description of the 512 sounds in your Evolver. The factory sound set is on the website if you ever need to refresh it. Remember to save your sounds via program dumps occasionally. Bank 1 Programs 1 –...
  • Page 10 Programs 80 - 127 are more sounds meant to played from a keyboard, and have no sequences programmed. They all respond in different ways to keyboard pressure and mod wheel. Program 128 is a test program – you’ll likely want to trash it. Bank 4 Programs 1 –...

  • Page 11: Basic Operation Faqs

    Basic Operation FAQs Evolver is a very flexible instrument. While this provides a wide range of operational possibilities, it also means that you can put Evolver into a state where it doesn’t seem to work. Here are some hints: How do I save a Program? Hold the M blinking.

  • Page 12: Inside Evolver

    Inside Evolver Before going through the individual parameters, following is a brief description of Evolver’s architecture. The signal flow diagram on the next page is a good starting point for understanding how Evolver works. The Analog Side Evolver’s analog electronics consist of two identical (Left/Right) synth sections, each with an analog waveshape oscillator, a 2/4 pole resonant lowpass filter, and a Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA).

  • Page 14: Main Parameters

    Main Parameters There are two rows of Main, or global, parameters. Hitting the M will toggle between the first row and the second. All Main parameters are saved when power is removed. Program Save: If you hold the M that it is ready to store a program. Hitting the M program.
  • Page 15 Here are all the possible settings, with the effect on the overall tempo: Display Tempo BPM/2 BPM x 2 BPM x 2 BPM x 2 BPM x 3 BPM x 4 BPM x 4 BPM x 4 BPM x 6 BPM x 8 BPM x 12 BPM x 24...
  • Page 16 Poly Chain: see table Poly Chain is used to link multiple Evolvers into a polyphonic system by selectively passing MIDI data through to the MIDI out jack where it can be routed to another Evolver. Note that MIDI clocks are handled separately per the MIDI Clock parameter. Settings:...
  • Page 17 MIDI Xmit: see table MIDI transmits – determines what MIDI data to send. If enabled Evolver will send out changes for all 128 Program Parameters in System Exclusive (SysEx) format – see the MIDI Implementation section starting on page 41 for more information.

  • Page 18: Sequencer Operation

    Sequencer Operation Evolver has a 4 x 16 “analog” style step sequencer. Imagine four rows of 16 knobs. It is really a single sequencer with four controls per step, though the convention in Evolver is to call the four rows sequence 1 through 4.
  • Page 19 To program the sequencer, hit the S indicating that the program matrix is now active for editing the sequences. Row 1 has positions 1-8 of Sequence 1, and Row 2 has positions 9-16 of Sequence 1. Likewise the remaining rows cover Sequences 2 – 4. You can easily switch the matrix back and forth between normal Program edit mode and sequence mode by hitting the S sequence destinations set, you can simply start a sequence (hit the S...
  • Page 20 While the sequencer is running, if you hold the S button, the sequence will continue running until finished (according to the length of Sequence 1), and will stop after playing step 1. Also, If you hold the S HIFT sequencer is running, when the S (according to the length of Sequence 1) before synchronously changing to the new program and it’s sequence.

  • Page 21: Program Parameters

    Program Parameters There are eight rows of Program parameters. In addition, holding the S gives access to an additional 64 parameters. The S ways. While held, it always selects the alternate parameter (in yellow). The selected row LED blinks to indicate that S button twice quickly, and now the matrix will be in shift mode –...

  • Page 22: Oscillator 2

    Shape/PW: see table Selects the analog waveshape as follows: Display Waveshape Sawtooth Triangle Sawtooth – triangle mix Pulse Wave, with pulse width ranging to minimum (0) to p 0 to p99 maximum (99). The pulse width will turn off at the two extremes –...
  • Page 23 Shape/PW: 1 7 see table Selects the analog waveshape as follows: Display Waveshape Sawtooth Triangle Sawtooth – triangle mix Pulse Wave, with pulse width ranging to minimum (0) to p 0 to p99 maximum (99). The pulse width will turn off at the two extremes –...

  • Page 24: Oscillator 3

    97 – 128 are user programmable via the software editor. In the VS, the user waves were 0 - 31, and wave 127 was noise, which is not included because the Evolver has a separate noise generator. Wave 96 has a Waveshape that is unique to Evolver in place of the VS noise.

  • Page 25: Oscillator 4

    97 – 128 are user programmable via the software editor. In the VS, the user waves were 0 - 31, and wave 127 was noise, which is not included because the Evolver has a separate noise generator. Wave 96 has a Waveshape that is unique to Evolver in place of the VS noise.

  • Page 26: Lowpass Filter

    The analog (real analog!) lowpass filter is actually two different filters; one for the Left channel and one for the Right channel. This allows true stereo processing of external audio signals run through Evolver. However, for simplicity and consistency the two filters are driven together in tandem, so they normally respond the same way.

  • Page 27: Highpass Filter

    Highpass Filter Highpass: 3 5 S o0…99, i0…99 highpass filter. If set to o00 to o99, the filter is placed after the analog lowpass filter and VCA, before the Delay. If set to i00 to i99, the highpass filter is inserted before the analog lowpass filter, and only affects external input.

  • Page 28: Feedback

    Reverse Stereo 1 – Right channel panned somewhat left, Left somewhat to the right Reverse Stereo 2 – Right channel panned mostly left, Left mostly to the right Reverse Stereo 3 – Right channel panned fully left, Left fully to the right Volume: 4 8 0…100 Sets the voice volume;...
  • Page 29 In Evolver if the requested time is too long, it divides the time in half until it fits within the one second of available memory. So, don’t be surprised if changing longer sync delay times do not make any difference to the sound.

  • Page 30: Low Frequency Oscillators (Lfo)

    0…100 Sets the delay amount of the third delay tap. LFOs There are four identical Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs) in Evolver. Following is the description of LFO 1; the other three are the same, but obviously in different matrix locations.

  • Page 31: Envelope 3

    Shape: 6 2 see table Selects the LFO waveshape: Display LFO Shape Triangle Reverse Sawtooth Sawtooth Pulse (square wave) Random – changes once per cycle for sample-and-hold effects Amount: 6 3 0…100, 1…100 past 100, the scale starts over at 1, but now Key Sync is on. This means that this LFO will restart every time you hit a key.

  • Page 32: Miscellaneous Audio Parameters

    Miscellaneous Audio Parameters Output Hack: 5 8 0…14 Distortion: 5 8 S o0…99, i0…99 distortion is after the analog filter and VCA, before the Delay. If set to i00 to i99, the distortion is before the analog filter, and only affects external input. There are two separate distortions, one for each channel.

  • Page 33: Trigger And Interface Parameters

    Trigger/Interface Parameters There are different ways to control Evolver; using the internal sequencer, using external MIDI controllers (keyboards, computers, etc), or using external audio sources. And, there are ways of combining these, such as gating the sequencer from a keyboard.

  • Page 34: Miscellaneous Timing Parameters

    Note – this is an important parameter! When this is off, MIDI notes will not work. This parameter, with the Trigger Select (above) are the main controls for selecting how Evolver plays. Another note – you will find that there are other interactions between the sequencer and MIDI.

  • Page 35: Miscellaneous Modulation Parameters

    Mod 1 Source: 3 6 S see table General purpose modulation source select – see list on page 40 for possible sources. Since all mod sources in Evolver have a single destination, the four general purpose Mods allow a method to send a mod source (such as a sequence or LFO) to another destination, with a different amount.
  • Page 36 In Peak Amt: 7 3 S -99…+99 Amount of Peak Hold modulation. Takes the momentary peak of the left external audio input, and uses it as a modulation signal. Destination: 7 4 S see table Peak Mod Destination - see the Modulation Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.
  • Page 37 Breath Amt: 8 5 S parameter has a smoothing filter, which will clean up messy MIDI controller data into a clean response. If you want to bypass the filtering, use one of the four General Purpose Modulation sets, which are unfiltered. Destination: 8 6 S see table Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

  • Page 38: Modulation Destinations

    Modulation Destinations Display Destination No destination selected Oscillator 1 Frequency Oscillator 2 Frequency Oscillator 3 Frequency Oscillator 4 Frequency Oscillator All Frequency – goes to all four Oscillator 1 Level Oscillator 2 Level Oscillator 3 Level Oscillator 4 Level Oscillator All Level Noise Level External In Level Oscillator 1 Pulse width...
  • Page 39 LFO 1 Frequency LFO 2 Frequency LFO 3 Frequency LFO 4 Frequency LFO All Frequency LFO 1 Amount LFO 2 Amount LFO 3 Amount LFO 4 Amount LFO A Amount Envelope 1 Amount (Level) Envelope 2 Amount (Level) Envelope 3 Amount (Level) Envelope All Amount (Level) Envelope 1 Attack Rate Envelope 2 Attack Rate...

  • Page 40: Modulation Sources

    Modulation Sources Display Source No Source selected Sequence 1 Sequence 2 Sequence 3 Sequence 4 LFO 1 LFO 2 LFO 3 LFO 4 Filter Envelope Amp (VCA) Envelope Envelope 3 External Audio Input Peak External Audio Envelope Follower Midi - Pitch Bend m i pb Midi - Mod Wheel m i m i u...

  • Page 41: Midi Implementation

    Poly Chain: Poly Chain is used to link multiple Evolvers into a polyphonic system by selectively passing MIDI data through to the MIDI out jack where it can be routed to another Evolver. Note that MIDI clocks are handled separately per the MIDI Clock parameter. Settings:...
  • Page 42 Display MIDI Clock Setting MIDI clock is neither sent nor received MIDI clock is sent MIDI clock is received MIDI clock is received and transmitted Left External Input is used to clock the sequencer. When the signal goes above a fixed threshold, the sequencer steps once. Note that internal functions do not sync up when this mode is used, and the Clock Divide and BPM knob are ignored.
  • Page 43 Key Off/Xpose Enables and transposes MIDI notes. If 0FF, MIDI notes are ignored. Otherwise, it transposes midi notes from –36 to +36 semitones (+/- 3 octaves). Key Mode Selects the key mode when playing from MIDI: Display MIDI input mode Low note priority Low note priority, re-trigger envelopes High note priority...

  • Page 44: Basic Midi Messages

    MIDI Messages Received Channel Messages Status Second 1000 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 1001 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 1010 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 1011 nnnn 0vvvvvvv 1100 nnnn 0ppppppp 1101 nnnn 0vvvvvvv 1110 nnnn 0vvvvvvv Notes: 0kkkkkkk nnnn 0vvvvvvv Received Controller Messages Status Second 1011 nnnn 1011 nnnn 1011 nnnn 1011 nnnn 1011 nnnn...
  • Page 45 Oscillator 4 Level Oscillator 1 Shape Oscillator 2 Shape Oscillator 3 Shape Oscillator 4 Shape FM 4->3 FM 3->4 RM 4->3 RM 3->4 Noise Level Low Pass Filter Frequency Filter Resonance Filter Envelope Amount Filter Attack Filter Decay Filter Sustain Filter Release Filter Audio Mod Filter Split...
  • Page 46 Channel Number 0-15. 0000 0110 Inquiry Message 0000 0010 Inquiry Reply 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID (Family LS) 0000 0000 Family MS 0000 0000 Family Member LS 0000 0000 Family Member MS 0vvv vvvv PIC Software version...

  • Page 47: System Exclusive Messages

    Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0000 0001 Program Parameter 0vvv vvvv Parameter Number 0 – 127. Parameters are in the order of the front panel, with the 64 shift parameters following the non-shift parameters. The Parameter data starts on page 54.
  • Page 48 Waveshape Data 0vvv vvvv Waveshape number, 0 – 127, corresponds to Waveshapes 1 – 128. Only Waveshapes 96 – 127 can be sent to Evolver and saved as user programmable; others will be ignored. 0vvv vvvv 293 bytes in “packed MS bit” format (see next page). The 293 bytes = 256 data bytes, in the format of LS byte/MS byte, for the 128 16-bit words that make up a waveshape.
  • Page 49 Bank Number, 0 - 3 0vvv vvvv Program Number, 0 - 127 0vvv vvvv 16 name data bytes. Note that Evolver stores the basic 7 bit data. The assumption is that the data is ACSCII 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

  • Page 50: Packed Data Format

    Shift Button On Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0001 0011 Shift Button On 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) Shift Button Off Status Description 1111 0000...
  • Page 51 File Version 0000 0110 Request Edit Buffer Transmit 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) Evolver will respond by sending out the current edit buffer in the format described in the Edit Buffer Dump on page 48 Request Waveshape Dump Status Description...
  • Page 52 0000 1110 Request Main Parameter Transmit 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) Evolver will respond by sending out the current edit buffer in the format described in the Main Parameter Dump on page 48 Request Program Name Dump Status Description...

  • Page 53: Main Parameter Data

    Main Parameter Data Parameter Range 0 - 127 0 - 3 0 - 100 0 - 72 30 - 250 0 - 12 0 - 1 0 - 6 0 - 1 0 - 2 0 - 8 0 - 100 0 - 3 Description Program Number 1 - 128...

  • Page 54: Program Parameter Data

    0 - 3 0 - 16 Note: Parameter 15 not available, since MIDI dump requests are already defined, see Program Dump Request on page 51. Program Parameter Data Parameter Range 0 - 120 0 - 100 0 - 102 0 - 100 0 - 120 0 - 100 0 - 102...
  • Page 55 0 - 127 0 - 100 Parameter Range 0 - 164 0 - 198 0 - 110 0 - 110 0 - 100 0 - 110 0 - 100 0 - 100 Parameter Range 0 - 100 0 - 100 0 - 110 0 - 110 0 - 100...
  • Page 56 Parameter Range 0 - 160 0 - 4 0 - 200 0 - 68 0 - 160 0 - 4 0 - 200 0 - 68 Parameter Range 0 - 198 0 - 68 0 - 110 0 - 110 0 - 100 0 - 110 0 - 13...
  • Page 57 0 - 73 Parameter Range 0 - 75 0 - 75 0 - 75 0 - 75 0 - 100 0 - 100 0 - 2 0 - 14 Parameter Range 0 - 200 0 - 1 30 - 250 0 - 12 0 - 200 0 - 5...
  • Page 58 Parameter Range 0 - 1 0 - 100 0 - 100 0 - 100 0 – 199 0 - 24 0 - 198 0 - 68 Parameter Range 0 - 1 0 - 100 0 - 24 0 - 198 0 - 68 0 - 24 0 - 198...
  • Page 59 Parameter Range 0 - 100 0 - 100 0 - 198 0 - 68 0 - 198 0 - 68 0 - 198 0 - 68 Parameter Range 0 - 198 0 - 68 0 - 198 0 - 68 0 - 198 0 - 68 0 - 198...
  • Page 60 Modulation Destinations No destination selected Oscillator 1 Frequency Oscillator 2 Frequency Oscillator 3 Frequency Oscillator 4 Frequency Oscillator All Frequency – goes to all four Oscillator 1 Level Oscillator 2 Level Oscillator 3 Level Oscillator 4 Level Oscillator All Level Noise Level External In Level Oscillator 1 Pulse width...
  • Page 61 LFO 3 Amount LFO 4 Amount LFO A Amount Envelope 1 Amount Envelope 2 Amount Envelope 3 Amount Envelope A Amount Envelope 1 Attack Envelope 2 Attack Envelope 3 Attack Envelope A Attack Envelope 1 Decay Envelope 2 Decay Envelope 3 Decay Envelope A Decay Envelope 1 Release Envelope 2 Release...
  • Page 62 Modulation Sources No Source selected Sequence 1 Sequence 2 Sequence 3 Sequence 4 LFO 1 LFO 2 LFO 3 LFO 4 Filter Envelope Amp (VCA) Envelope Envelope 3 External Audio Input Peak External Audio Envelope Follower Midi - Pitch Bend Midi - Mod Wheel Midi - Pressure Midi - Breath Controller...
  • Page 64 Dave Smith Instruments 1590 Sylvaner Avenue St. Helena, CA 94574 USA www.DaveSmithInstruments.com...

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