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

Dave Smith Instruments Poly Evolver Operation Manual

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Poly Evolver
Operation Manual

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  • Page 1 Poly Evolver Operation Manual...
  • Page 3 Poly Evolver Operation Manual Version 2.2 February, 2010 Dave Smith Instruments 1210 Cabrillo Hwy N Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1449, USA © 2006-2010 Dave Smith Instruments www.DaveSmithInstruments.com...
  • Page 4 Tested To Comply With FCC Standards FOR OFFICE USE 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...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents Quick Start Preset Notes 8 FAQs Chaining Evolvers and Polys 10 Inside Evolver Signal Flow Diagram Basic Operations Global Parameters Program Parameters Analog Oscillators (1 and 2) Digital Oscillators (3 and 4) Lowpass Filter Amplifier (VCA) Feedback Delay Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO) Envelope 3 Miscellaneous Audio Parameters Miscellaneous Parameters...

  • Page 6: Quick Start

    Welcome… Thanks for purchasing your Poly Evolver! Listen to the sounds, twiddle some knobs, have some fun! Register If you purchased your Poly directly from us, there is no need to register – we already have your contact information. If you purchased it from a music dealer, please go to www.davesmithinstruments.com and register.
  • Page 7 P buttons step between the four parts for quick editing. Your Poly Evolver also has some very cool features for use as a stereo signal processor. In Combo mode you can have one or more voices using the External...
  • Page 8 Program Notes There are 512 Programs and 384 Combos in your Poly Evolver. The factory sound set is on the website if you ever need to refresh it. There are additional banks of Programs on our website at: http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/polyevolver/sounds.html, Remember to save your sounds via program dumps occasionally! The Programs are not set up in any particular order, so you might just want to listen through them to see what you like.

  • Page 9: Faqs

    FAQs The Poly 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 or Combo? Hit the W button.

  • Page 10: Chaining Evolvers And Polys

    Using an Evolver with a Poly Evolver The Poly Evolver has 4 voices that are identical to the single voice in an Evolver. The Poly is also in a 1U rack, which means that it can be slow to program at times.

  • Page 11: Inside Evolver

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

  • Page 13: Basic Operations

    Basic Operation Program Mode: When the Poly is first turned on, it will be in Program Mode with the LED lit and the following screen active. ROGRAM Program: xxx B:x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The top line shows the Program (1…128) and Bank (1…4) number of the currently selected Program, and the bottom line shows the 16 character name of the Program.
  • Page 14 Program or Combo Save: Hit the W button and the following screen will appear: RITE Write? P:xxx B:x Hit: Yes or No Simply hit the Y button to save the current Program or Combo, or N if you changed your mind. To store in a different location, use the upper parameter knob to select a the new Program or Combo destination, and the lower knob for a different bank.

  • Page 15: Global Parameters

    Global Parameters To edit the Global parameters, just hit the G button at any time, and Global LOBAL page 1 is displayed. The upper knob changes the parameter on the upper LCD line, and the lower knob changes the lower parameter. The P and P buttons select the other pages.
  • Page 16 Evolvers into a system with more voices by intelligently processing the keys hit and passing MIDI data through to the MIDI Out jack where it can be routed to another Evolver or Poly Evolver. Note that MIDI clocks are handled separately per the MIDI Clock parameter.
  • Page 17 Page 5: Input Gain:xxxxx LCD Contrast: xx Top Line: Input Gain: 0db… 24d Provides extra gain on the Left and Right External Inputs. You can select no gain (0 dB), or a gain in steps of 3 dB  u p to 24 db. Bottom Line: LCD Contrast: 1…100 This sets the contrast level for the LCD.

  • Page 18: Program Parameters

    Program Parameters The Poly has 128 parameters in a Program, plus another 64 Sequence parameters, followed by the 16 character Program Name. These parameters are the same as in Evolver. Following is a description of every parameter. The upper knob selects the Parameter, and the lower knob changes the value. The and P buttons step through parameter groups.

  • Page 19: Digital Oscillators (3 And 4)

    that only glides when more than one note is held down is selected by setting glide over 100, where it ranges from F02 to F00 (equivalent to glides of 2 to 100). Thought not quite Glide related, if you set glide all the way to maximum, it goes to OFF, which has the effect of disconnecting oscillator 1 from MIDI.

  • Page 20: Lowpass Filter

    Note that though they are normally controlled together, since they are analog there will always be some subtle differences between the two filters, which gives the Poly Evolver a more natural sound. 0…164 Selects base filter cutoff frequency over more than 13 Frequency: octaves.

  • Page 21: Amplifier (Vca)

    0…110 Attack time of the filter ADSR envelope generator Env Attack: 0…110 Decay time Env Decay: 0…100 Sustain Level Env Sustain: 0…110 Release time Env Release: 0…100 Amount of keyboard (MIDI note) to the filter Keyboard Amt: cutoff. A setting of 72 will step the filter one semitone for each MIDI note, 36 would be half-semitones, etc.

  • Page 22: Feedback

    Mono – Both channels mixed to the center – also useful xMonox when only using one output Reverse Stereo 1 – Right channel panned somewhat left, xxRLxx Left somewhat to the right Reverse Stereo 2 – Right channel panned mostly left, Left xRxxLx mostly to the right Reverse Stereo 3 –...
  • Page 23 Note – if all three Delay taps are in use, the Levels of each should be set to lower amounts to prevent overload distortion. 0…150, sync Sets the delay time of the first delay tap. 0 - 150 will Time 1: adjust the delay from zero to 1 second at 16 bits 48KHz sampling, no compression.

  • Page 24: Low Frequency Oscillators (Lfo)

    0…150, sync Sets the delay time of the second delay tap, same Time 2: ranges as Time 1. 0…100 Sets the delay amount of the second delay tap. Level 2: 0…150, sync Sets the delay time of the third delay tap, same ranges Time 3: as Time 1.

  • Page 25: Envelope 3

    see table Selects the LFO waveshape: Shape: Display LFO Shape Triangle Triangle Reverse Sawtooth Rev Saw Sawtooth Sawtooth Square Wave Square Random – changes once per cycle for Random sample-and-hold effects 0…100; Ksync 1…100 Sets the amount of LFO. An new feature Amount: on the Poly is the ability to re-start the LFO when a new note is played (Key Sync).
  • Page 26 Page 14: Misc Audio Out 0…99, In 0…99 Sets the cutoff frequency of the four-pole Highpass: highpass filter. If set from Out 0 to Out 99, the filter is placed after the analog lowpass filter and VCA, before the Delay. Conversely, if set from In 00 to In 99, the highpass filter is inserted before the analog lowpass filter, and only affects external input.

  • Page 27: Miscellaneous Parameters

    Page 15: Miscellaneous There are different ways to control the Poly 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 28 Plays one step of the sequencer on each External Input audio EiSqStep trigger. AUTO. Plays one step of the sequencer on each MIDI note received. MdSqStep AUTO. Off, -36…+36 Enables and transposes MIDI notes. If Off, Key Off/Tran: MIDI notes are ignored. Otherwise, it transposes midi notes from –36 to +36 semitones (+/- 3 octaves).

  • Page 29: Miscellaneous Timing Parameters

    see table Used as a clock divider to provide a wider range of Clock Div: sequencer speeds. Works the same as the Clock Divide in main, but is only active when “Use Preset Tempo” is on. When On, changing this parameter also changes the main Clock Divide, and vise-versa.

  • Page 30: Midi Modulation Parameters

    see table Mod 1 Destination - see the Modulation Destination table Dest 1: on page 34 for a list of possible destinations. Same as Mod 1 Mods 2 – 4: Page 17: MIDI Modulation -99…+99 Amount of MIDI Velocity modulation. The Velocity Amt: Velocity of the most recent MIDI note is used.

  • Page 31: Sequence Parameters

    Sequence 1). Sequencer Operation Every Poly Evolver Program 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 32 controlled via MIDI. In Combo mode, each Part can have the sequencer individually enabled or disabled. As mentioned in the Trigger section above, some Trigger modes will automatically start the sequencer for gated sequence operation. In this case, all voices in Program mode will use the sequencer, not just voice 1.

  • Page 33: Program Name

    The Sequence parameters are in the pages after the synth parameters in Program Edit – the pages jump between sequences 1 – 4 for fast editing. Note - when routing a sequencer to an oscillator, a sequence value of 24 corresponds to one octave, i.e.

  • Page 34: Modulation Destination Table

    Modulation Destinations Display Destination No destination selected Oscillator 1 Frequency O1Frq Oscillator 2 Frequency O2Frq Oscillator 3 Frequency O3Frq Oscillator 4 Frequency O4Frq Oscillator All Frequency – goes to all four OAFrq Oscillator 1 Level O1Lev Oscillator 2 Level O2Lev Oscillator 3 Level O3Lev Oscillator 4 Level...
  • Page 35 LFO 1 Frequency L1Frq LFO 2 Frequency L2Frq LFO 3 Frequency L3Frq LFO 4 Frequency L4Frq LFO All Frequency LAFrq LFO 1 Amount L1Amt LFO 2 Amount L2Amt LFO 3 Amount L3Amt LFO 4 Amount L4Amt LFO A Amount LAAmt Envelope 1 Amount (Level) E1Amt Envelope 2 Amount (Level)

  • Page 36: Modulation Source Table

    Modulation Sources Display Source No Source selected Sequence 1 Seq 1 Sequence 2 Seq 2 Sequence 3 Seq 3 Sequence 4 Seq 4 LFO 1 LFO 1 LFO 2 LFO 2 LFO 3 LFO 3 LFO 4 LFO 4 Filter Envelope F Env Amp (VCA) Envelope A Env...

  • Page 37: Combo Parameters

    Combo Parameters Combos are used to make different combinations of Programs, and use them in different ways. You can use up to four different Parts, each with its own set of 16 parameters. The upper knob selects the parameter, and the lower knob changes the value. The and P buttons step through the four parts, and to the Edit name page after the four parts.
  • Page 38 1…16, All Selects the MIDI channel to use for this Part. If All is MIDI Ch: selected, it responds to any MIDI channel. If MIDI Mode is set to Off, this parameter is ignored. Off, On Enables or disables the Program’s sequencer for this Sequencer: Part.
  • Page 39 The envelopes will be triggered by MIDI notes only. MIDI The envelopes will be triggered by MIDI, and the sequencer will MIDI rst be reset on every note (if it is running). The sequencer will not trigger the envelopes. Gated mode – the envelopes will only be triggered when a MIDI MID Gate note is held and the sequencer is running;...
  • Page 40 Or, you may want to stack two voices, by setting two Parts to Poly 2, and setting both keyboard ranges to the same range (C-2 to C8). You can even stack four Unison Parts, each with a different Program, for a super-thick mono synth. C -2…C 8 This parameter sets the high keyboard limit for this High Key:...

  • Page 41: Midi Implementation

    Poly Evolvers into a polyphonic system by selectively passing MIDI data through to the MIDI out jack where it can be routed to another Poly Evolver. Note that MIDI clocks are handled separately per the MIDI Clock parameter (you will likely want to use the MIDI In and OUT clock setting).
  • Page 42 Display Envelope Trigger Selections The envelopes will be triggered by either the sequencer or MIDI Sq or MD notes. When triggered by the sequencer, the gates are on for half the step time. Simply adjust the envelope parameters (ADSR) for the desired effect.
  • Page 43 see table Selects the key mode when playing from a MIDI Key Mode: keyboard. These are only active in Combo mode when a Part is Mono. Display MIDI input mode Low note priority Low note priority, re-trigger envelopes LoRT High note priority High High note priority, re-trigger envelopes HiRT...
  • Page 44 0…127 This parameter, along with the Lo Velocity Hi Velocity: parameter following, sets the velocity range this Part responds to. see table Selects the source of triggers/gates for the envelope Trigger: generators for this Part. Note that the Sequencer and/or MIDI must be enabled to match the Trigger selected.

  • Page 45: Basic Midi Messages

    MIDI Messages Received Channel Messages Status Second Third Description 1000 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 0vvvvvvv Note Off. Velocity is ignored 1001 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 0vvvvvvv Note On. Note off if vvvvvvv = 0 1010 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 0vvvvvvv Polyphonic Key Pressure 1011 nnnn 0vvvvvvv 0vvvvvvv Control Change;...
  • Page 46 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 47 Channel Number 0-15. 0000 0110 Inquiry Message 0000 0010 Inquiry Reply 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0001 Poly Evolver ID (Family LS) 0000 0000 Family MS 0000 0000 Family Member LS 0000 0000 Family Member MS 0jjj nnnn Main PIC Software version: jjj – Major rev; nnnn – Minor Rev 0jjj nnnn Voice PIC Software version: jjj –...

  • Page 48: System Exclusive Messages

    System Exclusive Messages Note that all the System Exclusive messages use the Evolver ID, rather than the Poly Evolver ID. This maintains compatibility with Evolver, since the Programs are the same. Program Parameters If this message is received while in Combo mode, only the Parts with MIDI enabled will respond to the change.
  • Page 49 Combo Parameters This message is ignored if the synth is in Program mode Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0010 1010 Combo Parameter 00vv vvvv Combo Parameter number 0 – 79. See table on page 59. 0000 vvvv Parameter value, LS Nibble 0000 vvvv...
  • Page 50 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) The Poly Evolver will respond by sending out the Program Data in the format described in the Program Data Dump on page 52. It also sends a Program Name Dump message (also on page 52) after the Program dump. This makes it a complete Program dump while maintaining compatibility with Evolvers.
  • Page 51 Request Combo Dump Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0010 0001 Request Combo Transmit 0000 00vv Bank Number, 0 - 2 0vvv vvvv Program Number, 0 - 127 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) Evolver will respond by sending out the Combo Data in the format described in the Combo...
  • Page 52 Bank Number, 0 - 3 0vvv vvvv Program Number, 0 - 127 0vvv vvvv 16 name data bytes. Note that the Poly Evolver stores the basic 7 bit data. The assumption is that the data is ACSCII 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)
  • Page 53 Program Edit Buffer Data Dump Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0000 0011 Edit Buffer Data 0vvv vvvv 220 bytes in “packed MS bit” format (see page 54). Includes 128 bytes of Program parameters and 64 bytes of Sequence data.
  • Page 54 Waveshape Data Dump Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0000 1010 Waveshape Data 0vvv vvvv Waveshape number, 0 – 127, corresponds to Waveshapes 1 – 128. Only Waveshapes 96 –...
  • Page 55 Start/Stop Button Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0001 0010 Start/Stop button 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) Reset Button Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000...
  • Page 56 Select Program Mode Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0011 0000 Select Program Mode 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) Select Combo Mode Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID...

  • Page 57: Global Parameter Data

    Global Parameter Data Parameter Range Description 0 - 127 Program Number 1 - 128 0 - 3 Bank Number 1 - 4 0 - 100 Master Volume 0 - 100 0 - 72 Master Transpose; 0 = -36 semitones (- 3 octaves), 36 = 0 (no transpose), and 72 = +36 semitones.
  • Page 58 Not used (zero sent in Main Dump) Not used (zero sent in Main Dump) 0 - 16 MIDI Channel; if = 0, data received on all MIDI channels. Otherwise = channel number 1 – 16. Not used (zero sent in Main Dump) 0 –...

  • Page 59: Combo Parameter Data

    Combo Parameter Data There are 4 identical parts in a Combo; they are listed below. The name of the combo follows the other parameters. Range Description 0 - 4 Mode – number of polyphonic voices Poly 4 Poly 3 Poly 2 Unison 0 - 127 Program...
  • Page 60 the sequencer Midi note plays sequence once Midi note plays sequence once, resetting on mulitple notes External Trigger – the sequence plays once on an external signal MIDI trigger – the sequence plays once when a MIDI note is received 0 - 72 Transpose;...

  • Page 61: Program Parameter Data

    Program Parameter Data Parameter Range Description 0 - 120 Oscillator 1 Frequency, 0 – 120 in semitones (10 octave range) 0 - 100 Oscillator 1 Fine Tune; 0 = -50 cents, 50 = 0 (centered), 100 = + 50 cents 0 - 102 Oscillator 1 Shape Sawtooth...
  • Page 62 Parameter Range Description 0 - 100 VCA Level 0 - 100 VCA Envelope Amount 0 - 110 VCA Envelope Attack 0 - 110 VCA Envelope Decay 0 - 100 VCA Envelope Sustain 0 - 110 VCA Envelope Release 0 - 6 Output Pan Left channel panned fully left, Right fully to the right Left channel panned mostly left, Right mostly to the right...
  • Page 63 0 - 200 LFO 1 Amount (over 100 repeats with Key sync on) 0 - 68 LFO 1 Destination (see destination table on page 67) 0 - 160 LFO 2 Frequency (same as LFO 1) 0 - 4 LFO 2 Shape (same as LFO 1) 0 - 200 LFO 2 Amount (over 100 repeats with Key sync on) 0 - 68...
  • Page 64 Left Input channel goes to both channels Right Input channel goes to both channels Left channel audio, Right channel control 0 - 14 Input Hack Amount Parameter Range Description 0 - 200 Glide, Oscillator 1; 101 – 199 = Fingered; 200 = osc midi off 0 - 1 Sync;...
  • Page 65 Parameter Range Description 0 - 1 Linear/Exponential envelopes 0 = Exponential, 1 = Linear 0 - 100 VCA Envelope Velocity 0 - 24 Modulation 2 Source (see Source Table on page 69) 0 - 198 Modulation 2 Amount; -99 to +99 0 - 68 Modulation 2 Destination (see destination table on page 67) 0 - 24...
  • Page 66 Parameter Range Description 0 - 198 Mod Wheel Amount; -99 to +99 0 - 68 Mod Wheel Destination (see destination table on page 67) 0 - 198 Pressure Amount; -99 to +99 0 - 68 Pressure Destination (see destination table on page 67) 0 - 198 Breath Controller Amount;...
  • Page 67 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 68 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 69 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 72 Dave Smith Instruments 1210 Cabrillo Hwy N Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1449, USA www.DaveSmithInstruments.com...

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