Dave Smith Instruments EVOLVER User Manual

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Evolver Operation Manual

Dave Smith Instruments

1210 Cabrillo Hwy N

Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1449

www.DaveSmithInstruments.com

Version 3.2a

July, 2010

USA

Tested To Compl 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 may cause undesired operation.

This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian InterferenceCausing Equipment Regulations.

Cet appareil numerique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Reglement sur le materiel brouilleur du Canada.

For Technical Support, E-mail to:support@davesmithinstruments.com

Quick Start 6

Basic Operation FAQs 11

Inside Evolver 12

Signal Flow Diagram 13

Main Parameters 14 Main Row 1 14 Main Row 2 16

Sequencer Operation 18

Program Parameters 21 Oscillator 1 21 Oscillator 2 22 Oscillator 3 24 Oscillator 4 25 Lowpass Filter 26 Highpass Filter 27 Amplifier (VCA) 27 Feedback 28 Delay 28

Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO) 30 Envelope 3 31 Miscellaneous Audio Parameters 32 Trigger and Interface Parameters 33 Miscellaneous Timing Parameters 34 Miscellaneous Modulation Parameters 35

Modulation Destination Table 38

Modulation Source Table 40

MIDI Implementation 41

MIDI Parameters 41 Basic MIDI Messages 44 System exclusive Messages 47 Main Parameter Data 53 Program Parameter Data 54

Welcome…

Thanks for purchasing Evolver! Listen to the sounds, twiddle some knobs, have some fun!

Register

If you purchased Evolver directly from us, there is no need to register – we already have your contact information. If you purchased Evolver from a music dealer, please go to www.davesmithinstruments.com and register.

Version 3.0 Notes

Your Evolver has the latest 3.0 features installed. Older Evolvers can be updated – check on our website for more information.

These features were added in such a way to have no effect on programs made on earlier Evolvers for backwards compatibility. This means that in some cases parameters may not be in a logical order, or additional functions were added by increasing values at the end of their range.

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.

First, plug in the power supply. If you need to use one of the alternate AC prongs, first remove the installed prongs by pushing the button and sliding off the prongs. Then slide on the desired prongs, and you’re ready to go.

Next, plug Evolver’s signal outputs to your mixer/sound system.

Hit the S Programs by turning the Program knob (top Main LED must be on), and keep the sequencer running if you want. When shipped, Bank 1 has sequencer-oriented Programs in locations 1 through 69. A complete description of Evolver’s 512 Programs can be found in the Program Notes section following.

You can play around with the sounds of the current Program by simply selecting a parameter in the programming matrix. Example – hit the button to select the third row, and grab knob 1 to adjust the Filter Cutoff Frequency. Note that you can access eight knobs in the selected row for fast tweaking. To get to the second (lower) set of parameters in any row, simply hold the SHIFT button down while turning the knob.

To edit the sequence steps, hit the now changes to sequencer mode to adjust the 16 x 4 sequencer. Row 1 controls steps 1 – 8 and row 2 steps 9 – 16 for Sequence 1. Likewise rows 3 and 4 control sequence 2, etc. The S

TART button in the lower left corner to play a sequence. Listen to other

SEQUENCER button. The programming matrix

HIFT button has no effect in sequence mode.

Note - though the sequences are named 1-4, there is really only one sequence that has four different controls, each of which can be routed to a different destination via the four Sequence Destination parameters (bottom left corner). In other words, one sequencer with four individual outputs that act in parallel. Each of the four can be a different length. Sequence 1 (rows 1 and 2) controls whether a step acts as a rest (by not triggering the envelopes). 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. To accommodate these different uses, there are a couple Program parameters to select triggering modes and oscillator frequency ranges.

The Trigger Select parameter selects the source for triggering the envelopes. It is usually set to Key Off/Transpose parameter provides an easy way to turn off the MIDI notes for use with the sequencer only. So, to use a MIDI source, you must make sure this parameter is not off! The same parameter provides MIDI transposing plus/minus three octaves. See page 33 for more information on these two parameters. Programs 70 through 127 in Bank 1 are sequences that are set up to play with MIDI notes. All Programs in Bank 2 are meant to play from a keyboard, with Pitch and Mod wheel and Pressure all enabled, and no sequences.

Note - the right decimal point in the display flashes whenever anything comes in MIDI input jack. Note that it flashes even when MIDI input is disabled.

ALL to allow triggers from either the sequencer or from MIDI. The

Using Evolver as a Signal Processor

Simply plug your sound source into the External Inputs. If you are using a mono signal, you will need to select single channel operation with the External Input Mode parameter (Row 8, knob 7). You may also need to adjust the input gain – select the second Main row by hitting the M of gain using the Input Gain knob. Note that the row and column LEDs act as a very simply VU meter when adjusting the gain; this helps set the optimum levels. Ideally you want the clip LED to come on occasionally.

Usually for signal processor use, you will have the VCA Level turned up; otherwise the signal will not get through. Other options are to use the signal to trigger the envelopes (using Trigger Select), or using the Envelope follower routed to VCA Level.

AIN button once, and select 0 to 24 db

Summary

You should be up and running now; for more operation information, read on. Or, just look up specific parameters for detailed notes, or to decipher some of the more convoluted displays. Pages 38 through 40 contain a handy reference for mod destinations and sources. At some point you should read through the manual to discover all the little features that you might not notice at first.

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”. You’ll find plenty of good reading material.

Have fun!

Dave Smith

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 – 69 are sequence programs; all you need to do is hit the S

Feel free to play around with parameters while the sequences play to get a feel of the instrument. This group of programs is set to ignore MIDI notes coming in, i.e. they are set at the optimum pitch and will not transpose. You can always change the Key/OFF/Xpose parameter to enable MIDI notes if you wish (details in manual).

Programs 70 – 127 are sequences that do respond to MIDI notes. These will sound different depending on what notes you hit on your keyboard. Many of these sequences will be too low in pitch if you listen without a keyboard to transpose them up. Experiment with different playing styles.

Program 128 is a test program – you’ll likely want to trash it.

Bank 2

Programs 1 – 127 are 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 basic keyboard program, with most parameters off. Velocity is routed to VCA Envelope Amount, pressure goes to the filter, mod wheel goes to LFO 1 Amount, with LFO 1 controlling Oscillator Frequency. This can be handy as a starting point, without having to worry about obscure parameters being set. On the other hand, at first you may find it easier to make new programs by editing existing Programs.

Bank 3

Programs 1 – 19 are droning sounds; they always play while selected. A couple have

simple sequences that alter the playback to varying degrees.

Programs 20 – 29 are signal processing programs meant to be used with a guitar plugged into the Left Input jack. Or, any mono audio source can be used, but with liberal use of distortion, they lean heavily towards guitar use.

Programs 30-39 are signal processing programs meant to be used with stereo audio inputs plugged into the Left and Right Input jacks. Try playing a CD through Evolver with these programs.

Programs 40 - 79 are an assortment of sequence sounds. Some will respond to a MIDI keyboard, some will not.

TART button.

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 – 79 are a newer set of sequence programs; all you need to do is hit the

TART button.

Programs 80 – 128 are sounds meant to played from a keyboard; some have sequences programmed, and some do not. Most respond in different ways to keyboard pressure and mod wheel.

Special thanks to Program contributors, including:

Tim Ande Ricardo Coen Don Gothard Gary LaRocco Mario Lavin Paul Nagle Kevin Paisley Robert Shanks Ravi Sharma Saul Stokes John Swana Stefan Trippler Mark Vann Craig Wiper

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:

1) How do I save a Program? Hold the M

blinking. Hit the button a second time, and the Program will be stored. While blinking, you can change the Program and/or Bank to store in a different location.

2) When I play a MIDI keyboard, it triggers the envelopes but the oscillator pitch doesn’t change. Check Key Off/Xpose (Row 7, knob 8). If it is OFF, MIDI

notes will not affect the oscillator pitch. This knob also transposes the MIDI range by +/- 3 octaves.

3) MIDI affects the note pitch, but will not trigger the envelopes. Check Trigger Select (Row 7, Knob 7). It must be set to ALL or miid for basic MIDI triggering. It can also be set miDR, miS, or miSR when using MIDI and the sequencer together –

see page . 33

4) After playing on a MIDI keyboard, I change Programs and the sounds are transposed too high. The quick fix is to hit the R sequencer is stopped; it acts as a MIDI all-notes-off, and resets all MIDI controllers. In general, you usually want to set up Programs as sequencer-driven, MIDI-driven, or both. When you try to play a sequence-based Program with MIDI, or sequence a MIDI-based sound, you will likely have to change a couple parameters (see 1 and 2 above).

5) I hit the Sequence Start button; the LEDs advance, but the envelopes don’t trigger. This is the opposite problem of 2 above; check Trigger Select (Row 7,

Knob 7) - it should be set to ALL or SEQ for the sequencer to trigger the envelopes.

6) When I change Programs, the Sequencer speed always stays the same. Check Use Prgm Tempo – if it is OFF, then the speed is not updated when Programs change. Set it to On.

7) How do I copy Sequences from one Program to another? First, turn Lock Seq off, and select the Program with the sequence that you want to copy. Second, turn Lock Seq On – now when you change Programs the sequence will not change, so select the destination Program. Third, do a normal save, and the Sequence will be saved in the new location.

8) I can’t get the filter to oscillate. Check the 2 pole/4 pole switch (Row 3, Knob 1, Shift) – the filter only oscillates when 4 poles are used.

9) I seem to be getting some distortion in my output. Assuming that the

Distortion is off, you are likely just overloading the signal somewhere. There are many signal sources in Evolver, and many sources of gain. If too many are used at levels that are too high, you will likely get some distortion. For example, if you are using all four oscillators, you should have the levels lower, in the 40 – 60 range. Likewise, if using all three delay taps, lower the levels of each.

10) Reset Main Parameters - There is a quick reset of the Main parameters; just hit

row 1 and 4 buttons at the same time, and the Main parameters will be reinitialized.

AIN button down; its LED will start

ESET button when the

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). Control voltages are generated by the processors to control the analog components.

The Digital Side

Surrounding the Analog electronics is a high-speed Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that both pre- and post-processes the audio signal. Since the DSP also computes the control voltages for the analog circuitry, it can handle a wide range of modulation with high precision.

The DSP provides audio functions such as the Digital Oscillators, Envelope Follower, the Peak/Hold detector (and associated external trigger generator), Highpass filter, Distortion (with noise gate), Pan, Delay, and Hack. It also handles the tuned feedback, as well as the additional Delay feedback paths, and all the modulation calculations (envelopes, LFOs, routing, etc).

Analog-to-Digital (A/D) and Digital-to-Analog (D/A) converters are used to connect the analog and digital. As can be seen, there are two sets of stereo converters; they run at 48 kHz sampling rate with 24 bits of precision for minimum impact on the analog sound.

This architecture allows a great deal of flexibility in defining the feature set of the synth. The analog circuitry is fixed, but all other features are software defined in Evolver’s two processors.

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

AIN button, its LED will start blinking, which indicates

AIN button a second time will store the

program. You can change the Bank and Program number while it is blinking to move programs between locations and banks. Hitting any other button or turning a knob (other than Program/Bank) will stop the blinking and abort the save.

Main Row 1

1 Program: 1…128 Select Program in the currently selected bank. If you hold

the S

HIFT button while changing the Program, the sound will not change until you

release the S the sequencer is running, when the S complete (according to the length of Sequence 1) before synchronously changing to the new program and it’s sequence.

2 Bank Select: 1…4 Select Bank. Each bank has 128 Programs, for a total of 512 Programs. If you hold the S not change until you release the S changing the Bank and the sequencer is running, when the S the sequence will complete (according to the length of Sequence 1) before synchronously changing to the new program and it’s sequence.

3 Volume: 0…100 Master Volume control

4 Transpose: -36…+36 Master Transpose control, 0 is centered. Steps in

semitones.

5 BPM: 30…250 Basic speed for the sequencer in BPM. Actual speed also depends on the Clock Divide setting (see below). If using MIDI clock, it will display the BPM of the incoming MIDI clocks.

6 Clock Div: see table Used as a clock divider to provide a wider range of sequencer speeds. When set to 4n (quarter notes), the BPM setting is exact, i.e. 120 BPM = 120 BPM. If set to 2n (half note), the actual speed is half, so a setting of 120

BPM will actually play at 60 BPM.

Swing settings add a delay to every the odd steps (1, 3, 5, etc.), while shortening the even steps by the same amount, for a swing feel to the timing. Half swing is the same with less delay.

HIFT button. If you hold the SHIFT button while changing the Program and

HIFT button is released the sequence will

HIFT button while changing the Bank, the sound will

HIFT button. If you hold the SHIFT button while

AIN button repeatedly

HIFT button is released

Here are all the possible settings, with the effect on the overall tempo:

Display Tempo Timing Division

16n

16H

16s

16t

32n

64n

BPM/2 Half note

BPM Quarter note

BPM x 2 Eighth note

BPM x 2 Eighth note, half swing timing

BPM x 2 Eighth note, full swing timing

BPM x 3 Eighth note triplets

BPM x 4 Sixteenth note

BPM x 4 Sixteenth note, half swing timing

BPM x 4 Sixteenth note, full swing timing

BPM x 6 Sixteenth note triplets

BPM x 8 Thirty-second note

BPM x 12 Thirty-second note triplets

BPM x 24 Sixty-fourth note triplets

7 Use Prgm Tempo: Off, On Use Program Tempo – when set to OFF, changing a Program will not change the tempo- this is useful for keeping a constant tempo but using different sounds. If set to On, a Program change will change the tempo to the BPM and Clock Divide values saved with the Program. When on, changing the main BPM will also change the Program BPM, and vice-versa. When off, changing one has no effect on the other.

8 MIDI Clock: see table Selects the MIDI clock status, and enables External sequencer triggers, as follows:

Display MIDI Clock Setting

OFF

OUT

I-O

in-

MIDI clock is neither sent nor received

MIDI clock is sent

MIDI clock is received

MIDI clock is received and transmitted

MIDI clock is received, but MIDI start/stop/continue messages are ignored.

Main Row 2

1 Lock Seq: Off, On When set to OFF, sequencer operation is normal, and

each Program plays its own sequence. If set to On, the sequence does not change when changing a Program. This provides an easy way to hear the same sequence with different sounds. Note that Lock Sequence can be used to copy a sequence from one Program to another.

2 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:

Display Poly Chain Status

OFF

ALL

not

3 Input Gain: 0db… 24d Provides extra gain on the Left and Right External Inputs. You can select no gain (0db), or a gain in steps of 3db up to 24d (24db). Note

that when the Input Gain knob is active, the row and column LEDs become a simple VU meter, with the rows showing the left channel, and the columns showing the right. The Clip LED is always active.

The Clip LED has a dual purpose – it lights when either the left or right External Inputs clip, and it also lights when there is a clip on the internal A/D, which follows the analog circuitry (see signal flow diagram on page 13). This helps set internal levels and prevent clipping and distortion (unless of course you want it to clip/distort!).

4 Fine Tune: -50…+50 Master Fine Tune control; 0 centered. Steps in cents (50 cents = ½ semitone).

5 MIDI Rec: see table MIDI Receive – determines what MIDI data to receive. Used to disable MIDI completely, or to filter out program changes or parameter changes.

Display MIDI Receive Operation

OFF

ALL

pro

par

MIDI operation is normal.

All MIDI information is passed through to the MIDI out jack

Only MIDI note data is passed through to the MIDI out jack.

No MIDI data received

All MIDI data received

Only MIDI program changes received (along with note/controller data)

Only MIDI parameters received (along with note/controller data)

6 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.

Display MIDI Transmit Operation

OFF

ALL

pro

par

No MIDI data sent

All MIDI data sent

Only MIDI program changes sent

Only MIDI parameters sent

7 MIDI Channel: ALL, 1…16 Select which MIDI channel to send and receive data, 1 to 16. ALL receives on any channel.

8 MIDI Dump: see table Allows transmission of Programs over MIDI as follows:

Display MIDI Transmit Operation

ONE

BAN

ALL

Send current program

Send all 128 programs in current bank

Send all programs in all three banks

When this knob is active, the sequencer S

TART/STOP button is hit, the transmission will start. Handy for saving Programs on a

TART/STOP LED will start blinking. When the

computer or sending to another Evolver. Evolver’s Program dumps include Program and Bank numbers, so when received it will be stored in same location.

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.

When you hit the S light in sequence to show which step is playing; remember that each sequence is two rows, so the LEDs repeat.

Each of the four sequences is basically a modulation source; it can be routed to any of the normal modulation destinations (see table on page 38) using the Seq Dest knobs (last row). Usually at least one of the sequences is routed to an oscillator to control pitch. Using VCA Envelope as a destination allows setting the volume of each step; likewise you can go to the Filter or Filter Envelope Amount to have different filter settings per step.

Beyond this, you can really have some fun with other destinations; go to Delay amount to have the delay level change; or feedback amount, to drastically change the sound every step. FM and Ring Mod are fun to change – you get the idea. With four sequences, you can program a very dynamic sequence.

Note – another very useful way to modulate a sequence is using LFOs with sync; LFO frequency runs 0 – 150, after which you can select the sync settings. A

setting of S16 on an LFO with a Triangle wave selected and routed to the filter will provide a clean filter sweep over a 16 step sequence, perfectly in sync! This is much easier (and smoother) than programming a filter sweep using sequence steps.

The sequencer can also be routed to MIDI output destinations, including Note Number, Velocity, Mod Wheel, Pressure, Breath, and Foot Controller. Velocity is a special case – it only works if selected as the destination for Sequence 2 when Sequence 1’s destination routed to Note Number. The same for Sequence 3 and 4 (Sequence 4 can be velocity for Sequence 3). If velocity is not used as a destination, the velocity output is 120. So, it is possible to have up to 4 note sequences sent out over MIDI.

Another sequencer destination is Clock Mod. It works via a multiplier based on a step value of 40. If a sequencer step is set to 40, the clock speed stays as set. If set to 20, (half of 40), the clock will be twice as fast for that step. Likewise, a step value of 80 will be twice as slow as normal, and 10 would be 4 times faster.

Note that overall limits of 30 to 250 BPM still apply; for example, if you have a BPM of 120, and a sequencer step of 10, it will try to go four times faster than 120, which is

480. Since it is greater than 250, it will clamp at 250. With clever choices of BPM

(using Clock Divide as necessary) you can develop a pretty wide range of timing possibilities. Also, with sequences of different lengths, it can really get quite wild.

The actual MIDI note transmitted is the sequence step value plus one (since MIDI note on of zero = note off). Note that this is different than the half-semitone when driving the internal oscillators – this was done to provide a wider range of notes. Also, the main Transpose is added/subtracted to the MIDI note output. Velocity and the other controllers are converted from 0 – 100 range to 0 – 127 range for MIDI.

TART button, the sequence will start playing. The column LEDs will

To program the sequencer, hit the SEQUENCER button; the SEQUENCER LED will light 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

EQUENCER button. Assuming you have the

TART/STOP

button), and hear the result as you change the sequence step values, which range from 0 to 100.

Note - when routing a sequencer to an oscillator, a sequence value of 24 corresponds to one octave, i.e. each step is one half a semitone.

You may find it easier at first to stop the sequence before adjusting each step. On each “click” of the knob, it will trigger the envelopes so you can hear the current setting of the knob. Once you go through all steps, then you can start the sequence to hear the result, and make fine tuning changes while running.

All four sequences can have separate lengths. This is done by selecting rst (at the end of the range after 100) as the step value. When this step is reached, the sequence will reset to step one. For example, if you want a four step sequence, simply set step 5 to rst.

Each sequence can have its own reset, so you will need to set the reset for all four sequences if you want all of them to be the same length. And, if each is a different length, the rests (see below) and clock swing settings will follow sequence 1, as will the LEDs. In other words, the envelopes are always triggered from one sequence and can’t be separately handled by each of the 4 sequences, which makes sense on a monophonic instrument if you think about it.

Sequence 1 (rows 1 and 2) controls rests. If set to off (after rst at the end of the range) there will not be a trigger to the envelopes on that step. As mentioned above, the rests will end up in different places on other sequences if they are a different length.

Using rests, resets, and different Clock Divides (half swing, swing, etc.) you can achieve very complex sequences.

Another method of programming of pitched sequences is via a MIDI keyboard. Hold

EQUENCER button, and its LED will start blinking, indicating that the currently

the S selected sequence will accept key information over MIDI. Each MIDI note-on will be saved in the current sequence location, and will automatically step to the next. It will loop around from step 16 to 1 if you keep playing notes. MIDI notes below C2 (48) act as rests. Note C2 will program a zero, C#2 a 2, etc.

Timing is not recorded when programmed from a keyboard; it is simply a convenience feature for entering note values.

TART/STOP starts and stops the sequencer; the RESET button will reset the sequence

S to step one if the sequencer is running or not running.

Note – the R

ESET button also acts as a MIDI all-notes-off, and resets all MIDI

controllers when hit while the sequencer is not running.

While the sequencer is running, if you hold the S

HIFT button when you hit the STOP

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 sequencer is running, when the S

HIFT button while changing the program or bank and the

HIFT button is released the sequence will complete

(according to the length of Sequence 1) before synchronously changing to the new program and it’s sequence.

A simple “tap tempo” feature is available. With the sequencer off, hold the R button, and then hold the S

TART/STOP button in time. The sequencer will start with the new tempo. Note – the

TART/STOP button for a count of four; then lift up the

ESET

actual speed will depend on the Clock Divide setting. The count will match if Clock Divide is set to 4n. If set to 8n, it will play twice as fast as your “tap”, and so forth.

Sequences normally start when you hit the S

TART/STOP button, but some are meant

to be played as gated sequences from a keyboard. On these programs, the

TART/STOP LED will light up automatically. For more details, check the Trigger Select

S parameter on page 33.

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 – the row LED will blink, and the alternate parameter is selected, but you do not have to hold the button down. This is handy when tweaking while playing a keyboard with your other hand. Hit S once more and it returns to normal.

Note - sometimes the shifted parameter is related to the unshifted parameter above it, but other times they are unrelated. The panel artwork shows the grouping to make it more obvious.

To select a row to edit, simply hit the desired row button, and you can turn any of the eight knobs to change a parameter in that row.

Note - you first select a knob and turn it one click, it selects and displays the parameter but does not change the programmed parameter value. Any further turning will then modify the value up or down. This makes it easy to check the value of a parameter without changing it.

The following parameter details are grouped by function, with row and column as indicated in the boxes: 5 2 . Would be Row 5 Column 2 (the Grunge parameter, in this case). An S denotes the SHIFT button is held down to access the parameter.

HIFT is selected. Alternatively, you can hit the SHIFT

HIFT button operates two different

Oscillator 1

Oscillator 1 is an analog oscillator, and is hardwired to the Left channel. Following are the main controls for Oscillator 1. Note that there are some additional modulation controls that will affect Oscillator 1 – these are found in different sections of the Parameter definitions.

Frequency: 1 1 C…C8 Selects base frequency over a 10 octave range, from 8 Hz to 8KHz, stepping in semitones. C3 is middle C, the first octave has no number (c ,

db , d …), the second octave is –1 (c -1, db-1, d -1…), the third is zero (c 0, db0, d 0 …), etc.

Fine: 1 2 -50…+50 Fine Tune control; 0 centered. Steps in cents (50 cents = ½ semitone).

HIFT button

HIFT

Shape/PW: 1 3 see table Selects the analog waveshape as follows:

Display Waveshape

Sat

tri

s-t

p 0 to p99

Sawtooth

Triangle

Sawtooth – triangle mix

Pulse Wave, with pulse width ranging to minimum (0) to maximum (99). The pulse width will turn off at the two extremes – this allows some interesting modulation possibilities. A square wave will be around P50.

Level: 1 4 0…100 Sets the volume of Oscillator 1.

Glide: 1 1 S 0…100; F02…F99; OFF The oscillator 1 Glide rate; low numbers

are faster. Normal Glide covers the range from 1 to 100 (0 is no glide). A “fingered” mode 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.

Sync 2->1: 1 2 S Turns oscillator hard sync on or off. Whenever oscillator 2 resets, it will also reset oscillator 1 for the classic hard sync sound.

Oscillator 2

Oscillator 2 is also an analog oscillator, and is hardwired to the Right channel. Following are the controls for Oscillator 2:

Frequency: 1 5 C…C8 Selects base frequency over a 10 octave range, from 8 Hz to 8KHz, stepping in semitones. C3 is middle C, the first octave has no number (c ,

db , d …), the second octave is –1 (c -1, db-1, d -1…), the third is zero (c 0, db0, d 0 …), etc.

Fine: 1 6 -50…+50 Fine Tune control; 0 centered. Steps in cents (50 cents = ½ semitone).

Shape/PW: 1 7 see table Selects the analog waveshape as follows:

Display Waveshape

Sat

tri

s-t

p 0 to p99

Sawtooth

Triangle

Sawtooth – triangle mix

Level: 1 8 0…100 Sets the volume of oscillator 2.

Glide: 1 5 S 0…100; F02…F99; OFF The oscillator 2 Glide rate; low numbers

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 3 from MIDI.

Oscillator 3

Oscillator 3 is a digital waveshape oscillator, and is hardwired to the Left channel. Like the Prophet VS, the digital oscillators in Evolver get quite trashy at higher frequencies. Following are the controls for Oscillator 3:

Frequency: 2 1 C…C8 Selects base frequency over a 10 octave range, from 8 Hz to 8KHz, stepping in semitones. C3 is middle C, the first octave has no number (c ,

db , d …), the second octave is –1 (c -1, db-1, d -1…), the third is zero (c 0, db0, d 0 …), etc.

Fine: 2 2 -50…+50 Fine Tune control; 0 centered. Steps in cents (50 cents = ½ semitone).

Shape/PW: 2 3 1…128 Selects a digital waveshape. Waveshapes 1 - 95 correspond to ROM (preset) Waveshapes 32 – 126 in the Prophet-VS. Waveshapes 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. Wave 95 (126 on the VS) is a “blank” wave, which can give some options while sequencing waves. The Evolver ships with waves 97 – 128 the same as 1 – 32.

Level: 2 4 0…100 Sets the volume of oscillator 3.

Glide: 2 1 S 0…100; F02…F99; OFF The oscillator 3 Glide rate; low numbers

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 3 from MIDI.

FM 4->3: 2 2 S 0…100 The amount of Frequency Modulation of Oscillator 3 from Oscillator 4. Note that each digital oscillator can FM the other at the same time for some wild results.

Shape Seq: 2 3 S Off, SE1..4 This parameter allows sequencing Waveshapes. Off if not in use, otherwise select one of the four sequences se1, se2, se3, or se4 to

change the waveshape on every sequence step. In other words, if sequence 1 is selected, with step 1 = 10 and step 2 = 5, then waveshape 10 will play in the first step, and waveshape 5 will play in the second.

Ring Mod 4->3 : 2 4 S 0…100 The amount of Ring (Amplitude) Modulation of Oscillator 3 from Oscillator 4. Note that each digital oscillator can Ring modulate the other at the same time.

Oscillator 4

Oscillator 4 is a digital waveshape oscillator, and is hardwired to the Right channel. Like the Prophet VS, the digital oscillators in Evolver get quite trashy at higher frequencies. Following are the controls for Oscillator 4:

Frequency: 2 5 C…C8 Selects base frequency over a 10 octave range, from 8 Hz to 8KHz, stepping in semitones. C3 is middle C, the first octave has no number (c ,

db , d …), the second octave is –1 (c -1, db-1, d -1…), the third is zero (c 0, db0, d 0 …), etc.

Fine: 2 6 -50…+50 Fine Tune control; 0 centered. Steps in cents (50 cents = ½ semitone).

Shape/PW: 2 7 1…128 Selects a digital waveshape. Waveshapes 1 - 95 correspond to ROM (preset) Waveshapes 32 – 126 in the Prophet-VS. Waveshapes 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. Wave 95 (126 on the VS) is a “blank” wave, which can give some options while sequencing waves. The Evolver ships with waves 97 – 128 the same as 1 – 32.

Level: 2 8 0…100 Sets the volume of oscillator 4.

Glide: 2 5 S 0…100; F02…F99; OFF The oscillator 4 Glide rate; low numbers

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 4 from MIDI.

FM 3->4: 2 6 S 0…100 The amount of Frequency Modulation of Oscillator 4 from Oscillator 3. Note that both digital oscillators can FM the other at the same time for some wild results.

Shape Seq: 2 7 S Off, SE1..4 This parameter allows sequencing Waveshapes. Off if not in use, otherwise select one of the four sequences se1, se2, se3, or se4 to

Ring Mod 3->4: 2 8 S 0…100 The amount of Ring (Amplitude) Modulation of Oscillator 4 from Oscillator 3. Note that both digital oscillators can modulate the other at the same time.

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. Exceptions are when using the Spilt parameter as noted below, and when using the separate filter cutoff and resonance modulation destinations, which allow the two filters to be modulated independently. 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 Evolver a more natural sound.

Frequency: 3 1 0…164 Selects base filter cutoff frequency over more than 13 octaves. There is special smoothing on the operation of the filter knob to eliminate stepping as you turn the knob for clean manual filter sweeps.

Env Amt: 3 2 -99…+99 Amount of filter envelope to the cutoff frequency. This can be positive or negative, allowing inverted envelope control of the filter.

Attack: 3 3 0…110 Attack time of the filter ADSR envelope generator

Decay: 3 4 0…110 Decay time

Sustain: 3 5 0…100 Sustain Level

Release: 3 6 0…110 Release time

Resonance: 3 7 0…100 Sets the Resonance level of the filter; at high settings

the filter will self-oscillate in 4-pole mode. If the filter does not oscillate, make sure that 4 pole mode is selected.

Key Amt: 3 8 0…100 Amount of keyboard (MIDI note) to the filter cutoff. A setting of 72 will step the filter one semitone for each MIDI note, 36 would be halfsemitones, etc. Also, the MIDI note is derived using Oscillator 1 Glide, allowing Glide tracking.

2/4 Pole: 3 1 S 2 P, 4 P Selects either 2 or 4 pole operation for the filter.

Velocity: 3 2 S 0…100 Amount of MIDI velocity controlling the level of the filter

envelope.

Audio Mod: 3 3 S 0…100 Amount of audio modulation from the analog oscillator to the filter, separate in left and right channels.

Split: 3 4 S 0…100 Split separates the cutoff of the left and right filters by raising the left and lowering the right. Normally the filters track in both channels; this allows a way to unlock them.

Highpass Filter

Highpass: 3 5 S o0…99, i0…99 Sets the cutoff frequency of the four-pole

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. Refer to the Signal Flow diagram on page 13. There are two separate highpass filters, one for each channel, that are controlled in tandem.

Remember that any of the modulation sources can be routed to the Highpass Filter; for example Envelope 3 can be dedicated to the Highpass.

Amplifier (VCA)

VCA Level: 4 1 0…100 Sets a base level for the VCA (Voltage controlled

Amplifier). This allows the VCA to be essentially bypassed, which may be necessary for processing external audio signals, or for Programs that drone.

Note – if VCA Level is on full, then the Envelope Amount will have no effect.

Env Amt: 4 2 0…100 Amount of VCA envelope to the VCA level.

Attack: 4 3 0…110 Attack time of the VCA ADSR envelope generator

Decay: 4 4 0…110 Decay time

Sustain: 4 5 0…100 Sustain Level

Release: 4 6 0…110 Release time

Velocity: 4 2 S 0…100 Amount of MIDI velocity controlling the level of the

VCA envelope.

Output Pan: 4 7 see table pan settings as below. This affects the feedback; it allows signal from one channel to feedback into the other, for example.

Display Output Pan Selection

St1

St2

St3

miON

Stereo 1 – Left channel panned fully left, Right fully to the right

Stereo 2 – Left channel panned mostly left, Right mostly to the right

Stereo 3 – Left channel panned somewhat left, Right somewhat to the right

Mono – Both channels mixed to the center – also useful when only using one output

rs1

rs2

rs3

Volume: 4 8 0…100 Sets the voice volume; usually used for matching volumes between Programs.

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

Feedback

Feedback is implemented via two identical tuned delay lines, one for each channel – see the diagram on page 13. Since the delay is tuned, it can be played by modulating the feedback frequency from the sequencer or other sources.

Note – Feedback can also be used to implement plucked string physical models – use Envelope 3 with Noise as a destination (all oscillators off). Assign a sequence to Feedback Frequency, play around with different Feedback Levels, and adjust the filter cutoff frequency.

Frequency 5 1 0…48 Sets the base frequency of the main feedback loop. It steps in semitones from C0 to C4 (0 – 48) for a four octave range. The exact frequency is influenced by other factors, such as the filter frequency and number of poles, which can drive it slightly sharp or flat.

Level 5 2 0…100 Level of feedback. As the level goes up the feedback will eventually oscillate at the set Frequency. Medium levels of feedback add depth and movement to the sound.

Grunge 5 3 OFF…On When on, it enables nasty feedback at higher levels – it will not have any effect at lower levels of feedback.

Delay

The delay takes a mix of both channels as input, and provides up to three independent taps, each which can be separately time or level modulated. The output of the three taps is mixed and summed with the Left and Right channels. The delay output also can be mixed back to the input of the delay for more ambience, repeating delays, or tuned feedback if the feedback level is set high.

A second feedback path takes the delay output and routes it back to the input of the analog filter; this path can be used for more extreme feedback effects.

Note – if all three Delay taps are in use, the Levels of each should be set to lower amounts to prevent overload distortion.

Time 1: 5 4 0…150, sync Sets the delay time of the first delay tap. 0 –150 will adjust the delay from zero to 1 second (at 16 bits 48KHz sampling), no compression. The middle range steps are in tuned semitones (noticeable with Feedback 1 turned up high). Since delay is a time measurement, higher delay numbers are lower frequencies. Step 22 corresponds to C7 (2,093 Hz), down to step 94 which is tuned to C1 (32.7 Hz).

After 150 are the sync delay times as shown in the table below. The delay time can be set in multiples of a single sequencer step, or exact divisions of a step.

Note - depending on the current sequence speed, the longer sync delays may not be reachable. For example, at sequence speed of 60 BPM / 4n (quarter note) each beat takes one second, so if you set it to s 2 (Delay is 2 steps in length), the

delay should be two seconds. But, there is only enough memory for one second of delay, so it will not work. When too slow, simply clamping it at one second which would not likely be a multiple of the step time, would be the wrong approach. 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.

Display Timing Sync

s32

s16

s 8

s 4

s 2

s 1

st2

st4

st8

s16

s 6

s 3

s15

s05

st3

st6

Delay is 32 steps in length

Delay is 16 steps in length

Delay is 8 steps in length

Delay is 4 steps in length

Delay is 2 steps in length

Delay is 1 step in length

Delay is one-half step in length

Delay is one-quarter step in length

Delay is one-eighth step in length

Delay is one-sixteenth step in length

Delay is 6 steps in length

Delay is 3 steps in length

Delay is one and a half steps in length

Delay is one half of a step in length

Delay is one-third step in length

Delay is one-sixth step in length

Level 1: 5 5 S 0…100 Sets the delay amount of the first delay tap. The left and right channels are mixed into a single delay.

Feedback 1: 5 6 0…100 Amount of feedback from the summed output of all the delay taps to the input of the delay.

Feedback 2: 5 7 0…100 Amount of feedback from the summed output of all

the delay taps to the input of the filter for more extreme effects.

Time 2: 5 4 S 0…150, sync Sets the delay time of the second delay tap, same ranges as Time 1.

Level 2: 5 5 S 0…100 Sets the delay amount of the second delay tap.

Time 3: 5 6 S 0…150, sync Sets the delay time of the third delay tap, same

ranges as Time 1.

Level 4: 5 7 S 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.

Frequency: 6 1 0…150, sync Selects the frequency of LFO. Range 0 – 150 for unsynced LFO; speed ranges from slow (30 seconds) to very fast – at 90 (8 HZ, C-2) and above the speed steps in semitones, up to 150 (261 Hz, middle C).

Note - some of the analog functions can’t respond very well to the fastest LFO speeds, due to speed limitations of the control voltages; but it will certainly generate some interesting sounds.

Above 150 are the sync speeds as follows:

Display Timing Sync

s32

s16

s 8

s 4

s 2

s 1

st2

st4

st8

s16

Sequence speed divided by 32; i.e. one LFO cycle takes 32 steps

Sequence speed divided by 16

Sequence speed divided by 8

Sequence speed divided by 4

Sequence speed divided by 2

One cycle per step

Two cycles per step

Four cycles per step

Eight cycles per step

Sixteen cycles per step

Shape: 6 2 see table Selects the LFO waveshape:

Display LFO Shape

tri

rsa

Sat

pul

rnd

Triangle

Reverse Sawtooth

Sawtooth

Pulse (square wave)

Random – changes once per cycle for sample-and-hold effects

Amount: 6 3 0…100, 1…100 Sets the amount of LFO, 0-100. When you go 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.

Destination: 6 4 see table LFO 1 destination - see the Modulation Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Envelope 3

Envelope 3 is a general purpose envelope for modulation purposes.

Amount: 7 1 -99…+99 Amount of envelope 3

Destination: 7 2 see table Envelope 3 destination - see the Modulation

Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Delay: 7 1 S 0…100 Delay time of Envelope 3, prior to Attack

Attack: 7 3 0…110 Attack time of ADSR envelope generator 3

Decay: 7 4 0…110 Decay time

Sustain: 7 5 0…100 Sustain Level

Release: 7 6 0…110 Release time

Velocity: 7 2 S 0…100 Amount of MIDI velocity controlling the level envelope 3.

Miscellaneous Audio Parameters

Output Hack: 5 8 0…14

Distortion: 5 8 S o0…99, i0…99 Amount of distortion. If set to o00 to o99, the

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.

Note - there is a built-in noise gate that is enabled when distortion is not zero. If you want to use the noise gate but without distortion, use a distortion setting of

i01 (noise gate on input signal), or o01 for a noise gate after the analog electronics. The noise gate uses the Left channel signal level to gate both channels.

Noise Vol: 8 5 0…100 The volume of white noise mixed into the filter. The same amount goes into both channels.

Ext In Vol: 8 6 0…100 The volume of external audio input connected to Left In and/or Right In.

Ext In Mode: 8 7 see table Selects the external input mode:

Display External Audio Input Mode

st

l R

spl

Stereo – the left channel in goes to the left channel, right to right. Left – the left channel in goes to both channels (mono in). Right – the right channel in goes to both channels (mono in). Split - A mono audio signal is input on the Left Input; a separate

control audio signal (for envelope follower, peak hold, and clock source) into the Right Input.

Input Hack: 8 8 0…14 Trashes the external input signal, quite rudely. But, the analog filter tames it nicely. A good way to mess up a clean stereo signal.

Trashes the output signal, quite rudely.

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.

Control consists mainly of triggers for the envelopes, and note numbers for the oscillators. Beyond that there are all the additional modulation sources/destinations and MIDI controls. Following are the parameters used to select the different control modes.

Trigger Sel: 7 7 see table Selects the source of triggers/gates for the envelope generators.

Display Envelope Trigger Selections

all

seq miid midr

mis

misr

Ei

Eir

EiS

Esr

misi

mi1r

EiC

minC

The envelopes will be triggered by either the sequencer or MIDI 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.

The envelopes will be triggered by the sequencer only. The envelopes will be triggered by MIDI notes only. The envelopes will be triggered by MIDI, and the sequencer will be

reset on every note (if it is running). The sequencer will not trigger the envelopes.

Combo mode – the envelopes will only be triggered when a MIDI note is held and the sequencer is running; in other words the MIDI notes will gate the sequencer. AUTO (START LED goes on)

Combo mode 2 – same as Combo, except every time a MIDI note is hit, the sequencer is reset to step 1. AUTO

The envelopes are gated by the Left external audio input signal level, in other words, when the signal gets above a fixed threshold, the envelopes start. The envelopes then go into the phase when the signal level drops below a second fixed threshold.

Same as external in, but also resets the sequencer to step 1.

External In signal will gate the sequencer (sequencer must be on). AUTO

External In signal will gate the sequencer (sequencer must be on). And also resets the sequencer to step 1 on each new gate. AUTO

Plays a sequence once (according to the length of Sequence 1) when a new MIDI note is received. The sequence is not restarted on multiple MIDI notes until it finishes and stops. AUTO

Also plays a MIDI sequence once, but will re-start the sequence on each MIDI note. AUTO

Plays one step of the sequencer on each External Input audio trigger. AUTO

Plays one step of the sequencer on each key hit. AUTO

Key Off/Xpose: 7 8 Off, -36…+36 Enables and transposes MIDI notes. If 0FF,

MIDI notes are ignored. Otherwise, it transposes midi notes from –36 to +36 semitones (+/- 3 octaves).

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. For example, if you make a Program using the sequencer, you will likely set the Oscillator frequencies up to the desired pitch range. But, if you then try to play this Program from a keyboard, the pitches will likely be too high. Rather than lowering all the oscillator frequencies (which would mess up the sequence!) you can simply use the transpose here.

Key Mode: 1 8 S see table Selects the key mode when playing from a MIDI keyboard:

Display MIDI input mode

L0

L0r

hi

hir

LA

LAr

Low note priority Low note priority, re-trigger envelopes High note priority

High note priority, re-trigger envelopes

Last note hit priority Last note hit priority, re-trigger envelopes

P Bend Range: 1 7 S 0…12 Pitch Bend Range, in semitones.

Miscellaneous Timing Parameters

BPM: 1 3 S 30…250 The Programmed basic speed for the sequencer in BPM.

Works the same as the BPM in Main, but is only active when “Use Preset Tempo” is on. When Use Preset Tempo is on, changing this parameter also changes the main BPM, and vise-versa. When off, changing this parameter has no effect.

Clock Div: 1 4 S see table Used as a clock divider to provide a wider range of sequencer speeds. Works the same as the BPM in main, but is only active when “Use Preset Tempo” is on. When on, changing this parameter also changes the main Clock Divide (see page 14), and vise-versa. When off, changing this parameter has no effect.

Miscellaneous Modulation Parameters

Seq 1 Dest: 8 1 see table Sequence 1 Destination - see the Modulation

Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Seq 2 Dest: 8 2 see table Sequence 2 Destination

Seq 3 Dest: 8 3 see table Sequence 3 Destination

Seq 4 Dest: 8 4 see table Sequence 4 Destination

Osc Slop: 1 6 S 0…5 The amount of random oscillator frequency slop. The

analog and digital oscillators in Evolver are very accurate, and will not drift. This works great for accurate sounds, and allows precise de-tuning. The Oscillator Slop parameter allows subtle amounts of frequency drift. For larger amounts, use a random LFO or white noise mod.

Exp/Lin Env: 4 1 S Exp, Lin Selects whether all three envelopes have a linear (straight line) shape, or exponential (curved). Exponential is the more natural of the two.

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. Also, there are some additional mod sources such as noise and the digital oscillators available, allowing audio-rate modulation. As mentioned above, there are some destinations that are not able to keep up with audio mod, but it’s fun anyway.

Note - these mod sources are not filtered, so a MIDI controller going through this route will react quicker, but may produce stepping noise, depending on the controller. For filtered (smoothed) MIDI controller operation, use the direct Pressure, Mod Wheel, Breath Control, or Foot Control parameters.

Mod 1 Amt: 3 7 S -99…+99 Amount of Mod 1 modulation.

M1 Destination: 3 8 S see table Mod 1 Destination - see the Modulation

Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Mods 2 – 4: Same as Mod 1

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.

Env Fol Amt: 7 5 S -99…+99 Amount of Envelope Follower modulation. Generates an envelope from the Left external audio input, and uses it as a modulation signal.

Destination: 7 6 S see table Envelope Follower Destination - see the Modulation Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Velocity Amt: 7 7 S -99…+99 Amount of MIDI Velocity modulation. The Velocity of the most recent MIDI note is used.

Destination: 7 7 S see table Velocity Destination - see the Modulation Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Mod Wheel Amt: 8 1 S -99…+99 Amount of MIDI Mod Wheel modulation. This 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 2 S see table Mod Wheel Destination - see the Modulation Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Pressure Amt: 8 3 S -99…+99 Amount of MIDI Pressure modulation, either poly or channel pressure. This 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 4 S see table Pressure Destination - see the Modulation Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Breath Amt: 8 5 S -99…+99 Amount of MIDI Breath controller modulation. This

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 Breath controller Destination - see the Modulation Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Foot Amt: 8 7 S -99…+99 Amount of MIDI Foot controller modulation. This 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 8 S see table Foot controller Destination - see the Modulation Destination table on page 38 for a list of possible destinations.

Modulation Destinations

Display Destination

0ff 01F 02f 03f 04f 0af 01l 02l 03l 04l 0AL noL

E1l 01P 02p 0ap F43 F34 R43 R34

FiL FLS Res

hip UCA pan Fbf Fba Dt1 Dt2 Dt3 DtA DA1 DA2 DA3 DAA Df1 Df2

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 Oscillator 2 Pulse width Oscillator All Pulse width Frequency Mod (FM) Amount; Osc 4 -> 3 Frequency Mod (FM) Amount; Osc 3 -> 4 Ring Mod (Amplitude) Amount; Osc 4 -> 3 Ring Mod (Amplitude) Amount; Osc 3 -> 4 Lowpass filter frequency

Filter Split –separation between left / right Resonance Highpass filter

VCA amount Pan Feedback frequency Filter Amount Delay 1 Time Delay 2 Time Delay 3 Time Delay All Time Delay 1 Amount Delay 2 Amount Delay 3 Amount Delay All Amount Delay Feedback 1 Delay Feedback 2

L1f L2f L3f L4f Laf L1A L2a L3a L4a Laa E1L E2L E3L EaL E1a E2a E3a Eaa E1d E2d E3d Ead E1r E2r E3r Ear F1f F2f F1r F2r

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 Envelope 3 Attack Rate Envelope All Attack Rate Envelope 1 Decay Rate Envelope 2 Decay Rate Envelope 3 Decay Rate Envelope All Decay Rate Envelope 1 Release Rate Envelope 2 Release Rate Envelope 3 Release Rate Envelope All Release Rate Filter 1 (Left) lowpass filter cutoff frequency Filter 2 (Right) lowpass filter cutoff frequency Filter 1 (Left) lowpass filter resonance Filter 2 (Right) lowpass filter resonance

dis

Distortion - will not work if distortion is set to 0 (off) or 1 (noise gate select)

Additional Sequencer-Only Modulation Destinations

Display Destination

CL0 min0 uel mimid mipr mibr mift

Sequencer clock (BPM) multiplier MIDI note number MIDI Velocity MIDI Mod Wheel MIDI Pressure MIDI Breath Controller MIDI Foot Controller

Modulation Sources

Display Source

0ff SE1 Se2 Se3 Se4 Lf1 Lf2 Lf3 Lf3 fen aen en3

eip

eie mipb mimiu mipr mibr mift miue mino miep

noi 0s3

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 Midi - Foot Controller Midi – Note Velocity Midi – Note Number Midi – Expression Noise

Oscillator 3

0s4

Oscillator 4

MIDI Implementation

Evolver Receives MIDI data according to the mode controls in the Main Section. There is interaction between some of the controls to determine the overall response of Evolver to MIDI data; these controls are repeated below:

MIDI Channel Select which MIDI channel to send/receive data, 1 to 16. ALL receives on any channel.

MIDI Rec: MIDI Receive – determines what MIDI data to receive.

Display MIDI Receive Operation

OFF

ALL

pro

par

MIDI Xmit: MIDI transmits – determines what MIDI data to send.

Display MIDI Transmit Operation

OFF

ALL

pro

par

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:

Display Poly Chain Status

OFF

ALL

not

MIDI Clock: Selects the MIDI clock status, and enables External sequencer triggers, as follows:

No MIDI data received

All MIDI data received

Only MIDI program changes received (along with note/controller data)

Only MIDI parameters received (along with note/controller data)

No MIDI data sent

All MIDI data sent

Only MIDI program changes sent

Only MIDI parameters received

MIDI operation is normal.

All MIDI information is passed through to the MIDI out jack

Only MIDI note data is passed through to the MIDI out jack.

Display MIDI Clock Setting

OFF

OUT

I-O

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.

n0t

Each incoming MIDI note on will advance the sequencer one step.

in-

MIDI clock is received, but MIDI start/stop/continue messages are ignored.

Trigger Sel Selects the source of triggers/gates for the envelope generators.

Display Envelope Trigger Selections

all

seq miid midr

The envelopes will be triggered by the sequencer only. The envelopes will be triggered by MIDI notes only. The envelopes will be triggered by MIDI, and the sequencer will be

reset on every note (if it is running). The sequencer will not trigger the envelopes.

mis

Combo mode – the envelopes will only be triggered when a MIDI note is held and the sequencer is running; in other words the MIDI notes will gate the sequencer. AUTO (START LED goes on)

misr

Combo mode 2 – same as Combo, except every time a MIDI note is hit, the sequencer is reset to step 1. AUTO

Ei

Eir

EiS

Same as external in, but also resets the sequencer to step 1.

External In signal will gate the sequencer (sequencer must be on). AUTO

Esr

External In signal will gate the sequencer (sequencer must be on). And also resets the sequencer to step 1 on each new gate. AUTO

misi

Plays a sequence once (according to the length of Sequence 1) when a new MIDI note is received. The sequence is not restarted on multiple MIDI notes until it finishes and stops. AUTO

mi1r

Also plays a MIDI sequence once, but will re-start the sequence on each MIDI note. AUTO

EiC

Plays one step of the sequencer on each External Input audio trigger. AUTO

minC

Plays one step of the sequencer on each key hit. AUTO

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

L0

L0r

hi

hir

LA

LAr

Low note priority Low note priority, re-trigger envelopes High note priority

High note priority, re-trigger envelopes

Last note hit priority Last note hit priority, re-trigger envelopes

ESET button: Acts as a MIDI all-notes-off, and resets all MIDI controllers when hit

while the sequencer is not running.

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; see “Received Controller

1100 nnnn 0ppppppp Program change, 0 – 127 for Programs 1 – 128

1101 nnnn 0vvvvvvv Channel Pressure 1110 nnnn 0vvvvvvv 0vvvvvvv Pitch Bend LS Byte then MS Byte

Notes: 0kkkkkkk Note number 0 - 127

nnnn Channel number 0 to 15 (MIDI channel 1-16). Ignored if MIDI

channel set to ALL

0vvvvvvv Value

Received Controller Messages

Status Second Third Description

1011 nnnn 1 0vvvvvvv Mod Wheel – directly assignable controller 1011 nnnn 2 0vvvvvvv Breath Controller – directly assignable controller 1011 nnnn 4 0vvvvvvv Foot Controller – directly assignable controller 1011 nnnn 7 0vvvvvvv Volume – Combined with Master Volume and

1011 nnnn 11 0vvvvvvv Expression Controller – directly assignable

1011 nnnn 32 0vvvvvvv Bank Select – 0 to 3 selects banks 1 to 4; others

1011 nnnn 64 0vvvvvvv Damper pedal – holds envelopes in Sustain if

1011 nnnn 74 0vvvvvvv Brightness – Added to lowpass filter cutoff

1011 nnnn 121 0vvvvvvv Reset All Controllers – clears all MIDI controllers

1011 nnnn 123 0vvvvvvv All Notes Off – clear all MIDI notes

Additional received CCs:

20 Oscillator 1 Frequency 21 Oscillator 2 Frequency 22 Oscillator 3 Frequency 23 Oscillator 4 Frequency 24 Oscillator 1 Level 25 Oscillator 2 Level 26 Oscillator 3 Level

Messages” table following

within current Bank

Program Volume

controller

ignored

0100 0000 or higher

frequency

to 0, MIDI volume to maximum

27 Oscillator 4 Level 28 Oscillator 1 Shape 29 Oscillator 2 Shape 30 Oscillator 3 Shape 31 Oscillator 4 Shape 40 FM 4->3 41 FM 3->4 42 RM 4->3 43 RM 3->4 62 Noise Level 52 Low Pass Filter Frequency 53 Filter Resonance 54 Filter Envelope Amount 55 Filter Attack 56 Filter Decay 57 Filter Sustain 58 Filter Release 59 Filter Audio Mod 60 Filter Split 61 Filter Key Amount 75 Amp Attack 76 Amp Decay 77 Amp Sustain 78 Amp Release 13 Highpass Filter Cutoff 85 Feedback Frequency 86 Feedback Level

12 Distortion 102 Delay 1 Time 103 Delay 2 Time 104 Delay 3 Time 105 Delay 1 Amount 106 Delay 2 Amount 107 Delay 3 Amount 108 Delay Feedback 1 109 Delay Feedback 2

System Common Messages

Status Second Third Description

1111 0010 0vvvvvvv 0vvvvvvv Song Position Pointer – LS Byte then MS Byte.

Positions depends on Clock Divide. For example, if Clock Divide is set to 4n (quarter note), then the sequence is 4 measures of 4/4 in length. The Song Position will calculate correctly within the four bars.

System Real-time Messages

Status Description

1111 1000 Timing Clock 1111 1010 Start – starts the sequencer from step 1 1111 1011 Continue – re-starts the sequencer from the current step 1111 1100 Stop – Stops the sequencer

Universal System Exclusive Message (Device Inquiry)

Status Description

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0111 1110 Non-realtime message

0vvv vvvv If MIDI channel is set to 1-16, 0vvvvvvv must match (unless MIDI Channel

0000 0110 Inquiry Message 0000 0001 Inquiry Request 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

Evolver responds with:

Status Description

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0111 1110 Non-realtime message

0vvv vvvv If MIDI Channel = ALL, 0vvvvvvv = 0111 1111. Otherwise 0vvvvvvv =

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

0000 0000

0vvv vvvv DSP Software version

0000 0000 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

= ALL); always responds if 0vvvvvvv = 0111 1111.

Channel Number 0-15.

System Exclusive Messages

Program Parameters

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,

0000 vvvv Parameter value, LS Nibble 0000 vvvv Parameter value, MS Nibble

1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

Sequencer Parameters

Status Description

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0000 1000 Sequence Parameter

00vv vvvv Sequence step 0 – 63. 0 – 15 are sequence 1 steps, 16- 31 for sequence 2,

0000 vvvv Step value, LS Nibble 0000 vvvv Step value, MS Nibble

1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

Main Parameters

Status Description

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0000 1001 Main Parameter

0000 vvvv Main Parameter Number 0 – 14. Main Parameters are listed starting on

0000 vvvv Parameter value, LS Nibble 0000 vvvv Parameter value, MS Nibble

1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

with the 64 shift parameters following the non-shift parameters. The Parameter data starts on page 54.

etc.

page 53.

Program Data Dump

Status Description

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0000 0010 Program Data 0000 00vv Bank Number, 0 - 3

0vvv vvvv Program Number, 0 - 127 0vvv vvvv 220 bytes in “packed MS bit” format (see below). Includes 128 bytes of

Program parameters and 64 bytes of Sequence data.

1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

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 next page). Includes 128 bytes of

Program parameters and 64 bytes of Sequence data.

1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

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 – 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. The ROM Waveshapes are 12 bit two’s complement (to match the VS), but the User Waveshapes (97 – 128) can be a full 16 bits.

1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

Program Name Data Dump

Status Description

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0001 0001 Program Name Data 0000 00vv 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)

Main Parameters Data Dump

Status Description

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0000 1111 Main Parameter Data

0vvv vvvv 32 nibbles (LS then MS) for 16 Main parameters. Main Parameters are

listed starting on page 53.

1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

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 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0000 0100 Reset Button 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

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 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0001 0100 Shift Button Off 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

Packed Data Format

Data is packed in 8 byte “packets”, with the MS bit stripped from 7 parameter bytes, and packed into an eighth byte, which is sent at the start of the 8 byte packet.

Example:

Input Data

1 A7 A6 A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0 1 00 G7 F7 E7 D7 C7 B7 A7 2 B7 B6 B5 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 2 00 A6 A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0 3 C7 C6 C5 C4 C3 C2 C1 C0 3 00 B6 B5 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 4 D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 4 00 C6 C5 C4 C3 C2 C1 C0 5 E7 E6 E5 E4 E3 E2 E1 E0 5 00 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 6 F7 E6 E5 E4 E3 E2 E1 E0 6 00 E6 E5 E4 E3 E2 E1 E0 7 G7 G6 G5 G4 G3 G2 G1 G0 7 00 F6 F5 F4 F3 F2 F1 F0 8 00 G6 G5 G4 G3 G2 G1 G0

This is why it takes 220 MIDI bytes to transmit 192 Program/Sequence data bytes, and 293 bytes to send 256 Waveshape bytes.

Packed MIDI data

Request Program Dump

Status Description

1111 0000

0000 0001

0010 0000

0000 0001

0000 0101

System Exclusive (SysEx) DSI ID Evolver ID File Version Request Program Transmit

0000 00vv Bank Number, 0 - 3

0vvv vvvv Program Number, 0 - 127

1111 0111

End of Exclusive (EOX)

Evolver will respond by sending out the Program Data in the format described in the Program Data Dump on page 48.

Request Edit Buffer Dump

Status Description

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 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

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 0000 1011 Request Waveshape Transmit

0vvv vvvv Waveshape number, 0 - 127

1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX)

Evolver will respond by sending out the requested Waveshape data, in the format described in the Waveshape Data Dump on page 48.

Request Main Parameter Dump

Status Description

1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0000 Evolver ID 0000 0001 File Version 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

1111 0000

0000 0001

0010 0000

0000 0001

0001 0000

0000 00vv Bank Number, 0 - 3

0vvv vvvv Program Number, 0 - 127

1111 0111

Evolver will respond by sending out the Program Data in the format described in the Program Name Data Dump on page 48.

System Exclusive (SysEx) DSI ID Evolver ID File Version Request Program Name Transmit

End of Exclusive (EOX)

Main Parameter Data

Parameter Range Description

0 0 - 127 Program Number 1 - 128

1 0 - 3 Bank Number 1 - 4

2 0 - 100 Master Volume 0 - 100

3 0 - 72 Master Transpose; 0 = -36 semitones (- 3 octaves), 36 = 0

4 30 - 250 BPM

(no transpose), and 72 = +36 semitones.

5 0 - 12 Clock Divide:

6 0 - 1 Use Program tempo; 0 = Off, 1 = On

7 0 - 6 MIDI clock select

8 0 - 1 Lock Sequence; 0 = Off, 1 = On

9 0 - 2 Poly Chain

10 0 - 8 Input Gain

11 0 - 100 Master Fine Tune; 0 = -50 cents, 50 = 0 (centered), 100 = +

12 0 - 3 MIDI Receive

0 Half Note 1 Quarter Note 2 Eighth Note 3 Eighth Note half swing 4 Eighth Note full swing 5 Eighth Note triplets 6 Sixteenth Note 7 Sixteenth Note half swing 8 Sixteenth Note full swing 9 Sixteenth Note triplets 10 Thirty-second Notes 11 Thirty-second Notes triplets 12 Sixty-Fourth Notes triplets

0 Use Internal clock, don’t send MIDI clock 1 Use Internal clock, send MIDI clock 2 Use MIDI clock In 3 Use MIDI clock In, and retransmit MIDI clock out 4 No change 5 No change 6 Use MIDI clock In, but ignore MIDI Start/Stop

0 Normal MIDI operation 1 All MIDI control data is echoed 2 Only MIDI note data is echoed

0 No gain 1 + 3 db 2 + 6 db 3 + 9 db 4 + 12 db 5 + 15 db 6 + 18 db 7 + 21 db 8 + 24 db

50 cents

0 Off; no MIDI is received

1 All MIDI received 2 Only MIDI program changes received (along with

note/controller data)

3 Only parameters received (along with note/controller

data)

13 0 - 3 MIDI Transmit

14 0 - 16 MIDI Channel; if = 0, data received on all MIDI channels.

Note: Parameter 15 not available, since MIDI dump requests are already defined, see Program Dump Request on page 51.

0 Off; no MIDI is transmitted 1 All MIDI is transmitted 2 Only Program Changes transmitted 3 Only parameters are transmitted

Otherwise = channel number 1 – 16.

Program Parameter Data

Parameter Range Description

0 0 - 120 Oscillator 1 Frequency, 0 – 120 in semitones (10 octave

1 0 - 100 Oscillator 1 Fine Tune; 0 = -50 cents, 50 = 0 (centered), 100 =

2 0 - 102 Oscillator 1 Shape

3 0 - 100 Oscillator 1 Level 4 0 - 120 Oscillator 2 Frequency, 0 – 120 in semitones (10 octave

5 0 - 100 Oscillator 2 Fine Tune; 0 = -50 cents, 50 = 0 (centered), 100 =

6 0 - 102 Oscillator 2 Shape

7 0 - 100 Oscillator 2 Level

Parameter Range Description

8 0 - 120 Oscillator 3 Frequency, 0 – 120 in semitones (10 octave

9 0 - 100 Oscillator 3 Fine Tune; 0 = -50 cents, 50 = 0 (centered), 100 =

10 0 - 127 Oscillator 3 Shape 1 - 128 11 0 - 100 Oscillator 3 Level 12 0 - 120 Oscillator 4 Frequency, 0 – 120 in semitones (10 octave

13 0 - 100 Oscillator 4 Fine Tune; 0 = -50 cents, 50 = 0 (centered), 100 =

range)

+ 50 cents

0 Sawtooth 1 Triangle 2 Sawtooth/triangle mix 3 – 102 Pulse Wave, Pulse width 0 - 99

range)

+ 50 cents

0 Sawtooth 1 Triangle 2 Sawtooth/triangle mix 3 – 102 Pulse Wave, Pulse width 0 - 99

range)

+ 50 cents

range)

+ 50 cents 14 0 - 127 Oscillator 4 Shape 1 - 128 15 0 - 100 Oscillator 4 Level

Parameter Range Description

16 0 - 164 Filter Frequency, steps in semitones 17 0 - 198 Filter Envelope Amount; -99 to +99 18 0 - 110 Filter Envelope Attack 19 0 - 110 Filter Envelope Decay 20 0 - 100 Filter Envelope Sustain 21 0 - 110 Filter Envelope Release 22 0 - 100 Resonance 23 0 - 100 Filter Keyboard Amount

Parameter Range Description

24 0 - 100 VCA Level 25 0 - 100 VCA Envelope Amount 26 0 - 110 VCA Envelope Attack 27 0 - 110 VCA Envelope Decay 28 0 - 100 VCA Envelope Sustain 29 0 - 110 VCA Envelope Release 30 0 - 6 Output Pan

31 0 - 100 Program Volume

Parameter Range Description

32 0 - 48 Feedback Frequency – steps in semitones 33 0 - 100 Feedback Amount 34 0 - 1 Grunge; 0 = off, 1 = on 35 0 - 166 Delay 1 Time 36 0 - 100 Delay 1 Level 37 0 - 100 Delay sum feedback to Delay input 38 0 - 100 Delay sum feedback to filter input 39 0 - 14 Output hack amount

0 Left channel panned fully left, Right fully to the right

1 Left channel panned mostly left, Right mostly to the right

2 Left channel panned somewhat left, Right somewhat to

the right 3 Mono 4 Right channel panned somewhat left, Left somewhat to

the right 5 Right channel panned mostly left, Left mostly to the right 6 Right channel panned fully left, Left fully to the right

Parameter Range Description

40 0 - 160 LFO 1 Frequency; 0 – 150 unsynced frequency

151 Sequence speed divided by 32 152 Sequence speed divided by 16 153 Sequence speed divided by 8 154 Sequence speed divided by 4 155 Sequence speed divided by 2 156 One cycle per step 157 Two cycles per step 158 Four cycles per step 159 Eight cycles per step 160 Sixteen cycles per step

41 0 - 4 LFO 1 Shape

0 Triangle 1 Reverse Sawtooth 2 Sawtooth 3 Pulse (square) 4 Random

42 0 - 200 LFO 1 Amount (over 100 repeats with Key sync on) 43 0 - 68 LFO 1 Destination (see destination table on page 60) 44 0 - 160 LFO 2 Frequency (same as LFO 1) 45 0 - 4 LFO 2 Shape (same as LFO 1) 46 0 - 200 LFO 2 Amount (over 100 repeats with Key sync on) 47 0 - 68 LFO 2 Destination (see destination table on page 60)

Parameter Range Description

48 0 - 198 Envelope 3 Amount; -99 to +99 49 0 - 68 Envelope 3 Destination (see destination table on page 60) 50 0 - 110 Envelope 3 Envelope Attack 51 0 - 110 Envelope 3 Envelope Decay 52 0 - 100 Envelope 3 Envelope Sustain 53 0 - 110 Envelope 3 Envelope Release 54 0 - 13 Trigger Select

0 All - The envelopes will be triggered by either the

sequencer or MIDI notes 1 Seq – The envelopes will be triggered by the sequencer

only. 2 MIDI – The envelopes will be triggered by MIDI notes

only. 3 MIDI Reset– Same, with sequencer reset on Note On 4 Combo - Envelopes will only be triggered with both a

MIDI note and the sequencer is running 5 Combo Reset – same, with sequencer reset on Note On 6 External Input gates the envelopes 7 External Input gates the envelopes and resets the

sequencer 8 External Input gates the sequencer 9 External Input gates the sequencer and resets the

sequencer 10 Midi note plays sequence once 11 Midi note plays sequence once, resetting on multiple

notes

12 External Trigger – the sequence plays once on an

external signal 13 The sequence plays once when a key is hit

55 0 - 73 Key Off / Transpose – 0 = MIDI notes ignored. 1 = -36

semitones MIDI transpose, 37 = no transposing, 73 = +36 semitones

Parameter Range Description

56 0 - 75 Sequencer 1 Destination (see destination table on page 60) 57 0 - 75 Sequencer 2 Destination (see destination table on page 60) 58 0 - 75 Sequencer 3 Destination (see destination table on page 60) 59 0 - 75 Sequencer 4 Destination (see destination table on page 60) 60 0 - 100 Noise Volume 61 0 - 100 External Input Volume 62 0 - 2 External Input Mode

0 Stereo 1 Left Input channel goes to both channels 2 Right Input channel goes to both channels 3 Left channel audio, Right channel control

63 0 - 14 Input Hack Amount

Parameter Range Description

64 0 - 200 Glide, Oscillator 1; 101 – 199 = Fingered; 200 = osc midi off 65 0 - 1 Sync; 0 = off, 1 = on 66 30 - 250 Program tempo 67 0 - 12 Program Clock Divide (see Master Clock Divide for

selections)

68 0 - 200 Glide, Oscillator 2; 101 – 199 = Fingered; 200 = osc midi off 69 0 - 5 Oscillator Slop 70 0 - 12 Pitch Bend Range, in semitones 71 0 - 5 Key Mode

0 Low note priority 1 Low note priority with re-trigger 2 High note priority 3 High note priority with re-trigger 4 Last note hit priority 5 Last note hit priority with re-trigger

Parameter Range Description

72 0 - 200 Glide, Oscillator 3; 101 – 199 = Fingered; 200 = osc midi off 73 0 - 100 FM, Oscillator 4 to Oscillator 3 74 0 - 4 Shape Mod Oscillator 3; 0 = Off, 1 = Sequence 1, etc. 75 0 - 100 Ring Mod, Oscillator 4 to Oscillator 3 76 0 - 200 Glide, Oscillator 4; 101 – 199 = Fingered; 200 = osc midi off 77 0 - 100 FM, Oscillator 3 to Oscillator 4 78 0 - 4 Shape Mod Oscillator 4; 0 = Off, 1 = Sequence 1, etc 79 0 - 100 Ring Mod, Oscillator 3 to Oscillator 4

Parameter Range Description

80 0 - 1 2/4 Pole Select; 0 = 2 Pole, 1 = 4 Pole 81 0 - 100 Filter Envelope Velocity 82 0 - 100 Filter Audio Modulation 83 0 - 100 Filter Split 84 0 – 199 Highpass Filter cutoff. 0-99 for filter on output; 100 – 199 for

levels 0-99 with filter on input

85 0 - 24 Modulation 1 Source (see Source Table on page 62) 86 0 - 198 Modulation 1 Amount; -99 to +99 87 0 - 68 Modulation 1 Destination (see destination table on page 60)

Parameter Range Description

88 0 - 1 Linear/Exponential envelopes 0 = Exponential, 1 = Linear 89 0 - 100 VCA Envelope Velocity 90 0 - 24 Modulation 2 Source (see Source Table on page 62) 91 0 - 198 Modulation 2 Amount; -99 to +99 92 0 - 68 Modulation 2 Destination (see destination table on page 60) 93 0 - 24 Modulation 3 Source (see Source Table on page 62) 94 0 - 198 Modulation 3 Amount; -99 to +99 95 0 - 68 Modulation 3 Destination (see destination table on page 60)

Parameter Range Description

96 0 - 24 Modulation 4 Source (see Source Table on page 62) 97 0 - 198 Modulation 4 Amount; -99 to +99 98 0 - 68 Modulation 4 Destination (see destination table on page 60)

99 0 - 166 Delay 2 Time 100 0 - 100 Delay 2 Level 101 0 - 166 Delay 3 Time 102 0 - 100 Delay 3 Level 103 0 - 199 Distortion; 0-99 for distortion on output; 100 – 199 for levels

0-99 with distortion on input

Parameter Range Description

104 0 - 160 LFO 3 Frequency (same as LFO 1) 105 0 - 4 LFO 3 Shape (same as LFO 1) 106 0 - 200 LFO 3 Amount (over 100 repeats with Key sync on) 107 0 - 68 LFO 3 Destination (see destination table on page 60) 108 0 - 160 LFO 4 Frequency (same as LFO 1) 109 0 - 4 LFO 4 Shape (same as LFO 1) 110 0 - 200 LFO 4 Amount (over 100 repeats with Key sync on) 111 0 - 68 LFO 4 Destination (see destination table on page 60)

Parameter Range Description

112 0 - 100 Envelope 3 Delay 113 0 - 100 Envelope 3 Velocity 114 0 - 198 External Input Peak Amount; -99 to +99 115 0 - 68 External Input Peak Destination (see destination table on

page 60) 116 0 - 198 External Input Envelope Follower Amount; -99 to +99 117 0 - 68 External Input Envelope Follower Destination (see

destination table on page 60) 118 0 - 198 Velocity Amount; -99 to +99 119 0 - 68 Velocity Destination (see destination table on page 60)

Parameter Range Description

120 0 - 198 Mod Wheel Amount; -99 to +99 121 0 - 68 Mod Wheel Destination (see destination table on page 60) 122 0 - 198 Pressure Amount; -99 to +99 123 0 - 68 Pressure Destination (see destination table on page 60) 124 0 - 198 Breath Controller Amount; -99 to +99 125 0 - 68 Breath Controller Destination (see destination table on page

60) 126 0 - 198 Foot Controller Amount; -99 to +99 127 0 - 68 Foot Controller Destination (see destination table on page

60)

Modulation Destinations

0 No destination selected 1 Oscillator 1 Frequency 2 Oscillator 2 Frequency 3 Oscillator 3 Frequency 4 Oscillator 4 Frequency 5 Oscillator All Frequency – goes to all four 6 Oscillator 1 Level 7 Oscillator 2 Level 8 Oscillator 3 Level

9 Oscillator 4 Level 10 Oscillator All Level 11 Noise Level 12 External In Level 13 Oscillator 1 Pulse width 14 Oscillator 2 Pulse width 15 Oscillator All Pulse width 16 Frequency Mod (FM) Amount; Osc 4 -> 3 17 Frequency Mod (FM) Amount; Osc 3 -> 4 18 Ring Mod (Amplitude) Amount; Osc 4 -> 3 19 Ring Mod (Amplitude) Amount; Osc 3 -> 4 20 Filter frequency 21 Filter Split –separation between left / right 22 Resonance 23 Highpass Frequency 24 VCA amount 25 Pan 26 Feedback frequency 27 Feedback Amount 28 Delay Time 1 29 Delay Time 2 30 Delay Time 3 31 Delay Time All 32 Delay Amount 1 33 Delay Amount 2 34 Delay Amount 3 35 Delay Amount All 36 Delay Feedback 1 37 Delay Feedback 2 38 LFO 1 Frequency 39 LFO 2 Frequency 40 LFO 3 Frequency 41 LFO 4 Frequency 42 LFO All Frequency 43 LFO 1 Amount 44 LFO 2 Amount

45 LFO 3 Amount 46 LFO 4 Amount 47 LFO A Amount 48 Envelope 1 Amount 49 Envelope 2 Amount 50 Envelope 3 Amount 51 Envelope A Amount 52 Envelope 1 Attack 53 Envelope 2 Attack 54 Envelope 3 Attack 55 Envelope A Attack 56 Envelope 1 Decay 57 Envelope 2 Decay 58 Envelope 3 Decay 59 Envelope A Decay 60 Envelope 1 Release 61 Envelope 2 Release 62 Envelope 3 Release 63 Envelope A Release 64 Filter 1 (left) Cutoff Frequency 65 Filter 2 (right) Cutoff Frequency 66 Filter 1 (left) Resonance 67 Filter 2 (right) Resonance 68 Distortion

Sequencer only destinations

69 Tempo Clock multiplier

70 MIDI Note Out

71 MIDI Velocity Out

72 MIDI Mod Wheel Out

73 MIDI Pressure Out

74 MIDI Breath Controller Out

75 MIDI Foot Controller Out

Modulation Sources

0 No Source selected 1 Sequence 1 2 Sequence 2 3 Sequence 3 4 Sequence 4 5 LFO 1 6 LFO 2 7 LFO 3 8 LFO 4

9 Filter Envelope 10 Amp (VCA) Envelope 11 Envelope 3 12 External Audio Input Peak 13 External Audio Envelope Follower 14 Midi - Pitch Bend 15 Midi - Mod Wheel 16 Midi - Pressure 17 Midi - Breath Controller 18 Midi - Foot Controller 19 Midi – Note Velocity 20 Midi – Note Number 21 Midi – Expression 22 Noise 23 Oscillator 3 24 Oscillator 4

1210 Cabrillo Hwy N

Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1449

USA

www.DaveSmithInstruments.com

Dave Smith Instruments EVOLVER User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Evolver Operation Manual

Dave Smith Instruments

1210 Cabrillo Hwy N

Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1449

For Technical Support, E-mail to:support@davesmithinstruments.com

Contents

Quick Start 6

Basic Operation FAQs 11

Inside Evolver 12

Signal Flow Diagram 13

Main Parameters 14 Main Row 1 14 Main Row 2 16

Sequencer Operation 18

Program Parameters 21 Oscillator 1 21 Oscillator 2 22 Oscillator 3 24 Oscillator 4 25 Lowpass Filter 26 Highpass Filter 27 Amplifier (VCA) 27 Feedback 28 Delay 28

Modulation Destination Table 38

Modulation Source Table 40

MIDI Implementation 41

Register

Version 3.0 Notes

Quick Start

Using Evolver with a MIDI Keyboard

Using Evolver as a Signal Processor

Summary

Program Notes

Bank 1

Program 128 is a test program – you’ll likely want to trash it.

Bank 4

Programs 80 – 128 are sounds meant to played from a keyboard; some have sequences programmed, and some do not. Most respond in different ways to keyboard pressure and mod wheel.

Special thanks to Program contributors, including:

Basic Operation FAQs

The Analog Side

The Digital Side

Sequencer Operation

Program Parameters

Display Destination

Filter Split –separation between left / right Resonance Highpass filter

VCA amount Pan Feedback frequency Filter Amount Delay 1 Time Delay 2 Time Delay 3 Time Delay All Time Delay 1 Amount Delay 2 Amount Delay 3 Amount Delay All Amount Delay Feedback 1 Delay Feedback 2

Additional Sequencer-Only Modulation Destinations

Display Destination

Sequencer clock (BPM) multiplier MIDI note number MIDI Velocity MIDI Mod Wheel MIDI Pressure MIDI Breath Controller MIDI Foot Controller

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 Implementation

MIDI Messages

System Exclusive Messages

Status Description

Status Description

Packed Data Format

Status Description

Status Description

Status Description

Main Parameter Data

Program Parameter Data

Parameter Range Description

Parameter Range Description

0 No destination selected 1 Oscillator 1 Frequency 2 Oscillator 2 Frequency 3 Oscillator 3 Frequency 4 Oscillator 4 Frequency 5 Oscillator All Frequency – goes to all four 6 Oscillator 1 Level 7 Oscillator 2 Level 8 Oscillator 3 Level

Sequencer only destinations

69 Tempo Clock multiplier

70 MIDI Note Out

Modulation Sources