In 2005 Dave Smith Instruments released their third Evolver - The Poly Evolver. Their flagship instrument, it's a four-voice synthesizer (essentially four complete Evolvers) with a 5-octave keyboard, pitch and mod wheels, and a ton of knobs and switches in a clean, clear, easy-to-navigate layout. It can be a four-voice poly synth, four mono synths (each with its own sequencer), or any combination in between. The Evolver series resurrects some of the oscillator, filter and other component technologies from the classic Sequential Circuits Prophet-VS and Pro-One synths. The Evolver was a huge hit the moment it appeared and this is the super-hands-on-real-time-programmable-polyphonic version of the little beast.

Each voice is a complete Evolver with four oscillators per voice: two analog and two digital - it's a true analog/digital hybrid synth. The analog oscillators feature multiple classic waveforms plus pulse-width modulation and hard sync, and they sound really nice and big. The digital oscillators feature FM synthesis, Ring Modulation and 96 Prophet VS wavetables plus 32 user wavetables (loaded via MIDI only). Each voice also features two Curtis voltage-controlled analog low-pass filters which are fully resonant and switchable for two- or four-pole operation, two digital highpass filters and real analog VCAs. Modulation capabilities are handled by four LFOs and three ADSR envelope generators (for the filter, the amp, and one is user assignable). There are dedicated onboard effects (feedback, delay, distortion, glide, etc.). One of its best features is the MIDI-syncable 16-step 4-parameter analog-style sequencer (with each patch having its own sequence) which really brings things to life with evolving sounds. The LFOs, step sequencer, and three separate delays can all be synced for massive, rhythmic, time-based effects in stereo. A major unique feature of the Evolver is its true stereo signal path. For each Evolver voice, the left and right channels get their own independent analog oscillator, lowpass filter, highpass filter, VCA and effects. This allows for pretty nice stereo imaging effects.

The Poly Evolver essentially quadruples all those Evolver specs! In Program mode, all four voices play the same sound. In Combo mode, voices can be allocated however desired: stack all 4 for a huge unison sound, split or layer the keyboard in any configuration, and/or play one or all sequences at the same time. Each voice can also respond to a different MIDI channel. Each voice has its own stereo output jacks in addition to the mix output. Stereo audio input can be routed to any or all of the voices, enabling parallel audio processing of external stereo or mono signals. The output of one voice can be routed to the input of another for interesting double-processing effects. And multiple Poly Evolvers can be daisy-chained for increased polyphony!

Full of hundreds of jaw-dropping preset patches, the Poly Evolver offers four times the punch of the original Evolver. The Poly Evolver finally answered prayers for a truly hands-on, programmable synthesizer version of the Evolver, and Dave Smith went all out on this one. The keyboard is semi-weighted with velocity and aftertouch, the wood end caps and overall design make for a great, classic look. The Pitch/Mod wheels are back-lit. With 77 endless-turn knobs and 59 switches, pretty much all parameters are within easy reach. There is a Poly Evolver Rack version of this keyboard, but where is the fun in that? Unless, of course, you "Poly Chain" one or more Poly Evolver Rack models to a master Poly Evolver keyboard for tons more polyphony and Evolver madness! The Poly Evolver would soon be followed up by the much less expensive Mono Evolver, a monophonic keyboard version of the original Evolver.

darwin

March 27, 2013 @ 10:32 pm

There is no initilize patch frustrating but thats the way it is

4 months into owning this and i keep explorering and finding new stuff almost daily

i think i will get a pro tweelve because i like this so much
only time will tell
ive even played with getting a desktop version to use as a mono keyboard along side
i probably wont but i have considered

marc

March 6, 2013 @ 7:09 am

HEY..im wondering, iv got and keyboard poly evolver and i cant find the initial pach for it..how can i get it or where to find it..any help would be truely appreciated. thank you;)

Y O U N G I S L A N D S

December 21, 2012 @ 7:44 pm

I've owned one of these for 5 months now & love it. At first, it was really hard to understand a lot of this particular synth, but once you delve into it, it's incredible. I'd strongly recommend Anu Kirk's guide/manual that he has online: http://www.carbon111.com/evolverguide.pdf
Anyways, the DSI Poly Evolver never ceases to impress me. There is so much that you can do. I love using the noise with the resonance a bit high, all gate-sequenced w/ 32nd notes and sweeping up the lowpass filter. Boy, that can get killer. Especially adding some of the onboard delay! It has a really unique sound.

paul hopkins

December 20, 2012 @ 11:14 pm

nice, its a keyboard players dream, so many sounds that only life itself can explain, the only problem i found with this synth is that is dosen't have a abort button.

Shane

December 14, 2012 @ 4:19 pm

I have now owned this machine for four hours and had to go to work this is an amazing device coming from an ultra nova and a gaia this is just blowing me away.
the power is huge the architecture is easily comprehended and it is fun the sound is amazing i haven't indulged to deep into the step sequencer yet but i will oh i will what a fantastic instrument

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