Conference napalm::commusic_v1

2718.0. "Evolution Synthesis EVS-1 (UK)" by RGB::ROST (Spike Lee stunt double) Wed Sep 11 1991 11:47

    From USENET.  I had seen mention of this synth module in a UK Atari
    magazine some months ago.  I recall the price was dirt cheap.  Any UK
    noters have any more info on this thing?
    
From: andy@oda.icl.co.uk (Andy Spiceley)
Subject: EVS-1 rack module impressions
Date: 9 Sep 91 11:32:39 GMT
 
Various folks have been enquiring about the Evolution Synthesis expander
EVS-1 module.  I confess to owning one of these, and having owned up, I
can offer the following impressions.
 
(Readers of the UK magazine SoundOnSound will remember a reasonably extensive
review back in 1990. Can't remember the date off-hand. Email me if you need the
exact ref.)
 
Caveat - this summary is from memory (and probably therefore inaccurate...)
Worse-than-caveat: I have spent hardly any time playing with this unit,
since you do need the editor program (see below) and I didn't have an
Atari available, except when I didn't have time to spare.
Hence all impressions of ease-of-use, quality etc are rather superficial.
 
Spec:
16 note polyphonic, 8 voice multitimbral.
External transformer-type 6v PSU (ugh)
STereo audio outs.
100 patch slots: 80 of these are presets, 20 programmable.
Combinations of the 8 timbres are set up as Banks: there's <some number of> 
banks available for programming, and some presets (of course).
 
Physically the unit is quite small - 1U high and only half the depth of (say)
a D110.
 
The major advantage/drawback is that you cannot edit the sounds from the front
panel - instead you get an editor program.  As supplied this is an ATARI ST 
version but I understand a PC version is promised (prob. available by now?)
You can tweak various things from the panel: pitch bend range, controller number
midi channel for the 8 sounds, etc.
 
The synth architecture is interesting: there's 28 "algorithms" which
hook up various elements in pre-defined ways, giving you FM with various
numbers of operators, PM, simple combinations of (various numbers of) 
oscillators. Some have ring modulation.  No additive synthesis.
There are filters, and 4? envelope shapers.  You can plug any of the 20? 30?
waveforms into (most of) the algorithms (some FM operators are only sine).
Waveforms include sine, square, triangle etc, and a variety of single cycle 
samples.
 
The modulation capability seems quite good: you can do all the sorts of 
things I liked the ESQ1 for (like modulating pitch by keyboard to affect the
tuning - oh yes, there's no tuning tables).
 
I suspect an expert could coax some fun sounds out of this beast: plenty
of scope for grungy stuff.
I'm no expert on synth editor programs (only other one I've used was Dr.T
ESQ/SQ80 editor) but I was not greatly impressed: but perhaps if you're 
on top of what you're trying to do its not too bad.
For me the main problem is that 
(a) I can't really predict what sort of noise an algorithm is likely to make
(b) therefore making the sounds is trial and error
(c) I hate using the Atari
(d) you really need a MIDI merge box in order to have the EVS, atari and 
master keyboard connected together - and I don't have one. (You can audition 
patches on a few notes using alt-n keys but I don't find this satisfactory.
 
Personally I didnt like many of the presets (except the two drum sets which are
pretty good for a box this cheap): they seemed mostly either really poor
subsitutes for the standards pads, or else gimmicky twinkly/twangy stuff.
 
It may be that if and when I get properly organised with a merge box and PC 
version of the editor (and a MIDI interface for my PC, and a mixer so that I 
can use it with the EPS, and....) I'll get stuck in and find out how to make
some sounds with it.  I think it has a lot of potential.
I'd be interested to hear anyone else's impressions.
 
Andy Spiceley
ICL Bracknell
email	andy@oda.icl.co.uk
phone	+44 344 424842 x2616