No... the P12 is just a lot more parameters then the Evolver, especially because it also has two layers...
Interesting as I see P12 and Evolver as not all that different. But you are right with the layers as that obviously doubles the number of parameters. P12 have more modslots, more delay/LFO parameters. But the overall concept is very similar.
Of cause you have had P12 and I haven't. But this is how I look at it after having studied the voice architecture. The question is if its more complex to program not only based on the number of parameters to be configured but also if more tweaks/workarounds are needed to obtain the desired sound.
I've decided, that for editing, this will drive me crazy... simply put.... for editing an adjustment to a preset it's ok, but to design a sound from scratch when I've been used to a full screen editor, this is a nightmare to be honest, so I've decided to keep SoundDiver at hand anyway... only to create presets "offline"...
Sounds like a plan. Being flexible in tool use is a very good idea. Even better to try out techniques and adapt as insight in gained.
I'm actually considering getting a REV2 8voice module at some point... not sure yet though since I'm afraid it'll take too much time to do something from scratch... but then again... you're not forced to use all the features, if you want to keep it simple... the main reason for a REV2 is the polyphony, but I may find another solution for that.
I would suggest my standard advice at this time of year: Gearmas happens in late January so I would wait and see if anything more interesting shows up. Also, maybe give some thought to what kind of voice you really need. Take your time!
Actually I've been giving my setup a lot of thought lately... I've been taking quite a few "jumps" (rather extreme ones) to try out what works best for me, and I think I'm about to be at an actual conclusion. All this hands-on stuff really is beginning to piss me off, mainly because the sound pallette is so limited with analog synthesis alone... also I feel like I lack polyphony.
In fact, the way I work now (HD recording) is the best for the type of music I want to be doing (Ambient), so I really do not need a lot of synths... too many cause me to loose concentration and focus, and it also take up a hell of a lot of space.
The more I think of it, what I really need is a very small setup, with a few really powerful synthesizers that can do a little of each and complement each other.... as I will do HD recording in a layer fashion, I can reuse the synths more than once.
The criteria I have boiled down to these:
1. A few synths (I decided on four because of practical reasons)
2. Must be very flexible, and complement each other well
3. Must have lots of polyphony for pad sounds when needed
4. Build in modulation FX, since the only external FX I'll be using are Reverb and Delay.
5. Must be stereo capable.
6. Must be desktop modules (not rack!), one may be a keyboard (working as my master controller)
7. Analog must be part of the synthesis, so no 100% digital ones (digital bores me, for some reason unknown)
8. Must be possible to make an editor for SoundDiver for them, without a shadow of a doubt!
I've actually located most of the synths already, and the mixer too... the Mixer is on it's way, and it's a Mackie ONYX 820i ... a small mixer, but will do exactly what I want it to.
The Synths are:
1. DSI - Prophet REV2 (most likely the keyboard version)
2. DSI - P12 module (yes... I want that again for this)
3. DSI - Evolver Desktop (the only monophonic, but it will be plugged into the inserts of the mixers two mono channels, so that any microphones connected to the XLR inputs can be routed thru the Evolver for some analog/digital FX processing)
4. Not known yet... but it will have to meet all of the above criteria, and REALLY bring me something special... a DSI sampler might be a good candidate here
On FX I already have the Lexicon PCM92, which will serve as my main Reverb/Multi FX processor... I have space for one more, and it will probably be an Eventide Eclipse at some point later (it's insanely expensive).
That's it... no more... no less... it will allow me to do any kind of Ambient music, and also allow for some organic manipulated microphone recorded tracks using different acoustic stuff for live recording.
So yes... all the newly aquired monosynths will have to go... that was yet another big mistake... but now it has been tried... yes, I know I'm crazy.... I even have papers on it