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SEQUENTIAL/DSI => Evolver => Evolver Desktop => Topic started by: EricDeluxe on August 06, 2017, 11:22:44 AM

Title: Evolver and Soundtower Editor
Post by: EricDeluxe on August 06, 2017, 11:22:44 AM
Hi

I just got the Evolver Desktop and want to use it with Soundtower Editor. I use with with Sonar Platinum.

I've got it set up ok, and it kind of works, but still a bit confused... As you can se my audio interface is connected from midi OUT to midi IN on the Evolver.

What should the the Midi settings  be on the Evolver hardware? Thinking of Midi clock settins, as well as Midi Chan (All?)

Thanks
Title: Re: Evolver and Soundtower Editor
Post by: megamarkd on August 07, 2017, 12:52:45 AM
Go to MIDI Rec and set that to All.  Do the same with MIDI Xmit next to it.  Set the MIDI channel to the same as that which the sequence you are sending it is on.  MIDI Clock should be set to In.
These are the core settings for the Evolver to be connected to a computer (or a hardware sequencer) so it can be sequenced and be edited with a patch editor (Receive/send patches from/to a MIDI sequencer for recall/storage the olden days way).  MIDI Clock is set to In and IO (In/Out) so not to create a clock loop.  I dunno how your set-up handles clock from two sources, but I know my hardware plays double time.  If you were sending the Evolver's sequencer notes onto another device that has MIDI Clock sync effects or something like that then use IO, but your computer will not need the clock.  Really it shouldn't matter as the master clock will ignore incoming clock data, but it's just good habit.

Now, whether or not your patches are playable via MIDI is patch dependent.  All patches have a trigger setting which is usually set to "All" but sometimes not, so that isn't too much of an issue.  Check out that menu though, as it does expose some of the interesting ways to trigger the Evolver other than simply via MIDI or it's own sequencer.
What is the big 'gotchya!' is the setting next to it, Key Off/Xpose (Transpose).  If that is set to off, you will get the same note out of anything fed to it externally.  Great for making percussion sounds, but no good if you want a tuned note to sound.  So you can turn MIDI note input on as well as essentially set the key of the patch by assigning a transpose amount.  I found that a good amount of the factory presets had Key Off/Xpose turned off when I bought my Evolver and it send me mad at first.  Now I'm used to it, though it's still a pain in the bum to try to audition patches for an external sequence.

Anyway I hope this works for you, I remember thinking I must be missing something when I unpacked my unit and tried to play it with a keyboard.  The manual got a good eyeballing that day!
Title: Re: Evolver and Soundtower Editor
Post by: EricDeluxe on August 07, 2017, 01:49:46 PM
Hello megamarkd!

Thanks a lot, this is a very long and good answer to my question. I will try this out tonight, and get back to you ASAP:)

short for now now, I want to be able to set up a basic patch, and use the sequencer with its FXs. In the end, I am aming to design evolving patches with help of Evolver Editor, and record those into my DAW (Sonar).

Will keep you posted:)
Title: Re: Evolver and Soundtower Editor
Post by: megamarkd on August 08, 2017, 01:19:32 AM
You are welcome.  I love my Evolver.  When it was released I had to save for a year to get one.  Now I have a better paying job, but they are running at 1.5x the price I paid new in 2003 for a 2nd hand unit!  2nd hand Tetras go for the same price, that's how incredible the Evolver is.

Years ago this full dude of a guy name Anu wrote out a guide to using the Evolver, pretty sure for no pay too.  It is what you need if you want to get lost for days in the Evolver.  It's stickied to the top of the Evolver board here, so you don't need to go searching for it.  It's still being hosted on the same site it was back at the beginning, which is a real blast from the past.

It also helps if you have the pictures waveforms from the tables handy.  When trying to get your head around FM, an oscilloscope is really what you want, but short of that the pics will give you an idea of what is happening.  A good understanding of mathematics also helps with comprehending FM synthesis, heheheh.

I bought a little analogue step sequencer from a guy locally who was also selling his Evolver Keyboard.  He said he had to lose it due to space restrictions (same reason I don't own one), but was going to look for a desktop to replace it as he relied on it for evolving drones it can make.  I think may have beaten me to one of the ones on Gumtree in the last year.  Both times while waiting for invoices to be paid, I've missed out on my second Evolver twice since I spoke to him and his ad for the MEK is gone.....lol
Title: Re: Evolver and Soundtower Editor
Post by: EricDeluxe on August 08, 2017, 02:40:56 PM
Hi again

I got mine for about 400 Euro, think that is ok, but not cheap;)...
I only plan to run Evolver with my DAW (Sonar Platinum 64 bit), not with other hardware. I will sync and sequence from my DAW.

I have got "the Definitive Guide To Evolver" by Anu Kirk;) lovely guide, and a lot of work into that one for sure!! Thank him for that! Just started to read it so have many hours of reading and tweaking...

I am not very experienced in Midi configuration, so bare with me.

For now I check the Evolver Editor from Soundtower to work with Sonar. It work partly; It sync in time with the BPM and I can record midi animation of the Evolver PlugSE into Sonar, but can't do this via the hardware. Do I also need midi out from Evolver to my Midi interface for this?. The Evolver Plug SE should work as a VST plugin so... Any ideas?

Furthermore, I can only record audio from Evolver audio Outputs into my audio interface audio IN... Shouldn't this be done via the VST plugin inside the daw?

I just feel I struggle now, not sure what questions to ask...

Please see attached screen images for more info.

Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Evolver and Soundtower Editor
Post by: megamarkd on August 10, 2017, 12:57:00 AM
I don't use computers for music so am not much use for that side of things.  I have many many years ago when MAC ruled the creative roost and OS9 ruled MAC.  The the software has all changed since then though.  The only audio editing on computer in recent time has been on a PC using Wavelab and files I've recorded using a Zoom.  I do have to use a computer to configure my Arturia sequencers and my MIO4, I also briefly messed with the Circuit synth editor.  All the software for those devices are standalone.  I do have an understanding of how to assign MIDI interfaces to applications but beyond that I'm out.  Sorry, but hopefully someone will chime in on that side of things.

I do know if you want to tweak the Evolver and have those tweaks appear in Soundtower, you will need to plug the MIDI out on the Evolver to your MIDI interface so it can be passed on (and make the appropriate settings regarding MIDI in and out ports and set the channel in Soundtower to that which the Evolver is on).  MIDI is one-way per cable when working with DIN ports, unlike USB MIDI which you can go to and from with the one cable.  Make sure it's the OUT port you are connecting not the THRU as that is just a copy of the IN port for chaining instruments.

Hopefully I've given you enough info to get running with Soundtower at least.  I've toyed with the demo before and the one for the Tetra also.  I do like the sequencer editing side of them, just prefer dials and lights to mice and monitors in the end.
Title: Re: Evolver and Soundtower Editor
Post by: EricDeluxe on August 10, 2017, 01:28:50 AM
Thanks again megamarkd, really helpfull:)

I will continue to explore Evolver and am sure it will be very inspiring. Love the sound of the synth, and as you say, the sequencer part is amazing.

Regarding the midi part, I know what to do, more used to USB midi, which has in and out in the same cable.

Thanks for all your help:)

PS - any music online you made?
Title: Re: Evolver and Soundtower Editor
Post by: chysn on August 10, 2017, 03:30:50 AM
Furthermore, I can only record audio from Evolver audio Outputs into my audio interface audio IN... Shouldn't this be done via the VST plugin inside the daw?

The audio outs into your audio interface is the correct way to record your Evolver with a DAW. Just make sure to record it in stereo!
Title: Re: Evolver and Soundtower Editor
Post by: EricDeluxe on August 10, 2017, 05:01:34 AM
Ok, great then Im happy, can do so!