Polychaing MEK with 2 desktop Evolvers

[buchlabum]

I understand that the rack polyevolver has different versions of firmware (in hardware chip) that may or may not be necessary to upgrade to use it in polychain mode.  Is this the case with the desktop version?  Or will all Desktops polychain?

Is there a theoretical limit to how many voices?  16? 128?

[Paul Dither]

You should always make sure to have the latest firmware versions installed. They can be found here:

Desktop Evolver: http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/updating-evolver-os/
Poly Evolver Rack: http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/updating-poly-evolver-rack-os/
Mono Evolver Keyboard: http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/updating-mono-evolver-os/

The voice number limit for poly chaining is 20.

[buchlabum]

Cool thanks.  I wasn't sure if there was a chip that might need to be upgraded.  We'll see in a few days.  20 voices would be incredible.

[Paul Dither]

Cool thanks.  I wasn't sure if there was a chip that might need to be upgraded.  We'll see in a few days.  20 voices would be incredible.

That can be the case, depending on how low your serial numbers are. It's all described in the links above. And the according chips can still be ordered from DSI.

[buchlabum]

Thanks Paul.
I got one of the Evo desktops today, wrapped in 1000 layers of bubblewrap so I can't check the serial.  Hopefully it's already been updated to the latest OS and I can hear what a two voice MEK sounds like tonight.  I really really wish I never sold my desktop...

[Sacred Synthesis]

If you're willing to invest a fair amount of money in Evolver Desktops, wouldn't it make more sense to buy a Poly Evolver Keyboard and have it all under one hood and without all the wires?

[buchlabum]

I lucked out!  The desktop Evo I got today is the latest OS.  Sent the banks from the MEK, and holy wowzers!  I can't wait for the 3rd voice to show up next week.  The MEK is almost a different synth when you can hear it's sounds in poly.  My PEK lust is starting to build...

Anyone else interested, I found a video on youtube that shows step by step (except for the waiting of sending banks) how to set up multiple desktop evolvers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEjmFmFCUYs

[Sacred Synthesis]

Don't miss the companion video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mMRkUUUu44

[buchlabum]

Don't miss the companion video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mMRkUUUu44

Watched that while I was waiting for USPS.  Got real excited.

I had the desktop when it came out, but really disliked the interface.  The MEK makes a real nice UI to the desktop.

And your 12 voice Evolver videos showed how huge it could sound.  But you do know the max is 20....that's only 2 more PERs...   

[Sacred Synthesis]

Hah!  Those racks are awful expensive these days - as expensive as the keyboards.  Otherwise, I'd probably buy a second one.  There's just nothing like and Evolver.  If they hold up over time, I think they'll be highly coveted synthesizers one day.

[buchlabum]

Hah!  Those racks are awful expensive these days - as expensive as the keyboards.  Otherwise, I'd probably buy a second one.  There's just nothing like and Evolver.  If they hold up over time, I think they'll be highly coveted synthesizers one day.

I think last year or the year before, when I didn't have any money, Noisebug had a really beautiful setup, a PER and a PEK for around $3000.  Not super cheap, but the prices people are asking now, it would be like $4000-4500.  Too much for a hobbyist like me.  I'd snap up 20 voices to play a one not drone as an experiment w/o thinking about it if music was my career. 

I probably should just get a PEK, but I like the compactness of the MEK. Just a few more notes, like the Pro2's keyboard, and it would have been perfect.