Poly Evolver Music

[Sacred Synthesis]

Thanks, Soundquest.  I was for years recording on a Tascam CD player, but now I'm using a Tascam DR-100 MKIII Linear PCM Recorder for the master.  It's a handy little unit that I can have and watch right at the instruments.

[Soundquest]

This is mainly PEK doing all the the stringy sequences, lap dulcimer solo, low-tune guitar at end, "upright bass" and percussion.   The Pro 2 helps with human like voices, locusts, hawk, birds and wind.


https://soundcloud.com/wavescape-1/meet-at-hawks-bend

[Sacred Synthesis]

Amazing effect.  I would have believed that was a strummed string instrument.

[Soundquest]

Thanks Sacred Synthesis.  The PEK seems well-suited for plucky strings.  Actually, come to think of it, those are my favorite patches to make.   

Don't know if I'll ever really get it perfect, but I want to make a realistic harp (like the big concert hall type).  I've done some import of waveforms from actual instrument samples, but there's that certain "resonance" a harp emits from the wood body that's just hard to duplicate from too-short a waveform snipet.   Closest I got thus far was with the PEK and just playing around with the various waveforms by ear.    Same struggle for me exists with acoustic piano. From a variety of synths,  I've had some luck with the Nord Lead 4 since it has on-board wave forms for piano- and that's sort of Nord's bag anyway.   Recently I got some purchase patches for the Summit that have piano, grand piano.  Not bad, but not really perfect either. 

[proteus-ix]

This is mainly PEK doing all the the stringy sequences, lap dulcimer solo, low-tune guitar at end, "upright bass" and percussion.

Really cool PEK sound design here - care to share some tips on how you're getting these sounds?

[Soundquest]

Thanks proteus-ix.     Really the magic here is the PEK itself.   It's really good for plucky strings.  Try some of the digital shapes- which is what I used here.  I have previously used imported wave shapes of an actual dulcimer before.  Its not the easiest process -but doable.  I have a video in this form which explains how.

[Soundquest]

Every time I circle back to the PEK it never ceases to amaze me.     This song is all PEK, except for some minor percussion.

https://soundcloud.com/wavescape-1/el-plaza-reunion

[Sacred Synthesis]

Very nice, Soundquest.  The whole domain of plucking/strumming patches is a real strength of the Poly Evolver Keyboard, especially when you add the onboard delay.  They sound truly acoustic.  There were some interesting sound effects in the background - one, a cross between people talking and a dog barking.

Are you still intending to keep your PEK?

[Soundquest]

Thanks Sacred Synthesis.    yes, those voices are supposed to sort of like people talking.  That sort of effect is always easier with instruments that have formant filters.   I like doing goofy sound effects in my mixes though.

My PEK will last as long as I can possibly make it happen.  Though I dread the day I fire it up and something is blacked out.    Going up against some stiff modern competition this still remains my favorite instrument despite that aliasing on the higher end.  For example, of late,  been enjoying the new Summit update pan/stereo spread features.  Also still getting familiar with the UDO too.  Both sound excellent in the sound quality category.  All three are quite different too, but if forced to rid myself of one, it wouldn't be the PEK.   I recently got this TC electronics field meter that shows stereo spread.  I use it as an aid in mixing since my stereo hearing is impaired.  In fact, when I have congestion I hear nothing in my right ear.   Anyway, there is a distinct sharp, yet wide, look to the PEK orb with no effects added.  It's hearable too. 

 I know your concerns with longevity echo mine, but you really should consider keeping one PEK.  Such a classic that is lacking a modern  replacement.  Whereas some makers have already filled niches like Andromeda, DX7, Oberheim. 

Com'on Dave, lets make that REV PEK already. 

[Sacred Synthesis]

After Sequential guided me through some very minor repairs - which made substantial improvements - my Poly Evolver combo is now working like brand new.  Although I'd love to add a Summit to my set up, I'm no longer motivated to sell the PEK and replace it.  She's just too special.  And yes, I'd also love to see Dave issue a new Poly Evolver.  It seems like the most obvious next instrument for the company to produce.

[Manbird]

Lovely piece, Soundquest. This forum is dangerous sometimes! I have a desktop Evolver, and otherwise have never even seen a poly in real life, but...thankfully my budget and available studio space are in harmony these days!

[Sacred Synthesis]

Ant, the Poly Evolver Keyboard is the unicorn of the synthesizer forest.  Only a few synthesists ever spot one in real life.  And those who play one are never the same.

[Soundquest]

Thanks Ant, and I love the analogy Sacred synthesis.

[LoboLives]

Nice video posted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV_HWyZwbTM

[Soundquest]

I was playing around with making some patches on the PEK and came up with this plucky- tinkly sound.  The "choir warble voices" are Novation Summit.

https://soundcloud.com/wavescape-1/hymn-minutiae

[Soundquest]

I love the PEK sequencer (I use use it thru the editor as it's really easy to change note gate lengths to odd multiples.  Makes for some funky rhythms.  P12 does the "wha voice" and organ pad.

https://soundcloud.com/wavescape-1/move-over

[Soundquest]

I used a little bit of Tuned feedback on PEK to get the occasional growl.  The PEK does the main plucky part thruout.  The rest is a all done on the Moog Muse, except for the mountain stream, which I recorded in Caanan, WV.  Strymon and Lexicon reverbs.

https://soundcloud.com/wavescape-1/headwaters