Session 2

Session 02: Factory Tour & Favorites

25 min|beginner|technique

Session 02: Factory Tour & Favorites

Objective: Survey the Evolver's 512 factory presets to understand its sonic range, and identify 5 favorites as reference points for future sound design.

If you only have 5 minutes

Go to Bank 1 and step through 20 programs with the +/YES button. Play each for a few seconds with aftertouch and mod wheel. Write down 2 that grab you.

Warm-Up (2 min)

Recall your basic patch (Bank 1, Program 128). Play middle C. Verify it sounds right -- bright, sustained sawtooth in stereo, no modulation or effects. Solo each oscillator by holding down the OSC 1-4 buttons one at a time. You should hear two analog saws (1 and 2, left and right) and two digital sines (3 and 4, left and right).

Setup

Navigate to Bank 1, Program 1. Have a notepad or phone ready to jot down favorites.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Bank 1 and 2 -- Keyboard Sounds (10 min)

Banks 1 and 2 contain classic keyboard sounds designed to be played from the keys.

  1. Step through programs using +/YES -- spend 5-10 seconds on each
  2. For each sound, play notes in at least two octave ranges -- you should hear how the timbre changes across the keyboard
  3. Try aftertouch (press harder on held keys) -- many sounds respond with vibrato, filter opening, or other movement
  4. Try the mod wheel -- many sounds come alive with it. You should hear filter sweeps, vibrato, or timbral shifts
  5. Hold notes and let them evolve -- some sounds unfold over time due to LFO modulation or slow envelopes
  6. When a sound grabs you, write down the program number, bank, and a one-word description (e.g., "P:42 B:1 -- fat bass")
  7. Do the same for Bank 2 -- move faster, noting only standouts

See DSI Manual p.3 ("About the Programs") -- Banks 1 and 2 are classic keyboard sounds

Exercise 2: Bank 3 -- Sequencer Programs (5 min)

Bank 3 programs are sequencer-based. They do not play from the keyboard.

evolverEnvelope 3DestinationAmountVelocityDelayAttackDecaySustainReleaseLFOsFrequencyShape1234KSDestinationAmount16 x 4 SequencerProgramGlobalCompareWriteSeq EditStart/StopReset1234Basic PatchP:001 B:1PARAM 1+ Yes- NoPARAM 2SelectValueAnalog / Digital SynthStereo Audio Processor16 x 4 SequencerMisc ParamsVoice VolumeNameTrigger SelectKey ModeKey Off/XposePitch/Wheel RangeOsc SlopInput ModeEnv ShapeInput HackHP Pre/PostDist Pre/PostMiscModulators1234Mod SourceMod DestMod AmountMod WheelPressureBreathFoot ControllerIn PeakIn Env FollowerVelocityTransposeDownUpOscillators1Analog23Digital4FrequencyFineShape/PWLevelFMRing ModShape ModGlideSync 2>1NoiseLevelExt InLevelLow Pass Filter4 PoleFrequencyResonanceEnv AmountVelocityKey AmountAudio ModL/R SplitAttackDecaySustainReleaseAmpVCA LevelEnv AmountVelocityOutput/SpeedAttackDecaySustainReleaseHP FilterFrequencyFeedbackFrequencyLevelGrungeDistortionAmountGrungeDelay123TimeLevelAmountFeedback 1Feedback 2OutputMaster VolDave SmithINSTRUMENTSPitchMod
  1. Switch to Bank 3, Program 1
  2. Press START/STOP to hear the sequence play -- you should hear a rhythmic pattern
  3. Let each run for 10-15 seconds before pressing +/YES to advance
  4. Try pressing keys while sequences run -- some transpose the sequence, some do not (depends on the Trigger Select setting)
  5. Note any sequences that sound interesting -- these demonstrate the 4-track, 16-step sequencer you will learn in later modules

See DSI Manual p.3 -- Bank 3 is sequencer-based programs

Exercise 3: Bank 4 -- Drones and Processing (5 min)

Bank 4 has specialized programs:

  1. Programs 1-19: Drones -- these play constantly while selected, no key press needed. You should hear continuously evolving textures. Listen for how modulation creates movement without any input
  2. Programs 20-29: Guitar signal processing patches (skip if you have no guitar plugged in)
  3. Programs 30-39: Stereo signal processing (skip if no external audio source)
  4. Programs 40-127: Miscellaneous keyboard sounds -- step through quickly, noting any favorites

See DSI Manual p.3 -- Bank 4 organization

Exercise 4: Pick Your 5 Favorites (5 min)

Go back and revisit the sounds you noted. Select exactly 5 and document each one:

  1. Program number and bank (e.g., P:42 B:1)
  2. Your name for it -- not the LCD name, something that describes what it sounds like to you
  3. What stands out -- is it the filter? The sequence? The modulation? The raw oscillator tone?
  4. Type: keyboard sound, sequence, or drone

These 5 favorites are your sonic landmarks. As you learn each synthesis technique in future sessions, you will start to understand how these sounds were made.

Exploration (optional, hyperfocus days)

  • For your 5 favorites, try turning the Filter Frequency knob and listen to how the sound changes -- you should hear brightness increase or decrease
  • Press COMPARE after tweaking a favorite to hear the difference between your edit and the original
  • Try the 4-POLE switch on a favorite -- you should hear the filter become more aggressive (steeper rolloff) in 4-pole mode

Output Checklist

  • 5 favorite presets documented with program numbers and descriptions
  • General sense of the Evolver's sonic range across all 4 banks
  • Noticed which controllers (aftertouch, mod wheel) are commonly mapped
  • Session logged in Obsidian daily note

Key Takeaways

  • The Evolver covers a huge sonic range: from classic analog warmth to digital grit, from keyboard sounds to self-playing sequences to drones
  • Controllers (aftertouch, mod wheel) are often mapped to filter and modulation parameters -- always try them
  • Bank organization matters: Banks 1-2 for keyboard, Bank 3 for sequences, Bank 4 for drones and processing

Next Session Preview

Next time you dive into the analog oscillators -- the heart of subtractive synthesis. You will hear the difference between sawtooth, triangle, and pulse waves, and understand why waveshape determines the entire character of a sound.