Session 23

Quick Reference

The Basic Patch

The "home base" for all learning sessions. Adapted from Anu Kirk's Definitive Guide to Evolver (p.7-8). This is a minimal, neutral patch that lets you isolate and hear the effect of any single parameter change.

Save this to Program 128 in Bank 1 (and a backup copy elsewhere).

Why This Matters

Without a known starting state, you can't isolate what you're learning. When you turn a knob and hear a change, you need to know that change came from that knob and not some other parameter interaction. The basic patch is your lab bench.

Source: Anu Kirk Guide p.7 -- "The Basic Patch"

Complete Parameter Dump

Every parameter on the Evolver front panel, organized by section. Values sourced from Anu Kirk's basic patch table (p.7-8) and verified against the DSI Manual parameter definitions (p.14-26).

Global Parameters

Parameter	Value	Notes
Main Volume	75	Overall output level
Pot Mode	Relative	Recommended for learning -- changes are relative to stored values

Source: Anu Kirk Guide p.7, DSI Manual p.13

Oscillator 1 (Analog, Left Channel)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	C0	Base pitch, lowest practical range. C3 = middle C
Fine	0	No detuning (range: -50 to +50 cents)
Shape	Saw	Sawtooth wave -- rich harmonics, good for hearing filter changes
Level	50	Half volume (range: 0-100)
Glide	0	No portamento (range: 0-100, or Finger 02-100, or Keybd Off)

Oscillator 2 (Analog, Right Channel)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	C0	Same as Osc 1
Fine	0	No detuning
Shape	Saw	Sawtooth wave
Level	50	Half volume
Glide	0	No portamento

Analog Oscillator Shared Parameters

Parameter	Value	Notes
Sync 2->1	OFF	No hard sync (Osc 2 does not reset Osc 1)
Osc Slop	0	No random frequency drift (range: 0-5)

Oscillator 3 (Digital, Left Channel)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	C0	Base pitch
Fine	0	No detuning
Shape	1	Sine wave (first waveshape in Prophet-VS set)
Level	50	Half volume
Glide	0	No portamento
FM 4->3	0	No frequency modulation from Osc 4 (range: 0-100)
Ring Mod 4->3	0	No ring modulation from Osc 4 (range: 0-100)
Shape Seq	OFF	No waveshape sequencing

Oscillator 4 (Digital, Right Channel)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	C0	Base pitch
Fine	0	No detuning
Shape	1	Sine wave
Level	50	Half volume
Glide	0	No portamento
FM 3->4	0	No frequency modulation from Osc 3 (range: 0-100)
Ring Mod 3->4	0	No ring modulation from Osc 3 (range: 0-100)
Shape Seq	OFF	No waveshape sequencing

Noise

Parameter	Value	Notes
Volume	0	No noise mixed in (range: 0-100, feeds both channels equally)

Lowpass Filter (Analog, L+R in tandem)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	164	Wide open -- maximum cutoff, all harmonics pass through (range: 0-164)
Resonance	0	No resonance (range: 0-100, self-oscillates in 4-pole at high values)
2/4 Pole	2P	2-pole mode (-12dB/oct). 4-pole is -24dB/oct and can self-oscillate
Env Amount	0	No filter envelope modulation (range: -99 to +99)
Velocity	0	No velocity sensitivity on filter envelope
Key Amount	0	No keyboard tracking on filter cutoff (72 = 1 semitone/note)
Audio Mod	0	No audio-rate modulation from analog osc (range: 0-100)
Split	0	L/R filters locked together (range: 0-100, raises L / lowers R)

Filter Envelope (ENV 1)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Attack	0	Instant attack (range: 0-110)
Decay	0	No decay (range: 0-110)
Sustain	100	Full sustain -- filter stays open while key held (range: 0-100)
Release	0	Instant release (range: 0-110)

VCA (Amplifier)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Level	0	No base level -- sound only when envelope is active (range: 0-100)
Env Amount	100	Full envelope control of amplitude (range: 0-100)
Velocity	0	No velocity sensitivity on VCA envelope
Output Pan	St1	Full stereo (L fully left, R fully right). Options: St1, St2, St3, Mono, rSt1, rSt2, rSt3
Volume	100	Voice volume at maximum (range: 0-100)

VCA Envelope (ENV 2)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Attack	0	Instant attack (range: 0-110)
Decay	0	No decay (range: 0-110)
Sustain	100	Full sustain -- sound holds at full level while key pressed (range: 0-100)
Release	0	Instant release (range: 0-110)

Highpass Filter (Digital)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	0	No high-pass filtering (range: 0-99)

Tuned Feedback

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	0	C0, lowest feedback pitch (range: 0-48, steps in semitones C0-C4)
Level	0	No feedback (range: 0-100, oscillates at high levels)
Grunge	OFF	No nasty feedback character

Distortion

Parameter	Value	Notes
Amount	0	No distortion (range: 0-99). Note: noise gate activates at any non-zero value

Output Hack

Parameter	Value	Notes
Amount	0	No bit-crushing (range: 0-14)

Delay (All 3 Taps)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Time 1	0	No delay on tap 1 (range: 0-150, or sync values)
Level 1	0	Tap 1 silent
Time 2	0	No delay on tap 2
Level 2	0	Tap 2 silent
Time 3	0	No delay on tap 3
Level 3	0	Tap 3 silent
Feedback 1	0	No delay self-feedback (range: 0-100)
Feedback 2	0	No delay-to-filter feedback (range: 0-100)

Envelope 3 (Mod Envelope)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Destination	OFF	No modulation target
Amount	0	No modulation amount (range: -99 to +99)
Velocity	0	No velocity sensitivity
Delay	0	No pre-attack delay (range: 0-100)
Attack	0	Instant attack (range: 0-110)
Decay	0	No decay (range: 0-110)
Sustain	0	Zero sustain (range: 0-100)
Release	0	Instant release (range: 0-110)

LFO 1 (Low Frequency Oscillator)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	0	Slowest rate (range: 0-150, or sync values)
Shape	Tri	Triangle wave (options: Tri, RevSaw, Saw, Square, Random)
Amount	0	No modulation (range: 0-100)
Destination	OFF	No modulation target
Key Sync	OFF	LFO free-runs (does not restart on key press)

LFO 2

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	0	Slowest rate
Shape	Tri	Triangle wave
Amount	0	No modulation
Destination	OFF	No modulation target
Key Sync	OFF	Free-running

LFO 3

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	0	Slowest rate
Shape	Tri	Triangle wave
Amount	0	No modulation
Destination	OFF	No modulation target
Key Sync	OFF	Free-running

LFO 4

Parameter	Value	Notes
Frequency	0	Slowest rate
Shape	Tri	Triangle wave
Amount	0	No modulation
Destination	OFF	No modulation target
Key Sync	OFF	Free-running

Modulation Slot 1

Parameter	Value	Notes
Source	OFF	No modulation source
Amount	0	No modulation amount (range: -99 to +99)
Destination	OFF	No modulation target

Modulation Slot 2

Parameter	Value	Notes
Source	OFF	No modulation source
Amount	0	No modulation amount
Destination	OFF	No modulation target

Modulation Slot 3

Parameter	Value	Notes
Source	OFF	No modulation source
Amount	0	No modulation amount
Destination	OFF	No modulation target

Modulation Slot 4

Parameter	Value	Notes
Source	OFF	No modulation source
Amount	0	No modulation amount
Destination	OFF	No modulation target

MIDI Controllers

Parameter	Value	Notes
Velocity Destination	OFF	No velocity routing
Velocity Amount	0	No velocity modulation
Mod Wheel Amount	0	No mod wheel modulation
Mod Wheel Destination	OFF	No mod wheel target
Pressure Amount	0	No aftertouch modulation
Pressure Destination	OFF	No aftertouch target
Breath Amount	0	No breath control modulation
Breath Destination	OFF	No breath target
Foot Controller Amount	0	No foot pedal modulation
Foot Controller Destination	OFF	No foot pedal target

Sequencer (All 4 Tracks)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Seq 1 Destination	OFF	No sequencer modulation target
Seq 2 Destination	OFF	No sequencer modulation target
Seq 3 Destination	OFF	No sequencer modulation target
Seq 4 Destination	OFF	No sequencer modulation target
All Step Values (1-16)	0	All 64 steps (4 tracks x 16 steps) set to 0

External Input

Parameter	Value	Notes
Volume	0	No external audio (range: 0-100)
Mode	St	Stereo mode (options: Stereo, Mono Left, Mono Right, L Control + R Audio)
Input Hack	0	No input bit-crushing (range: 0-14)
Input Peak Amount	0	No peak hold modulation
Input Peak Destination	OFF	No peak hold target
Env Follow Amount	0	No envelope follower modulation
Env Follow Destination	OFF	No envelope follower target

Miscellaneous Parameters

Parameter	Value	Notes
Env Shape	Exp	Exponential envelopes (more natural than Linear)
Key Off/Transpose	-24	Keyboard transposed down 2 octaves for best range
Pitch Wheel Range	0	No pitch bend
BPM	120	Default tempo
Clock Divide	8n	Eighth note division
Trigger Select	Seq or Key	Envelopes triggered by sequencer or keyboard
Key Mode	Poly Low Note	Low note priority (Poly for poly chain compatibility)

Source: Anu Kirk Guide p.7-8, DSI Manual p.14-26

What It Sounds Like

A plain, bright, sustained tone. Both analog oscillators playing sawtooth waves in stereo with the filter wide open and no modulation. Boring on purpose -- it's a canvas, not a painting.

Quick Test

After programming, play middle C. You should hear a bright, buzzy, sustained sawtooth tone in stereo. If you hear anything else -- modulation, filtering, echo, distortion -- something is still set wrong.

Parameter Count Summary

Section	Parameters
Global	2
Oscillators 1-4	26
Analog Shared (Sync, Slop)	2
Noise	1
Lowpass Filter	8
Filter Envelope (ENV 1)	4
VCA	5
VCA Envelope (ENV 2)	4
Highpass Filter	1
Tuned Feedback	3
Distortion	1
Output Hack	1
Delay (3 taps)	8
Envelope 3	8
LFOs 1-4	20
Mod Slots 1-4	12
MIDI Controllers	10
Sequencer	68 (4 destinations + 64 steps)
External Input	7
Misc Parameters	7
Total	~198

This session builds on Session #22 — complete it first for the best experience

Session 23: Pitch Sequences -- Melodies and Basslines

25 min|intermediate|patch

Session 23: Pitch Sequences -- Melodies and Basslines

Objective: Program melodic pitch sequences including basslines with specific note values, fake polyphony using separate oscillator tracks, and live transposition from the keyboard.

If you only have 5 minutes

Load the basic patch. Set Seq 1 Dest = OAF. Program a minor bassline: steps 1-8 = 36, 36, 48, 48, 43, 43, 46, 46. Step 9 = rST. Set BPM = 110, Clock Divide = 16th. Press START/STOP. Instant acid bassline.

Warm-Up (2 min)

Load your first sequence patch from Session 22. Press START/STOP and listen to the melody you programmed. You understand steps, resets, and triggers. Today you will program specific musical intervals and build a proper bassline. Stop the sequence and load the basic patch.

Setup

From the basic patch:

Set Osc 3 Level to 0, Osc 4 Level to 0
Set LPF Frequency to 70, Resonance to 55, 4-Pole ON
Set Env Amount (filter) to 60, ENV 1: Decay = 50, Sustain = 10
Set ENV 2 (VCA): Decay = 50, Sustain = 80, Release = 15
Set BPM to 110, Clock Divide to 16th
Set Key Off/Xpose to Off (disconnect keyboard pitch from oscillators so the sequencer has full control)

This creates a resonant filter sound ideal for bass sequences.

Exercises

Exercise 1: The Note Value System (5 min)

Sequencer values map to pitches at quarter-tone resolution. Two step values = one semitone. The reference table is in Anu Kirk Appendix A (p.103).

Press SEQ EDIT, select Seq 1, set Destination to OAF (Osc All Freq)
Key reference values (with Key Off/Xpose at Off, Osc Freq at C0):
- 0 = C0 (lowest), 24 = C1, 48 = C2, 60 = C3 (middle C area), 72 = C4
- Each +2 = one semitone up. So 50 = D2, 52 = E2, 54 = F#2, etc.
Program a C minor scale ascending: steps 1-8 = 48, 52, 55, 60, 64, 67, 72, 76
Set Step 9 to rST
Press START/STOP -- you should hear a C minor scale stepping up. If intervals sound wrong, double-check your values

Quick reference: From any note, +2 = half step, +4 = whole step, +7 = perfect 4th, +10 = minor 3rd, +14 = perfect 5th, +24 = octave.

Exercise 2: Programming a Bassline (7 min)

Build a proper bass sequence with rhythmic interest using rests.

Stop the sequence. Program Seq 1 with this pattern (a driving minor bassline):
- Step 1 = 36, Step 2 = 36, Step 3 = 48, Step 4 = 48
- Step 5 = 43, Step 6 = 43, Step 7 = 46, Step 8 = oFF
- Step 9 = 36, Step 10 = 36, Step 11 = 48, Step 12 = oFF
- Step 13 = 43, Step 14 = 50, Step 15 = 48, Step 16 = 46
No Reset needed -- this is a full 16-step pattern
Press START/STOP -- you should hear a rhythmic bass pattern with the oFF steps creating syncopation
Adjust LPF Frequency between 50 and 90 while the sequence plays -- hear how the filter changes the bass character from deep and dark to bright and acid
Increase Resonance to 70 -- the classic acid squelch appears on the filter sweeps

Save this as your "Acid Bass Sequence" patch.

Exercise 3: Fake Polyphony -- Two Oscillator Tracks (7 min)

By assigning different sequencer tracks to different oscillators, you can create chord-like sequences from this monophonic synth (Anu Kirk p.81-82).

Stop the sequence. Turn Osc 1 Level to 45, Osc 2 Level to 45
Set Seq 1 Destination to O1F (Osc 1 Freq -- left channel)
Set Seq 2 Destination to O2F (Osc 2 Freq -- right channel)
Program Seq 1 (melody): 52, 42, 46, 36, 38, 28, 38, 42, Step 9 = rST
Program Seq 2 (harmony, a 5th above): 66, 56, 60, 50, 52, 42, 52, 56, Step 9 = rST
Press START/STOP -- you hear two pitch lines playing simultaneously, one from each channel in stereo. The left oscillator plays the melody, the right plays the harmony
Try different intervals for Seq 2: a 3rd above, an octave below, or a completely independent counter-melody
Set Output Pan to Mono to hear both lines blended, then back to St1 for stereo separation

Exercise 4: Live Transposition (4 min)

The keyboard can transpose a running sequence on the fly (Anu Kirk p.87-88).

Set Key Off/Xpose back to -24 (reconnect keyboard)
Set Trigger Select to KeyGates Seq Rst (gated mode with reset)
Press START/STOP -- the sequence is loaded but silent until you hold a key
Hold middle C -- the sequence plays, transposed to your key. Release and it stops
Hold G above middle C -- the entire sequence shifts up a 5th
Play different notes to transpose the sequence around. Each key press restarts from step 1
This is the performance mode -- you are playing the sequence like an instrument

Exploration (optional, hyperfocus days)

Program the "fake arpeggiator" from Anu Kirk p.89: Seq 1 = 60, 68, 74, 84, 74, 68, Step 7 = rST. With KeyGates Seq Rst trigger mode, play keys to create arpeggiated patterns
Try different Seq lengths: make Seq 1 = 16 steps and Seq 2 = 5 steps. The different loop lengths create shifting, evolving patterns (Anu Kirk p.78)
Add your rhythmic delay from Session 19 to the bassline

Output Checklist

Sequenced bassline patch saved with specific note values and rhythmic rests
Understand the quarter-tone step value system (+2 = semitone, +24 = octave)
Created a two-oscillator "polyphonic" sequence with separate tracks
Session logged in Obsidian daily note

Key Takeaways

Sequencer step values use quarter-tone increments: +2 per semitone, +24 per octave. Memorize a few anchor values (48 = C2, 60 = C3) and calculate intervals from there
Assigning different sequencer tracks to different oscillator frequencies creates fake polyphony -- each oscillator can play a different melodic line
Live transposition (KeyGates Seq Rst trigger mode) turns programmed sequences into playable instruments -- the keyboard shifts the entire pattern

Next Session Preview

Session 24 explores parameter modulation sequences -- using sequencer tracks to control filter cutoff, delay time, FM amount, or any other destination. The sequencer becomes a rhythmic modulation source, not just a note player.