Frequently Asked Questions
General
Evolvers (All Models)
Mono Evolver Keyboard
Prophet '08
General What are the differences between the various Evolvers?
The voice architecture is exactly the same. The primary difference is the user interface and the number of voices. Programs from any Evolver model can be loaded into any of the other models.
There are some specific, minor differences in functionality between the models, however. The Mono Evolver Keyboard has a basic arpeggiator, but none of the other Evolvers do. The Lock Sequence function is only present on the desktop Evolver.
[top of page] What is the difference between a Prophet and an Evolver?
There are significant differences between the voice architectures of the two product lines. The most obvious difference is that the Evolvers are analog/digital hybrids. In addition to the two analog oscillators, the Evolvers have two digital wavetable oscillators. Then there are digital signal processing functions that are tightly integrated with each voice. These include a multi-tap stereo delay that is syncable to the clock, the LFOs, and the sequencer, a modelled distortion, a high-pass filter, tuned feedback, and "bit crushing."
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Can an Evolver sound like a Prophet?
The analog oscillators and the analog low-pass filters are the same in both product lines, so it's possible to make an Evolver sound very much like a Prophet. Of course, there are a lot of things an Evolver can do that a Prophet can't do. The Evolver's strength is really in what it can do beyond purely analog sounds. They're two different beasts. [top of page]
Will you ever reissue the Prophet-5?
Why would we? If you really want one, you can get one. A new, exact replica of the Prophet-5 would be prohibitively expensive to build (if it could be built at all). Remember, they cost $4,000 or more in 1978 dollars. And the result would be an instrument that is way more expensive, less reliable, and less capable than a Prophet '08. We like the old stuff and draw inspiration from it, but we're not really interested in resurrecting it (or the accompanying headaches). [top of page]
Are the Curtis chips used in DSI products the same chips used in the Sequential synthesizers?
The Curtis chips we use are newly manufactured (not NOS—new old stock) and are not chips that were used in Sequential products. However, the filter design is essentially the same as that used in the earlier chips. [top of page]
What is the warranty on your products?
The warranty period is 1 year from the date of purchase and the warranty covers parts and labor. [top of page]
What if I need to get my instrument repaired?
Whenever possible, warranty repairs are handled via board swap; we send out a tested circuit board and ask that you return the defective board.
If the repairs are carried out by DSI, out-of-warranty repairs are a flat rate of $25, including domestic return shipment via standard (that is, not express) freight or postal mail. (There may be an additional shipping charge for shipments outside the US.) For out-of-warranty board swaps, we require a $100 deposit, $75 of which is refundable upon receipt, by DSI, of the defective board. Either the $25 repair charge or the $100 deposit are payable by credit card using our online store. To make arrangements for a repair, please call (707) 963-7006 or email .
If you do have to return your instrument to DSI for repair, the typical turnaround time is 1 to 2 business days. You should always, however, make arrangements in advance when returning your instrument to us. [top of page]
Where are DSI products made?
The instruments are manufactured in Northern California. [top of page]
Which one of your instruments will I like best?
All of them!!! We realize that it can be difficult to audition our instruments prior to purchase. It's easy to make generalizations like, "The Prophets are for old school analog sounds and Evolvers are for techno, industrial, and dance music," but the fact is our customers use the instruments for all kinds of music. The Evolvers do have greater sound mangling capabilities built in, along with multiple, synced delays for all sorts of rhythmic depravity, but they can also be used for classic analog sounds. The Prophets have a 100% analog signal path, but they also have deep modulation capabilities for complex sounds and, of course, you can always torture your loved ones, pets, and neighbors by processing them through whatever outboard gear (or plug-ins) you have at your disposal. The sky's the limit, really. Check out the specs and demos (on this site and others). If you still have questions, feel free to ask. In the meantime, we're doing our best to get the instruments into more and more stores so you can try them out. [top of page]
Why do you use DCOs?
That's easy. They're stable and they enable us to make great-sounding, affordable instruments that stay in tune (when you want them to). There seems to be some lingering distaste for DCOs based solely upon the spotty reputations of DCO-based synths from days of yore. We've been making synths with DCOs since 2001 and we think they sound darn good. And so, apparently, do the thousands of happy people who have bought those synths. And if you like tuning drift, that's what the Oscillator Slop parameter is for! [top of page]
Where is the auto-tune button?
See previous question. [top of page]
Can you retrofit my Mono Evolver Keyboard/Prophet '08 Keyboard with those cool lighted wheels?
Unfortunately, no. Neither the wheels themselves (different size) nor the mounting assemblies are mechanically compatible with the Mono Evolver Keyboard or the standard Prophet '08 Keyboard. (The Special Edition Prophet '08 had a different top panel and overlay than the standard edition.) [top of page]
Why do you use external power supplies?
We'll admit it: we're not terribly fond of "wall warts" either. But, as a small company with limited production selling directly into several countries with all sorts of different consumer electronics rules and regulations governing power supplies (no, really!), it's the best solution for us. [top of page]
Do your power supplies work anywhere in the world?
They will operate with voltages ranging from 100 to 240 volts AC. The mono Evolver and Prophet power supplies include adapters for US-style plugs, Euro plugs, and UK plugs. Instruments shipped to Australia and New Zealand also include an adapter for those countries. Instruments distributed in Japan are sold with a local (to Japan) power supply. The Poly Evolvers have an inline power supply (like a typical laptop computer supply, rather than a "wall wart") and will work with any adapter for a two-pronged US-style plug. A Euro adapter is included with European shipments. [top of page]
Why do you use those "labels" rather than silkscreening your control panels like in the old days?
We realize that looks are important, but what looks "good" is entirely subjective and, try as we might, we'll never please everybody. To be honest, we try to please ourselves first and just hope that enough people come along for the ride. (So far, so good.) The Lexan overlays we use offer several advantages over silkscreening. They are higher resolution and offer greater use of color without registration hassles. They are extremely durable and easy to clean. They're replaceable, in the unlikely event that one is damaged. And we don't have to deal with windows or lenses for LCDs and LEDs. It also means we never have to reject metalwork because of a bad screenprinting job. They are not a cost-cutting measure as has been erroneously stated elsewhere. In fact, they are more expensive than silkscreening, especially in the sizes we tend to use which push the technology to its limits. But, basically, we just like 'em. [top of page]
Help! My Sequential [product name here] is on the fritz! Do you do service/support?
Nope. We don't have parts or documentation for any of the vintage stuff and, frankly, our memories are a little sketchy at this point, so please don't ask. Try Wine County Productions or one of the many forums dedicated to vintage synths (which is exactly what we'll tell you if you do ask). [top of page]
Why don't your keyboards have polyphonic aftertouch?
(This question doesn't get asked frequently, but it occasionally gets asked loudly...and is sometimes delivered in the form of a demand rather than a request. Those poly aftertouch guys can be an ornery lot....) DSI is a VERY small company and our goal is to make affordable, great-sounding instruments for as broad a range of users as possible within a very limited market. We neither design nor manufacture the keyboards for our instruments. If we did, you'd probably have to sell that beat up Volvo station wagon in order to afford one, and then how would you get your shiny new keyboard to gigs? As of this writing, we know of no OEM keyboards with polyphonic aftertouch. If someone decides to make one and it meets our criteria (including being economical, practical, and of sound design) and makes sense for a planned product, who knows? It could happen. But we're not holding our breath so you shouldn't either. [top of page]
What's going on with the LinnDrum II?
For information, visit the Roger Linn Design Web site.
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What are you working on these days?
- None of your business!
- It's a surprise!
- Our tans...NOT!
- Nights and weekends.
- All of the above.
[top of page] Evolvers (All Models)
Are the Evolvers analog or digital?
Both. Each Evolver voice has two analog oscillators, two analog low-pass filters (one per channel), and analog VCAs. It also has two digital wavetable oscillators with the waveforms from the Prophet VS, a digital high-pass filter, digital distortion, syncable stereo digital delays, and "bit crushing." Download a manual from Evolver Programs, Documentation, and Other Downloads for a complete list of the Evolver's features.
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What is the resolution of the digital side?
The internal converters are 24 bit and run at 48 KHz.
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How long is the delay?
One second, uncompressed, at 48 KHz. Pure and simple.
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Can I load my own samples into the Evolver?
Yes, but calling Evolver's digital waveforms "samples" might be a bit of a stretch. The waveforms are 128 byte, single-cycle waves, some of which are based on samples. There are 32 user-programmable locations. You will need to create the 128-byte wave and then transfer it via MIDI to the Evolver using a third-party utility. See Evolver Programs, Documentation, and Other Downloads for more information. [top of page]
Does the Evolver's sequencer transmit MIDI note messages?
It can. One of the many modulation destinations for the sequencer is MIDI note number. [top of page]
Can I use a MIDI controller/control surface/sequencer to control or automate an Evolver's parameters?
Many of an Evolver's parameters can be controlled by MIDI continuous controller (CC) messages. (The desktop model must have OS version 3 for this to work.) The complete list is here.
All of the parameters can be addressed with SysEx messages, so knob turns and the like can be recorded with a sequencer. And there are at least a couple of MIDI controllers/control surfaces capable of sending SysEx messages.
[top of page] What is poly chain?
The various Evolver models have a special MIDI implementation that allows 2 or more Evolvers to be connected for expanded polyphony. Any Evolver can be poly chained to another, regardless of model. The monophonic Evolvers do have hotter (that is, higher level) outputs than the polyphonic Evolvers, so you will want to use a mixer to balance the levels. When poly chaining Poly Evolvers only (a keyboard and one or more racks), a mixer is unnecessary, as the Poly Evolver Rack has a special Mix Input for that purpose.
[top of page] Mono Evolver Keyboard
Can I poly chain a Mono Evolver Keyboard with a Poly Evolver Rack to make a 5-voice synthesizer?
Yes you can, and the Mono Evolver Keyboard makes a great control surface for the Rack, as well. There are a couple of things you should be aware of before taking the plunge, though.
You won't be able to control Combos from the Mono Evolver Keyboard. Since it's a monophonic (that is, one-voice) synth, it doesn't have the ability to do Combos and so doesn't have those controls.
The monophonic Evolvers (desktop and keyboard) have hotter outputs than the polyphonic Evolvers (rack and keyboard), so if you use the Mix Input on the Poly Evolver Rack, the one voice contributed by the monophonic Evolver may be noticeably louder. We recommend using a mixer to combine and balance the outputs of the instruments.
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Prophet '08 Is the Prophet '08 an updated Prophet-5?
The Prophet '08 is not a Prophet-5. But then, the other Prophet models weren't Prophet-5s, either. The Prophet '08 is an 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer with a 100% analog signal path. The filters use the same design as the Curtis chips in the older synths (with the addition of a 2-pole mode). If you're familiar with the sound of the old, Curtis-based synths, then the Prophet '08 should sound familiar to you as well. It is possible to duplicate many of the Prophet-5's factory sounds on the Prophet '08 to such a degree that they are indistinguishable in a blind test. (Yes, we have tried. And when programs sounded different, we typically could not tell which instrument was which, just that they sounded different.)
So, for the record, the things you can do with a Prophet-5 that you cannot do with a Prophet '08 are:
- Oscillator cross modulation (FM)—The particular Curtis chips we're using don't support it. You can do audio frequency modulation with the LFOs, though. They go up to middle C.
- Select multiple waveshapes per oscillator—Actually, there is a saw/triangle mix on the '08, but you can't mix the pulse waves with the saw and/or triangle on a single oscillator.
- Microtonal tuning
A detailed list of all the things a Prophet '08 can do that a Prophet-5 cannot would be too lengthy for this FAQ. Let's just say it does a lot more. Check out the spec on the product page, download the manual and, if you get a chance, play a Prophet '08.
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Does the Prophet '08 contain the Prophet-5's factory programs?
There are a few programs in the Prophet '08 that duplicate the old programs, but most of them are new. [top of page]
Is the keyboard action the same as your other keyboards?
Actually, none of our current keyboard instruments uses the exact same keyboard. The Prophet '08's keyboard is a semi-weighted, synthesizer action keyboard with aftertouch. [top of page]
How can the signal path be "100% analog" if you're using DCOs?
DCOs are not digital oscillators, they are digitally controlled oscillators. The circuitry that generates the actual waveforms is analog. [top of page]
How many rack spaces does the Prophet '08 module occupy?
The module is 4U high. In its tabletop configuration, the I/O jacks are on the back, so when it is rack mounted, the jacks are on the top. They are recessed about 1 inch, but we recommend using angled plugs for MIDI and audio to avoid interfering with the rack space above the module. [top of page]
Is the Prophet '08 multitimbral?
Each Prophet '08 program consists of two layers and each layer can contain what is essentially a different patch. Both layers can be played simultaneously in stacked or split keyboard mode with each layer routed to its own stereo output. The Prophet '08 responds to a single, global MIDI channel. [top of page]
How are voices allocated in split and stacked keyboard modes?
Four voices are allocated to layer A and four to layer B. [top of page]
Can the Prophet's polyphony be expanded?
Yes, two Prophets (keyboards and/or modules) can be poly chained for 16-voice operation.
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Can a Prophet and an Evolver be poly chained?
Short answer: no. But even if you could poly chain them, the programs from one cannot be loaded into the other and the controls from one don't map onto the other. [top of page]
Can the gated sequencer control external MIDI instruments?
No.
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