Dave Smith Instruments Evolver

Please read a review as a whole rather than paying attention to the sections.

This is great little synth, and naturally it has its pros and cons.

Pros are mostly covered along the internet. It's beefy, it's impressive, the modulation/routing capabilities are enormous. It's small and lightweight, and it's cheap.

This is a beast, which might be good, but when you want to calm down things a bit, you need time. There are numerous paramaters that are just waiting to be tweaked, and the synth will howl. Careful!!

Analog oscillators are fine, although waveforms are not the brightes ones. It's a pity square wave is not on an exact point of pulse with. Hard sync is great, it's syncing 2 to 1. There's no other way round, or soft sync.

Pitch options are great, each of the Osc's can be assigned to any modulation source or tuned separately. Each has it's own portamento settings. Although I would prefer a parameters controlling differences relative to a global portamento setting, so it could be tweaked fast during the live performance. Portmanento setting is not assignable to modulation sources. Pity. You have to set them all on the same modulation knob on an external MIDI control, if possible at all.

Key mode is a welcome feature! It's a note priority parameter low/high/last as well as legato/retrigger switch. However, legato/retrigger affect all three ADSR's, you can't separate triggerings (except for sequencer steps and keyboard).

What annoys the hell out of me is the absence of KEYBOARD TRACKING for each of the oscillators. Not only gradation, not even the on/off switch. Of course, all osc's are tracking keyboard 100% by default. To switch one osc off, you have to assign one modulation on Midi Note source and to apply the maximum negative amount, that is -100 (thank goodness for bipolar parameters, by the way), which affects it by 50%. Which means, you have to waste two Modulation sources to set one oscillator to 0 keyboard track. Not enough for all 4 oscs or to program texture of fixed pitch, but gradually changing the timbre across the keyboard. What's even worse, oscs are not mapped properly, so on a >61note keyboard pitch will start affecting after three octaves or so.

Filters are cool. I wouldn't dare to call the analog LPF "thin", but perhaps it's lacking a bit of a cream. On higher resonances stepping of a dedicated knob becomes more obvious. I don't know if this can be avoided with use of external controller. Digital HPF is cool. No pole mode, no resonance, but it's great. There's no band reject filter.
LPF filter can be routed to any modulation source, including Keyboard Tracking. Self oscillating is not tracking the pitch perfectly, but it's not as bad as on some other synths. There's a weird parameter called Audio Mod which affects self oscillation - basically, it's lower it down and renders it to an actually keyboard frequency - I'm not sure what it's exactly doing. However, it won't tame the howling, it will widen Evolver's range of brutal noises.

I'm missing a CV inputs/outputs, at least one of each. Or at least one CV input or expression pedal input of any kind or any slope.

The next thing that annoys me are audio outputs: there are two separate audio outputs, for left and right channel, as well as two audio inputs. (One mono audio input and one CV input would be much better idea. Who is using stereo sources to be affected with Evolvers effect anyway?) I would prefer left/mono + right/stereo outputs, or at least headphone out. Without that you have to cope with a pile of cables, Y-adapters and such. Or to listen half of the synth and check Output Pan parameter for every patch (and there are loads of patches by the way).

A thing or two about the Digital Oscillators. I'm rarely using any other waveforms then first three ones, since I don't like hollow and glassy digital sounds (I would prefer an Evolver with 4 analog oscs, but that's just my taste). Digital Waveformes can be fun when they're shifted with sequencer steps. FM is next to useless since it's affecting the pitch. Good for nasty sound effect, but do not expect DX7 palette of timbres.

There are three ADSR envelopes, Env1 and 2 hard wired to LPF and VCA respectively, but they're all assignable to anything. I mean, anything. You can even assign one envelope to control another's envelope stage (for example, attack). I do not how useful this might be, but with a hit-and-miss experimentation, some interesting rhythmical patterns could be acquired. There's Exponential/Linear switch which will affect all three envelopes.

Effects are: digital delay (3 of them), Output Hack, Grunge, Feedback and Distortion.

Digital Delay 1 comprises of Time, Level, Feedback1 and Feedback2. Delays 2 and three have only Time and Level.
Delays are great, widening the band's sounds significantly, and with careful programming and applying Time to any of the LFO's or Envelopes one could produce elegant chorus/phaser/flanger/what not effects. Distortion is also great - moreover, it's brutal, and it's beefing up sound considerably. If anyone's complaining about "thin" filter, with the use of distortion it's not an issue anymore. All other effects are making sound dirtier, digital, glitchier - cool stuff if you're into Lo Fi music. Feedback effect could be used as another sound source.

LFO's are the best part of the Evolver's story; there are 4 of them, they're of course, assignable to anything (and to each other), syncable with sequencer & MIDI. Unfortunately they can be synced to sequencer's BPM, but they're missing triplets, quintuplets, 1/6 and 1/15 rhythm fractions which are present in Digital Delays. Waveforms are sin, tri, square, reversed saw, saw, sample and hold. Great things, ideal for slowly...ehm, EVOLVING pads. It's easy to get lost when they're all in function. Actually, I'm often using all of them and often I want more of them - there's never enough! Two OSC's can be used as sources too, so if they're working on low frequencies, that's extra two LFO's with a variety of waveforms. However, it's hell to keep them on desired value - see above my comment about difficulty about keyboard tracking.

Various other parameters are Noise Generator, Modulation Slots (x4) for routing different parameters, Trigger Selection (sequencer, envelopes, MIDI, various combinations, gated or not), dB value for external audio sources etc.

There are 4 parallel sequencers with 32 steps PER PATCH, and there are great. The steps could be assigned to many things, giving endless possibilities. Apart of the values, each step of sequencer 1 could be set on "rest" or "off", which is not the case with sequencers 2,3,4. So you can make complex polyrhythmical sequences, but cannot force all of them to be synced in an irregular time signature.

I am aware this synth might be un-appealing to some. Sound could be really harsh, you have to dig deep into programming, and it's easy to get lost. But consider all the modulation capabilities. Consider the sound in it's core when you remove all the digital glitches and noises. Impression? Spectacular. It's cheap! And it's a great value. It's reliable.

Perhaps the closest description of its sounds will be: 70's Kraftwerk, with an extra howling dimension. All old fashioned German analog sequences could be achieved. Kosmiche Musik, Space rock, 80s synthpop, techno, hardcore. Even ambiental stuff like calm meditative dolphins and whales. It just requires patience. If course it won't do big tapestries since it's monophonic, but I'm often using it as a pseudo-poly synth, stacking four oscillators to a minor or major chord; the results could be astonishing.

Another thing I must mention is that it "cuts" through the mix very well. When you're doing sophisticated changes, the other sounds will just eat your synth leaving you with a organ-like poo somewhere in all that noise. But not Evolver. No matter how loud guitars and drums are (I play in several bands), Evolver will always be present in all of its glory.

Great little synth, perhaps a bit flawed, but the best you can get for a reasonable price.

Software Version: 3

The presets are okay, but nothing outstanding. It's when you begin to program that this thing really cuts through. Editing is easy with the matrix imo, I learned the positions of the different settings quite fast and the manual is well written.

One of the nice features is its modulation capabilities. The sequencer is very nice, and there are lots of destinations.
The Evolver is also a true stereo synth and you can control the right and left filters seperately, which is nice. Delays and distortion is handy to have inside the machine too.

THe Evolver can create a wide range of sounds, from warm analog leads/basses to digital fm-sounds. What i like about this synth is the unique sounds you can make using digital and analog oscillators in combination.
The best component inside is the analog filter i think. It sounds fat and warm and nice and...
Delay is nice really a nice feature, I use it often for chorus effects. The distortion good to have but in some cases it sounds too digital.

It is build of steel and i fully depend on it every gig.

I had a couple of question and they answered a 2 days later i think.
They were friendly and helpful, I can't ask for more.

I would probably buy it again if it were stolen.
I love this synth's versality, I hate that I don't have money for the top-of-the-line polyEvolver - but the desktop evolver is fantastic value for the price i must say. Buy it!

I own Version 3.0 of this little blue beast. The presets are cool and give a pretty good idea of what it can do. Not a user of presets myself, but they make great start points.

The matrix isn't hard, after a while it becomes second nature. I fly through it, which is more than I can say for the interface on the MicroKorg. Or the Alesis Micron. The manual is pretty straight forward for this unit. Come to the table with knowledge on synthesis and Midi and you won't have a problem.

There are 2 patch editors for the Evo, if you want to go the computer route. But I really just like rolling up my sleeve and getting down and dirty with the unit.

It's a mono synth, but it sure as hell doesn't sound like one. 2 ocsillators are analog and 2 are digital. So it's a 4 osc monster! 3 EGs, 4 LFOs. Full midi control (IN/OUT /THRU)
Stereo Inputs and outputs.

Effects include a 3 tap feedback delay, distortion, Grunge, and output hack (sounds like a bit reducer). The feedback can get all sorts of chrous, flangy and delay type sounds out of it. It's not like just pressing a button and you get instant delay, though. Takes a bit of experimentation. You might want to consider this, although I like this, it's a small part of this synth's charm. You can also use this synth as a signal processor. All of the Fx, plus the filters will work on the incoming audio.

Updates I assume can be downloaded via MIDI (probably through the patch editors as well).
Extensive Midi capabilities. Haven't dug into them yet, but I have a feeling I will very shortly.

The sequencer is the s**t ! Old school step sequencer with 4 tracks, which can be routed to control pitch, the filters, LFOs, noise, the EGs and more. Needless to say, this give you vast modulation capablities. The sequencer also has a clock divide which is nice feature.
I've only seen that on old step sequencers. Word has it that V3 allows you to use the Evo's step sequencer to control other midi synths.

I haven't attempted to emulate real instruments with this thing. Nor do I want to.
It would work well with any sort of electronic music. Guess that comes to mind when I use it.
Not static at all! Some sounds will play on and on after you stop a sequences. The oscillators can even be panned left or right to the stereo outputs, as well as the delay. The sound quality is excellent. Beware though, some of the sounds can get really loud. Keep and eye on your levels when recording with this.

Built like a tank, although the knobs come off easily. But the encoders are nice. They seem pretty firm, unlike my first gen Waldorf Pulse, with the wonky red knob.

You can talk to the creator himself via email. He's pretty cool. I'm sure he'd fix this thing if it did break.

If it were lost or stolen, I would buy it again, then hunt down the bastard who took my first one, and serve up some nasty pain, hehe. Seriously though, there's nothing like this at this price range. Closest thing to this is the Nord Micro Modular (which isn't made anymore).

For $500, you pretty much get a micro portable modular synth with out the cables. Not the easiest synth, but certainly not the most difficult either. A power switch, LCD, and maybe CV/Gate ins/outs are things I would like to see in it. But it's great as it is.

If you are looking for cheap analog, a 303 clone, Moog, etc., look elsewhere. If you are looking for a groovebox, you won't find it here. I think the whole point of this synth was to build something new and different. And it does sound that way.

It doesn't sound like a crappy VST plug in, or a computer at all. Granted, it can sound digital and even harsh, but it can also sound creamy and warm. It's all in the programming. In fact, it's the most musical instrument I've ever owned.

Version 3 of the software.

Presets are pretty good and show the machine off pretty well. Version 3 can also play the keyboard patches that you cad download from the web site, I prefer these patches.

The matrix control is not my favorite but is a reason why the synth is so cheap, also once you get the hang of it its not a problem. You need to get the software editor at $25 to get the best out of this thing.

Manual is ok but slim and expects you to know your stuff, there is a nice guide available on the web by a guy called Anu Kirk, this is about 100 pages long and excellent for starters.

Overall I have no difficulty useing this synth all quite simple really, you just need the software editor to see whats really going on.

It monophonic although somtimes you wouldnt beleive it by the noises it makes.

FX basically is ok offering tuned feedback, distortion, hack (sounds likebit reduction/sample reduction), grunge (switch) and a 3 tap delay. The 3 tap can be used for chorus/flanger type effects. I have found you dont need to pass this through any other affects really as it all sounds pretty good, you don't even need reverb.

Multiple evolvers can be chaned together to give you poly if you have the cash.

The midi stuff is good (as you would expect from Dave Smith), version 3 adds more CCs for controlling the synth but you can only get at all params useing sysex.

Has a sequencer with 4 parts that can control most things (even its own timeing).

You get a 4 part modulation matrix with loads of source and destinations, also seperate modulation matrix for velocity, breath ctrl, pressure, foot ctrl and mod wheel. These are all filtered for smoothing out the CC messages so you can do nice filter sweeps.

The guy that reviewed here and said it isnt velocity sensitive is just plain wrong.

I just think this synth sounds great, I really like it. It does tend to stand out alot when its played and dominates the mix.

It can be very expressive when the patch is good, real time modulation options are very good (see above).

Also the guy that says it sounds like a computer above is just daft, possibly a analogue synth snob, do not listen to him this thing sounds great.

Pretty tough thing, hefty and made of metal. Knobs seem good.

No power switch which is mad.

Excellent, I had a couple of issues with mine, Dave Smith answers and sorts it out.

I have heard nothing but good about support

I have had this a couple of weeks and now I want the poly version and another evolver to give me 6 voice poly.

I would definately buy one again and recoment it to anyone wanting a different sounding mono synth.

My only real fault is no power switch.

Go out and get one you will love it.

Rev 2.0 software (latest).

The presets are all INTERESTING though not musically useful (especially since most contain sequences). This box is capable of a lot of really oddball sounds and the presets show this off to great effect. Unlike most other synths where you could take it out of the box and use the presets immediately, this one really needs to be programmed by you before you can use it.

Programming is easy, you have eight knobs and since they are "rotary encoders" every knob is always at the current value in the current patch...so just grab and twist. There are only 144 total parameters to set on the box, you selcet one of 18 "rows" and then you have the eight knobs assigned to that row of parameters. Since the rows are printed on the top of the box, it's the next best thing to having 144 knobs.

The manual is not for newbies. It assumes you understand basic subtractive synthesis and MIDI. If you have experience in those areas the manual does contain everything you need to know to operate the synth.

It's a monophonic synth and the built in effects are limited to delay and distortion. That's about the only bad news as far as features.

The Evolver is a very interesting hybrid, large parts of the signal path are analog but digital circuitry is used where it's sensible. For example the low pass filter is analog but the high pass filter is digital. Two of the oscillators are analog, two are digital, the LFOs and EGs digital but smoothed to prevent stepping, etc. The ability to use as a processor for external audio is also developed to a far greater extent than most other synths and the digital sequencer acts like an analog step sequencer. Looking at it as JUST an analog monosynth overlooks a lot of what it can do. The sequencer triggering options alone go beyond anything I've used or seen before. Thanks to a very well designed modulation matrix it's like having an analog modular in a box the size of a hardcover book.

The MIDI capabilities are quite good. The biggest limitation is that the knobs do not transmit over MIDI as they are moved. The latest software now allows sending MIDI data (notes and various controllers) so you can use the Evolver as a real-time tweakable MIDI step sequencer to drive your other synths. It responds to the basic standard MIDI real time controllers (wheel, aftertouch, breath, velocity, etc.).

The sequencer is of the step type (16 steps max) and can be free-run, synched to MIDI, triggered by MIDI notes or even triggered by external audio (i.e. plug in a guitar to trigger sequences). It can drive pitch over all four channels allowing polyphonic sequences (each channel driving one oscillator) or it can be used as multiple modulation sources. The value of each step of each channel and what each channel is driving can be tweaked in real time while the sequencer is running, which is incredibly powerful. As noted above, you can even sequence external MIDI devices.

There are really only two expansion features. The first is the capability to upgrade software via MIDI. Since the rev 1.0 software a number of new features have been added. The second is "poly chain" which lets you string together multiple Evolvers and have them act as a single polyphonic synthesizer (albeit with separate outputs for each voice). You can also poly chain to the PolyEvolver synths.

The Evolver is intended to make electronic sounds not realistic emulations of other instruments (well, other synths maybe...ha ha). That makes it good for any kind of music that can use monophonic electronic sounds. The sequencer will be appreciated in dance, techno and experimental styles.

The only onboard effects are digital delay and distortion. They work well for what they are and the basic sound of the synth is fat enough that it doesn't need chorus or reverb to thicken it anyway.

If programmed to respond to real time controllers it can be very responsive to your playing. You can also freely tweak knobs while playing, this is where the rotary encoders really pay off...every knob is always "where you left it" so you never get rude surprises twisting them. The big surprise is how much expression you can get when step sequencing since you can use the channels to not only sequence the note's pitch but also the modulators for each note. Of course, you can also do the totally robotic step sequence thing...you're just not limited to only that.

While there are digital stages in the audio path but it still sounds thick and fat thanks to all the analog components. I've certainly heard real analog that sounded thinner.

I haven't had long enough to gauge long term relibaility. The case is metal and the knobs seem pretty robust. It uses a wall wart, though and there is no power switch.

Excellent! You can email Dave Smith himself with problems, the DSI website allows you to donwload manuals, factory patches, OS upgrades, etc.

I'm giving it a 10 because it truly is a "fantastic value". It's a versatile ANALOG monosynth with KNOBS as well as patch memory, it's also a versatile step sequencer, an audio effects processor, tiny and inexpensive.

Would I buy it again? Probably...I see it as a niche synth in my system but it does so many things so well that no other synths can do (at least without paying a lot more money).

What do I love? The sound, ease of programming.

What do I hate? No power switch, no dedicated volume knob, knobs don't transmit over MIDI.

Other products I compared to: boutique analogs (mostly modulars, in fact!!!). I thought it had the best feature-per-dollar ratio, the sequencer and patch memory were a major selling point.

I have owned Evolver for year or so. Using latest version 2.0 there is four banks of sounds and many other additions. I dont' like presets much. Editing is not hard but you the interface would be better. It has so much parameters to tweak. So far I have managed to edit presets for my needs. I have, maybe few times, checked the little manual when digging the sequencer stuff. I think the manual is ok.

Tons of features: 2VCO/2DCO, LPF/dual HPF, 4LFO, hard sync, FM, ring mod to name few. Effects are real plus: digital distortion and 3-tap delay. MIDI is ok. If I remember right, it sends/responds sysex. I can easily give full ten for this.

At first I was a bit surprised there was only few sounds I could use right away. Of course this is matter of taste and music style. There wasn't much usable bass/lead sounds I was looking for. Actually I was going to trade it few times but then I realized I was used it for every song since I got it and couldn't ever get those sounds from "any" other synth. Now I have made some cool leads, basses etc and I would trade it only for poly evolver. It can sound very nasty and hard, because of digital oscs maybe a bit like Microwave (good for industrial type stuff).

Reset button is really good idea and usable (for me atleast).

Great. Contacted few times and Dave has always been very helpful.

This is "fresh" and unique new synth and welcome addition to VA/analog world. Sounds very different than any other synth of my setup (check the pages for music/studio if interested). There is so much for long time so I think I should review this again after few years. Feel free to contact. Worth to check out!

First off, I want to address the last review - this guy missed the point. Its not supposed to be an old school analog synth. Ebay exists for that. Its new and its f^&king sweet. I've been programming it for a year now and I'm not bored, in fact I just keep finding new stuff I can do and it all sounds awesome. Live, sequenced, synth or effects processor.

Dave Smith said this of his intentions: Well, that's not my intention, though I suppose anything with real voltage-controlled analog filters would certainly fit in that category. I've received many requests over the years to re-do old Sequential gear, and later to design software versions of old products. As a synth designer, I really have no desire to re-do a product. If you want the old stuff, it's still around. I like new stuff. New sounds. And, most importantly, instruments with personality!

Ease of use: you'll get used to the matrix. No problem really.

A nice set of tools, not too many, not too little. Enough programming that you don't get bored.

FUCKING SWEET.

1.5 years of practices and gigs.

Dave answers you himself.

I love this instrument. It actually deserves to be called an instrument.

well, the matrix is easy to understand. however it is not fun or very intuitive. this type of interface is for turning blue kafka-esque late night synth nerdsville. the double click is annoying.

check out the other reviews. lots and lots of features. smallness is always good for live/traveling etc.

here's where this review goes sour. this basically sounds like a computer synth to me. i bought it from musician's friend thinking if i didn't like it i'd send it back for the refund. well after 5 days of putzing around that's what i did. the distortion and delays sounds like cheesy plug-ins. it's way too clean sounding. the oscillators may be analog, however they are contolled by computers...they don't really have any charactor. i must admit the filter sounds really wonderful, but the rest of this sounds digital crap. the wavetables are awful! i tell you what, those wavetables are some oingo boingo shiny sterile sounding little turds. fans of glitchcore or big evil four on the floor techno or new age, or you know, the list goes on...cheessy knucklehead stuff, this would be a good synth. i repeat, the "analog" circuitry is BURIED under an overbearing digital brain which forces it to lose all analog feeling. i even like a "little" bit of hiss on an output...but no, nothing, even when it's cranked. this thing would be good for a pro i guess. i personally hate that aspect. gimme some dirt, please. i live for burping out of tune noisy synth. i bet some of you readers will go buy one of these based on my statements. "no noise on the output? o great, i hate noisy outputs."

you could likely depend on it. the body is solid heavy little peice of metal. however the knobs and buttons do seem a bit crap.

i got rid of it. wasn't a tough decision. good idea, great price, bad implementation. i own analog modular stuff (not too much mind you...i'm not rich). i tinker with soft synths for fun. they are mostly crappy. i think someone could just get a high end soft synth or an interesting program like max msp or absynth and be happy with a laptop. i don't like laptop sounds, but if evolver sounds (to me) like a computer, just get a computer, then you can have lots of other cool programs on it. i feel that digital synthesis is really in it's infancy. hasn't really gotten into high resolution sound yet. still sounds cold and empty, not matter how expesive or upmarket. once you start getting into modular analog, building your own controllers and so forth, finding really strange modules, or circuit bending, you realize that analog is far from over. the possiblities of sounds for analog haven't even begun to be realized. if you've played a minimoog and you think you've heard all it can do, maybe you have. get a modular! they go pretty cheap these days with all these small companies and demand for analog. it sounds so much better i can't even tell you. analog vs digital...cliche, right? sorry. no comparison. dirty soulful music must be made. please make some for me and your friends and your girlfriends to listen to. sterile computer music is no fun.
dave smith seems like a genius cool guy. sorry dave....you know i'm right!

I love this thing! The matrix system took me about 20 minutes to get the hang of. I like the interface because it makes you think on your feet, especially in live situations. Shipped with version 2.0, so I can't compare to earlier versions. Pre-sets are fine, but I have fiddled with quite a few.

After going over the excellent manual and figuring out the interface, I 'reverse engineered' several of the patches (as far as I could figure out some of them), which gave me a better overall understanding of the architecture. Editing has become more or less a breeze. I say more or less, because it is quite easy for sounds to get away from you. But that is also what makes it so great!

Features are detailed at the website. No polyphony, no keyboard. Essentially, it's all effects.

MIDI works fine for my purposes. I control it with a K-Station (when I need a Keyboard).

The sequencer is a simple step-type. Haven't had any trouble.

Awesome sounds. Fun, fun, fun to tweak and tweak some more. Other than an EMS Synthi (which I cannot afford, and which the Evolver, in my case, would perhaps make redundant), this is final complement to the sounds I am looking for in my set-up. I use this for one of my projects to make wild sounds and samples in conjunction with my other electronic equipment, and in my other project (standard rock band) it is perfect for adding subtle flourishes.

And that's just after having it for about a month. I look forward to many years discovery with this little beast.

I have used this live, and the only concern I have is with the point where the adapter connects with the unit. It fits snugly, but I am afraid it may pop out. I move my Evolver about quite a bit when performing, so this may not be as big an issue if your Evolver is static during performance.

Otherwise, solid construction, though care with knobs during travel should be considered.

Excellent, as far as I can tell. I ordered the unit directly from Dave Smith, and he was very prompt with all e-mails.

I love this unit. I made a carrying case for mine, and take it everywhere I can. I use it in as many music/noise situations as possible. If it left my possession for any reason, I would replace it immediately, and worry about the money later.

I had been looking for something analog that would make graet sounds that had a built-in sequencer, with a control interface I could intuit quickly (and easily). The Evolver fit the bill in every area I was looking for, and then some. I chose the Evolver over another VA product (which would have rendered my K-Station useless), and a high end analog, specifically a Sorcerer or EMS Synthi/VCS3 (could not afford/justify to significant other). I am VERY happy with the decision to purchase the Evolver.

The Evolver has helped me, more than any other synthesizer that I have owned or had access to, illustrate to the rest of the members of my band that tonal and non-tonal sounds can not only co-exist, but sound wonderful together (when necessary and/or desirable). I think the lack of a keyboard, or any other visible means of 'analog control' helps immensely. If I am not obviously playing a a fixed pitch (whether I am or not), the need to want to follow said pitch vanishes.

I use the Evolver along with a Novation K-Station and a Roland D2 through a TASCAM PortaStudio 414II and/or Behringer 2442 Mixer. Also use an Ovation electric/acoustic and a Fender fretless P-Bass.

The Evolver is an excellent synthesizer, and is all the more so for the price.

Weird interface. I like synths with a seperate button for everything, and this is definitely not it... Eight knobs control everything, depending on what buttons have been pushed. Not terrifically easy to use. However, you can get a pretty easy to use software editor.

Lots of features which I have only begun to explore. I'm not going to bother repeating the list you can find on their site...

Excellent! I love the sounds I can get from it. Mixing the digital and analog oscillators makes for some truly unique sounds and the filter sounds great.

Not sure. Mine had a problem recently, but I don't know how common that is. Feels perfectly sturdy.

Imagine the best customer support you can possibly get -- the owner of the company answers your questions, and when you have something go wrong with the product, he personally brings by a replacement part for you.

Ok, he isn't personally bringing by a part, but he is shipping it out 2ND DAY AIR. This is by far the BEST service I have ever received on any product. I emailed the company about a problem I was having and wanted to know if they knew what was wrong and how to fix it. I get an email back AN HOUR LATER telling me what the problem was (a faulty processor), and to give them my address and they'd ship out a replacement part.

That's service.

For this price, and especially for this kind of SUPPORT, you can't go wrong. Hell, if it came with only one oscillator, filter, and LFO, I'd STILL recommend buying it. If they come out with another product I can afford (unfortunately, I cannot afford a poly-evolver...), I will immediately be purchasing it. This is a company worth supporting!