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As an analog purist, I purchsed the Prophet '08 synthesizer and found it to have just the sort of sound and features I wanted. This introduced me to Dave Smith Instruments in general, and I began to wonder about the Evolvers. Because they were analog/digital hybrids, I was only mildly interested. I decided to buy the Mono Evolver Keyboard as a test, and was just as impressed as I had been with the Prophet '08. So, I finally bought a Poly Evolver Keyboard as well. I was as pleased with it as I was with the MEK, only times four!
The PEK is a very powerful instrument. First and foremost, it offers FOUR OSCILLATORS. Now what modern portable synthesizer offers this number of oscillators? It allows you to approach additive synthesis. Two oscillators are analog and two are digital. The digitals offer the equivalents of a triangle, sawtooth, and square waveforms. The remaining 125 are creations from Dave's former synthesizers and cover a wide range of timbres, from smooth and sweet, to nasal, to piercing. The vast majority of these are musically useful.
Contrary to some comments I've read, I found the filter and envelopes to have a nice crisp snap - excellent for brass type patches. String type sounds are on the weak side (the Prophet's are substantially better), but organ, piano, and bell type patches are very good.
As with the other Evolvers, the PEK offers four LFO's. This means you can program four simultaneous different types of modulation, each at different rates, depths, and destinations. This gives you extraordinary potential. Some players may use this modulation power to create complex synthetic effects, but when used very tastefully, it can also create natural musical nuances, such as you hear in more natural acoustic instruments.
The Poly Evolver Keyboard is only a four-voice instrument. If chords are carefully arranged, it can suffice as a left hand keyboard. But I prefer to use the PEK as a sophisticated and powerful solo synthesizer having the ability to add harmonies and chords when needed. It combines wonderfully with the Prophet '08 to form a flexible and impressive electronic orchestra.
One final note: the control panel is a light show in itself. The static and flashing red and blue lights are beautiful and almost blinding.
To put it lightly, I highly recommend this instrument. It will serve my needs for years to come.
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