What makes the Evolver Keyboard special? While a lot can be said about the use of both real analog oscillators AND 128 digital wavetables, as well as the extensive sound mangling features of this synth, what really makes it shine is how all these features are packaged in such a way that it becomes so much more than the sum of its parts. As soon as you feel the semi-weighted keybed, turn a couple knobs, and dig in to the aftertouch to add a little vibrato to a note, you realize that this is not a typical piece of kit with a bunch of sounds you’ll never use. THIS IS A REAL, MASSIVELY EXPRESSIVE INSTRUMENT.
You don’t have to spend much time with this synth to appreciate how much care and attention to detail went into creating an architecture that is extremely powerful and versatile, yet at the same time incredibly intuitive and fun to use. For example, nearly every function has its own dedicated button or knob, which virtually eliminates the frustration of navigating through endless menus. The end result is an instrument that is complex but never overwhelming, deep enough to satisfy hardcore sound designers but immediate enough for those who just want to pull up a preset, tweak some knobs and rock out.
The Dave Smith Instruments Evolver Keyboard is a true work of art, a keyboard that gives you everything you need in a monosynth and presents it in a way that makes using it straightforward and fun. This is a synth that could only have built by one of the most brilliant and influential synthesizer designers of all time.