Analog Sequencers - Oberkorn vs. Evolver

[thinkingbeat]

I am thinking of getting into analog sequencing and have been looking at standalone sequencers such as Analogue Solutions' Oberkorn or Synthesizers.com's Q960.

Then I realized the DSI Eveolver desktop has a 16 x 4 step sequencer on it with a lot of control and routing options. It's more affordable, and it has a pretty decent synth on board. So - any drawbacks to the Evolver's sequencing - anything the others can do that the Eveolver cannot?

[meatballfulton]

Most step sequencers let you choose the gate length per step but the Evolver gating is fixed at 50%. That means no legato phrasing is possible so no portamento

One very cool feature is the sequencer can modulate the sequencer clock itself so you can create sequences that speed up or slow down as they play.

When sequencing MIDI gear you you can output these controllers in addition to notes (one controller per row): velocity, aftertouch, mod wheel (CC#1), breath controller(CC#2), foot controller (CC#4). You can also output just controller and no notes if you like

[pflosi]

So - any drawbacks to the Evolver's sequencing - anything the others can do that the Eveolver cannot?

Oh yes, IMO the most important one on analog seqs: hands on control

[thinkingbeat]

So - any drawbacks to the Evolver's sequencing - anything the others can do that the Eveolver cannot?

Oh yes, IMO the most important one on analog seqs: hands on control

Uh... can you be more specific? I thought the Evolver's controls allowed on-the-fly tweaking (pitch, on/off, etc.)

[pflosi]

well, not for every step. you have to go through the menu to get to the right one. that's not what i call on the fly...

[pflosi]

also have a look into:

doepfer MAQ 16/3
manikin schrittmacher
SND SAM 16

[Sir Nose]

Also, the Evolver is only internal. The sequencer can not control other gear.

[de raaf]

evolver can send midi note out!

the evolver seq is mainly strong in the synth itself with its many destinations
to outside gear it looses this flexibility quite a bit

if you have other synths or a modular, you going to be better of with a standalone seq. and than your budget will play a role

also do you want a midi seq or cv/gate or the combination?

[pflosi]

well that kills it for the OP

edit: well in this case not really

[prinsen]

Also, the Evolver is only internal. The sequencer can not control other gear.

I've seen this claim quite a few times here on VSE, but according to the Evolver manual the sequencer can be routed to the midi output to modulate a limited number of midi parameters. Eg. MIDI note number, MIDI Velocity, MIDI Mod Wheel and MIDI Pressure.

[meatballfulton]

Also, the Evolver is only internal. The sequencer can not control other gear.

As mentioned in my reply this is incorrect.

well, not for every step. you have to go through the menu to get to the right one. that's not what i call on the fly...

What menu? You press ONE button to pick the 8-step row you want and start turning the knobs.

[otto]

You might want to look around for reviews of the evolver sequencing other gear. I seem to remember it had some really strange quirk like it sequenced external gear a few notes lower than programmed like a E would be a C, etc. I can’t recall exactly but it seemed to make it a bit unusable or at least awkward to sequence other gear. Internally it can be beat, it’s an amazing sequencer within the confines of just sequencing just the evolver.

[meatballfulton]

You might want to look around for reviews of the evolver sequencing other gear. I seem to remember it had some really strange quirk like it sequenced external gear a few notes lower than programmed like a E would be a C, etc.

---The MIDI note numbers are offset by one. MIDI note 0 to the Evolver sequencer means play no note at all. When programming pitch values you have to set them one higher than the actual MIDI note number you want to play. If you really want MIDI note 0 to play you have to program that step as 1, etc. This is mentioned in the manual BTW.

---The parameter resolution for sequencing internal pitches is a quarter step (i.e. you can play a note that's halfway between C and C# if you like, very cool for experimental music) but when sequencing MIDI the resolution is half steps because MIDI note numbers don't support any finer pitch resolution. Luckily, if you have oscillator pitch as a destination and you switch the destination to MIDI note number (or vice versa) the sequencer row gets cleared out automatically.

BTW you can program one or more rows to drive MIDI while using the remaining rows to play the internal synth as well.