DSI

Dave Smith Instruments has released an updated version of its flagship synthesizer keyboard, the Poly Evolver.

The new version boasts 60 potentiometers among its complement of 78 rotary controls.

“The response to the pot edition of the Prophet ’08 has been overwhelmingly positive,” said company founder Dave Smith, “so we decided to extend that functionality to the Poly Evolver, as well.”

Unlike endless rotary encoders, potentiometers allow the full range of a knob’s values to be accessed in a single turn of about 300 degrees. That simplifies filter sweeps and other more performance-oriented gestures. A kit with potentiometer-equipped panel boards is available to convert older Poly Evolvers.

There have also been some cosmetic changes. “We needed both lined and unlined knobs to distinguish between the pots and encoders, so we’re using Prophet-style knobs,” said DSI’s Andrew McGowan. “And we’ve updated the panel graphics a bit without changing them significantly.” The wood end panels are now made from bubinga. Read more…

Denkitribe’s “ER-1 + Evolver” techno jam. Read more…

Dave Smith put together this nice intro to the new Dave Smith Instruments Tetra synthesizer:

Tetra takes the award-winning sound and features of Mopho, multiplies them by four, and packs them in a box less than half an inch larger.

Tetra has multiple personalities. It is a four-voice, analog poly synth, a sort of mini Prophet. It’s a four-part, multitimbral synth with separate outputs, essentially four Mophos in one very compact box. And its a voice expander for other Tetras or the Prophet 08.

The DSI Tetra retails for $799. See our DSI Tetra synth coverage for details.

Image: Gtechture

Just “a Mopho keyboard speculation”…….but we can dream, can’t we?

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

Dave Smith Instruments has introduced a new multitimbral synthesizer, the DSI Tetra.

Tetra’s four voices feature a 100% analog signal path and four-part multitimbral operation with individual outputs per voice.

Tetra takes the sound and features of the DSI Mopho, multiplies them by four, and packs them in a box less than half an inch larger.

“We’ve been getting the message loud and clear from our customers that ‘smaller is better,’” said company founder Dave Smith. “All our recent products pack a lot of power and functionality into a small package—even the Prophet ’08, which is relatively small for a full-sized keyboard. We’d also gotten a lot of requests for a poly version of Mopho, our analog mono synth, which has been very successful. By following Mopho’s lead and paring the interface down to the essentials, we can keep the price low and provide excellent value. Everybody wins.”

The DSI Tetra retails for $799.

If you’ve used the Dave Smith Instruments Tetra, leave a comment with your thoughts! Read more…