Doepfer Dark Energy Vs Dave Smith Evolver comparison

This is a comparison test (for a friend) of the analog ocsillators on the Dave Smith Evolver & the Doepfer dark Energy.

The DE controls look totally analog in comparison to the Evolver that uses a
digital interface - a DSP that computes the control voltages for the
analog circuits.
The Evolver uses 2 identical analog oscillators and 2 digital oscilliators.
The DE has just one analog VCO.

In This first video I'll run an identical 16 step midi sequence through each synth.
Both filters are open completely so we should hear all frequencies.

The Evolver VCO has a 10 octave range. (8Hz to 8KHZ)
The Dark Energy VCO has an octave range of 10Hz to 12KHZ

I've picked the middle of the frequency range for both synths
Hopefully the 8th step of the sequence will hit Middle C.
And both VCOs are generating square waves.

If anyone has any better ideas for running this test, let me know.
Audio is on soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/jondent

Cheers.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• demo
• evolver
• dave
• smith
• doepfer
• dark
• energy
• analogue
• analog
• electronic

[DJjondent]

New video showing how you can plug in the Dark Energy with a few other synths - old & new. Hope it will give

you some ideas

[ThePellerhead]

@DJjondent ok perfect thankyou for your helpfull advice and taking time to reply, verry much appreciated!!! all the best to you :)

[DJjondent]

@ThePellerhead Sure, i haven't used Record, but the Dark E will sync with any DAW that outputs Midi. It has the usual MIDI interface , but in addition it has USB & CV (control voltage). Ive used it in Abelton .  It's a great MIDI to CV converter too. Peace . jono

[DJjondent]

@ThePellerhead looking forward to your video:-)

[DJjondent]

@ThePellerhead Yes, the dark energy is a great way to get into modulars. For less than the price of one korg MS20 you can get so much these days. I'll put up a demo video later of how you can plug all these different modules - maybe the Dark energy & two MFBs.

[ThePellerhead]

@DJjondent i meant to say can i syn the dark energy to propellerheads Record and record the lovely analogue sounds and finish off a song within the daw then? :) if you get me!!

[ThePellerhead]

@DJjondent ok thank you , yeah i think then by going what you say and lookin at few more vids the dark energy be good starting point it seems, and a good price and really hands on which is perfect for now!! and to be able to sync the kraftwerk with it too sounds like a right good set up|!!! thanks agian and when i get comfortable with it i will post a vid!! happy creating !!! :)

[DJjondent]

It's no probs. Its hard to know where to start. If you want to learn about modular analog synths the Dark Energy is great. I got mine on Ebay for about $US500.Also check out the MBF Kraftwerg & Megazwerg. I love all of them as you can patch for example the LFO of the Kraftwerg into the VCO of the dark energy and syc them all with the sequencer of the Megazwerg . Have Fun!

[ThePellerhead]

@DJjondent hey thanks for reply!! verry informative thanks :) i was thinking that mayb the deark energy would be a good start to getting to understand analogue and really hands on and that is what appealed to me about it and it sounds bit warmer but i am watching a video so that is probably an unfair judgement! thanks for that jon!

[DJjondent]

Hi,From a users point of view i prefer the sound of the evolver over the dark energy.The evo has two analog DCOs & 2 digital (they use FM synthesis&wavetables).It has 2 digital highpass filters & real analog VCAs. Modulation is via 4 LFOs and 3 ADSR envelope generators.Plus it has a step sequencer.The ability to combine all this is wonderful.The Doepfer uses 1 analog VCO. Its all analog old school-perfect If you wanna get into modulars.U will have lots of fun patching into MFB&ARP synths.