Troubleshooting: Evolver Desktop

The list below provides solutions to some of the most common tech support issues. The Evolver is a deep instrument. If you are having problems with your Evolver and suspect that operator error might be to blame, resetting the Main/Global parameters is a good place to start. To do that, hold down the Row 1 button and press Row 4. That sets the Global parameters back to their factory defaults. (There is no full hardware reset built in, but the factory programs are available for download if you want to get everything back to the original state.)

If one of the analog waveshapes sounds strange or if a filter is not behaving as expected, you may also want to try running the calibration routine. This is not something you should have to do regularly (or ever, really) and has no effect on the oscillator tuning. To run the calibration routine, hold down the Row 1 button and press Row 5. The display will count down from 4 while calibrating.

The sequencer no longer plays/plays the same low note on each step/plays the same sequence on every program.
Make sure that Lock Seq is turned off.

The sequencer no longer plays and Lock Seq is turned off.
If the Evolver is set to sync to an external MIDI clock, the sequencer will not play unless a clock is present at the MIDI input. Check the MIDI Clock setting (Main Row 1, knob 8).

Program Bank 1 just makes weird noises and doesn't respond to MIDI input.
Yep. Bank 1 was designed to be a standalone bank that plays without a MIDI keyboard. Bank 2 is more "traditional" keyboard type sounds. If the sequences in Bank 1 don't seem to be playing, see the previous tips.

When I play a MIDI keyboard, it triggers the envelopes but the oscillator pitch doesn't change.
Check Key Off/Xpose (Row 7, knob 8). If it is off, MIDI notes will not affect the oscillator pitch. This parameter also transposes the MIDI range by +/- 3 octaves.

MIDI affects the note pitch, but will not trigger the envelopes.
Check Trigger Select (Row 7, Knob 7). It must be set ALL or MID for basic MIDI triggering. It can also be set to MDr, MS, or MSr when using MIDI and the sequencer together.

I hit the Sequence Start button; the LEDs advance, but the envelopes don't trigger.
This is the opposite of the problem above; check Trigger Select (Row 7, Knob 7). It should be set to ALL or SEQ for the sequencer to trigger the envelopes.

After playing on a MIDI keyboard, I change Programs and the sounds are transposed too high.
The quick fix is to press the Reset button when the sequencer is stopped; it acts as a MIDI all-notes-off, and resets all MIDI controllers. In general, you usually want to set up Programs as sequencer-driven, MIDI-driven, or both. When you try to play a sequence-based Program with MIDI, or sequence a MIDI-based sound, you will likely have to change a couple parameters (see 1 and 2 above).

When I change Programs, the Sequencer speed always stays the same.
Check Use Prgm Tempo. If it is OFF, then the speed is not updated when Programs change. Set it to On.

How do I copy Sequences from one Program to another?
First, make sure Lock Seq is off. Select the Program with the sequence that you want to copy. Then, turn Lock Seq On. When you change Programs the sequence will not change, so select the destination Program. Save the Program and the Sequence will be saved in the new location. (Don't forget to turn Lock Seq off when you're done, unless you want to leave it on.)

I can't get the filter to oscillate.
The filter only oscillates when in 4-pole mode. Check the 2 pole/4 pole setting (Row 3, Knob 1, Shift).

I seem to be getting some distortion in my output.
Assuming that the Distortion is off, you are likely just overloading the signal somewhere. There are many signal sources in Evolver, and many sources of gain. If too many are used at levels that are too high, you will likely get some distortion. For example, if you are using all four oscillators, you should have the levels lower, in the 40 - 60 range. Likewise, if using all three delay taps, lower the levels of each.

I'm hearing weird clicks and pops in the audio output.
Check to make sure Evolver's power supply is providing adequate voltage. Evolver requires at least 13 volts DC and 500 mA (or .5 A) of current. If the voltage is less than 13 volts, the analog circuitry will not function properly. Power supplies that provide 13 volts are not easy to find, but Evolver will work just fine with a 15 volt supply. (More current is fine, too. Just not less than 500 mA.) 12 volt power supplies, which are commonly available and may give the appearance of normal operation, should not be used! If you can't find an appropriate power supply locally, you can always order a replacement supply from our Web store.

The key assignment seems weird and doesn't play each note correctly.
Check Poly Chain and make sure it's OFF.