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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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 Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:45 pm Post subject:
NM G2 and Poly Evolver |
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Hello. Probably a stupid topic but...
I'm thinking about selling my Poly Evolver and getting a G2 Engine. I kind of like the open endedness of the G2 and feel like there would be more options for sound design than with the Poly Evolver. I've played a bit with the G2 demo (can't find a real G2 to try out) but since it's monophonic and somewhat crippled I don't know if it makes for a fair comparison. Anyway, I have some (possibly stupid) questions.
The demo is kind of weak/thin sounding...how does it compare to the real thing?
What would be a rough guestimate on the number of voices I'd get out of the G2 on average? Specs say 32 but we all know that never works out on any synth and I know it changes depending on patch complexity.
Can the G2 basically do everything the Poly Evolver can plus more or would I be losing features by selling the Poly Evolver (besides it being analog)?
How is the build quality of the G2 Engine (this is pure speculation I suppose)? I got a good 12 years out of my K2000 before selling it in basically the same condition I bought it in because it was built like a tank. does the nord give the same impression?
Thanks,
Jon |
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slave to this
Joined: Oct 23, 2005
Posts: 93
Location: nyc
G2 patch files: 7
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:03 pm Post subject:
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I'd keep your poly (especially if you have the keyboard) and just save up and buy an engine when you can. they are both different machines and compliment each other nicely. you'll miss a few of the cool features that the evolver has.
But on a must sell basis, yeah, I think if you get good with modular programming you could mimic it decent enough. Good luck with the choice of waveforms though. |
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Afro88
Joined: Jun 20, 2004
Posts: 701
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Audio files: 12
G2 patch files: 79
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:37 pm Post subject:
Re: NM G2 and Poly Evolver |
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| jonkull wrote: | | The demo is kind of weak/thin sounding...how does it compare to the real thing? |
The only difference in sound between the demo and the real thing is the DAC's. There are people out there that say the DAC's on the G2 sound off. You should really try and track down a G2 and hear for yourself.
As for weak/thin sounds, you can patch massive sounds with the G2, but it takes a bit of work. It's default sound is a little thin (ie, stock 2osc->filter->env synth), but using some tricks around here and some of the filter and distortion building blocks you can get very fat sounds.
| Quote: | | What would be a rough guestimate on the number of voices I'd get out of the G2 on average? Specs say 32 but we all know that never works out on any synth and I know it changes depending on patch complexity. |
Most patches use about 30-50% dsp I've found. So you should expect about 7-8 voices with the average patch.
| Quote: | | Can the G2 basically do everything the Poly Evolver can plus more or would I be losing features by selling the Poly Evolver (besides it being analog)? |
You'll have a hard time recreating the digital oscs. I guess you could spend time patching something that recreates one of the individual waves if you really missed it, but forget wave sequencing with the original Prophet VS waveforms ala Evolver. The distortion is also unique and I haven't heard anything out of the G2 that is as large. Everything else would be fairly simple to do, but don't expect it to sound like the Evolver. Also don't expect to be able to get all the Evolver features going at once (4 seq's slot with 2 filters, 4 lfos, 3 envs etc.) with polyphony.
| Quote: | | How is the build quality of the G2 Engine (this is pure speculation I suppose)? I got a good 12 years out of my K2000 before selling it in basically the same condition I bought it in because it was built like a tank. does the nord give the same impression? |
It's not heavy, not like a DX7 or anything, but it is solid. Your engine will probably sit hidden away in a rack anyway, because there's nothing to press or use on the panel.
Hope that helps... |
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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:53 pm Post subject:
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| slave to this wrote: | | I'd keep your poly (especially if you have the keyboard) and just save up and buy an engine when you can. they are both different machines and compliment each other nicely. you'll miss a few of the cool features that the evolver has. |
I'd probably think twice if I had the keyboard but I have the Poly Rack. That's something to consider though (having both). |
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BobTheDog
Joined: Feb 28, 2005
Posts: 4044
Location: England
Audio files: 32
G2 patch files: 15
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:47 am Post subject:
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| jonkull wrote: | | slave to this wrote: | | I'd keep your poly (especially if you have the keyboard) and just save up and buy an engine when you can. they are both different machines and compliment each other nicely. you'll miss a few of the cool features that the evolver has. |
I'd probably think twice if I had the keyboard but I have the Poly Rack. That's something to consider though (having both). |
I have a PEK and a G2 and I have not heard a single G2 patch that sounds like the evolver, to me they sound very different indeed.
The G2 is a fantastic synth though, I would go for both if you can manage it. I would hate to loose either!
Cheers
Andy |
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mother misty
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 681
Location: Ghent / Belgium
Audio files: 82
G2 patch files: 130
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:27 am Post subject:
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| BobTheDog wrote: | I have a PEK and a G2 and I have not heard a single G2 patch that sounds like the evolver, to me they sound very different indeed.
The G2 is a fantastic synth though, I would go for both if you can manage it. I would hate to loose either!
Cheers
Andy |
I can't agree more 
If I would lose one of them , I'll buy one again tomorrow!
(I even have been thinking of buying a 2nd evolver) |
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13rian
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 34
Location: NYC
Audio files: 2
G2 patch files: 2
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:55 am Post subject:
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| BobTheDog wrote: | I would hate to loose either!
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i second (or third) that emotion! i have a poly rack strapped to a G2 engine and they are a match made in heaven. i might get some major flack for saying this, but i run the evolver thru the nord for processing and blend them at the output. the result is like having one monstrous synth machine.
- b |
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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:30 am Post subject:
Re: NM G2 and Poly Evolver |
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| Quote: | | As for weak/thin sounds, you can patch massive sounds with the G2, but it takes a bit of work. It's default sound is a little thin (ie, stock 2osc->filter->env synth), but using some tricks around here and some of the filter and distortion building blocks you can get very fat sounds. |
OK. That's good. One of the only things I like about the Evolver is the thickness of the sound so if there's a way to make the nord sound thicker than the demo that's a plus.
| Quote: | | Most patches use about 30-50% dsp I've found. So you should expect about 7-8 voices with the average patch. |
I figured as much but that's still more than the 4 I have on the Evolver.
| Quote: | | You'll have a hard time recreating the digital oscs...(snip)...don't expect to be able to get all the Evolver features going at once (4 seq's slot with 2 filters, 4 lfos, 3 envs etc.) with polyphony. |
I don't know that I would want to recreate the Evolver on the Nord. I don't really use my Evolver enough to be bothered. The main reason I bought it was to get a little warmth in my all digital setup (K5000, K2600, FS1R, Z4). It just doesn't really 'fit' like I hoped it would. I've only had it for a week so maybe I'm not giving it the chance I should...
| Quote: | | It's not heavy, not like a DX7 or anything, but it is solid. Your engine will probably sit hidden away in a rack anyway, because there's nothing to press or use on the panel. |
Yeah, that's true...it would be racked and wouldn't really go anywhere. How about the software aspect of it? In your opinion is it a 'real' piece of gear you'd picture yourself playing 5 years from now or will it be a nice big paperweight once software support is discontinued? I guess that's where my hesitation comes in...being tied to a computer makes me feel like I'm buying something that's destined to be obsolete. Normal hardware seems to have more perceived longevity...one of the reasons I don't use softsynths.
So what is it exactly about the Evolver that people like so much? |
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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:38 am Post subject:
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| 13rian wrote: | | BobTheDog wrote: | I would hate to loose either!
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i second (or third) that emotion! i have a poly rack strapped to a G2 engine and they are a match made in heaven. i might get some major flack for saying this, but i run the evolver thru the nord for processing and blend them at the output. the result is like having one monstrous synth machine.
- b |
So what is it that everyone loves about the Evolver so much? In my opinion it's a pretty standard fixed path synth with some interesting modulation routings. I don't seem to get the same thrill from it that other people do...though I haven't really had it long enough to really dive in. |
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13rian
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 34
Location: NYC
Audio files: 2
G2 patch files: 2
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:58 am Post subject:
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| jonkull wrote: |
So what is it that everyone loves about the Evolver so much? In my opinion it's a pretty standard fixed path synth with some interesting modulation routings. I don't seem to get the same thrill from it that other people do...though I haven't really had it long enough to really dive in. |
Dive in! I personally like the tone. I thoroughly enjoy the programmable nature of the Nord (to the point that it would be worthwhile to keep an obsolete ibook around to program it for many years), but the evolver sound is very unique to my ears. Being able to blend the analog and digital oscillators is one of the best parts for me. The LFO can go from strolling to audio rate (middle c i think?). The sequencers are very cool and lots of people love that about the evolvers, but for me it's more about the pure tone of the box. The hardwired signal flow is pretty well layed out for most of my purposes. The only thing I wish was hardwired differently - the audio input. I would greatly prefer to have one for each voice. But that's just for how I like to use it.
If you can afford to get the G2 without selling the DSI, I highly recomend it. You can always sell off either one afterward if you choose.
- b |
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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:28 am Post subject:
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| 13rian wrote: | If you can afford to get the G2 without selling the DSI, I highly recomend it. You can always sell off either one afterward if you choose.
- b |
Just picked up a Micro Modular on Ebay. I figure I can play with that for a while and then decide what to do. |
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13rian
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 34
Location: NYC
Audio files: 2
G2 patch files: 2
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:43 am Post subject:
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| jonkull wrote: | | Just picked up a Micro Modular on Ebay. I figure I can play with that for a while and then decide what to do. |
great idea. i almost mentioned that, but decided not to, only bc you have to use your imagination a bit. the g2 is definitely a few steps up from the micro. but you can get the feel of the functionality at least. have fun and do let us know whatcha think!
- b |
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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:40 am Post subject:
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| 13rian wrote: | | jonkull wrote: | | Just picked up a Micro Modular on Ebay. I figure I can play with that for a while and then decide what to do. |
great idea. i almost mentioned that, but decided not to, only bc you have to use your imagination a bit. the g2 is definitely a few steps up from the micro. but you can get the feel of the functionality at least. have fun and do let us know whatcha think!
- b |
Yeah...I figured it was one step up from the demo on the computer and I can still keep the Evolver and save myself $700. Now I just need to find my old OS 9 CD.
Jon |
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13rian
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 34
Location: NYC
Audio files: 2
G2 patch files: 2
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:53 am Post subject:
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i'd say go ahead and use the 'unsupported' os X editor.
http://www.clavia.se/faq/micro.htm
FAQ#1 read to the bottom there is a link for the beta. It actually always worked pretty well for me.
- b |
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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:07 pm Post subject:
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| 13rian wrote: | | i'd say go ahead and use the 'unsupported' os X editor. |
Thanks. I'll do that. |
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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 4:17 pm Post subject:
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| Well I got my Micro Modular last night. Played with it for a few hours and now I REALLY want a G2. This thing rocks! |
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blue hell
Site Admin
Joined: Apr 03, 2004
Posts: 24422
Location: The Netherlands, Enschede
Audio files: 297
G2 patch files: 320
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| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:30 pm Post subject:
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Some say the NM classics sound better ... maybe that'll comfort you for a while 
_________________
Jan
also .. could someone please turn down the thermostat a bit.
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