Dave Smith Instruments Evolver

Launched in 2002 as the very first synth from Dave Smith Instruments, this desktop module marked the triumphant return of a pioneer who invented MIDI and shaped classics like the Prophet-5—blending his analog legacy with fresh digital tricks for sounds that morph and evolve in real time.

At its core, it's a monophonic hybrid beast with four digitally controlled oscillators handling FM, wavetable, and subtractive synthesis, paired with real Curtis analog filters—switchable 2- or 4-pole lowpass at 12/24dB/oct, plus highpass options—and VCAs for that warm, vintage bite. You'll find three ADSR envelopes, four LFOs, a deep mod matrix, and a standout 16-step sequencer per patch that syncs with LFOs and delays for rhythmic, animated patches. Effects like delay, distortion, and feedback add grit, while stereo audio ins let you run external signals through the works; controls are knob-heavy with an intuitive matrix interface for tweaking eight parameters on the fly, all in a compact 10.75" x 6" x 1.9" metal chassis weighing just over 3 lbs, with MIDI DIN in/thru/out, USB, and stereo outs.

Synth enthusiasts still chase these on the used market for their organic, ever-shifting tones that punch above their monophonic weight—programmers love the hands-on editing and sequencer magic, though some note the single-voice limit pushes you toward layering for bigger sounds.