New Evolution Keyboards Deliver Total Control

Evolution Electronics, the UK based manufacturer of USB computer music products, announced three new USB keyboards, featuring fully assignable knobs and faders, providing the total control for today's computer musicians.

The MK-461C is the flagship model in the new range featuring 9 assignable 35mm faders, 12 assignable rotary knobs, 10 assignable buttons and 61 full-size touch sensitive keys, giving computer music enthusiasts the extreme hands-on control needed for their software and hardware. Even the pitch bend and modulation wheels are both fully assignable, as is the foot switch socket. This is ideal for punch in/out recording or activating record without having to take the hands off the keyboard. All in all, this adds up to an 34 assignable controllers.

As pioneered with the UC-33, Evolution have also added a drawbar mode for the 9 faders. For the classic drawbar organ enthusiast, this really adds an important touch to the experience of playing instruments such as NI B4.

Ten pre-configured presets are included with the MK-461C, making it instantly usable with the most popular plug-ins, virtual instruments and host applications. Creating custom made setups is quick and easy. All of the 34 real-time controllers can be programmed with the numerical keypad which, combined with the backlit LCD display, makes the task a breeze. Each controller can also be setup to transmit on separate MIDI channels and complete setups can be stored in any of the 10 memory locations for recalling at any time.

In addition to standard controller numbers, the MK-461C has RPN/NRPN and pre-programmed Sys-Ex messages, for real-time access to parameters beyond immediate reach on products such as SoundBlaster, XG and GM compatible soundcards. The Sys-Ex dump command allows the entire content of the memory to be dumped and a librarian program for PC and Mac users is included for saving, editing and sharing keyboard setups.

The MK-461C connects to a PC or Mac using the included USB cable. The keyboard is even powered via USB, or alternatively with an optional power supply. As with all Evolution products, the MK-461C is Class compliant, so no drivers are required when using Windows XP or Mac OS X.

The conventional MIDI output on the back of the keyboard has been included for operation with a traditional MIDI gear or non-USB computer setups. Used in USB mode, the MIDI output acts as a USB to MIDI output interface.

The MK-449C sports all the pro features mentioned above including the 9 faders but has 8 assignable knobs and 49 full-size touch sensitive keys. Finally, the compact MK-425C is just as powerful with 8 assignable knobs and 25 full-size touch sensitive keys. The perfect size to go wherever you want to go.

Main features:

• 25 / 49 or 61 full-size touch sensitive keys
• 9 assignable 35mm faders (on 449C / 461C)
• 12 assignable controller knobs (8 on 225C / 449C)
• 10 assignable buttons
• Assignable pitch bend and modulation wheel
• Assignable foot switch socket
• Drawbar mode for faders (on 449C / 461C)
• 10 memory locations for storing user setups
• Pre-programmed templates included for popular instruments
• Full memory sys-ex dump, Mac and PC librarian package included
• USB In/Out (Class compliant)
• USB powered or 9v PSU (optional)
• MIDI Out socket

The new series will be available Q3 2003. Prices: TBA