Evolution UC-33e MIDI Controller Shipping

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M-Audio has announced shipment of Evolution's new UC-33e, an affordable and compact controller designed for use with any computer/MIDI setup.

The UC-33e allows instant and simultaneous controls of up to 47 different parameters via its 24 assignable rotary controllers, nine assignable sliders, and fourteen assignable buttons including a 10-button keypad. 33 non-volatile memory locations allow quick and easy setup changes. The UC-33e can be used with a conventional MIDI setup, for live performances, or as a remote controller for an existing studio rack. When used in standalone mode, the MIDI Out can be used to send MIDI controller data to a MIDI rack.

To facilitate easy use of the controller with leading music software, the UC-33e comes with pre-configured settings for use with a variety of popular plug-ins, virtual instruments and host applications. The unit also ships with 5 color overlays for the front panel customized for popular software programs plus a blank template users can tailor to their personal setup needs.

The UC-33e's controller mute function mutes the output of all controllers, allowing users to position them before tweaking, thereby preventing parameters such as filter cut-off or amplitude levels from changing abruptly during performance. The unit also features a drawbar mode for the sliders, which greatly enhances the experience of playing virtual instruments such as Native Instruments' B4 virtual Hammond organ.

The UC-33e ships with a software bundle featuring a dedicated librarian program that gives PC users the ability to save, edit and share keyboard setups. Also included are Sound Studio II, a MIDI and audio sequencer with VST plug-in support, Music Teacher, a tutorial program that teaches novices to play the keyboard; MusicPlanet, an array of professionally recorded samples; and a selection of VST plug-ins and Virtual Instrument demos.

The UC-33e carries an MSRP of $329.95 and is now shipping.