Evolution MK125

Pretty straigt-forward to figure out, even without a manual.

I like the smooth synth action of the keyboard better than that of some of my synths such as the Korg X5D, Alesis Ion...

I would cmpletely love it if only it had 3 octaves.

I've had it for over 2 years of fairly heavy home use and other than an occasional freeze up (fixed by simply unplugging it and then plugging it back in) it has been completely reliable. I'd gig with it.

The MK125 transmits program changes and MIDI CC messages without problems or fuss which is more than I can say for some other gear (e.g. Roland PC300)

It has been the perfect thing for me for playing around with my modules - No complaints!

This is a really easy unit to use, specially if you're just using it to control another channel on a larger keyboard. The Dance Station software supplied with the keyboard is also pretty easy to use and lets you assign different samples to the 25 keys. I hardly used the software (my old computer didn't really have the processing power and my new computer has no SB connection to plug it up). I bought the package for the keyboard anyway so the software wasn't an issue.
There are no sounds built into the keyboard - it's just your basic desktop MIDI controller. It features patch number selectors, octave change selectors and other multifunction buttons placed along the top of the keys. I personally found that typing in MIDI program change numbers was slightly tedious and not easy during a live performance. There are six patch memories, however, so you can store six favourite sounds for quick recall. The current patch number / MIDI value is displayed in a bright red 3 char eight segment LED display - very 1980s!

The Dance Station software allowed you to play back 25 samples simultaneously - i.e., full keyboard poly, but for use with other synths / tone generators it depends what their polyphony is. The keyboard features velocity sensitivity and allows you to select 12 different velocity curves. The actual keys themselves are pretty cheap and feel a little spongy and fragile but for the 69 quid I paid for it, it certainly was a vast improvement to trying to use my computer keyboard as a music keyboard!
As far as I am aware there aren't any direct expansions available for the keyboard itself, although there could possibly have been updated software.
The keyboard is also small and when using the SB cable is self powered (very useful!) but can be run off 6AA batteries or a multi-volt games adaptor if using conventional MIDI cables.

Once again this is a MIDI controller so the sound quality clearly depends upon the tone generator being triggered. The velocity sensitivity is a pretty useful thing to have on such a low cost keyboard but this is about all that directly influences the sound in any way.

This keyboard is probably most suited to the computer based studio musician or DJ who can cram the small sized board in between a couple of decks for live jamming.

I doubt I would gig with this. It feels slightly fragile and could get damaged quite easily. The chassis is full plastic and does flex slightly. If I really needed it I might use it but to be honest this was really designed to be used in a studio environment.

I've never dealt with Evolution regarding their products.

Hmmm, it works well with my old computer and there was a point where I used this keyboard quite a bit, but now that my new computer has no SB input and I have no MIDI interface I rarely use this keyboard now. It is possible to control an extra channel on another synthesizer but the need for an extra socket/batteries to power it usually means I can get by without. I also bought an 88 key weighted Oberheim piano keyboard last year so if I need a controller keyboard this is the one I now use.
If it were lost or stolen I can't say I'd be best pleased but I could get by without it.

I never really compared the MK-125 to anything else. I just needed an input keyboard for my computer, and for this it did the job well. I now own the new microKORG synthesizer among a rather large collection of old and new synths, and the MK-125 would probably be quite good for controlling the micro. The only reason I haven't tried this is because my hands are small enough to be able to play the micro perfectly well. The percs of being small huh?

No presets, its a control keyboard only, but samples come with the cd rom software (for PC only). Very easy to use.

All you can expect is here; velocity, control changes assignable through the modulation wheel, all is good! And its small enough to carry around, the octave change gives you 8 octaves total, it's great.

No sounds in it, but i'd say great for dance music in general, you can bring it in the dj booth and jam along with the vynils and mixer, if its hooked up to a sampler and/or a module. Like i said, it is velocity sensitive and whatever you assign to the mod-wheel responds very well.

It seems dependable.

Advise, buy it directly from the company in the UK, you'll end up paying much less. One company here in the US was asking $200 for it before taxes and shipping!! With the british currency, it cost me $130 total! And the people are nice and helpful.

Great, i like it better than my Roland PC200 because of its size and the modulation wheel serves its purpose better than the data entry slider i think. I've had it for 5 days only. It helps me make music everywhere with my small sampler and small sequencer-module.

This a two octave controller often bundled with THE DANCE STATION software.

Very well laid out. Similar to the old Novation MM-10 but hopefully quality manufactured. Nice features. Missing only a volume (expression pedal) socket but the assignable wheel should suffice. You could strap it on as a bass controller. Use it instead of your drum machine buttons. Octave button is very helpful.

Velocity curves and OK.

I'm hoping the reliability is better than the similar two octave Novation MM-10.

No clue about the company-British I believe. Computer centers are selling this unit as DANCE STATION. At $109 I think it is a fair price. Sure you can buy the Evolution or Kaysound MK4902 for $120 or less today if you need four octaves. Both units I feel are a bargain but may not have the longetivity of the key action of the more substantial Roland small controllers.

This seems a good bargain. I may open it up to examine the chips. The Novation MM-10 had Siemens technology. Preferrable to the Yamaha CBX-K1 controller because of standard size keys.