Product: Evolution MK161
Price Paid: US $200
Submitted
03/21/2001
at
06:45am
by
Pavel Zolin
Ease of Use
:
8
Interface is very intuitive, but the overall keyboard design is a bit outdated. But whatta hell lame speakers do there if it has no sound at all?
Features
:
7
Good ones:
It has ability to transpose, to select banks and programs, to reset midi, to store presets.. i.e. everything you need from good MIDI controller. Keys are almost professional and full-sized with velocity but no aftertouch. It also has sustain pedal in and such stuff. You can assign mod wheel to any CC - is a big plus when you control exotic devices and virtual samplers / synths . Also included Evolution Studio - a fair MIDI sequencer with one audio track - which is pretty good for starters .
Bad ones:
It has ability to shift up to -1 octave, which is not accetable when you trying to dig low notes. Also, Mod. wheel and Pitch bend are producing kinda discrete data, but it's my subjective opinion. Also it doesnt produce any sound at all, which is not suitable for midi controller for $200, those guys at Evolution seem to be lazy to insert cheap DAC and 128 k ROM for cheap Casio-like bell sounds. Every time I invent a melody, I'm running fast to my PC workstation to power it on and wait until everything loads... While PC boots up, I forget everything ;)
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
No Opinion
Velocity reaction is good, can be easily compared to more expensive models. Velocity curve is also good - you can easily select from 9 of them.
Reliability
:
No Opinion
I used it as controller for soundmodules / computers on gigs and have no problems with it . Also my MK161 drunk some coffee and beer, which doesnt affect the functionality ;)
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Their web site is a plus, but I think they must be more on keyboards production than in software. Their keyboards are good , their software is pretty lame , including DanceStation, which is a simple plastic toy box for kids - it has no deal with professional PC software .
Overall Rating
:
7
If it were lost or stolen I will buy their newest model, MK261 - it's almost the same, but it has very stylish, slim look, and has no speakers.
