Evolution MK461C

It's very easy to use, lots of template around, lots of control on your sound ... but

As with all Evolution keyboard products, I have to concur the keys are flimsy and take out the joy of playing.

has no sounds, but that's a good thing since I only use synths software nowadays

For the knobs, buttons and sliders, it's a nice price. For the sake of playing? Sold it and wil never buy it again. I like the Fatar (Roland, etc.) feel of a keyboard, could live with Korg Karma keyboard action, but this Evolution is just horrible. I can recommended the Emu XBoard 49 paired up with Behringer BCF2000. Costs more, but is more lasting pleasure.

This is a 61-key midi controller with 9 sliders, lots of knobs and buttons. Whenever you move any of the controls, the display indicates the controller number and value. Easy to hook up to a computer, where it gets it's power and signal link from the USB2 connection.

This keyboard is intended for computer input of music. The keyboard is certainly not acceptable for playing straight music. The keys are very cheap feeling, wobble from side to side, and feel like they will break any second. Though they are full size, only a child should use these keys, but not very long.

This keyboard works great with the B4 organ software, and even has a saved setup for that software.

There is velocity sensitivity but no aftertouch. HOWEVER, when I received the unit it was sending erroneous signals to velocity sensitive modules such that random notes would quickly die to silence. I called M-Audio and they admitted having this problem on other units and sent me a replacement board. I installed it myself and things worked fine after that.

I would be very nervous to use this keyboard for anything other than computer input of music. This is no good for gigging or any type of live performance. Keep it at you computer workstation.

I bought this blindly off Ebay from an authorized dealer, without ever feeling the keyboard. I sold it as soon as I could.

Great customer support, as they send me a free replacement circuit board to fix the velocity problem.

As I said, I sold this as soon as I could. Very poor quality in the keyboard-feel department. Just be sure to play one before you buy it.

I haven't seen any reviews for this midi controller yet, so I thought I should share my experience.

Very easy to use. Either hook up to the USB2 port of your computer and go....or use an A/C converter (not included) and power from the wall. Includes "Quick Start" hardcopy manual, and extensive manual on a CD. Very lightweigh and portable.

This is a midi controller meant for use with a computer. It has no sounds but LOTS of programmable midi controllers, knobs, buttons, mod wheel, pitch bench and 9 sliding drawbar-type controls. Runs completely from the USB2 connection (power and midi signals).

Now the bad new....the keyboard feel is horrible! The keys feel very cheap, like they belong on a child's keyboard. Keys are full size, but they wobble from side to side and are very flimsy feeling. I was worried about breaking them if I played too hard...or too long.

The keyboard is made for using with B4 Hammond software on a computer. Fine for inputting midi data to a computer but NOT for playing live music or any non-computer applications.

Glad you asked. When I hooked this keyboard up to a velocity-sensitive module, the notes would randomly die-out quickly, even with the keys held down. I tried several modules to make sure that wasn't the problem. The velocity feature DID work, but a random "note off" signal was being sent.

I called M-Audio and they admitted that several units (they didn't say how many) had this problem. They sent me a new circuit board which I was able to install myself. No soldering required, just about 7 ribbon cable plugs. You also have to open up the keyboard, which is pretty simple, even without instructions.

So if you are buying one of these from a private party, MAKE SURE you test your unit for correct velocity functions.

As mentioned above, M-Audio immediately replace my circuit board without any proof of purchase or time period. They mailed me the board and I installed it myself.

I sold this keyboard as soon as I could....before any of the delicate, wobbly keys broke. Don't buy one of these unless you get a chance to feel the keyboard for yourself. I got mine off Ebay but was able to sell it for what I paid. Looks great in photos and in concept.....but they should have included a better keyboard....

I'm using the Native instruments B4 stand alone on a laptop. The presets belong to the B4.

There are no "patches" but the control assignment is a piece of cake. For the rotary knobs, you move the desired control, push control assign, and enter the value for the corresponding control on the screen.

When you move the knob, the relevant information appears on the MK-461C's LCD display. This includes the current value and changes as you move the knob. It then reverts to the control assignment number.

When you are using it after setting it up, the display tells you the parameter value as soon as you slightly move the control (0 to 127)

The control assignment numbers are found in the B4 manual.

I set up the knobs in a similar order as they appear on the computer screen. The modulation wheel is now a swell control (I also have an expression pedal) I assigned the sustain pedal jack to control the leslie.

You can also assign the buttons of the numeric keypad to toggle between two values or on and off. I've only assigned about 6 of the buttons.

It's a little springy, but now I'm used to it. I'm convinced I'm playing a B3 (I have one in the basement)

There are no effects, but you can transpose or jump octaves. It's just a controller, no effects, no expansion.

I don't see myself ever buying another "keyboard" just software and controllers.

It has 9 faders which are being used as drawbars. The control layout seems as though it was designed to work with the B4.

It's strictly MIDI. The NI B4 has a lot of parameters and this controller really lets you manage it with ease. There is no sequencer...I'm the damn sequencer.

The main feature is, it doesn't weigh 350 pounds.

It is well suited for anything a B3 (in this case) is good for. Blues, rock, jazz. Before I had another less sophisticated controller and had to move the knobs with a mouse, not real conducive to real time playing.

This setup can do things a real B3 can't do. I can control the leslie low and high rotors fast and slow speed, and acceleration. I can control the virtual tube pre-amp from squeaky clean to screaming Uriah Heep distortion.

The vibrato and percussion can also do things that a Hammond could never do, especially the percussion. I can change the percussion harmonic through 5 or 6 levels as I run up and down a scale.

You can adjust the velocity, but with this application, I never would use it.

I set it up, saved the control assignments and it's been there with my layout, every time I booted up.

When the laptop boots up, the USB powered MK-461C is ready to go. The B4 is stable and so is the MK-461C.

I certainly plan on using it to gig, I have an e-piano and some modules, as well as another controller I could use, but I think this rig is going to be my new best friend.

It's completely made of plastic, but then again, so are some cars.

The PDF manual on the CD is pretty extensive and the website has a FAQ and support section. I've not yet dealt with the company.

Since I live in the woods of Maine, I had to order it on the internet. I may have the only one in the state at this point.

I don't think there's too much to repair, unless I break it.

If it were lost or stolen I would certainly have another MK461C, unless they come out with a newer, better model.

I've been playing since I was a kid, usually running a B3 and Leslie and some kind of electic piano. Now I have an old Roland digital piano with a Yamaha P50m module. This gives me all kinds of pianos including some nice Rhodes variants, Wurlitzer and funky wah-clavinet.

I mostly play jump blues and swing, but also boogie and real rock-n-roll.

I looked at the Radium 61 and this looked like a serious upgrade from that. I'm sure the Edirol would also be a good unit, but it costs a bit more, and the faders are on the right hand side.

Installation was fairly easy, but it wasn't quite like the manual described. This is not a big problem; if you've installed a piece of hardware before, you'll manage here. For the rest, the manual is clear to read although my guess is that it could be better quality if Evolution wouldn't use the same manual for 3 different USB keyboards (MK-425C/MK-449C/MK-461C)

The 61-key keyboard has 9 sliders, 12 rotary knobs, a pitch wheel and a Modulation wheel which can all be assigned as a MIDI controller. Also a numeric keypad and several function buttons for octave shift, recalling presets a.s.o. There is a software Librarian included which I haven't used (yet).
Pressure sensitivity curve can be chosen from 9 different presets. Personally, I have no need for more than two (full blast/normal sensitivity). It also has a "snapshot" feature which allows you to send all positions of the MIDI controllers to the software at once. There's also a mode in which you can "mute" MIDI controller action, so you can tweak it without hearing the effect change. When all is set you can send the controller positions directly and simultaneously to the softsynth.
It also has a special preset for the Native Instruments B4 Organ which allows you to use the 9 sliders as the 9 drawbars of the organ.

It's a USB Keyboard. All sounds come from softsynth.

I haven't used it on stage, but you'd have to take a computer with you. Therefore Reliability depends on the PC/Mac. Apart from that, I think it looks quite sturdy.

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It's a very nice, no (or not too much) BS Computer keyboard. If it were lost or stolen I'd get a new one of these. they're good and not (too) expensive. I've only had it for 2 weeks, so if I encounter major pro's or con's, I'll let u know.