MK-449C - the magic of MIDI
If you buy a keyboard at a music supply you expect to power it up and get some sounds out of it. That won't happen with the Evolution (or M-Audio) MK-449C because it's a so called MIDI controller. All it does is send the status of each key, fader, knob and button through a basic digital protocol that was developed in the early 80's. As lame as that may sound, it does put you in control of thousands of synthesizers. Traditionally MIDI connects through a special MIDI connector, but modern controllers like the MK-449C use a USB plug. If the MIDI controller is hooked up you can assign any of the controls of the MK-449C to any of the controls in your synthesizer software.
The MK-449C has 4 octaves of touch-sensitive keys (that's 49 keys), 8 knobs, 9 faders and 10 buttons. It also has a memory to store 10 presets and some advanced functions to change the status of the controls you wouldn't be able to change simultaneously by hand.
Using a MIDI controller is especially easy if you use FruityLoops software which comes standard with about 20 synthesizers. Every control you see on your PC screen can be assigned to a control on the MK-449C by just right clicking on the control in FruityLoops, choosing 'assign to controller...', and then moving the control on your MK-449C you want it assigned to. FruityLoops automatically detects which control it is and you can immediately start using it. The video below shows the 'assign to controller' function of Fruity Loops, some synthesizer examples and the touch sense of the keys.
Using a MIDI controller is especially easy if you use FruityLoops software which comes standard with about 20 synthesizers. Every control you see on your PC screen can be assigned to a control on the MK-449C by just right clicking on the control in FruityLoops, choosing 'assign to controller...', and then moving the control on your MK-449C you want it assigned to. FruityLoops automatically detects which control it is and you can immediately start using it. The video below shows the 'assign to controller' function of Fruity Loops, some synthesizer examples and the touch sense of the keys.
Although MIDI has been around for ages, now is the time to use it to the max. As computers get faster and sound cards get smarter, it's possible to control all these complex synthesizers on your PC without any stuttering or delay. Some say the old fashion hardware synthesizers still have a better and more unique sound. But they also have a more unique price tag. You can get a MK-449C for around $ 200,- and control any synth (Virtual Instrument) you like with it.
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