The world’s largest supplier of USB MIDI keyboards and controllers ships three new products
Arcadia, CA, October 3, 2003 — M-Audio, a leading manufacturer and distributor of hardware and software for computer-centric musicians, is proud to announce shipment of three new Evolution keyboards—the MK-461C, MK-449C, and MK-425C.

The new flagship of the Evolution line, the 61-key MK-461C, features an incredible 34 assignable controllers including nine 35mm Alps faders, 12 rotary knobs, 10 buttons, pitch bend and modulation wheels, and a sustain pedal input. All controllers are easily programmed via the numerical keypad to create custom setups in minutes. The MK-461C also includes ten pre-configured presets that make it instantly usable with the most popular plug-ins, virtual instruments and host applications. The keyboard also boasts a host of unique features including assignable velocity curve, fader drawbar mode, and expanded support of MIDI messages to include RPN/NRPN and SysEx messages. The Controller Mute feature allows users to alter the position of any fader or rotary controller without affecting the settings of your software. The Snapshot feature sends all current front panel settings to the receiving MIDI application or device. The combination makes for a dynamic live controller for synthesis and mixing.

The MK-461C also acts as a USB to MIDI interface with a standard MIDI Out jack. As with all Evolution products, the MK-461C is class compliant, so no drivers are required when using Windows XP or Mac OSX—just connect it to your Mac or PC via the included USB cable and you’re ready to play. The MK-461C can be completely bus-powered for total mobility or used with the included power supply. The MK-461C carries an MSRP $329.95

The new Evolution MK-449C offers all the professional functionality of the MK-461C in a shorter 4-octave keyboard with 49 full-size touch sensitive keys. It offers 30 assignable controllers including eight knobs and nine sliders for complete control over software synthesizers and sequencers. The MK-449C sells for $259.95 MSRP.

Packed with pro features yet compact and highly portable, the MK-425C features 25 full-size velocity-sensitive keys and a total of 21 assignable controllers including eight rotary knobs, pitch bend and modulation wheel. It also boasts a transpose function, octave shift, program and bank change, 10 non-volatile program memory buttons (stored even when power is disconnected), and a sustain pedal input. The bus-powered MK-425 also gives you the ability to program while you play—a feature unique to Evolution products. The MK-425C retails for $189.95 MSRP.

All three keyboards ship with an extensive 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 powerful MIDI and audio sequencer with VST plug-in support; Music Teacher, a tutorial program that teaches you to play the keyboard; MusicPlanet, an array of professionally-recorded samples; and a large selection of VST plug-ins and Virtual Instrument demos. “We are very excited to add these first-rate products to our existing line of keyboard controllers,” says Adam Castillo, Director of Marketing, M-Audio. “Our new Evolution line provides today’s musicians with even more variety than ever before.” All three new Evolution products are currently shipping.