M-Audio Keystudio vs Evolution MK249C2 MIDI keyboard

This is a comparison of two 49-key USB MiDi keyboards that I own. The Evolution MK249C2, which I bought 8 years ago from carboot sale and I fought for this MiDi keyboard. It was £20 but I bargained it to £10 and the guy selling it wouldn't so we agreed at £15. No USB lead and/or software when I bought it and I was new with MIDI keyboard that time so I really don't know what to do with it apart from I know I will make use of it for recording. Oh the other thing was, the power button is playing up. I had to clean it with WD40. I used Audacity when I first tried this keyboard and Mixcraft.  Until, I got a proper software, which is EnergyXT and then in recent years Garageband.

The other MIDI keyboard is the M-Audio KeyStudio which is also 49 keys was given to me on my 40th birthday this year. It came with a lead. Looks neat. No problem whatsoever.

I can't detail much about MIDI keyboards because Im not an expert on this. But I will state here the obvious like the Evolution MK249C2 has got LED screen and got lots of knobs and buttons from effects, transpose, tuning, assignable buttons, effects, expression, etc. Also it has sustain pedal input, MIDI output, power input and the USB connectivity.

The M-Audio has less buttons, in fact only three; one for edit and two for octave (+/-). Then the slide bar for volume and the pitch bend and modulation which Evolution MK249C2 got. It only has USB connectivity and sustain pedal input. Although it has less buttons, it has almost the same function with the other one. I've looked online for the manual and it says that when you press the Edit button, you can activate certain programs by pressing the black keys for example to transpose and other functionality.

When I tried both keyboards using Garageband, the sustain pedal worked but when I tried it using EnergyXT software on a laptop, the sustain pedal is not working. I mean the program doesn't allow it.

It's very difficult to choose which program is the best because on Garageband, apart from limited choices, the sound quality is so realistic and the speed is very good. On the other hand, EnergyXT got lovely electric piano and strings and a lot more trance program to choose from. But then no sustain and a slow speed and not so good sound quality than Garageband.

Just hear for yourself the difference.

M-Audio KeyStudio MIDI Keyboard using Garageband

Evolution MK249C MIDI keyboard using EnergyXT

Valencia vc104ebk Unboxing and quick review

Valencia 4/4 black electro classical nylon guitar vc104ebk retail price £149 bought £71 on eBay from Ebony and Ivory Ltd. Well packed. Double boxed with bubble wrap and plastic plus two balls to cushion the Valencia box itself. Guitar is inside Valencia labelled box and wrapped and well protected inside.

Out of the box, upon quick viscual check, it really looks good. Then I immediately opened the battery compartment and put the battery in. Then, after tuning the guitar, played a little and it sounded very good.

This time a thorough inspection: The headstock and body are done beautifully especially the gloss finish. However, the neck has sharp edges, the frets got visible glue stain or marks and looks  cheap. The worst part is that it’s got a spot/scratch on the fretboard as shown on the video. Apart from that, it rather sound very good unplugged.

It's night time, so I had to get my ZoomG1xOn pedal and plugged this electro-classical using bypass mode and then plugged my headphones. I put it on bypass mode. It sounded superb pluuged in. It has built in tuners where you can adjust pitch. 3 band eq with presence and phaser. The builtin phaser though doesn't have any control apart from a button to press on and off. So you won't really hear a very distinct phaser sound but you can feel that when you press the button there's a change to the sound but not prominent and you can't adjust or alter it. I did try the guitar using a patch that has got reverb on in my Zoom G1xOn and it's beautiful especially turning the builtin phaser effects on from the guitar. Also I tried it on the Acoustic Simulation patch of Zoom G1xOn and it changed the character of the guitar, it's more crisp and it's like a pro guitar, the one you would use for gigs and stage performances. I think this could be a very good recording guitar or a project guitar for a certain song, album or music that you experiment.

Overall, this guitar is very good. If only they put more effort to that neck. A little more on quality assurance or last check before sending the guitar.

Here's the sound of the guitar:

Unboxing Chase CSP-01 universal sustain pedal

Chase CSP-01 Universal Sustain Pedal with polarity switch.  This Classic-Style Pedal Works With Casio, Yamaha And Any Other Keyboard Or Digital Piano. Also the 1/4 inch plug is an angle one so it's neat and convenient to use and the lead or cable is 6 feet long. The polarity switch is very handy because you got options when using the pedal on different keyboards as well as different computer software or program.

First hand experience, it's very responsive. It feels durable. Lightweight to carry. In short, a reliable and functioning sustain pedal.

Here's the test:

Unboxing of Cobra Case for 49-key keyboard

Ordered this gigbag for my MIDI keyboards because I got two at the moment both 49-keys and almost the same size with slight difference in terms of thickness and length. Also I needed a case for the keyboard because I got an upcoming gig, which is going to be a regular gig if Im lucky.

The bag is constructed nice plus there's two-year warranty with this bag.

Dimension: 870 x 330 x 100mm

Lots of compartments. Like for your adapter, cables and for music sheet. Even a laptop or iPad can fit in one of the compartments.

Overall, very good material and looks professional. Happy with my purchase.