- Ultra-portable software MIDI controller
- 25-note, velocity-sensitive mini keyboard
- Eight backlit, velocity-sensitive MPC-style pads (2 banks, 16 total)
- Pads can send note information, MIDI CCs and program changes
- Eight assignable Q-Link knobs to adjust virtually any parameter
This is my first MPC product but I am an experienced keyboardist. The Pads are pretty nice. I enjoy how they light up when you hit them. Like others said regarding the LPD8, they aren't as sensitive as some might prefer, and I'm inclined to agree. It tends not to register some of might lighter hits, so I'm having to get used to how hard I have to hit it. No big deal. It's also nice to have the knobs. They aren't as nice as professional grade knobs, but they work nicely for such a compact unit. The keyboard has mini keys and they are very sturdy. Some complain that it feels like a toy keyboard. Of course it does, they are mini keys! The keys are fine for their purpose of capturing ideas. I do not consider them performance worthy.
For those comparing this to other 25 key midi controllers, please know what you are comparing. There's a reason this is $100. It's simply a combination of two other products. Don't complain about the lack of pitch/mod wheels. The purpose of this product is portability and to allow you to capture ideas when you don't feel like lugging around larger equipment. For these reasons, I find it to be an excellent product.
Definitely pick this product up if you're looking for something extremely portable with acceptable mini keys and very playable MPC pads.
Buy Akai Pro MPK Mini 25-Key Ultra-Portable USB MIDI Keyboard Controller Now
I just forayed into the world of midi music. Making music was my main aim and using the computer keyboard was getting frustrating for the creative process. For any song writer, a midi control is an invaluable tool. So I wanted a midi keyboard that wouldn't break the bank while giving me the control I want. I found a new one on amazon for $67, which was a steal given the current price point.---------WHAT I LIKE-----------
1) 8 Pad buttons with 2 banks (8 X 2 = 16 notes)
2) Small form factor. This is one of the few keyboards that I can pop into my bag. Makes a great travel companion.
3) Built in Arpeggiator. You can chose to sync to the global tempo or tap your own tempo using the 'Tap Tempo' button. You can chose repetition intervals of 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32 and have triplets in each one. You can also change pattern of arrpegiation.
4) Octave up and down buttons. Although you can only control two octaves at a time because it has 25 keys, you can use these buttons to give you a full range.
5) Program mode: So this button can help you choose between 4 programs. So I can assign the same knob to different parameters depending on the program I am in. For example, I usually reserve Program 1 to the master mixer. And Program 2-4 to the VST's or Plugins I use. So in a sense they give you 8X4=32 knobs. But you can control 8 at a given time.
6) Sustain button: gives expression when playing keys like Piano or a Fender Rhodes.
7) So the program comes with an editor where you can edit all your presets. In this I like the transpose function a lot. I am used to playing the C scale as compared to any other scale. So depending on the song that I am composing, I transpose everything down or up so that C is my base note.
8) Lit buttons and pads: Adds to function and oomph factor.
-----------WHAT I DON'T LIKE----------
1) My biggest gripe is the sensitivity of buttons. A lot of people have complained that the pads are extremely insensitive. And they couldn't be more right. The pads have to be tapped pretty hard for them to even register. You get used to it eventually but because of that your velocity range is pretty small. My friend has a M-Audio trigger finger, and the pads in that are so responsive, values 1 through 127. My pads only register certain values. Hopefully this is a software issue and Akai can fix it through a firmware update or something. If velocity responsiveness is important to you, readily discard this as an option. Go for the LPD8.
Same goes with the keys, they aren't really responsive. This is exemplified when you are playing acoustic instruments where you want a tight control on velocity like piano.
2) Lack of a mod wheel: I do know that this is a small budget keyboard an all, but the option of having a mod wheel would be a solid addition for future models. It adds so much expression in many instruments.
3) Lack of a sustain input: Same as above, would be a solid addition for future models. Some people are complaining that the sustain button needs to be held down and cannot be locked. I mean the sustain button was to make up for the lack of an input. Why the hell would you complain that you need to press it down! If anything, you can add sustain as an effect in your DAW if you want it for a whole section.
4) Only 4 presets. The nano key comes with 200 presets which allows you to control so many more parameters.
----------ALTERNATIVES--------
I think this unit has no real competition (offering same features) as of the moment in its price range. The Korg Nanokey: As good a device as it is, it has transport controls, knobs and sliders; missing out on the all important piano keys. The M-Audio Oxygen 25 is excellent too, but is $30 more. If the piano keys are all you need, the the Alesis Q49 is a solid keyboard giving you a fuller range, and it has a modwheel and pitch bend too. The Alesis Q25 is great too. M-Audio E-Keys 37 is useless lacking the octave change option and it isn't even touch sensitive.
Consider: I use Fl Studio 10 and it doesn't have a preset for the MPK mini yet. And this is not the case with Oxygen 25. So if you need the perfect out of the box experience and if you are using FL studio, then consider the latter. At the same time I would say that mapping out keys in FL Studio is a hassle free experience and can be done with MPK manually fairly easily.
-----------FINAL SAY:----------
Excellent beginner keyboard. For the price range, the features can only be a surplus. It seems like it is well constructed, and has the backing of an industry stable by carrying the name Akai. Some people seem to speak the opposite, but in my 1 month experience with the product it seems extremely well built. Looks and sounds like the first time I opened it.
This device does have a few flaws. But if you were expecting a more refined product, why not stretch your budget? If dynamics on keys or pads are very important to you, DON'T BUY IT!!! I don't mean to sound like an apologist for this product, but I don't want the naysayers to deter the intentions of the average buyer like me who would benefit SO MUCH from a product like this. With hope for a better world, signing off for now.
Read Best Reviews of Akai Pro MPK Mini 25-Key Ultra-Portable USB MIDI Keyboard Controller Here
This product is very compact and extremely affordable. It has all the features you may want out a controller (except the mod and pitch bend wheels; but you can assign those functions to knobs). Speaking of knobs, for some reason the default program setting for the controller is set to have no control change (CC#) value for any of the knobs, this makes it seem to a first time MIDI user such as myself that the unit's knobs are non-responsive. Customer service is very busy/poor at AKAI/ALESIS's 800 telephone number and e-mail support seems very slow as well. All you have to do is change the program to the 2nd default setting and the knobs have values assigned, you don't need to return the controller or have it repaired.MWant Akai Pro MPK Mini 25-Key Ultra-Portable USB MIDI Keyboard Controller Discount?
I have both the LPK25 and the MPD8... so of course I was excited when this came out, because I just bought the previous two items, and now I could return them and buy the MPK instead...I thought it would be the same, especially the pads. I was wrong. The MPK I received had the most horrible response on the pads, extremely insensitive unlike the MPD8. This is the same mistake they made with the rest of the MPK series! (25,49,61) Just read those reviews and you can get another idea as well.
In addition, the pads would click, and were more stiff to that of the MPD8. Do yourself a favor and buy the LPK25 and the MPD8 seperately, instead of this unit.
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I did a lot of research on Amazon, Youtube, and forums and had this compared to a couple other keyboards and went with this... glad I did. It's light weight, easy to travel with, and hella easy to use.The keys are a bit smaller but doesn't really matter when making beats or keying something in. The pads are okay with sensitivity but I've seen some guy's take them out and lay some electrical tape on the pad sensors and then it pops. If you're just starting out this will get it done and take you beyond. You don't need software and works with Ableton, FL, Garageband, Reason, Traktor, Logic, ProTools, and a bunch others.
There's a Facebook group for users of the Akai MPK Mini where we share beats, tutorials, and all kinds of stuff. Bruh Luuh put it together and he's got a lot of stuff in there... real sick stuff that helps out. Bruh, thanks bro for all you've done!
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