All user reviews for the Akai Professional MPK mini

For over 8 years I made music with only my computer mouse and keyboard, but as time went by and my skill developed I felt it was time to buy a MIDI keyboard just to add a new dimension to my creation process. I decided to get a small keyboard to start with since I'm not an expert player. After a bit of searching I came across the AKAI MPK Mini which I purchased.

The unit is a USB MIDI controller which has 25 standard piano keys, 8 drum pads and 8 knobs for assigning to various controls. It has a dedicated buttons for changing the octave up or down, a built-in arpeggiator and a sustain button for holding notes. The 8 pads have a backlight. Power and MIDI data are both sent via a single USB cable.

Installing the keyboard is a breeze. It doesn't need any extra drivers to work. You simply plug it into the USB port on your computer and the drivers are automatically installed. It should work on both Windows and Mac, though I've only used it on my Windows 7 machine with no issues. It also comes with a software to help you assign the keys on the keys to various functions.


UTILIZATION

The best thing about this keyboard are the velocity-sensitive drum pads. This doesn't come as a surprise because the controller is made by AKAI, the same company which makes the MPC. They make for a very enjoyable experience when programming drums. To really enjoy it though you have to have your latency setting set as low as possible on your host so that you can enjoy the instant feedback. I've personally used it for composing drum patterns and for triggering patterns in FL Studio's performance mode and it is very enjoyable. There's a bank button on the unit which you can use to assign an additional 8 sounds to the pads, so in essence you can assign a total of 16 sounds to the pads.

Another handy feature is the memory bank which allows you to program the keys & knobs to suit your DAW. So every time you use the keyboard in your DAW you don't have to reassign the keys. You can save the settings of up to 4 different DAWs, meaning you can quickly switch from DAW to DAW without having to re-program the keys. This particular feature is very convenient for me because I often work in 2 DAWs (FL Studio and REAPER), sometimes 3 (Studio One) so I never have to re-program the keys when I switch.

The piano keys themselves are sometimes unresponsive which can be quite frustrating as well as the USB connector which is not of good quality. I've damaged mine due to its flimsiness and have to sit carefully with the keys to make sure they don't move around too much which is annoying.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall the controller does the job that it's meant to do, the drum pads are great and it comes with a decent amount of features. As a production keyboard it meets my needs. If you're a mobile musician this keyboard will come in great when you don't want to take your bigger gear along with you. It's best feature as far as I'm concerned are the drum pads. It also works great in FL Studio's performance mode. I'd have to think twice before buying this product because of the fragile USB connector and the keys which are sometimes unresponsive. I have come across some better keyboards such as the SubZero SPC Mini Key which has a lot of the same features and is more durable.

Pros:
- Highly portable
- Packed full of features
- Beautiful design

Cons:
- Keys are springy and sometimes unresponsive
- The USB connector is easy to break

At the time I had a small budget. I was looking for a master keyboard FL Studio to easily compose melodies for rap productions. For a beginner, the MPK offers almost everything: master keyboard, 8 pads, 8 assignable knobs, and dimensions that allow it to carry in a bag of mini PC.

In terms of connectivity, a single USB port (a little bit fragile).

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is perfect for me who am not a pianist, I even prefer it that touch of classic synth, as more flexible and allows (in my case) to play some faster tunes. The key size realize the most compact keyboard, so it is easier to ask agreements uh ... large?

At pads I ventured to upgrade based plaster following a tutorial on Youtube. And it works the thunder, finger on the pad and it reacts directly. And all this with a red light in the background, this is the class.

Config general simple, plug 'in some past forums still to play in FL Studio hours. Yeah, because as the user manual, apparently in Akai writing is not their thing too. There is also an app comes with ... I do've never used. MIDI via USB.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for almost a year.
No model before this one, I am very satisfied, no acquisition in sight before he let me go. And it can be long.
In its little plastic toy (the latter of pretty decent quality), it seems to me very solid. It has survived me a year, it is a sign.

What I like most:

Maintains in a backpack / computer bag / on a cluttered desk
Brings 3-in-1 controller types with several banks for pads
Keyboard-
It look!
Price-

And many others, this little machine is really a friend.

What I like least:

-Uh ... the knobs! To kick a less cheap plastic hair would have been welcome. If anyone knows a site to order more ...
-The manual, even if the documentation on the internet abounds.

Quality / price ratio: it was worth the money, and even a little more, it's cool from Akai to make computer music accessible with similar products (see MPD16). It's 100% plastic, but less than $ 100, I know few manufacturers that offer such benefits. For example, FLS, I can do everything with ... provided you have a mouse.

1. FEATURES
I bought for use primarily with Serato DJ ScratchLive (SSL), so my opinion is very personal.
The goal was to replace my LPD8 and gain more control keys & Ben ..... he missed! : (
What connector (MIDI pedals ...)? ...
USB

UTILIZATION

2. USE
The feel is correct in the genre.
The manual is zero and English.
The setup is a little headlock, I really struggled! The problem is that by default, the pads have the same parameters noon keys. It will then assign the software comes with. There are still four presets on the AKAI site, it helps out.
Yes and no, it must pass through the software delivered and do not forget to click UPLOAD to confirm. Something I did not at first. So of course ....: D

OVERALL OPINION

3. OPINION GLOBAL
I use it for a month, but I will surely separate me.
I have the LPD8 and my use is very good, but I wanted to have more change & control buttons except .....
The LPD8 has 4 pad banks AND the knobs. And that's the difference! Hence my disappointment! Indeed, MPKMINI has only two banks Pad and ONE of knobs.
So I find myself even more cramped with the LPD8. And this is the drama ...
So disappointed (again for my use), but at the same time, I should have informed me further.
Otherwise, good value and good construction report. Reliability is also waiting for you (see what I should have put him in LPD8!). That said, a pity that the knobs are too short and slippery, it is necessary to press it hard enough to not we escape, and DJing, well here we go sometimes as bourins ... I take the opportunity to appeal: If someone is better knobs, I am!
The pads are good & nice but the keyboard still a bit limited with my big fingers. It will serve me any time in my studio attendants to find better.
With experience, you do again this choice?
I do not have that choice for SSL, but it is a nice well built keyboard for a mini budget.
To summarize:
The +
-Small, solid, enjoyable.
-Pads enjoyable.
The -
-Manual in English and very succinct found on the net (!).
- (So) galley well at first.
-Buttons too small (though there is room height) fingers slide a little (see above)
Only two bank-PAD (the LPD8 in 4)
-Only one bank of knobs (in the LPD8 4)
Mini-USB

Reviews found on the Internet.
But this device is virtually unused so far.

UTILIZATION

Touch: probably much
The rest, I do not know ... and for good reason: I can not use me!
The "manual" is very very poor!
Could you ask the author of the report that you publish smart today if it would not be possible to create a manual reflecting its own experience, you pass to it is attached to Audiofanzine there and to troubleshoot any unhappy users who MPK on the Web, complain bitterly of a serious lack of good documentation on this unit.
Thank you all, you and the author of the report, as I do myself today.
With all my friendships.
EG

OVERALL OPINION

Given what I have just written, you understand, I am sure, that it is impossible to objectively answer your questions. And I deeply regret.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
What motivated me is that this is a keyboard 25 keys, 8 knobs and 8 pads all very light and compact, a brand known in the market for only 88 €.

What connection (MIDI, pedals ...)? ...
The connection is very simple, it is a simple USB cable, you plug it into your Mac / Pc is launching its favorite sequencer and it works now.

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is it enjoyable? Should your use?
Touch, for someone like me who never makes piano / keyboard is nice, it is perfect for my use.

The general configuration is it simple?
The general configuration is simple.

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
The manual I did not even open, plug it works.

The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy?
Regarding the selection of MIDI channels, patches I put'm not ventured so I do not know if it is easy or not.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using?
I used 1 year.

What is so special that you like most and least?
Most:
- 25 notes, 8 pads, 8 knobs for 88 €.
- Its small size and weight.
- Its ease of use.

Cons:
- Mini USB port on the side that seems a little fragile.
- 25 notes is not enough for me now, that's why I changed.

Did you try many other models before buying it?
This is the first model that I've owned.

How do you rate the quality / price?
The value for money is excellent.

With experience, you do again this choice? ...
A first keyboard for computer music I unhesitatingly Refer choice.

Its price, very affordable for the type of product, and also its ease of use, since I'm a beginner (1 year experience only) computer music. I needed something simple and complete to successfully enlarge my advantage in this area. The connection is very simple, since it is a simple USB connection, which also powers the keyboard.

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is very nice, the keys as the pads are very reactive. The potentiometer is assi pleasant to touch and have a resistance of just what it takes. The keys are in hand can be a bit too strong compared to other more expensive keyboard, but nothing really binding. Je'ai found the manual very incomplete, but the simple use of the keyboard go almost useless. I did not find any utility functions of computer music with my software (I use FL Studio 10), for example I do not use pads, and not some of the options at the top left (as programs).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 months, and this is my first model. I think for the price this is a keyboard that is really worth its price. However it is a keyboard which I think will be enough for people who have a very good level of computer music and will need a more expensive equipment and more complete. But for a beginner like me, it is more than enough to start producing and start making beautiful things. Anyway investment in a MIDI keyboard is a thing to do if you do not and you want to progress in this area.

What motivated me is the size and functions (keyboards + pads + rotary boubtons)

UTILIZATION

The touch is nice but coming from a keyboard Akai MPK25: do not compare the two.

The feel is like nothing compared to keyboards much more expensive and that's okay

on the other hand when comparing the price of this keyboard with keyboards the same price ... then I find it more interesting ...

you use it on his computer via USB and is recognized immediately in Ableton Live. The buttons then recognize rotaifs lesplug ins and 8 buttons so have the functions of Ableton Live 8 macros. it's perfect!

The PAD are self illuminating (but cool at night EST all!) And flexible enough. So it was fun to type on it

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a week, and I must be satisfied, the pads are good, the buttons respond correctly under rotary ableton live: they are a little small but hey, we can not have it all: a full keyboard and fairly nomadic ...

I use the train, on my terrace, etc ... I'm happy!
no hope of anything more at this price but it's still easy to use, touch is correct, all perfect opportunities for a nomad.

The union of the pads and touch on the same keyboard.

USB connectivity

UTILIZATION

The piano keys are light, however hard the pads are velocity is too high.

the manual is not clear he described the characteristics of the keyboard.

configuration is not easy at all when you start.

OVERALL OPINION

I used it for 5 months.

this is my 2nd and my first keyboard to keyboard pad.

+ is the size that can take him everywhere.
on - depends on your usage, is to start keyboard is perfect.

Reasonable value for money.

no I would do is choose not seen what I saw on the 49 mpk. I would take the MPC range.

It's good but here I find it too gadget while its been 3 months that I make and I ais Mao took his keyboard to begin with and it is not enough depth

UTILIZATION

the key is to start smaller than normal for the place in a fairly small keyboard its a little problem after the Mount knobs not very solid but air pads are downright good. I used Floops and went great but when I pass a live big problem in garageband fonctionnaliter but it is not a question but rather the south garage.
Otherwise the buttons are really pleasant (except lesTOUCHES).

OVERALL OPINION

Quick installation (I recall that the keyboard does not work on XP) lais nikel walk on 7 vista or mac both short I direr problem of small EST corny touches them too small and the knobs and something that would was great its a little lcd and a small internal memory (I wonder if something else were to read this notice and how to use the arpegiator the pads). here is very good to begin with but I find it too trivial so I mys raifaire the famous m-audio venom I urge the quan dje EST try something else ^ ^ live, brief for future buyer it is very nice but have to start another customize with something more =).

I bought the mini because mpk need a keyboard / controller compact and relatively complete.
2 octaves, 8 pads and 8 pots on a keyboard so small it's pretty good.

- Mini USB connector that looks quite fragile (for DIYers, it's easy enough to replace it with a standard USB).
- No pitch bend or modulation wheel (it is always possible to assign a knob, not very practical but it helps out).
- No plugs noon, which is a shame, I think the extra cost would have been minimal given the opportunities this brings

In the end rather average characteristics, which are caught (for me) by the size of the beast.

UTILIZATION

- The pads a little hard. Hit too softly will not trigger notes (still for DIYers, it is possible to significantly improve the sensitivity of the pads sticky from the adhesive on the pads)
- Lowered the pots that will pester large fingers.
- A very small keyboard which will also pester large fingers ... and how to say ... a bit crap anyway, it's cheap and it's meaning at your fingertips. Do not expect to play with finesse.

use archi-simple (I use mainly on Live). The arpeggiator is somewhat anecdotal because minimalist but can always help.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this keyboard for 4 months now in config nomad with a macbook and Live.
What I like most about this keyboard is its very small size, weight and number of controllers to size.
Despite its flaws, I'm pretty happy and not asking him anyway to be the quality of a keyboard 4 or 5 times more expensive.

The quality / price seems about right.

In hindsight I think I would take a keyboard with MIDI I / O because with only two USB ports on my macbook, it keeps me from leaving a hub for the configs provided a little more when I need to synchronize machines .

The plug and play, size, weight are its strengths, however, careful to the mini USB connector rather fragile.

UTILIZATION

touch is cheap it seems to play a key springs. The velocity of the pads is: nag nag or very. The knobs are not very high and wide so it goes for the settings but if you want to twirl like a DJ is not ideal. Very easy to configure (not the pads yet to find out how assigned)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 months. I also have a Roland D50 necessarily so you'll quickly taste of luxury in touch. I like weight, compactness, and ease of use.

After thinking I would prefer to put € 50 to € 85 rather than during nine but it's still an excellent product for the nomads (or those who need it to 2-3 agreement from time to time)

The small size of the device and its built like the arpeggiator were important elements for this purchase.
One can also appreciate the USB connector requiring no special MIDI cable

UTILIZATION

Touch is not the desired function on this type of product, but note that the velocity is also on the pads. Actually being a novice it can be normal but rather a good surprise for me.
Otherwise use as impeccable Abbleton live or is recognized directly.
Manual level could use some work because there is absolutely nothing. Good at making do a little we could find some explanations online but hey it could be better.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for one week and I begin to glimpse the possibilities. Its small size allows it to easily win especially thanks to his self-supplied USB.

The investment is minimal and is ideal to try the advantages of MIDI keyboards.

I will also probably use it for DJing in the future.