All user reviews for the Akai Professional MPK49

MIDI / USB comprehensive enabling me with these knobs, faders, pads and buttons to control my VST and my expendeur hardware keyboard.

UTILIZATION

Key Semi-loud with velocity which is perfect for my use.
MIDI is fully paramétrablable: MIDI Channel, Banks, MIDI CC and CP.
You can record multiple user configuration internally.

OVERALL OPINION

For 3-4 years in my home studio.
As for the live against it is difficult, it is very heavy and bulky.
At first I used it to control all my DAW, I mainteant other hadware Machine Controller and therefore the knobs part fader MPK serves me.
I would advise a more APC40 duo + single MIDI keyboard. The MPK is a very good choice to start.

Akai is know for quality, so this has 49 keys, on left side comes with pitch bend and modulation wheel which are very smooth and comfortable to use. You have 12 pads and modifiers for the pads which is usually used for sampling drums and sound loops, pads are very solid and if you have used any other Akai pads you know their well made. In the middle of the board you have the LCD screen which is clear to see, below you have buttons and knobs to adjust the Octaves tap tempo and setup the sound. On the right side you have 8 faders and 8 knobs to control different effects/parts of your DAW which can be all set up to your needs. This is a USB controller which makes it very easy to plug and play, it can be used for MAC and PC it includes Avid Pro Tools Express which i don't use

UTILIZATION

The basic part of it is the plug in and play keyboard with your DAW, it gets more confusing trying to connect the pads with sounds you need especially if you never used a MPC or MPD pad before, filters and knobs are easy and conformable to use, the selection is understandable and quick to process, this board is my secondary board currently because i found the pads to be uncomfortable over the top of keys, i bought a MPD32 to use for pads and i use a basic midi keyboard all my sounds are form the DAW plugins. The manual is Clear and easy to follow, the keys are good amount of soft i enjoyed them. Overall for a newb the setup might be confusing at first which you have to learn all the parts of it but after some hours you will understand all of it.

OVERALL OPINION

The price is great considering how much this board has to bring, i think personally its too much on a keyboard i like to have things separate like my pads controllers other keyboards but i did really like the Faders and the feel of the keyboard, i downgraded to a basic M audio 25 key and i bought the MPD 32 separately this feels better for me but i still keep the MPK49 for live use, I can had all my patches and settings set in one keyboard that makes it great, so the quality is very high I'm a big fan of Akai products but at the same time i like to keep it simple.

Reputation keyboard was essential in my choice, because I wanted a safe bet, I do not know yet much gear on my purchase level.

UTILIZATION

The affected is poor for my taste, too hard, and the springs of each button too hard. It's not worth a heavy hit (or even a light touch). No On / Off, forced to unplug the USB cable behind each time, and find the hole in each entrenchment ... It's heavy every time.

OVERALL OPINION

I for 5 years, and with the experience I would not repeat that choice clearly. I tried other models in the same price range, more expensive and less expensive, and all was better, even the simple keyboard 200 €. Pads (reputedly in with Akai MPC) are really bad ......! Hyper Drive! Forced buggers above for the note / sample sounds ... And almost impossible to play the velocity because of this hardness, really nothing to do with the MPC pads which they are quality. Bugs and more with the keyboard that sends info twelve o'clock alone (that mute me in my tracks sessions on Logic Pro 9).
In short, avoid! Despite being a reference in the middle, this keyboard has disappointed many. Orient you on another brand, really. Especially if you have the budget for this keyboard, there much better elsewhere.

I was looking for a keyboard with 8 faders and 49 at least 8 knobs, I hesitated with the competitor mpk in innovation, which has similar characteristics. Akai pads and the apegiateur integrated mpk motivated my choice.
Power over USB is also a plus.

UTILIZATION

It is a semi-weighted keyboard touch, exceptional or disappointing for computer music (live or studio). As a pianist I use another keyboard 88 touch heavy for more expression.
The config is pretty simple, it is sometimes refers to the manual for things like change the sensitivity of the pads that stuff, but if everything goes through the central screen rather clear for loading patches / management midi channels and other .

OVERALL OPINION

It's been about 2 years since he landed in my home studio, a big strong point I would say is its solid construction, it's ca akai and it shows! Faders and encoders are very strong and in two years of use nothing move.
A small defect may be the sensitivity of the pads that even the most sensitive set are hard enough (I no longer use them too Ducou) compared to those of LPD8 yet also in akai but have a lot more responsive.
The value for money for 300 euros is really good, I try to novation impulse 49 and general construction really seemed to me below the MPK.
So yes with two years experience in this I would probably make the same choice.

enssemble the keyboard, pads and all these knobs my reasons for this choice. midi in and out connections. usb

UTILIZATION

touch keyboard is pretty good for a keyboard of this price.
the manual is a little void I admit, I mostly learned to use thanks to the tutorial on the internet. I started in with mao, so I took a little head (I used the rewire with ableton and reason) For a while it was certainly not easy with all the midi channels that is remote and company ... but I'm starting to enjoy with me!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for almost 2 years
I have not tried many model before buying (but I tried)
I already love his keyboard in a pretty good feel for the range of this instrument. To them when the pads are to control the patterns in reason, to replace the battery uh ... these are just the pads!
thanks to all banks pads and knobs, for the times I do not feel limited to what I use.
quality report seems to me pretty good
If I knew how I was too much hassle for me to use uhh ... I would hesitate but now that I have identified the beast I'm glad I invested in and it is a choice I do not regret, I think I would do

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

I bought this keyboard was a time when I had little knowledge of the middle.

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is it nice? Is it for your use?

Keyboard touch plastic, but nothing that is not advertised. 12 touch pads of concrete, to the point of adding pieces of scotch under the pads, see buy original MPC pads, otherwise prepare your hammer ....

The knob and faders CONSTANTLY sending the signal modulation 0-8 notches .... Hell ... The bomb dust'll help you some time ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 years. I had the opportunity to try many other models

What is the particular feature you like best and least?

Plus: The fact that without him, I do not have a keyboard.

Minimum: The touch pads, the ghost signals knobs ....

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
is the touch of the keyboard, the pad and fader that decided me.
What connector (MIDI pedals ...)? ...
I use it in USB only.

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is it nice? Is it for your use?
it suits me perfectly for the use that I have.
The general configuration is it simple?
yes
The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy?
yes very simple too.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
for 4 years.
Have you tried many other models before buying it?
I received a edirol before this one.
What is the particular feature you like best and least?
to +
-Touch keyboard is good.
-The fader and knob are good too.
to the -
I'm pretty disappointed with the pad I had there feet thicker pad for enhanced feel.
How would you rate the quality / price?
I find it a bit expensive but it's still quality.
With experience, you do again this choice? ...
since there is the MAX output 49 which is I would turn more to it in the future.

A forum where I am often, global features. Journals. Returns users. And also because it is the Akai!

For features, I invite you to visit the site or Akai is detailed. In short: keyboard 49 key semi weighted, pads, faders, knobs, etc. ...

UTILIZATION

To be quite honest I had a M-Audio Axiom 25 before. According to which some say is not a good hit. The Akai he did not suffer from these remarks. But in my case, I preferred the feel of the M-Audio. I tried meantime other piano keyboard with touch, etc. .. And by the way, I realized that for me, the touch synth is perfect for me. Really, I do not want touched Piano.

For configuration so it is very simple, Sysex is very well done. And patches preconfigured operating properly.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a little over a year. I had an M-Audio Axiom 25 before and before that, I had a Yamaha PSS51 .... lol

What I like most: the quality of the keyboard. His breathing strength. Functions, the faders. The touch is good, I'm done. But bizzarement, I say I prefer the touch keyboard (or at least unballasted if mildly).

What I like least are the pads that are not those of MPC (I had an MPC 2000). However, it should be noted that they are quite usable.

Regarding the choice, yes I referrais this choice! Because this keyboard is not disappointing!

Characteristics that motivated my choice were the 49-key, that are semi-weighted ,also the semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch and full-sized keys.
The connection type is MIDI.


UTILIZATION

The general configuration of the soft is quite fast and easy.
The manual provided by it is okay, however I would search for some more info on the net for more knowledge regarding the keyboard and its features.


OVERALL OPINION

Let me start by saying what I don't really like about it, I don't feel comfortable with the position of the LCD display, and where the pads are positions, however I do like their feeling and I gotta give some credit for its control and quality.
However what I really like are MMC/MIDI Start Stop transport buttons, and I really love the pads, those 12 pads and the way they feel, they also have velocity and pressure sensitivity which are really great for building nice 16th drum patters and weird velocity changes.
Also a fancy feature is MPC note repeat and all-new arpeggiator and 8 full-sized, 360 degree rotation pots, each with 3 banks for 24 pots total, which make a huge difference as well.
I gotta admit that the price is pretty high, it costs around 350$, having said that if you want a more complex type of midi controller and you have the money, you should give it a try.
It's compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X.

If you would like a similar midi controller ( maybe better) you should check M-audio Axiom 49 2nd Gen, there is a slight difference in price, however both of them have pretty decent sound quality and control.

Knowing what I know, I don't think I would buy this controller just because I could buy something cheaper and still have the same controls, the arrpegiator is a unique feature provided by Akai, so think about it.