All user reviews for the Akai Professional MPK49

Akai made headway by including pads onto their midi keyboard controllers. This unit comes with 49 keys,basic manual (a little too basic), usb cable for hooking up. This controller can also use standard midi cables as well as a power cord. The unit powers through usb and to me that's a better way to power the unit, less chance of running into a group loop that way.

I purchased this unit because I need a new midi controller with some mapping options. What sold me was the feel of unit as well as the 12 pads that are built right into the board it self.

UTILIZATION

What I love about this midi controller is everything is plug n play. It's as simple as plugging it up via the usb cable and letting your OS install the needed drivers. The manual was clear i wish they would have dove a little more into advanced customizing but hey it's not to hard to figure out but you'd figure they'd be nice enough to include that after charging you $400 for the keyboard.

The mpk49 comes with a select number of templates for the more popular daws and music production applications. If your application isn't listed you will have to build your own template. I like to start from the "Generic" setting personally.


OVERALL OPINION

I honestly thing this controller could have been $100.00 cheaper but it's still a good price at $400.00. My only disenchanting moment with this controller is the pads... they are not sensitive enough and will require you to get a pad upgrade. There are a lot of DIY kits out there ranging from $14-$25.00, well worth the money in my opinion.

Aside from the pads it's a great controller, with a quality build and I love the way the keys feel when I'm producing music.

I didn't try any other units out while I was in guitar center because this was the only controller at the time that had what I needed. I mean I could tell that just from looking and not touching..

I think this is a perfect midi controller for professionals and novice a like. 49 keys give you enough room to play full scales and chords vs a smaller 25 key midi controller where you're always fighting with the octave button.

I've had my eye on the Akai MPK 49 keyboard for some time now (years actually) but when it came to buying this, it often felt like I was spending money on a luxury. I'll admit, what people said about it is true, that it had issues from the moment I plugged it in it wasn't detected by windows and had massive issues with getting recognized.


UTILIZATION

When I plugged it in (windows 7), the little screen wouldn't light up, and windows gave me an error saying "unknown usb device". Someone mentioned a shortcut to resetting the firmware which was to hold down [<< + STOP + REC] while plugging it in, which lit up the device, when it asked me if I wanted to proceed in resetting it I hit [cancel] intead. Bingo, the device was lit now. So it was powered, and once I selected it as a Midi Controller in Live (it comes up in the dropdown list of Midi controllers as "MPK49") it worked perfectly through USB and I don't have to do any tricks to get it to turn on anymore, just plug and play. I blame Microsoft for this problem though, not Akai. Windows will never be predictable when it comes to developing USB devices for it. Especially since Vista. Despite the few hours it took me to get it working, it's a beautiful device, and works wonderfully. All the controls automate easily, the keys feel good for playing (semi-weighted is a good balance for playing synth and piano) I had a fully weighted keyboard (the Triton LE) and it was awkward for playing synths or anything non-piano.

OVERALL OPINION

My favorite thing though is the little mixer console, it doubled my mixing time, ability, and productivity. My workflow is totally changed now. It's really nice to have the pads too, however it's not sensitive enough and you really have to hit them hard to get the desired response. Still, nice to have. I really have no complaints and I'm going to be using this controller for a long time. I'd recommend it to anyone.

+ Keyboard + note arpeggiator repeat Pads AKAI + + 8 faders = 399 euros

if not sheet ... (Souce orbit)
Akai has released a new keyboard matre / MIDI Controller USB sauce. This "small" keyboard of 49 semi-weighted keys and aftertouch gre it is filled with 12 MPC pads fawn they take over the function 'Note Repeat' and custom settings to 'swing'. In addition, the MPK49 possde arpgiateur its own story to the riff that kills quickly Overall, Akai we offer this product as much as 72 CONTRL assignable and connectors allowing the addition of one pedals, a footswitch or a pitch bend wheel and modulation.

* 8 full-sized, 360 degree rotation pots, EACH with 3 banks for 24 pots total
* MPC-style note repeat and all new arpeggiator
* 8 full-sized sliders with 3 controller banks for 24 sliders total for EACH
* 8 assignable backlit switches with 3 controller banks for EACH 24 switches total
* MMC / MIDI Start Stop transport buttons
* Large, easy-to-read custom LCD display

UTILIZATION

Touching the keyboard:

Report qualitprix excellent!
For example, I had a Clavia Nord Electro I found my good level.
Perfect for my use (beginners in computer music / guitarist I)

Configuration:

I have a MacBookPro 2.4 / 2Gb live + 7 (I have also received) and everything is dj pr-configured for him. Ditto for: reason, dfb, cubase, sonar, arturia, fxpanbfd and guru, ...
Select MIDI channels

As mentioned above, I really computer music beginners. (Guitarist with multitrack cassette, to tell you)
I know nothing: both keyboard in MIDI, configuration, ... I know dj and sound out, assign the volume effect, boot loops, ... DIFFERENT to buttons. It's super simple.
I have read on this forum, a problem with noise levels between DIFFERENT patches. By this point the report I can not tell you, but I'll DSOL dwell.

Manual:

One startup is in print and in French.
The other in English in pdf. I have written for in French but it is not yet available.

OVERALL OPINION

4 days. I am not to post an opinion, too quickly, especially when I do mastering a small part (and the same is not my area). But hey, it s just go out and not think so I tell myself as my own, no matter how small, could still be used even.

+ Learning: Fast, Easy, Fun (can be as Ableton Live and thanks leons) In any case recommend to beginners!
+ Trs trs touch keyboard really well.
Look + / manufacturing quality: it really does not "tinker" or "plastic" as in the photo / no comparison with the axiom that it is tinkering.

- Touch pads: I still have trouble with the sensitivity and I can not compare because I do not know the mpc but better than the axoim 49 (you will tell me, we could see the eye). It may be just me / lack of time / training / technical.
- Large manual in English, houououou, well yes I do not control enough to understand things a little more pointed.
- Delays in its release date.
- Same price whether it is justified by its quality, if it could be a little less expensive, it would not be worse. Especially as I squinted heavily on the axiom that 49 had more or less the same CHARACTERISTICS for 100 euros less.

Regardless, I do not regret my purchase. Come on, I go back fun
+ + +

- What characteristics have motivated your choice?
The pots and size of the keyboard (I had a synth touches)
- What connector (MIDI pedals ...)?...
usb

UTILIZATION

- The touch keyboard is it fun? Should your use?
Very pleasantly surprised
- The general configuration is it simple?
NO, I Gallery to the Reason to take full responsibility, being a novice.
- The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy?
I still have not found the "reason remote install" and I had to place the patch for Reason manually.
- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
No and Yes
edit: after a request to "Algama," I now have the complete manual in French but I find it lacks details of the multi-USB port.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
2 years
- What is so special that you like most and least?
most: the touch keyboard, pots integrated USB lemultiports (now that I know how)
The least: no power button on / off, length of USB cable, Pad sensitivity but after a hack with tape, the problem is solved. Still missing some details of the Manual.
- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
Not
- How would you rate the quality / price?
A little too much.

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes absolutely.

- What technical specifications motivated your choice?

I was looking for a versatile keypad with a touch enjoyable with linear and rotary fader to connect a macbook pro and use it with Logic, Live or Reason. The pads are a plus.
Before discovering the MPK49, I peered over the Edirol PCR500.

The quality of manufacture is the date. The BTE is heavy and solid.
Arpggiateur is also not bad at all. The function can be very useful as a soft Logic which is dpourvu.

- What connector (MIDI pedals ...)?...

see manual, I found my personal account

UTILIZATION

- The touch keyboard is it enjoyable? Should you use?

Yes trs touch is enjoyable, I got much more than the axiom. It's perfect if I use it is clearly one of the highlights of the keyboard. And knobs are mortal, the really great quality.

- The configuration gnrale Is it easy?

Yes and no, the configuration is not so simple since the keyboard is not recognized in Logic. Too bad there's no preset for Logic. It took me a while assigning the mano and assignment is a bit less convenient than Live on Logic for example.

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

The manual is lightweight, only the French version is in quickstart and paper.
For the complete manual, there is the pdf version and the English, but at least it's complete.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?

3 weeks

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?

The +:

- La AKAI quality manufacturing, excellent knobs
- The touch is top
- The arpggiateur which can rgler few paramtres (swing, gate, amplitude)

Le:

- Some of the pads by, even playing on rglages, is strong enough to type out a sound. They are dynamic, but there is a choice between "hit hard" and "banging like a nag." I do not know the MPC pads but I doubt whether the same ...
- Too bad also that lack of presets such as Logic.

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?

Some, especially the axiom of a friend, the PCR80 possde the last 3 years. MODELS few more quick, in-store ...

- How do you report qualitprix?

Rappot correct. The MPK is certainly a bit expensive (I pay 349 euros) but the price is justified given the quality of manufacture and versatility of the product.

- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...

Yes I am happy despite trs BMOL deficits (lack preset to logic and above all a little pads dcevants)

Exactly what I needed ...

UTILIZATION

Pro Tools, Native Instruments, Reason ...

OVERALL OPINION

I thought buying an M-Audio Axiom 49 by year-end but dernire Aki saw what was about to leave MODEL I temporis my purchase until that one is available. Unfortunately, it is clear Aki ad Precipitation Occurred just launched this product because I have a first copy of the REU that MPK49 Submitted dysfunction Ab key did not work or Fawn with an intermittent problem of sensitivity. I returned my dealer prfr. APRS few days, I have a second REU and l. .. same problem but on the F #. I therefore returned and I also now get a refund. I am really, because apart from this problem all the other keyboard commands are gniales and fall to hand well. It is well recognized in Reason 4. What a pleasure to be able to easily control all the virtual instruments in a flash. Too bad this default, visibly SERIES, comes gcher pleased that I was: o (
I think I finally fall back on my first choice.

Edit: Actually, I bought a Novation ReMOTE 49SL COMPACT -> EXCELLENT!

Confre akai site ... seen and reviewed
Everything is genia l. Nothing to say, the apreggiator, the look, feel etc ...

UTILIZATION

Recognized directly in Reason, installation in under 30 seconds, everything works perfectly.
I think that's not to be terrible, especially at the pads, especially the version Premire t borked. I buy rcamment 329 euros in home studio. Once the pads rgler well, one is obliged at all to type on like a nag. A quick and smoothly. The manual is too basic.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for some time so I see a time, I tried other models, and that is really the gnial. The ratio quality price, now and correct that there are one or two years.

With exprience, so I do it again this choice, why not.

The technical specifications that motivated my choice: A full keyboard! Pads, track faders and buttons weapons associated with arpgiateur fct. Latch ditable by the time division and other parameters. internal note repeat for pads, full level, Levels for 12 pads, knobs with 3 banks, 4 banks for the pads, the LCD for user-friendly modular pitch and speed, and transport keys recess.
Connectors MIDI IN / OUT pity there is no THROUGH.

UTILIZATION

The key is trs enjoyable compared to other brands that produce these keyboards in the same order of price, the inking is heavy and well balanced level VLOC big snag I t return a victim of SAV, the key FA says only works intermittently and had a big problem for the new VLOC artabli shooting.
The touch pads, for against, has nothing to do with an MPC or MPD worthy of the name, touch is hard and it's hard to do by hand, especially at the most VLOC to play, kind of kick bounces, there are SETTING THE sense and threshold, but it remains all the same bad compared to the style of legendary MPC, too bad.
Conf. gnrale is quite simple via the LCD which is quite large and we easily accde gnralement paramtrage Midi channels, edit (especially for arpgiateur) etc ...
The manual is certainly clear, it indicates paramtrages and every indicator, but it is far from being complete! This is a Quick Start Guide and instructions complte is available on the net, but in English, I am not a drang, but I put myself in place of those who do matrise not English, and qute is the forums, too bad.

OVERALL OPINION

So I use it for 2 weeks now:
The pros: full-keyboard trs (arpgiateur, FUNCTION MPC pads with the layers, fader etc ...).
The quality-irrprochable.
The VAS-I did test and it is trsractif.
Akai-lite provides LIVE, we will not spit in the soup!

The -: -1 return SAV bote out of the FA say second octave key HS
-Pads too hard or poorly Designed, nothing to do with an MPC.
External-Alim absent but provided the now, I bought a transformer. Conrad SAVE for a full function USB and MIDI via my card Ext.

I tried a novation remotesl 49, trs good keyboard with automap technology, but I turned on live and everything is easily assignable, so ... I would say that is its main competitor for the M-AUDIO AXIOM's not like an ordinary toy, trs cheap ... Months but expensive lol, normal.
The report price is good quality, is not only touch the keyboard, its weight, its housing, the quality of the knobs and faders, touch keyboard, it is a keyboard prsence of choice.
With exprience, I do not regret my choice, despite my return SAV, I just wish the touch pad, but I myself will wear srement, note that the pads NOVATION remoteSL 49 are much better, but this keyboard does not have faders, or arpgiateur let alone Fct. Note pads etc ... repeat

+ +

<ul class="ul">
What characteristics have motivated your choice?
</ul>
Simple, the fact that it brings a lot of things (pads, faders), I use it to ableton, great!
<ul class="ul">
What connector (MIDI pedals ...)? ...
</ul>
USB to single possible to connect an expression pedal and sustain, and external power supply (not included of course ....)

UTILIZATION

<ul class="ul">
The touch keyboard is it nice? Should your use?
</ul>
I never had the opportunity to try the pads of the MPC series, and apparently, although it is also akai, those of mpk not worth much in comparison ... but I find them very well personally, but the keyboard has a touch that is enough to make electro bass lines, but do not try to play a piano with her ....
<ul class="ul">
The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy?
</ul>
Yes it is clear, and with a small program that (lousy) but very practical.

OVERALL OPINION

<ul class="ul">
For how long have you been using it?
</ul>
4 / 5 months maximum Did you try many other models before buying it? I had to try a Ocassion axiom 49 in a mate, but that's what is so special that you love the most, the least? The - Let's say the 8 buttons found below the faders, 3 are struggling to react, we must push like crazy on it, yet I do not have the force, it has moved only 3 times in my room. .. A friend has the same (which is three meters from me ^ ^) and there is one that starts him do the same. Recognition in the problems of software (maybe that's just ableton eh) but I am sometimes forced to leave ableton, disconnect / reconnect) and then restart ... . + The pads are nice, with 4 different banks, 3 banks for faders ect ... Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ... I honestly do not know .... It is super good in use, but if the buttons and empires continues, I think (the store where I bought it, ie the warranty is now at 450km from home)

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

The complete: 49 Keys heavy, faders, buttons, knobs endless pads, a transport bar, all in one keyboard, rather compact.

What connector (MIDI pedals ...)?

The connectivity is provided, we will find something to connect two pedals, the midi in and out and what to put a transformer ...

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is it nice?

The touch keyboard seems nice but I do not play the piano, at least it suits me perfectly.

The general configuration is simple?
The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy?

Very simple, pre-recorded presets work immediately in Reason, nothing to do.
There are no banks 50 000, everything is accessible directly on the keyboard by touch ...

The manual is clear and sufficient?

The manual is simple, so clear.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for one month, I hesitate between this model and the model similar to Korg, bigger, more expensive. I removed the other after playing a test in Keyboard ...

I would do this choice at the moment, because at the price I got it (sales) it is surely hard to find better.

What I like most is the pads, I had never had and it's very useful even if the maximum velocity is quite hard to get ... But the full option level can reflect on it afterwards.

I think the value for money is good, it looks sturdy, works great and has the basic functions. Certainly there are not tons but for me who does that software is more than enough.

A lot of reading on the sites, comparison forums, youtube demo ...etc.

UTILIZATION

Touched: unplayable when you want chords, good dynamic, but very precise, I tried to get used to it but impossible.
Manuel: Yeah
Setup: very complex logic because no preset for this DAW factory while there is for everyone else.
This detail was the deciding factor in my motivation to return my purchase

OVERALL OPINION

You need two weeks to test it, try to get used to it and then finally to abdicate!
I unfortunately could not try it before, but I regret because I will not certainly not buy impulsively anymore ...
The pads are not so catastrophic that on the other hand, contrary to what I've read.
Value for money: expensive for a disappointment.
I will not buy it again, for sure.
Too bad because I like its appearance and ergonomics, but the keyboard has removed any possibility of adoption between me and the beast ....;(
I ordered Novation 49SL MK2 which is supposedly better in its class.
I expect the product soon and will give my opinion here.

I had before buying this keyboard a MPD32 with the build quality impressed me so I jumped on the MPK49 soon as I had a little money.

Before that I had a mini keyboard travel M-Audio Axiom, a big shit unbearable to use, limited and soulless, like nearly all M-Audio products that I could try (always problems drivers , mac, which is a shame anyway!). So when I owed choose between MPK49 and Axiom Pro 49, seen my previous disastrous experience with M-Audio I have chosen the MPK49.

It is plugged directly into my computer and powered by USB, no problem to see that side.

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is super nice, semi-weighted quite heavy, but it is a matter of taste.
For cons the pads are really there to make nice. Unless it off velocity are downright useless, and far from the quality of the pads of a MPD. In terms of sliders and knobs, it's perfect for cons, fluid and solid.

Manuel perfectly clear, no problems on that side.

The general configuration is rather simple once you've figured out how to get there, but this lack of clarity-of "user-friendliness."

Channel selection is very simple: once again we read in the manual (it does not jump clear in the eyes for those who discover the mode of operation common to all Akai products in which rule by a button that everything.

For the patches can not be made simpler, but the beast is unpatched for Logic or Ableton default, it will create them yourself (quite easy with the patch editor Vyzex).


OVERALL OPINION

I have been using 4-5 months, am more or less happy. Very disappointed by the pads which are used to clearly nothing in the state, and the boat as I experienced in trying to get everything working with Logic. The two are clearly not meant to work together, we will use the elbow grease to use the keyboard to its full potential with Logic. Synchronization between MIDI arpeggiator, assigning all the buttons and sliders, this keyboard give me a good headache. And when I reinstall my computer due, I owed it all over again!

In short, a better integration with Logic is not asking too much for a keyboard of this price.
I never tried with other programs for which the keyboard patches pre-recorded as Sonar and Cubase, Ableton Live, but it was not really better, for the cons Reason recognizes and takes care of itself rather well.

Did you try many other models before getting this one?

I owned an M-Audio keyboard low range of drivers who had to be crappy, and M-Audio sound card drivers with worse, so I spent my path in front of the Pro 49, Axiom in a very bad experience with the brand. And I tried other keyboards in store for touch, I have chosen the akai.

What thing do you like most/least about it?

+
Built like a tank, this keyboard is heavy and feels like to survive a lifetime of abuse on the road, then the sensitive semi-weighted heavy suits me perfectly.

-
Pads useless crap in the state, complicated to set up and run with Logic.

Good value for money rather seen the amazing quality of finish, this keyboard weighs a ton, and clearly do not plastic made in china. Not easy to adjust, very little "user-friendly.

Overall Rating 7 / 10