Akai MPK Mini MKII – Unlock Your Creative Potential with This Professional Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller

The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller is a powerful tool for any music producer. It offers an array of features that make it easy to create professional-quality tracks. The 25-key mini keyboard has velocity sensitivity, making it ideal for playing melodic lines, while the 8 backlit MPC pads give you access to rhythm patterns and drum sounds. Plus, the 8 assignable knobs let you customize your sound with ease. With its small footprint and portability, it’s perfect for taking on the road or just using at home. And with USB connectivity, you can connect to your computer and record your music without any additional hardware.

Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller Review

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The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller is the perfect device for aspiring musicians who want to create professional-level music. With its portable design, intuitive interface, and powerful features, it’s an essential tool for any budding producer.

Key Features:

  1. 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keyboard keys with four banks of assignable controls
  2. 8 backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads with 4 banks of assignable controls
  3. Built-in Arpeggiator with adjustable resolution, range, and modes
  4. 4-way joystick controller for pitch & modulation control
  5. Dedicated Octave Up and Down buttons to increase the keyboard to the full melodic range
  6. USB powered with plug-and-play connectivity for Mac and PC
  7. Includes Ableton Live Lite Akai Pro Edition, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Wobble, and Toolroom Records artist launch packs.

If you’re looking for a compact MIDI controller that can take your music production to the next level, then look no further than the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller. It’s perfect for both studio and live performances. The 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keys provide responsive performance while eight backlit pads deliver dynamic beat creation. Plus, you get a built-in arpeggiator so you can easily create complex patterns with ease. With the included software, you can start creating right out of the box! So don’t wait – unleash your music creation potential today and pick up your Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller now!

Product Details

Product Name Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller
Manufacturer Akai Professional
Number of Keys 25-key velocity sensitive mini keyboard
Number of Pads 8 backlit velocity-sensitive pads with Note Repeat & Full Level modes
Connections
  • USB connection for power and MIDI out from controller to DAW.
  • 1/4″ (6.35mm) TS input for expression or sustain pedal.
Power Supply type USB Bus Power or 9V DC adapter (not included)
Software Included Ableton Live Lite, Akai Pro MPC Essentials, SONiVOX Big Bang Cinematic Percussion, SONiVOX Big Bang Universal Drums, and Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech
Dimensions (WxDxH) 14.0 x 8.2 x 2.2 inches / 355.6 x 208.3 x 55.9 mm
Weight 2 lbs / 0.9 kgs

Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller Pros and Cons

1. Pros:
Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller is a great instrument for musicians who want to create music on the go! With its ultra-portable design and 25 velocity-sensitive synth-action keys, you can take your beats and melodies with you wherever you go. It also comes with 8 assignable knobs, 8 backlit velocity-sensitive MPC style pads, 4-way joystick for pitch and modulation control, plus an array of dedicated controls for instant access to transport functions. The Akai Pro MPK mini MkII also includes the powerful VIP 3.0 software suite which allows you to customize any sound set or virtual instrument right inside your computer’s DAW.

2. Cons:
The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller doesn’t come with a power supply, so you’ll need to purchase one separately. Additionally, the unit’s small size might make it difficult to play complex pieces of music due to limited space between the keys. Furthermore, some users may find the lack of aftertouch sensitivity a limitation when playing certain styles of music.

Who are They for

The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII is the perfect companion for any digital music-maker. This powerful and portable performance keyboard and pad controller is jam-packed with features to help you create, control and perform your music. Featuring 25 velocity-sensitive synth-action keys, 8 backlit velocity-sensitive pads and 8 assignable control knobs, this mini controller offers a ton of creative potential. Plus, with its plug & play USB connection, it’s easy to set up and start creating right out of the box. With the included software bundle, you’ll have the tools you need to make full use of the MPK Mini MKII’s features. From hip-hop to EDM, this mini MIDI controller will help you take your beats to the next level.

My Experience for Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller

Lawrence Henry

When I’m looking for a way to take my music-making skills to the next level, I turn to the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller. It’s like having an entire recording studio in my hands!

I love how this controller packs so much power into such a small package. It has 8 backlit velocity-sensitive pads, 4 assignable knobs and 4 assignable buttons – all of which help me easily create beats and manipulate sound. Plus, it’s USB powered and comes with Ableton Live Lite software so I can start making music right away!

The controller also has a convenient arpeggiator, which helps me create complex rhythms with just one finger. And with its built-in note repeat feature, I can quickly produce intricate patterns. The MPK Mini is truly the perfect tool for producing tracks on the go!

I’ve been using this controller for months now and it’s been my secret weapon for creating unique sounds. With this device, I can easily switch between instruments, adjust volumes, and even record multiple tracks at once – all from the same compact unit!

No matter where I am or what kind of music I’m making, the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller always provides me with the tools I need to make amazing tunes. It’s truly an indispensable part of my music-making arsenal!

 

What I don’t Like

1. Limited number of keys: The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller is limited to 25-keys which can be limiting for musicians looking for a more comprehensive keyboard.

2. No aftertouch sensitivity: The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller does not have any aftertouch sensitivity which may be a limitation for some musicians.

3. No MIDI Out port: The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller does not have a MIDI out port which limits its ability to control other instruments or audio devices.

4. No velocity-sensitive pads: The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller does not have any velocity-sensitive pads which can limit the level of expression when playing drums or percussion sounds.

5. No transport controls: The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller does not have any transport controls so it cannot be used to control DAWs such as Ableton Live or Logic Pro X.

How to Use Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller

The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII is an all-in-one performance keyboard and pad controller that provides a plethora of creative options for musicians and producers. This compact yet powerful MIDI controller features a 25-key velocity-sensitive mini keyboard, a 4×4 mappable drum pad matrix, 8 assignable knobs, and 4 assignable buttons. With the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII, you can easily create beats, melodies, and accompaniments on the fly.

To get started with the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII, make sure it is connected to your computer via USB. Once connected, open up your favorite DAW software (Digital Audio Workstation) or music production program. Here, you can access the different settings for your controller such as key mapping, velocity sensitivity, and more.

Once you have configured your settings in the DAW software, you can start making music! The 25-key velocity-sensitive mini keyboard allows you to play sounds directly from your computer. You can also use the 4×4 mappable drum pad matrix to trigger samples or create drum patterns quickly and easily. The 8 assignable knobs give you control over volume levels or effects parameters depending on what sound you are using at the time. Finally, the 4 assignable buttons allow you to switch between different presets or functions quickly and easily.

With Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII, creating music has never been easier!

Questions about Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Performance Keyboard and Pad Controller

 

How Do I Connect the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII?

To connect the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII, simply use a USB cable to connect it to your computer. It is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, so you can easily plug it in and start creating music immediately.

What Are the Features of the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII?

The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII is an incredibly versatile controller with a variety of features. It has 25 velocity-sensitive synth-action keys, 8 assignable backlit pads, 8 assignable Q-Link knobs, and 4 banks for controlling different instruments or parameters. It also includes production software and virtual instruments, making it perfect for recording, producing, and performing music.

Does the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Work With Other Software?

Yes! The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII is compatible with many different software programs including Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Wobble and more. You can also use it as a MIDI controller to control any other software that supports MIDI mapping.

Lawrence Henry

Hi, I’m Lawrence! I’ve always been passionate about technology and gadgets. I love learning new things and exploring the latest advances in electronics. I'm enthusiastic about sharing my knowledge with others and helping them get the most out of their devices.

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