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A selection of MPC technologies are also built into the MPK49. MPC Note Repeat enables the MPK to automatically perform a rhythm pattern, such as 16th notes, for accuracy and speed. MPC Swing, sometimes referred to as "the heart and soul of hip hop," turns perfectly aligned sequences into beats and patterns with an unmistakable human feel. The MPK49 Performance Controller also has its own arpeggiator, for creating quick, creative riffs in seconds. Key Features
Specifications
| ![]() High-quality, 49-key, semi-weighted, aftertouch equipped keyboard with 12 genuine MPC drum pads (see larger image). |
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
If you're buying for the pads, get an MPD instead,
By jiakenmin (OZ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Akai MPK 49 Controller Keyboard (Electronics)
First of all, the pads DO suck. MPC's are known for their pads so you'd think Akai would at least be able to put the same type of pad/contact design on their MPK line. Instead they put a bunch of pads with no play that feel like buttons and make the keyboard housing vibrate when you pound them. On top of that they placed the contacts so far away it's damn near impossible to get 127 velocity on the pads without going Full Level. Even my LPD8 feels better than this thing. And even though they look like the MPC1000 pads, the 1000 pads are twice as thick as the ones here. I would have loved for them to have put the 1000 pads on this. At least then I'd be able to play back a chopped loop without feeling like I'm dialing a phone number.
The best part of the controller is the control surface. The transport keys, knobs, and sliders feel great. The LCD screen looks great. Something unique about the controller is that it has built in MIDI settings that mimic classic MPC functions (16 level, MPC swing, note repeat). Too bad the pads keep you from fully enjoying these features. The keys are decent but slightly noisy because they vibrate on release. The controller is also one of the few 49 key controllers out there with aftertouch. I prefer the lever-like feel of the Axiom when it comes to using aftertouch but the keys here are not a dealbreaker. There's also a simple arpeggiator you can use. It's fairly simple in that there are only 5 settings you can use to separate notes in a chord. If you've used a more sophisticated arp (like the one on a Yamaha KX8), you'll be disappointed though. The MPK is a good controller but Akai could have done way better than this. If you're using this for the keys and control surface it's a decent investment. But if you're thinking of buying this for the pads so you can drum and play back chopped loops, get an MPD instead.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Akai MPK good not great,
By C-Tru (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Akai MPK 49 Controller Keyboard (Electronics)
Now when I think of Akai, obviously quality and music productions come to mind. Unfortunately, this does not live up to the name. The biggest failing in this product is the drum pads. YES, THE DRUM PADS! No you might be thinking, 'what could be wrong with legendary Akai drum pads?' First off they are very unresponsive, you have to press down very hard just to trigger medium level midi sounds (yes, i even adjusted the sensitivity of the drum pads and this did not help). I am really perplexed by this, I'll hit down on the pad, and then hit it again with the same pressure and it'll either be louder or softer!!! I traded in my Axiom 25 and honestly, the drum pads on those were much much much better!!! On the plus side, the keyboard action on the piano keys is awesome! It has a slight weighted feel to them so you actually feel like your playing on a professional keyboard. (the Axiom series of keyboards had very light fake feeling piano keys). Needless to say, its alot of fun playing on the piano keys and 49 is good for most songs. The piano keys feel so great and are so responsive to slight pressure and touch that I'm using them instead of the drum pads to make my drum beats. Another great feature is the built-in arpeggiator, which is easy and fun to use when making melodies. There are also 8 knobs and 8 sliders that you can program on the audio program you are using. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to do this. I have Logic Pro and ProTools and I have yet to find out how to program the knobs on the keyboard to correspond. I do think though, that should you learn how to program it to work seamlessly with your recording or music making software it theoretically will give you the feel of a mini mixing board.
All in all 3 stars, I subtracted two because the drum pads were absolutely worthless and its a shame to advertise them as Akai drum pad quality! But what saves this keyboard is the excellent action on the piano keys and the many features it has. Oh yeah, and it also looks great and is very aesthetically pleasing (very cool looking) which is another plus. Don't buy if you are expecting great drum pads. But buy if you are looking for a keyboard with great piano keys and lots of awesome built in features. Lots of time studying and reading the manual will be needed to master all the functions though. High learning curve.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great keyboard, and the pads are much better than some would have you believe,
By Rob (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Akai MPK 49 Controller Keyboard (Electronics)
Out of the box, I admit that the pads feel pretty damn stiff. However, as I mentioned in a comment on another review of this product, you can work with this. You can turn up the sensitivity, lower the threshold, or change the pad curve. It's also important to note that the pads do loosen up with use. Break them in!
As for the keyboard, it is on the stiff side. How you feel about this will depend a lot on what you're used to. Striking a key takes about 2/3 the force needed for an acoustic piano, but it feels really different because the force is the same throughout the stroke. This of course is a result of using a spring to provide resistance rather than a hammer, which gets momentum as it moves. It still feels quite good on the fingers, though. It comes with templates for many different software packages already installed. Number one is for Ableton LiveLite, which is included in the box. I had a little bit of trouble getting a template for FL Studio, but I did find one after not too much effort searching the net. The quality of the knobs and sliders and wheels is several leaps and bounds beyond the M-Audio Axiom series, although I have to say that the Axiom Pro (which I haven't had a chance to actually touch) may be a totally different story. The basic Axiom stuff feels like it belongs in a toy store when put up next to the MPK line. I do worry that I maybe should have gone with the 61, but I'll just upgrade if that ends up being the case. For now, this is one hell of a keyboard, and it comes at an excellent price.
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