![AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 - 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Backlit Drum Pads, 8 Knobs and Music Production S]({"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71HsvTK50kL._AC_SS115_.jpg":[115,115],"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71HsvTK50kL._AC_SS230_.jpg":[230,230],"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71HsvTK50kL._AC_SS345_.jpg":[345,345]})
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![AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 - 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Backlit Drum Pads, 8 Knobs and Music Production S]({"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/718DRQktYUL._AC_SS115_.jpg":[115,115],"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/718DRQktYUL._AC_SS230_.jpg":[230,230],"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/718DRQktYUL._AC_SS345_.jpg":[345,345]})
This is a fantastic little midi-controller. I use it with my Mac Mini (OS X 10.8.5) running Logic X (it will also work with GarageBand and most other DAW's) and it works very well. It also works well with my M-Audio sustain pedal, it has a port for a sustain pedal in the back (in case you were wondering.)
The packaging was fantastic. Included is the Keyboard, USB-Midi cable, instructions, and information on where and how to download your included software.
The keyboad itself looks great. It is very streamline and has a great color scheme. A unique feature is the 4 way joystick for modulation and pitch control. I have to say I like it better than a typical wheel style control you see on other midi-controllers. It really helps keep the size of the keyboard down since you don't have to include those bulkier pitch and modulation wheels. It really helps make this a portable keyboard. Though someone who is use to the wheel style control might not like this feature. It takes a minute to get acclimated to.
Right now my only complaint is that the keys are a little smaller than I was expecting. As you can see in my pictures, each key is about the size of a penny. They are completely usable but a little hard to get used to if you are use to a full size keyboard. This may or may not matter to you. If you have big fingers, I may recommend looking for something else. Of course this is not the manufacturer's fault, they list "mini keys" in the first description of the product so I am not going to knock any stars for that. I just thought they wouldn't be quite so mini. But the upside is that it makes the overall footprint very small, smaller than my computer keyboard infact. Also, unless you have nothing else, this isn't really the type of keyboard you (or atleast I) would use to put down a lot of notes. I think it's more for editing and mixing than for creating and composing, but if you really needed to you easily could.
I think would be really neat if they made this same controller with normal sized keys. They make one similar (Akai Professional MPK25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with MPC Pads) but it has a lot more going on and is $80 more. Maybe I will invest in that someday. If you have larger fingers or don't like the mini-keys go check that one out.
Anyway, in summary, fantastic little midi keyboard. Good price, great packaging, and great usability. I think this is a good keyboard to start out with as a beginner and even a good keyboard to have floating around if you are a pro. Pick it up, I don't think you will be disappointed.
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Now that I have MPC Beats I love this little controller!
Updated 7/26/2020I updated my rating from a 2 to a 4, primarily because Akai Pro just dropped the MPC Beats software, which is light years ahead of the bundled MPC Essentials. And the great thing is, the expansion packs and VSTs that come bundled with the MPK Mini are available in MPC Beats, so when you download it you actually get six expansion packs. When you register for the MPC forum you have access to another 5 free expansion pack samplers. That is quite a bit of instruments, programs, samples, and sequences to get started with.In MPC Beats the K knobs work right out the box with the Q-Links. When you are in the channel mixer they work with the sliders. I am now very happy with this little controller. Oh and Akai Pro also has tons of video tutorials for MPC Beats to get you started in the software and writing songs. And just like with MPC Essentials, MPC Beats will work as a plugin in your DAW, like Cubase or Logic, and you can work with it to build a song with more than 8 tracks. I finally dusted it off and a few keys weren't working, easy fix, I unscrewed it, removed the keys and pad, blew some air on it and give it a quick clean with an alcohol swab and just like new. Excellent value for your buck.Once you register keep going back to the Akai Pro website because they offer lil freebies or discounts for expansions, VSTs and other software.---------------------------++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------------------------------------------------------Looks nice on my desk but I should've sent it back for a Novation or another controller that works better with CubaseThis keyboard fits perfectly on my desk and the software that comes with it has some excellent sounds for looping. There is a steep learning curve with the included software, and I am having trouble accessing the software in my DAW. I also am having trouble programming the pads in my DAW, but I can program the pads in the included software.Aside from the software learning curve, the hardware works as advertised. I just wished it worked perfectly right out of the box with all software DAWS. I have Cubase AI 8 and the poor support received from Akai just made it a bear to learn the software and use the controller to work on projects. I think I would've had better success with the Novation controller since it integrates better with Cubase.Purchase a controller that works best with your DAW.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2015
This is a fantastic little midi-controller. I use it with my Mac Mini (OS X 10.8.5) running Logic X (it will also work with GarageBand and most other DAW's) and it works very well. It also works well with my M-Audio sustain pedal, it has a port for a sustain pedal in the back (in case you were wondering.)
The packaging was fantastic. Included is the Keyboard, USB-Midi cable, instructions, and information on where and how to download your included software.
The keyboad itself looks great. It is very streamline and has a great color scheme. A unique feature is the 4 way joystick for modulation and pitch control. I have to say I like it better than a typical wheel style control you see on other midi-controllers. It really helps keep the size of the keyboard down since you don't have to include those bulkier pitch and modulation wheels. It really helps make this a portable keyboard. Though someone who is use to the wheel style control might not like this feature. It takes a minute to get acclimated to.
Right now my only complaint is that the keys are a little smaller than I was expecting. As you can see in my pictures, each key is about the size of a penny. They are completely usable but a little hard to get used to if you are use to a full size keyboard. This may or may not matter to you. If you have big fingers, I may recommend looking for something else. Of course this is not the manufacturer's fault, they list "mini keys" in the first description of the product so I am not going to knock any stars for that. I just thought they wouldn't be quite so mini. But the upside is that it makes the overall footprint very small, smaller than my computer keyboard infact. Also, unless you have nothing else, this isn't really the type of keyboard you (or atleast I) would use to put down a lot of notes. I think it's more for editing and mixing than for creating and composing, but if you really needed to you easily could.
I think would be really neat if they made this same controller with normal sized keys. They make one similar (Akai Professional MPK25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with MPC Pads) but it has a lot more going on and is $80 more. Maybe I will invest in that someday. If you have larger fingers or don't like the mini-keys go check that one out.
Anyway, in summary, fantastic little midi keyboard. Good price, great packaging, and great usability. I think this is a good keyboard to start out with as a beginner and even a good keyboard to have floating around if you are a pro. Pick it up, I don't think you will be disappointed.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017
- Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on July 28, 2022
Wow, just Wow. 6 years old and going strong, phenomenal for beginners.
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betoramperReviewed in Mexico on April 16, 2019
Buen producto Y con todo y programas está genial
