NBD, except…they did a retro edition!!
Now do a newer mpd218 in this colorway Akai
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Pretty slick but I’m not feeling the red pinstripes. Makes it look like it’s wearing a skin.
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It’s too big! I am waiting for the micro key edition.
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MPK ₜᵢₙᵧ
It’s a half-octave keybed with a single pad.
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The akai ų. Doubles as a keychain
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Jokes aside, I wish there were more good options for a 25-key keyboard without those pads. I never bang out drums with pads when in the daw, don’t see the need at all. And my desktop depth space is always the most limited. Reorganizing those buttons (transport is a must!) while ditching the pads would make it more interesting to me.
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Korg Microkey?
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Yeah, its a bit ridiculous, Thomann has 9 different models of 25-key keyboards with pads and knobs (not counting color variations), but only one with knobs (only 4!) but without pads (Midiplus x2 mini)
No transport buttons, like the AKAI Professional LPK25 MKII and Arturia MicroLab Mk3
The only small keyboard I’m aware of that has transport buttons is the Nektar Impact GX Mini – but it has no knobs
Both the Nektar and te Midiplus are about 8-10cm wider than the MPK. That a benefits of a design that includes pads: you can fit mod and pitch wheels (or strips) above the keyboard and don’t need additional space on the side.
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(((Is there an Elektronauts topic about small MIDI keyboards, 25 keys max? If not, should there be one? It’s a category interesting on its own.)))
It’s actually the one I have for this purpose, but I do like knobs and it lacks it. Also, it feels dated with a massive USB-B port. I prefer usb-c.
Yeah, this is pretty much the ideal design for my needs. Not trying to sound like a brand snob, but I’d prefer to buy this design from Arturia.
looks off putting to me as well.
Somehow Akai gravitates towards busy designs.
The keys might be slightly better, but doesn’t look to be good value compared to Launchkey. Launchkey comes with 4 great Gforce synth vsts, Komplete Select and the chords features are better on it. I guess if you aren’t bothered about the software package though and want something to match your mpc, then maybe…
That’s hot !
There is, roughly, but it could use a bit more fertilizer.
This one below recently came up in another topic as being recommended. The price is right but no transport control on this one either.
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I was in need of a very small midi controller so went to test the mpk mini 4 and the Novation launchkey mini 25. I thought I’d end up with the novation but after trying them side by side I found the novation to have some of the worst keys I’ve ever come across which is a shame as it has the better features for me.
The keys on the mpk are very close to the arturia mini keys, the mod wheel is small and plastic feeling but much better than a touch strip but I never liked touch strips much. The pads on my unit would be impossible to strike at full velocity and I always liked the Novation pads but never find myself using pads much.
I’ve only used it with ableton for about half an hour but it worked fine for me, transport was working but I hear some people have issues with certain daws.
If Novation had better keys and a physical mod wheel it would be perfect. In the end akai was my choice.
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Im thinking about to buy this keybed. Just as a bring-with-me-portable. I have a few big midi keyboards from novation and arturia.
Just wondering, people using this for a while now, how does it work? Still good? How is the NKS integration? Knobs? Are the keys too small or doable? Drumpads i dont bother.
Thanks!