AKAI MPK Mini Plus

frekvencia · 2022-10-20T14:25:08.482Z

A new competitor to the Arturia KeyStep 37

MPK Mini Plus

MPK Mini Plus 37-key Compact Keyboard Controller

Feature	MPK mini Plus
Keys	37 mini - 2nd Gen dynamic keybed
Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheel	Yes
X/Y Joystick	Yes (Fully Assignable)
Pads	8 full-size MPC RGB
Built-in Sounds	No
Speaker	No
Display	OLED
Step Sequencer	Yes (2 Track Poly Step/Live Sequencer)
Chords Mode	Yes
Scales Mode	Yes
Arpeggiator	Yes
Note Repeat	Yes
Assignable Encoders	8 Assignable Encoders
Sustain Pedal Input	Yes
5-pin MIDI	Yes
CV/Gate	Yes
USB MIDI	Yes
USB Powered	Yes
Battery Operated	No
Transport and DAW Control	Yes
Octave Up and Down	Yes
Pattern Save	Yes
Included Software	Yes - MPCBeats - Expansion Packs - Instruments
Software Editor	Yes
Dimensions	17.76" x 7.08" x 2.04" (45.11cm x 18.0cm x 5.2cm)
Weight	2.78 lbs. / 1.26kg

AdamJay · 2022-10-20T14:58:18.296Z

Chord mode, sequencers, joystick, CV, DIN MIDI.

This can do a lot for $169.
Just about everything except sequence CC automation.
Good job, AKAI.

Elek_dude_98 · 2022-10-20T15:26:49.296Z

It’s the keystep PRO than needs real competition, a midi keyboard incapable of transposing notes and Arturia wants to hear nothing…

InternalVoice · 2022-10-20T18:07:12.492Z

Anyone know of a 3 octave small keyboard with din midi out that is battery powered? This looked nice but wish it was battery powered. Need something that can turn my DN into a DN keys but still be relatively portable.

WRT the mini plus, I like that the wheels look more robust and I suppose the small screen is a nice addition.

GovernorSilver · 2022-10-20T19:38:17.604Z

I’d been contemplating picking up MPC Studio for the autosampler, and for the MPC pads, which I prefer over the MC-707 pads for entering drum parts.

Might go with this instead, since it also comes with MPC Beats and its autosampler.

colectivo_triangular · 2022-10-21T05:46:49.844Z

169 $? It’s 216 € (199 € Street price) here in Europe. I wonder where this difference comes from - maybe due to the different routes of the shipping containers.
Well, at least it’s immediately available and still not bad for the price. I’d wait for a dark edition, though.

Musikhaus Thomann

AKAI Professional MPK mini Plus – Thomann Sverige

CCMP · 2022-10-21T06:30:02.626Z

colectivo_triangular:

169 $? It’s 216 € (199 € Street price) here in Europe. I wonder where this difference comes from - maybe due to the different routes of the shipping containers.

US prices are always shown pre-tax and it’s added at checkout.
European prices always include the tax.
It’s a cultural thing. Relatively, these prices are the same.

colectivo_triangular · 2022-10-21T06:52:11.137Z

ah! That makes sense.

natehorn · 2022-10-21T07:00:06.729Z

It’s also due to the exchange rate.

A year ago the prices could be roughly ‘equal’ as $400 without tax was about the same as €400/£400 when including tax. Give or take.

But it’s shifted far enough now that those economics don’t work anymore.

Elek4 · 2023-07-28T21:26:26.131Z

Only 9 posts since October 22. Ouch!
Is it really that bad or?

frekvencia · 2023-07-29T06:12:57.522Z

I don’t know to be honest. I have not tried one. Maybe people just don’t care?

Bilansley · 2023-07-29T07:35:28.837Z

I have one and for the price its decent. Its basically a travel midi keys for me that fits in a backpack and is powered by usb.

The keys are very “mini”, more like micro. The feel of them is not awesome. There is no aftertouch. The sequencer works, its nothing special. The arp mode/chord mode is useful since its nearly impossible to fit more than two fingers on the keyboard at once. The pads are typically MPC and feel pretty good.

It CAN do quite a bit, but the set up is kind of a pain. To make it easier there is an app, but uggggh another set up app…gross.

Ultimately its like ~$200 so its a good value and gets the job done nicely as a backup/travel companion. If I had to use it on a daily basis, I wouldnt.

holonology · 2023-07-29T08:29:52.027Z

From what I read and saw (I was looking around at the time) the reviews on this one were quite mixed. A lot of people were really positive about how (for example) the new Arturia Minilab really gave folks a lot of DAW control, where AKAI had done the bare minimum. Others mentioned how it’s this wierd size that’s got unsatisfyingly small keys but it’s quite big, so it’s not that portable. So then your natural competition is more like a 37 key full size.

I actually think the idea is kinda stellar though, it’s a nice balance of quick input device for casual desk bashing but also a serious music making tool. You got enough pads, enough keys and plenty of options in terms of plugging it into gear if that’s your thing. I think Arturia could have nailed something like this but they went down the 25 key route again.

Elek4 · 2023-07-29T11:56:48.837Z

I was thinking getting one because:

it’s small in the sense that it’s the same size as my pedalboard and fits the case I got.
It has 8 encoders which map nicely to the smart controls within Logic Pro.
It got pads which suppose to be better than what the competition is offering.
It has MIDI over DIN which a lot of small MIDI keyboards in that size don’t offer.
Not the worse mini keys if I have to believe the reviews. Still mini keys though.
Built in sequencer and the arp might be handy sometimes.
CV might be handy at some point.
Seems like a cheap deal with all those features.

nightshift2020 · 2023-07-29T21:13:58.404Z

They don’t seem to be available new anywhere, in the US at least, which is unusual w/ Akai. That combined with the relatively widespread complaints about the pads double-triggering makes me think they may be doing a hardware revision…

Elek4 · 2023-09-01T10:17:32.733Z

So there’s a 1.13v apparently but I can’t ^$%^#@ look into it on AKAI’s website cause the ^#^&# website won’t allow it.

Edit: I was wrong you can download it but there’s no readme file included. So no clue what’s changed.

Has anyone got a clue what’s changed, added, fixed in the latest firmware?

I thinking about getting one but I’ve read you can’t change the MIDI to different channels, meaning you can only one 1 piece of gear at a time. That would be a dealbreaker for me and I’m hoping they changed that in the latest firmware.

Elek4 · 2023-09-01T13:00:37.790Z

How do you change MIDI channels on this thing?
Is it like SHIFT + STOP and then scrolling through some menu?

bibenu · 2023-09-01T13:57:01.493Z

Did you try the manual ? akai mpk mini plus user manual pdf - Sök på Google

Elek4 · 2023-09-01T15:00:10.083Z

Yes I did and it’s something like I mentioned. Shift + Stop and then using the encoder to scroll through a menu. Not a fast or the easiest way.

I ordered one just to be frustrated. To be continued…

Elek4 · 2023-09-04T17:23:37.484Z

Got it, unpacked it and here’s my first reaction:

The built quality already feels a lot better than I was expecting it to be.
The minikeys (which I hate in general) are quite good. Compared to lets say the Novation mini keys its like night and day and feels way less flimsy. The modwheels are small but useable as well. The buttons all have a nice clickadiclack sound and the encoders aren’t too tiny and feel sturdy. The display looks tiny af so hopefully it’s very sharp. The pads are stiff but I’m guessing they’ll be fine as it’s an AKAI product after all.

Tonight I will hook it up and see if it everything works like it should. If anyone has questions let me know and I’ll try to answer them.