Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII Review

9.1

For a midi controller under $100 to be this good and this portable is unheard of!  It’s not perfect, but for the price and the size, it’s a great tool to have for the traveling musician.

$99.95
Last Amazon price update was: March 25, 2024 8:13 pm
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This is one of my favorite travel controllers, making it one of the best midis for touring musicians.  It’s so small that you can through it in your carry on when you fly or backpack when you travel but it is still provides what a professional musician would need to produce amazing music with dynamic controls, synth action mini keys, octave control, a thumbtack for pitch ben and mod controls as well as MPC style velocity sensitive pads and so much more; rating this as one of the best keyboards.  There are even assignable Q Link knobs and an onboard arpeggiator!  Its made for the traveling musician, but I have also seen it in more than one recording studio as it’s just a great all around tool. For the size of this midi controller, it’s hard to find anything that can beat it.

Plug-And-Play

A nice and essential thing about the MPK Mini is that is is powered by a single USB connection to your computer and require no additional power adapters, hardware or software.  Between that and the built in memory banks, this midi controller is built to be able to plug it in and have all of your favorite sounds at your finger tips immediately.

LoopCloud Sound Library

The MPK Mini is compatible with the LoopCloud Sound Library which is filled with amazing baselines, well constructed chords, deep drum beats and more.  With intelligent tagging, key matching that is automated and more, you will have real time access to tons of samples at your finger tips.

Akai Pro MPK Mini MKII Features:

  • Compact keyboard controller easily fits backpack and studio production desk (12.4″ long, 1.6 lbs)
  • Powered by USB connection to computer, with free virtual-instrument download packages
  • Crammed full of all the features you need to play and edit musical ideas
  • 25-synth-action mini-keys, 8 velocity-sensitive rubber drum pads with two banks, and eight assignable control knobs
  • Includes VIP – the ground-breaking, award-winning music software platform that provides musicians and composers with a powerful hands-on control solution for their virtual instrument and virtual effect collection

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Akai MPK Mini come with software?
Yes it doesn’t.  It includes the Akai Pro MPC Essentials, AIR Hybrid 3, SONiVOX Wobble 2 and the Preset Editor Software which are available at www.akaipro.com.  Once you create an account and register your controller you will be given access to the downloads.
Can I use a sustain pedal with this board or is it too small?
Yes!  that is one of the features that is available on the Akai MKII that wan’t available on the Akai MKI.
Can I change the default presets?
Yes, there are four built in presets that are capable of being edited, adjusted or uploaded to the controller with the help of the preset editor that is included.

 

Don’t expect this to be the best midi controller in the world, it cost less than $100 and has small parts that were made to be affordable, but know that if you are a musician on the go like me, you have a lot of tools at your fingertips if you own this midi controller and find your self in need of something compact.


 

9.1 Expert Score

This is a great midi controller for a professional musician on the go.  I fly a lot and highly value something so small that I can work on my music on long flights without spilling into the persons space next to me or having to hope for my own row.  It’s great for almost any situation a traveling musician would find themselves wanting to get their ideas recorded.  And it’s a good price with great usability.

Sound
9.7
Price
10
Look
7.9
PROS
  • Extremely Portable
  • Customizable
CONS
  • Smaller keys (kind of have to be though)
  • Slightly fragile design
  • Can't take a beating