In other words, they feel like synth keys. That’s a good thing for some. Still, if you’re coming from an acoustic piano, the feel and size will both take some getting used to. Another notable feature of the Akai are the 8 encoders, which are endless. What this means is that there’s no start/ stop point, and instead the knob just keeps on spinning. Useful when working with third party plugins! Akai does offer a free version of Pro Tools First and a sample library to help you get started with music production. Once you've installed this DAW and loaded your samples, you can start making music. However, plugging into a computer remains a requirement. So if you’re a beginner producer looking for a midi controller on a budget then the MPK MINI has to be a serious contender. If you’re a more advanced producer, looking to add a bit more customization into your music, or looking for something lightweight to travel with and maybe save some space in the process, the MPK MINI II again, is something well worth considering. So, as you can see this midi controller is an absolute beast for what it is. You’d be forgiven for thinking it costs a fortune as well…

then store them on your MPK mini. You’ll spend less time setting up your gear and more time doing what Hybrid 3 is a more useful plugin, as it comes with a whole bunch of presets that you can use to produce your beats with. It's very electronic by nature, but there are a few gems that you could use if you dig deep enough.

The Basics of Both Models

featured beat making DAW software for both Mac and PC based on the legendary MPC workflow. It also works

Chances are, if you’re interested in these specific models, you already know that they will meet your needs. Still, if you’re new to one or more aspects of music production, it’s worth exploring who these devices are — and aren’t — for.Google the ‘ best midi keyboard‘, and chances are that 99% of the search results will be about (or reference in some way) the MPK Mini. They’ll be those that state how the Mini MK3 is the facelift that fans so “ desperately needed“. As well as those claiming that this little portable midi keyboard, really is “ all you need” to make music in 2023. I've made no secret of my fondness for Akai's MIDI instruments. Neither am I alone in my Akai-favoritism – the brand remains the gold standard for most amateur musicians.

In terms of pads, both feature 8 pads, plus an extra bank you can access through your DAW. However, the Akai’s pads are by far the most sensitive. That doesn't mean the keys on the Akai MPK Mini are bad, though. They're velocity-sensitive, meaning the velocity will change depending on how hard you hit the keys. Triggering chords and playing melodies wouldn't be a problem (which most likely would be your main purpose if you're looking at mini keyboard such as this one), but if you have large hands and/or fingers, it would be easy to feel cramped when playing on this especially since the keys don't really have much weight behind them and can feel a bit springy.You can assign the different parameters to knobs by using the drop down arrow in the top left hand side of the window box and choosing ‘Browse Parameters’ and you’ll be designing new patches in no time. The MPK Mini MK2 is a compact keyboard, yet the build quality seems to be quite high and I have no doubt about its durability. Playing aside, the Mini MK3 also boast a built-in arpeggiator and note repeat function! Neither of which you’ll find on the Minilab.