AKAI Professional MPK261 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 61 Semi Weighted Keys, Assignable MPC Controls, 16 Pads and Q-Links, Plug and Play

I’ll keep this short. By far my favorite USB / MIDI keyboard I’ve used. I had tried the cheaper 25 key Akai, but it was just too small and the synth key action I didn’t like. By contrast, this thing is a full sized keyboard. For most electronic music production, you might try a riff or something on the keyboard, test out chords etc., but you’re unlikely to be playing Mozart. Point being, I’d rather a very useful 25 key to a less useful full size 88. 25 is also about as big as fits decently on a desk, especially with a mixer and more. The drum pads are super responsive and sensitive, and 4x8 banks gives you 32 options, though I doubt many use them much - I’d get an MPC or something if I wanted just the pads. They’re there and work very well though. Note repeat is like an arp for the pads as well. Regular arp mode is nice too and well implemented, you can get some cool sounds going by playing with latch and letting the arp bounce around notes. You’ll almost always edit them in a DAW, but it’s a starting point for some cool stuff. The keys feel great, play great, etc., far from the synth action of the cheaper models. Tons of onboard DAW presets plus Ableton Live Lite included is good, too. No support for mixcraft which I use, but no surprise there.. anything common is covered though, and you can make your own presets as well. I do wish there was more variability in the presets - swappable banks like the pads would be nice, since for example if you’re using a VST like serum, there’s a lot of places you can map the knobs - plus if you mod one, changing the mod % is a different knob. Of course, there’s really not much room, and if I care that much there are MIDI controllers with more options, I even have a 49-key that at least has sliders and 12 knobs, but I still rarely use it, this is so much more preferable. (And yes I keep note stickers on some keys.. never officially learned to play so those are helpful at times). By far my favorite MIDI equipment, would buy again for sure. Also just confirms my love for Akai, I think more Akai products are in my future.

This keyboard does what I need and then some. The pads are really incredible. Responsive and really fun to play. I put my portable pad controller on the shelf. This thing does it all - and it’s a standard in the industry so any DAW is going to pick it up right away. Akai’s support is horrible in my experience- so it’s a good thing it requires almost no support. The feel of the keys, the faders, knobs - you can’t ask for anything more. It has really renewed my love for just sitting down and making music. They keys make you want to play. Just a couple of issues: first, the box shows that it comes with Eighty Eight Ensemble. It does not. Apparently an expired agreement to include it. Most of the software it “includes” are obtained by registering the device and downloading. (Ableton Live Lite is included on a disc- everything else has to be downloaded) while this is not a huge issue, it does mean that the software it comes with is subject to change. If you really want Eighty Eight ensemble, be prepared to buy it. Second, Akai’s website is not for the faint of heart. Try finding any downloads (editor, firmware update, anything) and you’ll likely end up frustrated. Just run it as is. It’s fine. Finally, be aware the device IS USB powered so most people won’t need a power supply - but if you’re using it as a controller for a hardware device or you’re not hooking it up to your Mac or PC for whatever reason - you need to buy a power supply. Definitely would buy again, but the way this thing is built I don’t think I’ll ever have to.

Been making beats since 2013; this is easily the best 25 key midi keyboard on the market, but what do you expect from Akai. I had to buy a replacement because my midi cord input jack got ripped out (please beware of this with all MIDI controllers, the jack is very fragile!!) and I noticed that the updated version was a lot sleeker and about 5 pounds lighter ( I had my previous mpk225 for 5 years as a gift from a friend) and it makes for toting it around a lot easier. Akai I would recommend marketing a carrying case for these because it would come in handy. Regardless amazing controller, great arpeggio function and note delay function, 8 mini pads on the top aren’t too stiff, the keys play as perfect as a midi controller could, don’t stick or lag and respond well in real time playing. For the price, durability (I dropped my last mpk 50-60 times), design, easy compatibility with most DAWs (I’ve plugged it up easily to FL studio 12, FL studio 20, and a friend’s Logic in his home studio setup), and easy assurance you’re getting with a name like Akai, you can rest assured you’re getting every dollar tenfold. I argue that Akai is better than Native Instruments in every debate I have with other producers/engineers because of this controller. I would say that Akai should be sponsoring me because of how sweet I make them sound, but really I should be sponsoring them for this MPK225. If you don’t have one of these to make music on your computer, you are lacking!!!

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Aunque tiene sus años y algunas limitaciones poco importantes, está muy bien construido. Paso de gastarme el doble en un Arturia Keylab Pro.

My first MIDI controller so probably not the best review but representitive of a beginners experience... Easy to setup initially with your favourite DAW, plenty of info available online if you've never used a similar product. Plug and play with the ability to do more in depth configuration as you progress, with software and hardware. Has enough keys to play a range of melodies (two full octaves with an extra C) can be played two handed however if you are decent at playing piano you may find it limiting. the pitch shifters (one sustained one returns to the middle when you let go) allow you to reach different pitches although, I don't think they shift full octaves alone however with the Octave up and down buttons this is possible. The keys feel decent (even somewhat better than other semi-weighted keyboards ive used from reputable brands) and are relatively accurate as far as the velocity is concerned though it may take a while to get used to if you haven't used anything similar. Ability to plug expression/sustain pedals directly into the back was a nice feature that i didn't even consider using when I first purchased. The latency of input was at first a bit off but I soon realised that the response time can be changed with software which I believe lowers the initial quality of input and allows for the signal to be near instant (quality of rendered sound is not affected e.g. after exporting to .mp3/wav etc.) This isn't really a problem but is particularly useful for doing drum patterns in real time and not having to manually quantize as much if you can't get it perfectly on beat which is something that has a learning curve itself and took me a while to figure out. The pads have a nice feel and aren't too soft/firm. I found it hard to judge velocity which could be a problem however I soon found the 'full level' button which detects all pad input as max velocity, allowing for consistency where necessary. I found this to be the way to go for me though it would be possible to learn the velocity levels I prefer to lay down the drum pattern then go back in the software and change It manually to perfect and reduce velocity for things such as open hats. 8 pads are enough for me with the ability to cycle through 4 banks being a nice extra. I'm still learning with it and haven't used all of the buttons/features such as the knobs, latch and arpeggitator but as far as music production goes, this device has taken me from not being able to create a simple drum pattern to learning how to create complex meoldies using different scales and diverse drum patterns and being able to translate the melodies I can think of directly into digital format which is something I didn't think I would achieve. For anyone who is looking for their first MIDI device this may be a bit overkill however as you progress and climb the learning curve i feel you may find that this has a few extra features that allow you to progress and learn more without being hindered by hardware as early as you might with other devices. If you are serious about learning to create music I would suggest this device and would even consider the models with extra keys (49 and 61 I believe) if you have the room. Durability. I've only put out around 30 hours into using the device however I'm very impressed by the design and feel of it and nothing seems to have degraded/worn out/ no buttons sticking or friction in the keys etc. even with the most used pads/keys. It is slightly bulky and has a fair weight to it however this imo makes it feel more durable. LEDs look good and while they are quite bright they aren't obnoxious or off putting and do serve a function in showing you which bank is selected, which buttons are ON such as the 'Full level' making it possible to see what settings you have selected without having to mess about playing something to see if it sounds different. All in all I would recommend the product however first consider if you will be dedicating some time to learning and perfecting your ability to use it as well as the software you use alongside it. If you aren't sure whether you will continue to use it or get bored with it I'd say get a lesser model such as the Mpk Mini.

As far as modern controller midi functions go this is pretty basic. I’d say the bare minimum functionality, but what is there seems to work well. Pads feel pretty good to me - part of the reason I bought it. My gut feel is it may be superseded soon if manufacturer want to keep reputation. It cannot send custom sysex messages, the sysex it mentions in manual is only its preset configurations. I read on the internet it can receive sysex, but I’ve yet to find any Akai documentation on this. Physically it’s fairly well made but the is a shallow curve I’ve the keybed length. I can only think this is a shrinkage issue in upper injection moulded case vs lower steel bottom plate. It doesn’t affect playability for me. The key hinge is right at the visible key end so a short arc length. Those who are used to full length keys found on more upmarket keyboards probably won’t like the feel. All in all - for what I read as a fairly expensive midi controller in the market I find it pretty unimpressive. I was considering a Novation as an alternative but it gets worse quality reviews on internet, I’ve not used one so don’t know if it’s any better in functionality or quality.

Akai製品は割と好きでUSBキーボード探した時に出会ったので衝動買いしました。 結論からいくとホストアプリケーションに幅広く対応していて、魅力的に見えました。 つまみでアプリケーション選択して、使っているLogic X 仕様にすぐなるしね。 まー欲を言えばなぜボタンのいくつかとつまみはなぜ反応しないのか、それだけ気になりますね。 でもMIDIキーボードやUSBキーボードとして使う分には十分で。PC台に収まるサイズだし。 そういうのもあって重宝はしています。つまみが全て動けば五つ星だったのにな〜。 その辺マイナス要素がはいって四つ星です。