Akai MPK Mini Review

[dirtydubs90]

how do you use the mpk mini as full sized keyboard at the moment i can only use 25 keys how do i use the rest?

[ohdratdigital]

@dirtydubs90 Those 'octave' buttons!

[qxtctv]

Good review - thanks.

[marioniemuth]

hi mate, great vidz. please tell me which camera you are using? awesome colours!!!

[ohdratdigital]

@marioniemuth Hi there! Most of our vids are with a EOS 60D with a Tamron lens, this one is actually from the early days with a Flip cam!

[IvanChestopaloff]

Does a software comes with it ? Thanks

[ohdratdigital]

@IvanChestopaloff Only the editor software...

[bryceflorek1]

dude, no offense, but i have no idea what the fuck you're saying half the time.

[FelipeBgood]

@bryceflorek1

Hahahahah, Maaan i thought was just me..

Dudeee, i can understand maximal 30% at most..

[DinoDyl]

Paul mccartney, is that you?

[kappesante]

@DinoDyl half. other half is john cusack.

[wwedx36]

wade barret

[KomandoBlacknoah]

got one a few days ago and i get some lag when pressing the keys

[Dimelo23]

this is garbage .. i bought one from samash and returned it the next day .. u might be better off going to toys r us and buying a keyboard bc it feels the same way .. stop laying .. the pads are horrible and the keys are hard with no semi-weighted feel to it at all.. false advertising do not recommend it unless u are a kid learning or just playing with it .. get a real keyboard

[rustigjazz]

good review

[xLazbaHD]

does eny software come whit mpk mini???? please answere!

[MrLyricalBones]

looking to get a midi controller for use with FL10....currently umming and arring between this and the lpk 25 ? any advice for someone whos had experience with both would be great?..cheers!

[macgruber482]

can i use the pads for foster the people - pumped up kicks?

[DarthLateralus]

excellent review, thanks for posting

[timemuzik]

Please help, can you link different sounds in each button? For example, if keyboard plays bass, then knobs have rythm...

[breonnacell]

can this be connected to an iPhone through core midi ?

[hoffmannnatan]

can i connect an akai mpk mini to virtual dj and use it for effects?

[ilikeboobi]

Can you tell my how to configure the knobs correctly? I'm using Reason 5 + 1.5 Record, and the knobs on my Akai mpk mini only have 2 active knobs in Reason, even if i try to configure them. i saw you video and became impressed with how you could change the sound so much with all your knobs, and make it sound awsome!

[ohdratdigital]

@ilikeboobi Hi! We have tutorials for that on our channel, make sure to watch and subscribe! :)

[issachar1984]

do u need the laptop for it

[ohdratdigital]

@issachar1984 Hi - watch our video tutorials on MIDI controllers to get a good guide!

[ChronoHD]

@issachar1984 Yes

[TheNoCoincidence]

instead of a stupid appregiator which u can have in every daw...a mod and pitch wheel would have been GREAT..

gosh

[allstarpunk99]

Thanks for the post looks like a good piece of kit to add to my current set up just wan to add some flavor to live mixes and have something to make beats with on the fly to freestyle too.

[jclark5093]

Thanks so much - had mine 3 days now and your video is the only place that showed (or told) how to do ANYTHING with the ARP! Thanks!!

[GuitarsOfVideoGames]

I can't understand 50% of the video because of the accent lol

[rugedandraw]

what does the mpk25 have that this doesnt?

[icio9001]

Nice vid!!, btw, did you noticed delay when playing the keyboard?, I mean a bad response time in the keynotes. Cheers and keep it up! :D

[alansam6]

I need help with setting up my knobs to what I want to control like reverb, volume, ect.

[thivnik]

needs necesary computer and a program for keyboards in computer ??????

[M0CH4B34R]

This is great but I miss the mod wheels... is there a controller similar to this one with mod wheels?

[ohdratdigital]

@M0CH4B34R there isn't this small, but there are options... maybe we should do a small controller roundup?

[M0CH4B34R]

@ohdratdigital That'd be great. :D

[walfrederik]

can u import custom sounds into this

[ohdratdigital]

@walfrederik this is a controller - so no. Our forthcoming tutorial will launch next week and help you understand the difference, and be sure to let us know anything else you'd like a tutorial on!

[walfrederik]

@ohdratdigital do yall have reviews on the other mpk's

[SosSifou]

very nice review :D

[airball2356]

make a tutorial please!!

[ohdratdigital]

@airball2356 Will do - our first tutorial will debut next week, let us know what kind of tutorials you want to see!

[deshon222]

can you asign different drums to the drum pads (like drag them from somewhere else like the akai mpd 18)? and can u use this with m powered pro tools and mixcraft?

[Mysterioso88]

can you make a tutorial? the mpk mini is soooo confusing

[ohdratdigital]

@Mysterioso88 Hey, check out our channel - we've posted a beginner's guide to MIDI and will be posting more on how to get started in the coming weeks!

[werwer4545]

does it work with mac, and logic?

[Sstackxx]

Can you pleaseeeee tell me why there is no sound coming out of my keyboard ? :(((((((

[ohdratdigital]

@Sstackxx Hi Sstackxx, it could be any number of reasons - pop over to our forums on our site (link in the video description) and ask about and you'll find the help you need!

[daikirainayume]

@ohdratdigital your forum does not work!!!!!!!!!!

[ISCEDGE]

@Sstackxx do u have it hooked up to a music program?

[Sickrn12]

@Sstackxx its a controller bro, yu gotta hook it up to yer comp

nnd yu gotta make sure yu map it right, or what program r yu using?

[JustCallMeFancy2]

I was wondering if you could tell me how to run this on Ableton Live 8, I've looked around on the net but can't find anything newbie friendly. Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

[slushieman99]

can you load your own presets?

[Jyinspace]

i really must know what is the program that you are using to show us how it works :)

[TheScampiGod]

so, can you use this with ableton?

[denizistheboss]

I have an Akai APC40. I am trying to decide whether I should buy LPK25 or MPK mini. what do you think?

[ohdratdigital]

@denizistheboss Good question! It really depends on what you want (less good answer!!) - why not come pose the question on our new forum, and us and our growing community can mull it over together! 

[AlienBeatzz]

i have 2 questions can you plug it into youre pc and just automatically use it with fl studio? and second question how did you program those sounds to those drumpads in the beginning?

[ohdratdigital]

@AlienBeatzz Hi! We've just installed a forum at the site (check the description for a link), if you come sign up over there we or someone else should be able to help you get sorted out! Thanks!

[cmesweet28]

Hi I need some assistance. I have my mini key pad hooked up to fruity loops. But when I hit the pad no sound comes out. I have the settings for mini audio device. The buttons light up but there is no response on the computer either. Do you know what going on? Please help.

[ohdratdigital]

@cmesweet28 Hi! We've just installed a forum over at the site (check the description) - sign up over there and we or someone else should be able to help you a little easier than trying to explain over here! Thanks :)

[tompunk]

Hi!sry but im an absolut beginnger in this. can you please tell me what i need to get the mpk mini to work?pretty frustrated at the moment:/

[littlemimus]

@tompunk uhhhh do you have a program to do play it with? like fruity loops or reason?

[ohdratdigital]

@tompunk Hi Tompunk! Come over to our brand new forum (check the description for our site link) and get posting - we or someone else will give you a hand getting set up! Thanks :)

[kw1ksh0t]

Do you think it's really worth getting one of these over an lpk25? I'd kinda like some kind of cc control but if it's not worth the money I won't

[ohdratdigital]

@kw1ksh0t Hi - if you want CC control then obviously the LPK25 won't do! 

[kw1ksh0t]

@ohdratdigital Yeah I was just wondering whether to just get a separate korg nanokontrol :)

[TheFixRec]

your not a producer stop acting like your making real music, you just said you're new to it so how are you giving advice on "how to get started with music production!"

[ohdratdigital]

@TheFixRec I think you're confused about how comments on YouTube work. Rather than us just having conversations with ourselves, people - in much the same way as you have done here - submit comments, and we reply to them when we can. That's what you've seen; hopefully with this new knowledge YouTube will take on a whole new light. I hope that makes sense!

[invaderpl1]

what program did you use to play this keyboard? 

[ohdratdigital]

@invaderpl1 Hi! If I recall, Reason 5 was used. There's a possibility Ableton Live 8 may have been in use for the modulation demo.

[heylen666]

can you midi map the nobs??

[ohdratdigital]

@heylen666 Hi Heylen, that's exactly what the unit is - next month we will debut our production series which will go over all the basics to get you set up - keep em peeled!

[sameo14]

how did he loop the drums in the background? Im new to this

[ohdratdigital]

@sameo14 Hi Sameo, in that section I have already written all the parts, and am modulating parameters in the synth. Keep an eye out for guides that we are really close to putting out on how to get started with music production!

[sven209]

Your voice.

Its orgasmic

[ohdratdigital]

@sven209 I'd just had a particularly good cup of tea, and shivers were still running down my spine ;)

[QUEZADAPAYNE]

can you use thison fl9.

[ohdratdigital]

@QUEZADAPAYNE Hi there - yes, you can! Stand by for imminent tutorials on how to connect up your studio!

[eBaz3]

Hi Ohdratdigital, good video! I have a question, does the keyboard work with PC's or just with Laptops? because it's called "Laptop Production Keyboard", or what does that mean?

[ohdratdigital]

@eBaz3 Hi eBaz3, fear not: the MPK Mini should work with all USB capable PCs and Macs.

[eBaz3]

@ohdratdigital OK, Thanks!

[steven90ify]

@ohdratdigital DO I HAVE TO USE A COMPUTER

[ohdratdigital]

@steven90ify thanks for your polite questions Steven. As mentioned in other comments, yes, you do.

[CMStrike316]

You look like a combination of Wade Barrett and John Cusack.

[ohdratdigital]

@CMStrike316 Interesting, I've heard Cusack before, but not Wade Barrett!

[superstaronalevel]

Does this work with all music software like Logic Pro 9

[ohdratdigital]

@superstaronalevel Indeed it does - anything that supports MIDI, and that's pretty much everything...

[TheKARVA6]

Can u use it without a computer ?

[ohdratdigital]

@TheKARVA6 No - this is a USB only controller. Head over to ohdratdigital dot com for the full lowdown!

[steven90ify]

@ohdratdigital DO I NEED A SOFTWARE.

[aarkallaev]

hey just wondering, does it work with logic studio? cheers

[ohdratdigital]

@aarkallaev Hi there - yep!

[koronaa]

i should buy this or the akai synth for iphone/ipod?

[ohdratdigital]

@koronaa interesting question! the SynthStation25 is a nice piece of equipment, but it is quite limited. With computer equipment, you will have a lot more options but at the same time a lot more to learn! It's really down to whether the SynthStation25 looks like something you will enjoy (especially being able to use it anywhere)...

[koronaa]

@ohdratdigital

in conclusion, which one will you buy? (considering that u own a iphone/itouch)

thank you for replying



[imaROBOTx]

Thanks for the review. This controller looks like a perfect fit for me. It's cheap, but good quality. I'm not looking to use it for live performance. How good would you say it works at being used for producing. Like is it easy to map on VST and such? This would be my first keyboard controller btw.

[ohdratdigital]

@imaROBOTx Hi there! This controller will be fine for your needs - it's especially suited to people on a budget, and is a good choice as a first controller...

[drummer77756]

how well does it work with apple? i really dont know what to do or which midi to get? i have an akai already but i need a midi so i can make the stuff i really really need for my band. so i would enjoy your feed back!!!! thanks guys for reading

[ohdratdigital]

@drummer77756 Hi! The MPK Mini works equally well in Mac and Windows software. Keep an eye on ohdratdigital dot-com in the near future, as the site is currently in the middle of a behind the scenes expansion which has the answers to all your questions and more!

[XCri86]

hello, I wanted to buy this controller, you can tell me if it works well, the pads work? are sensitive enough? and the keyboard? Time can break tha pad or keyboard?

THX

[ohdratdigital]

@XCri86 Hi, thanks for your message - everything you need to know is in the video and my more in depth look at ohdratdigital dot-com :)

[violinmyth]

Or maybe just not so close to the mic

[violinmyth]

Thanks for the review. Speaking very fast with a recording which is not 100% clear it was difficult to understand what do you say in 1st time of hearing the review. All the point of a review is to understand quick what is all about. So please speak slower or use a better mic. Thanks!

[jimdotkid123]

In cubase, could I have one VST instrument assigned to the pads and another VST instrument assigned to the keys? cheers

[ohdratdigital]

@jimdotkid123 Hi there Jimdotkid, you can - the pads can use a separate MIDI channel to the knobs and keys, so if you arm both MIDI tracks in Cubase and set them to receive specific channels, having set them up in the Mini Editor, then Bob's your uncle!

[robertdolan]

HI  does this do everything that the akai LPD8 does??

thanks :)

[ohdratdigital]

@robertdolan Hi Robert - basically the MPK Mini is an LPD8 and an LPK25 stuck together in a new enclosure, so yes!

[ibo852]

Hi i got the mpk mini myself but im having problems with the mpk mini editor program that comes with it. The problem is that ive got no sound. If you could help me out that be great. Thanks

[ohdratdigital]

@ibo852 That's certainly a problem! Have you installed the drivers correctly, and does your software make sounds with other controllers/the MIDI roll? If so, does the MPK light up as you'd expect, and does the editor see it? It's a tough one to diagnose - perhaps Akai support can help, or maybe the support for the software you are trying to control with the Mini...

[ibo852]

@ohdratdigital Im currently using it with fl studio 9 and it works great but i cant seem to get it going with the mini editor program. It does light up when i hit the pads and when i start the program it says:

Select MPK25 "USB..." and it lets me choose between: Microsoft synthesizer, USB audio and Microsoft GS Wavetable-software. I've already selected all three once and hit the done then the program starts up but with no sound? Theres nothing to see on the program itself when i hit a button.

[ohdratdigital]

@ibo852 Ah! I'm afraid you may be a little mixed up - the editor is just for editing the assignments on the Mini, it doesn't make any sounds! It also sounds like you haven't installed the drivers for the Mini properly, as you should see it in the MIDI selection, if I recall correctly. For now, get out the boring old instruction manual and have a good read, but keep your eye on Oh Drat for some forthcoming setup guides!

[djgioz]

Thanks, I have a preblem: How can i map the knobs on FL Studio9 ?

[ohdratdigital]

@djgioz Good question! I have to lay my cards on the table and admit that FL Studio isn't a strong point for me - something I'm currently sorting out. However, In general what you will need to do is look at the MIDI implementation chart in the FL Studio manual and then use Akai's editor to assign the CC values for the parameters you want to control to the MPK. More on FL Studio is in the pipeline!

[NickBrick1]

great review! Assuming the keyboard works using samples, does the software included come with any? if it doesn't, what samples do you use, where can I get them? Thanks!

[ohdratdigital]

@NickBrick1 Hi NickBrick, there's actually nothing bundled with the MPK Mini - you will have to already have some software... and there are a whole heap of choices for you there. Keep an eye on ohdratdigital for some forthcoming reviews, comparisons, and tips, and for an overwhelmingly large selection of music production software, spend some time at kvraudio where you'll find information and links to just about everything under the sun, paid, demo, and free. Hope this helps!

[NickBrick1]

@ohdratdigital Thanks, it definitely did. I'll keep watching! :)

[KayPfromthaD]

if you use propellerhead reason can do a vid on the editor setup please.

[ohdratdigital]

@KayPfromthaD Hi Kay, I'm working on a series of videos that goes through the ins and outs of getting things set up as best as they can be in your studio, so keep an eye out - specifically for the MPK Mini and Reason, though, there isn't yet a Remote preset so you will have to look in the Reason MIDI Implementation PDF and assign your presets manually in the MPK Editor. You can do Remote Overrides, but you will have to make a template .rns file or redo them for every new song. Hope this helps!

[yesnokeigh]

nice quick review. Are the knobs on that unit able to be assigned to change effect parameters in say logic or other recording programs? i thought I saw you doing something like that. I guess I'd really dig this thing if I could use it like midi controller to help adjust effects and parameters in real time for production purposes.

[ohdratdigital]

@yesnokeigh thanks! Yes - this is just a standard MIDI controller at heart, whilst there are no MIDI sockets on there for extra connectivity it still connects via USB to your computer.

[ohdratdigital]

@calebvmusic Thanks very much - glad to help!