MPK Mini Plus 37 key Midi Controller // Review, Pros & Cons, Alternatives
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- Опубліковано 4 чер 2024
- Shoutout to Akai for sending over a review unit of the MPK Mini Plus. I had this midi controller about for about two weeks and got to put it through it's paces. If you'd like to scoop one, consider using our affiliate links for any of the gear I mentioned in this video.
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MPK Mini Plus: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
MPK Mini Play: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
MPK Mini mk3: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
Arturia Keystep: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
Arturia Keystep 37: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
MPC One www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
MPC Live 2: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
Novation Launchkey Mini: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
Cobalt5s: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
ASM Hydrasynth Explorer: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:28 Versus MPK Mini mk3 and MPK Mini Play
01:19 Midi Ports and more!
02:52 Editing directly on the panel, plus Mac/PC editor
03:39 Missing feature
04:22 More features
06:27 Software integration and my issues
10:11 Strange quirk with the Midi port
13:04 Transport controls in Ableton
14:17 Sequencer and Arp in action
23:09 Sequencer wishlist
24:21 I briefly mention scales and chords .. no demo
24:47 The Keybed shortcomings
25:58 Versus Arturia Keystep
27:43 Versus Novation Launchkey Mini mk3
30:06 Versus Modal Cobalt5s
33:30 Versus ASM Hydrasynth Explorer
36:01 Final thoughts
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#musicproduction #midi #keyboard
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Tefty & Meems
1w
would be nice if you answered some of the comments.
This is the first time seeing your channel. I must say this may be the best review I’ve seen by far. You explained everything in detail. Thanks for your hard work.
Always love how in-depth you go with your reviews. Much more than others who are usually "this is GREAT! A game-changer! Perfection!" - real talk and deep knowledge of the whole midi thing is always appreciated. Thanks for always keeping it real.
Great review! You're an amazing resource of information and it's awesome that you are so humble and don't mind sharing your hard earned knowledge with the rest of us! Thank you and Merry Christmas (while we're at it)!!!
After trying MPK Mini mkIII and Novation Launchkey Mini I settled on this one and am SO pleased with it.
I have watched quite a few reviews on the mini plus and even though loopop does a great job of being comprehensive, none of the reviews from anyone included comparisons to vastly more expensive options. It is likely because they consider it outside of a purchasers possible comparison scope. But I like to know as many alternatives as possible and knowing what you get. I'm one of the people that MIGHT have bought a full blown synth instead of strictly sticking to a midi controller. So thank you for your thoughts on more expensive and more powerful options. Keep using all of your gear in this way. Even if it's way "apples to oranges", I don't care. I want to consider as many things as possible before I feel comfortable making a decision. Sure people might chime in and say "why would I consider a $600 synth when I am looking at buying a $150 controller?" but ignore those people. It was helpful, and no one else is doing it.
You're such an amazing reviewer!
Found out about that switch with the midi connectivity by accident. Cool that you reached out and got an answer.
This is really useful information, albeit some of it over my head, but I’m sure it’ll come in handy as I go along. Thank you!
Very informative and helps decision choice. Thanks very much.
The cobalt sound niiiice. Great patch!
I’m returning it because of what you describe here at minute 11…..! Incredible
Very helpful overview 👏👏👏👏
Oh my god you really helped me unlock this things full potential
im 20 and im just getting into music cuz i live in an eastern household that sees it as something taboo! i dont know half the stuff you're explaining to me but ive bought an MPK mini plus as my first ever musical device and i can't wait to learn more as time goes on. leaving this comment cuz u said to do so :-)
I appreciate the wide range of comparisons. You made me realize I may already have a very competent midi controller for the DAW in my Hydrasynth Explorer. That said, I am looking for one with a better Reason integration, and it looks like the new Arturia Minilab 3 that was just announced has that.
I have the Explorer as well. I chose to get this additional keyboard so I can control other things with it and be able to play my Explorer live on top. Basically creating badass multi Tim real synth experience w Explorer on one hand and all my ipad apps w the Mini Plus.
If you're existing midi controller is MCU compatible (Mackie Control Unit) then you can manually integrate the functionality such as transport controls in reason or any DAW with MCU support.
Thanks for the review! Is there any support for Reason among the DAW pre-configurations?
Awesome!... Thank You for sharing!
I have one of these coming today! Should have had it yesterday but missed the delivery. Hopefully I get it today and can start messing around with it hooked up to my MPC One to control my instrument plugins on there....
Super helpful mate. Answered all my question but I am interested to see if the sustain peddel can be re-configered in the DAW to opperate an expression peddel.
Great review. Thanks a lot.
Dope so glad ya brought up aftertouch my keystep 🎹 can remain safe for now
The Keystep is still fantastic 🙌
Great review
im actually super pumped on this, it has a sequencer also? I was thinking of the keystep 37 but this matches the aesthetic of my MPC one, the CC out and CC edit feature is great for my modular set up. this might be the one.
I have the mini mk3 and want more keys so I can use both hands. I’m also using Logic on a Mac. Can this just plug and play?
Part two question: Your Cobalt doesn’t look like it’s connected to the Mini Plus directly (At 15:24 in video) so when do you use midi in/midi out ports?
Thanks.
Good review 👍. A more interesting product than I thought it would be. I have the MPC One but because I primarily sample in the One rather than using MIDI, if I bought this I'd be using it for my synth modules.
Yup, it'd be a good option for synths. I almost always use a small midi keyboard with my MPCs.
Excellent, Thanks
@19:24 are you able to see if you can set the pads to CC mode and then sequence the pads to see if it'll send a CC message to a midi channel during a specific step? I'm trying to see if this could kind of work as a hacky way of automating the CC messages. Thanks!
thanks for the video my friend!
If you have the midi cable connected to an external module and the power is on an iPad (controlling the Minimoog app simultaneously), wouldn't the sound work either?
Thankss
Could you share the ableton script? Also do the 8 knobs work as macro controls, and how do I set the sync so the arp and note repeat follows abletons tempo? Thanks.
So 8 months later … did Akai listen to ANY of your comments? Update ANY of your suggestions?
Question. I’m basically an akai pro one trick at the moment. I’m not a beginner per say but I’ve stepped away from making beats for a few years and an looking to grind away again. I currently have the advance 49 and love the VIP integration. How would this controller map out in comparison if you’re familiar with what I’m talking about? And in case you need clarification, yes I use the MPC software. Along with the MPC X
Great video ! Where on earth can I find the the editor for this beast ? AKAI always hides their editors so you have to search for them. Please help.
thanks for the video.
What are your thoughts on LPD8 mk 2. Would br great to get w review and comparison with other slim controllers (no keys)
What happens when you plug it directly into your mpc one? Does it interested easily? Is it easy to use the drums from the mpc one on the mini plus?
I regards to the midi ports to PC. Theoretically couldn't you just disable the driver temporarily and still have it recieve power since it's bus powered?
cool video....but is possible to connect it directly with a jack to an ampli?
Just a small correction or expansion. You mentioned several times that you have to power it from a USB battery bank if you don't want it to power it from a computer, but you can also use one of those wall socket AC-to-USB power supplies (like ones to charge your phone from a wall outlet). A lot of USB-power-only music gear that I have bought recently even come with one.
It works plugged directly into an mpc standalone
I love your reviews, but it's so difficult to review keybeds. I returned the Hydrasynth Explorer because of the keys :-) I own also the Korg XD, and those are playing much easier (no aftertouch unfortunately) and natural. It's not a Summit or a Motif but yeah, price differences, you mentioned it :-) Keybeds are so personal. Keep up the good work, love it !!
Im waiting for Mini Play Plus :)
Excellent informative video!
A question about the Midi-Out problem: Does this blocking of the Midi sockets also occur if I have connected the Akai to a tablet or smartphone (Android), for example?
Can I still control hardware via the Midi sockets?
That would be very important to know!
Thank you ❤
Regarding the keys is better the Novation or the akai? Still undecided between the novation mk3 37 vs the akai
Hello Tefty. First of all - thank you for this review, you covered almost all aspects I am interesting in. But I still have some questions...
On the AKAI website metioned: "...the onboard polyphonic 2-track step/live Sequencer captures new melodic and drum patterns on the fly. 8 notes of polyphony per step...".
So STEP\LIVE is just the way I can create sequence like on Rolands or Monolgue where I can record it "live" or program each step, correct?
And also there are two tracks so I can control two synthesizers on two different channels simultaneously, correct?
Are there any kind of patterns\scenes, so can I save sequences and load them? Or I just can operate with one sequence per channel?
Thank you!
Thanks Vladimir! To answer your questions:
The Step/Live sequencers are shared but separate. So you can input a sequence for the step and then record a live sequence on top afterwards. They both share step length, sub division, and midi channel. I guess technically it's just the input method (whether you want step input or live overdub record).
The drum pads are on a separate channel and appear to have a separate track for recording that you can clear independently. But the Step/Live keyboard sequences share the same midi channel and clearing the sequence will clear both the Step and Live seq.
I totally forgot to mention you can save your sequence with the program. So there's 8 program slots for the memory and each one can hold a saved sequence.
Cheers!
Tefty
@@TeftyMeems You are the man!! :D Thanks a lot, very good news about saving and not so good about just one sequenced track, anyway I am still aimed to purchase this one! Have a nice day!!
@@TeftyMeems When you say save the Sequence with the Program, is that directly from the hardware or only through the Editor? Loopop said you can do it from the hardware... just wanted to confirm. Thanks, Tefty!
Just can’t decide between this and the Oxygen Pro Mini! Which should I get (as a beginner)?
Thank you very much for your video!
Do you know if I can use it with android devices?
Thank you very much.
Regards.
Have they updated the ability to change midi channels of the knobs?
Great work dude! Thanks! I am totally struggling with my new MPK machine, it is not working with Pro Tools (using MacOS). -That is, the pads work but not the keyboard. It does work fine with: Logic Pro, Garageband, MPC Beats. My KORG Microkey works with Pro Tools. I have tried both with USB connection and using the MIDI ports.
Man, I agree with you on the software integration issue. I bought this thing thinking it was plug-and-play but no. Only the keys and pads were working and not the rest of the knobs and buttons. And that is on both MPC Beats and Logic. So frustration. To make matters worse, on the small screen, they make it seem like you can select a program template to work with your DAW. That is also not the case. Man! 😅
i have bought the MPK mini Plus and tried to connect it with logic. but the compatibility is not so good. for example it doesn't show up in the list of logic midi controllers. you can find all kinds of other controllers even from Akai but not the mini plus.
so there is no Auto mapping for the cc information (Knobs or Joystick) and do ing it manually works just for some synths but not all. does anyone have an idea or can help me?
Does it works with ipad well? i mean without additional power. I tried Akai Mini Play (mk1) with ipad, it works fine, but Akai mpk249 works only with active usb hub.
Can i just connect Akai Mini Plus directly to (using usb cable) Ipad and have stable work with it?
How is the portability especially with backpacks?
Do you have a video like this for the AKAI MPK mini
bravo!!
dou vient le logiciel a la minute 3.07? il est bien!
merci
I HATE the keys on the Akai mk2...
In Brazil there are not much stores to test them....
Are these keys any better?
谢谢，非常专业的评测！
How would I get the editor for the plus ?
11:08 where do I get one of those from Amazon I don’t know what I need to get and I have a pc and I’m going to get this MIDI keyboard or whatever it is and I’m just starting out. Can someone help me?
Nektar impact lx mini 25 or Novation Launch Key mini mk3??
Need help!
I'm after some advice. I'm completely new to learning music and piano, but what I want is a 37 key keyboard that has wireless capabillity and has bluetooth, for headphones/earbuds. Is there something out there that has those things? I really want to be able to jump in bed in the evening and play around with it and not make any noise. Many thanks for any advice! :)
Interested in this but unfortunately can't find any release notes / info on firmware updates...
Mines connected it plays well apart from play, record section o the keyboard how can I activate it?
Still new, so if one wamts to use free beats or purchased beats do you even need a midi keyboard or a DAW?
I haven't been able to use transport controls with ableton using my mini plus. Can you share the script, is there another way.
OK so what would you go with. The Akai seems cheaply made I'm leaning toward the Arturia.
Any black version available anytime soon ?
i learned to play the accordion but i want to learn to play the piano is this controller a good way to learn piano, when i say learn piano i just mean like playing a melody on it and following the notes
Are the Akai MPK Mini Plus encoders mapped to MPC's Q-Links ? Or are they only usable via MIDI learn (where Q-Links can't be targeted) ? Also, the transport buttons of the otherwise excellent Launchkey don't work at all with MPC - they are meant for Ableton... Seeing them as purely decorative placeholders infuriates me !
Terribly. The bottom row is row 2 in MPC Beats, and the top row is row 1 (bottom row) in MPC Beats..... Akai... meh.
Just one thing you didn’t mention here: what is the purpose of the MIDI INPUT port when the keyboard is not connected to a computer? I assume the unit receives MIDI clock, but does all data get passed through to the MIDI output? Is it merged with the data from the keyboard itself? The manual isn’t too clear on this.
So if i understand right, IO couldn't control a sequence on a synth with the live sequencer AND a drum machine or other synth simultaneously with the step sequencer? If so what is the point of 2 seq tracks? Great review btw, really helping my decision between this and the keystep37...
What did you choose and are you happy with it?
@@jacobseal I was on a budget so bought a used Keystep. Does what I need at the moment!
I am torn. I have the Novation 37 key and it's great for my small studio desk setup. I have an original Arturia Keylab 61mk1 in my larger band practice space. I need something portable, so I can take it to work and play in my truck or when camping. I have an iPad Pro M1 as my main travel setup. Looked long and hard at the Akai 37 as it has very similar features(nearly bought it instead of the Novation but wanted full size keys for my little studio). Here is the hang up - Oxygen Pro 32. I feel like I'd do better with keeping the same number of keys, I really like the 37 as it's one octave up or down to get the full 61 keys I am use to playing on. I am just a novice and my main instrument is guitar. 25 keys I am just not thinking will cut it for me as I am just not that good to be that limited. Thoughts on the Oxygen? Same umbrella company.
how about this controller with reason ? is it a good option?? Thanks
Thanks for the review….I hope akai fixes the integration especially with its own equipment.
Is it possible to share the script for Ableton please ?
Akai's response to the Keystep?
Please make a video using Mpk Mini Plus + Elektron boxes 😊
so thats why my TD-3 connected to MIDI doesnt want to play the notes, when im also connected to the PC. it doesnt send the notes to the MIDI Ports. Thats bad... maybe they can change that with a new firmware.
Hello - Having a little trouble with my new MPK Mini Plus whilst using garage band... I'm only a beginner and this is my first midi board. I'm struggling to find any answers for full integration of this midi keyboard for garage band; doesn't seem to recognise this midi keyboard after following each recommended step via Akai's website and link to their tutorials. None of the nob-wheels effect or change any software instruments I decide to use. its very frustrating, nearly 3/4 of the capabilities of this machine doesn't seem to be accessable for garage band **shrug**. Any help welcome!
You’ll need to midi learn them in GB. Look up how to midi learn in GB.
the dude is consuming a quarter of a nuke powerplant to run all his rack towers ...look in the background 🥶
Hi, does it integrate into Cubase?
Any chance of a tutorial on how to control NI's Komplete Kontrol software with this ? I'd actually prefer this over the M32 for the pads, 37 keys and physical wheels.
Let this thing appear on sale first. I think in a month or so.
Hmmm I have no plans currently but I'll keep it mind for future content. Thx!
Step sequencer and live sequencer in regards to MIDI channel split. Would you think this is something feasible via a firmware update or it’s limited by the hardware configuration? Great video, lots of valuable information. Thank you very much!
In German. Bärtiger Mann Tefty 😉 Ein ehrlicher Test. i like this.
So if I'm DAW-less situation and connect the MPK to a Moog Minitaur using MIDI then it will work as long as the MPK is powered with Wallwart/Battery/Dumb power?? OR.... I have to configure the MPK using a PC and then the MPK remembers if it's powered up without connection to the PC that it's supposed to send key info to MIDI?
BTW, I agree.. this is ridiculously silly... It's a controller. Seems what they've done is configure this product as a MIDI IN/OUT accessory for your PC.. ?? As a controller, one would expect it would be that the IN/OUT on the back panel should by default do as expected: Send/Receive MIDI from the keys.
Keystep is missing note repeat and full level options
Nice review! But the lack of info about the additional jack plugs on the back is disappointing...
I noticed it doesn’t integrate well with the MPC One hardware. I’ve had to many map almost everything. The transport buttons don’t work at all. It ingrates perfectly with the mpc beats software but what a shameful missed opportunity to out of box integrate with the mpc one hardware
I still don't understand why for the mk3 series akai went with clickety clack buttons. The soft buttons on the mk2 were perfect, it just needed a keybed that didn't break by looking at it. And with all the midi and connectivity issues, so far the mk3 series seems more and more like a sidestep rather than a step forward.
I'm always surprised no one talks about the build quality on novation launchkey. As a long time mpk user, I gave it a try recently. When I opened the box I couldn't believe how cheap it feels. Knobs are almost unusable, pads are worst than previous models and everytime you play, there's the plastic sound as it's about to break.
Sent back right away.
You mentioned that it was hook up to MPC software was it MPC beats or the full one
I don’t think it comes with the actual MPC software.
@@nap41123 MPC beats do
It was MPC Software, but as far as I understand, Beats is basically the "lite" version of the main software with the limitations of 8 midi tracks and 1 audio track.
MPK Mini Plus 37 key or Arturia minilab 3?
Shouldn’t they have taken away the ‘mini’, rather than adding the ‘plus’
The "mini" stands for mini sized keys. So even though it is bigger the keys are still mini
@@The_Sonic_Oasis ah i see
Will this work on IOS garageband?
It should work on all daw's
Needs a/b bank for qlinks. How has akai over looked this
I don't want to use a computer. Just make beats, any Good?
Im not sure why the didnt just put the midi in and out on a mini mk3 🤷🏽♂️
thanks for the review ! but... not sure the comparison between a $169. keyboard and another $600 is the best idea... 👍👍
I called it out before I mentioned it. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities that someone would consider a $600 option for a midi controller/synth combo. It's good to know your options when making decisions 🍻
I just got the AKAI PROFESSIONAL MPK MINI PLUS and about to return it. I am just a beginner and not a computer savvy, having to use a computer and a software too much complicated for me!
For $169 which is a way better deal for the 37 piano keys than the mini mk3. It is just too bad that is not built in sound like the mini mk3. It would've been much easier to use on the go with batteries included as well. It could be the next generation AKAI i hope?
I am a bit frustrated the fact that i wanted to use it in the band for some gigs. I am gonna try one more thing, to plug it into my Yamaha Synthesizer and see if i can get the sound out. Will see what happens 🤔 if it doesn't work i am definitely replace it with the mini mk3 😑 or maybe not , ugh!!
For live use, a midi controller isn’t what you want unless you have a laptop.
@NewHopeAudio I actually plugged it into an external sound module and to my husband's guitar Amp, and guess what? I got the sound out of it and could play it. However, the sound was weak 😑
Oh well, I tried 🤪 I am definitely returning it. Too bad 😔
Would be so amazing if this worked with batteries
What is after touch?
After playing a key, when you apply pressure it acts as another midi message, like a modulation wheel, depending on the pressure you apply to the key. Really nice keyboards have POLY aftertouch which has this pressure value applied for each individual key pressed on the keyboard.