AKAI Professional MPK Mini Plus - 37 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 MPC Pads, Sequencer, MIDI/CV/Gate I/O, and Music Production Software

Product Information

The CV/Gate outputs are for sending control voltage (CV) and/or Gate signals to optional external synths or sequencers. Use standard 1/8” (3.5 mm) TS cables to send a single CV/Gate signal through the following outputs: With the MPK Mini Plus, you’re no doubt wondering what the ‘Plus’ really means – i.e. how is the Mini Plus an upgrade from the standard MPK Mini MK3. Is the MPK Min Plus an entirely new keyboard? Or just an MPK Mini MK3 that’s been stretched out & sprinkled with a few new trinkets? When Chords mode multiple notes will be played with a single key press. Scales mode will set the keybed to play only within a certain scale. There’s a total of 8 assignable knobs on each keyboard controller. Although a point goes to the Akai for having endless knobs, opposed to those on the novation, which have both a start/ end point.

All the knobs on this controller are endless encoders, meaning you’re not restricted by a start/ end point. Useful if you’re working with a bunch of different plugins & samples. In terms of weight and form factor, obviously the Mini MK3 is the lighter, as well as the more compact of the two. All the extra keys & features you get with the Plus understandably does demand more space & come with more weight. Pretty obvious, but both these controllers have 37 semi-weighted keys. Although we would say that one controller does have the slight edge when it comes to keys. Carry on reading to discover which that it… All of the included software and activation codes will be conveniently located inside of your inMusic account upon registering your MPK Mini.

However, if you’re after a set of keys with aftertouch, then you may have to look elsewhere – neither of these keyboards come with aftertouch for the keys.

Buy the MPK Mini Plus & you’ll get a total of 8 endless encoders, which can be assigned to pretty much any instrument/ function in your DAW. In fact, the only real reason we’d suggest buying another type of midi controller of this size would be if you’re specifically after nerdy levels of DAW integration. As that is something that both Novation & Arturia do that bit better, especially in respect to Ableton Live. Even though the transport controls aren’t the most in-depth, you at least get some on thsi Akai keyboard. A major plus if you’re upgrading from a MK3. Regardless of which controller you choose, you’ll get access to a bunch of transport controls. Both controllers are pretty basic when it comes to this sort of control, but at 37 keys it’s really all you need. To have a built-in step sequencer is seriously rare!! In fact, it’s a rarity for a midi controller of this size to have such a feature, which makes it a proper nice addition.You’ll find a built-in sequencer with both the Keystep 37 & the MPK Mini Plus. Regardless of which you choose, both work really well, however due to the LED lights above each key that illuminate when that not is in the sequence, we’d say the Arturia’s is that bit more user friendly. Those extra keys enable your hands (for the first time) to properly stretch out when playing an Akai MPK keyboard. Something that for piano players is a major plus!! In the arena of keys, we’d say the Arturia does have the slight edge. With the Keystep 37 having slightly longer keys which sit on a deeper keybed, when compared to the MPK Mini Plus, you do get that bit extra feel. Something that makes the Arturia a tad more playable. Another set of built-in features on this new MPK Mini include: an arpeggiator, a note repeat function and a whole host of chord modes. All of which can be accessed through their own dedicated buttons. See, while the MPK Mini MK3 is undoubtably the most popular compact midi controller out there, it’s never really seemed ‘grown up’ enough for us to take seriously. Call us snobs if you will, but in comparison to other keyboards from Novation & Arturia, it’s always come across as a bit ‘Toys R Us’.