All user reviews of 5/5 for the Akai Professional MPK49

I was looking for a keyboard with 8 faders and 49 at least 8 knobs, I hesitated with the competitor mpk in innovation, which has similar characteristics. Akai pads and the apegiateur integrated mpk motivated my choice.
Power over USB is also a plus.

UTILIZATION

It is a semi-weighted keyboard touch, exceptional or disappointing for computer music (live or studio). As a pianist I use another keyboard 88 touch heavy for more expression.
The config is pretty simple, it is sometimes refers to the manual for things like change the sensitivity of the pads that stuff, but if everything goes through the central screen rather clear for loading patches / management midi channels and other .

OVERALL OPINION

It's been about 2 years since he landed in my home studio, a big strong point I would say is its solid construction, it's ca akai and it shows! Faders and encoders are very strong and in two years of use nothing move.
A small defect may be the sensitivity of the pads that even the most sensitive set are hard enough (I no longer use them too Ducou) compared to those of LPD8 yet also in akai but have a lot more responsive.
The value for money for 300 euros is really good, I try to novation impulse 49 and general construction really seemed to me below the MPK.
So yes with two years experience in this I would probably make the same choice.

enssemble the keyboard, pads and all these knobs my reasons for this choice. midi in and out connections. usb

UTILIZATION

touch keyboard is pretty good for a keyboard of this price.
the manual is a little void I admit, I mostly learned to use thanks to the tutorial on the internet. I started in with mao, so I took a little head (I used the rewire with ableton and reason) For a while it was certainly not easy with all the midi channels that is remote and company ... but I'm starting to enjoy with me!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for almost 2 years
I have not tried many model before buying (but I tried)
I already love his keyboard in a pretty good feel for the range of this instrument. To them when the pads are to control the patterns in reason, to replace the battery uh ... these are just the pads!
thanks to all banks pads and knobs, for the times I do not feel limited to what I use.
quality report seems to me pretty good
If I knew how I was too much hassle for me to use uhh ... I would hesitate but now that I have identified the beast I'm glad I invested in and it is a choice I do not regret, I think I would do

Akai made headway by including pads onto their midi keyboard controllers. This unit comes with 49 keys,basic manual (a little too basic), usb cable for hooking up. This controller can also use standard midi cables as well as a power cord. The unit powers through usb and to me that's a better way to power the unit, less chance of running into a group loop that way.

I purchased this unit because I need a new midi controller with some mapping options. What sold me was the feel of unit as well as the 12 pads that are built right into the board it self.

UTILIZATION

What I love about this midi controller is everything is plug n play. It's as simple as plugging it up via the usb cable and letting your OS install the needed drivers. The manual was clear i wish they would have dove a little more into advanced customizing but hey it's not to hard to figure out but you'd figure they'd be nice enough to include that after charging you $400 for the keyboard.

The mpk49 comes with a select number of templates for the more popular daws and music production applications. If your application isn't listed you will have to build your own template. I like to start from the "Generic" setting personally.


OVERALL OPINION

I honestly thing this controller could have been $100.00 cheaper but it's still a good price at $400.00. My only disenchanting moment with this controller is the pads... they are not sensitive enough and will require you to get a pad upgrade. There are a lot of DIY kits out there ranging from $14-$25.00, well worth the money in my opinion.

Aside from the pads it's a great controller, with a quality build and I love the way the keys feel when I'm producing music.

I didn't try any other units out while I was in guitar center because this was the only controller at the time that had what I needed. I mean I could tell that just from looking and not touching..

I think this is a perfect midi controller for professionals and novice a like. 49 keys give you enough room to play full scales and chords vs a smaller 25 key midi controller where you're always fighting with the octave button.

I've had my eye on the Akai MPK 49 keyboard for some time now (years actually) but when it came to buying this, it often felt like I was spending money on a luxury. I'll admit, what people said about it is true, that it had issues from the moment I plugged it in it wasn't detected by windows and had massive issues with getting recognized.


UTILIZATION

When I plugged it in (windows 7), the little screen wouldn't light up, and windows gave me an error saying "unknown usb device". Someone mentioned a shortcut to resetting the firmware which was to hold down [<< + STOP + REC] while plugging it in, which lit up the device, when it asked me if I wanted to proceed in resetting it I hit [cancel] intead. Bingo, the device was lit now. So it was powered, and once I selected it as a Midi Controller in Live (it comes up in the dropdown list of Midi controllers as "MPK49") it worked perfectly through USB and I don't have to do any tricks to get it to turn on anymore, just plug and play. I blame Microsoft for this problem though, not Akai. Windows will never be predictable when it comes to developing USB devices for it. Especially since Vista. Despite the few hours it took me to get it working, it's a beautiful device, and works wonderfully. All the controls automate easily, the keys feel good for playing (semi-weighted is a good balance for playing synth and piano) I had a fully weighted keyboard (the Triton LE) and it was awkward for playing synths or anything non-piano.

OVERALL OPINION

My favorite thing though is the little mixer console, it doubled my mixing time, ability, and productivity. My workflow is totally changed now. It's really nice to have the pads too, however it's not sensitive enough and you really have to hit them hard to get the desired response. Still, nice to have. I really have no complaints and I'm going to be using this controller for a long time. I'd recommend it to anyone.

+ Keyboard + note arpeggiator repeat Pads AKAI + + 8 faders = 399 euros

if not sheet ... (Souce orbit)
Akai has released a new keyboard matre / MIDI Controller USB sauce. This "small" keyboard of 49 semi-weighted keys and aftertouch gre it is filled with 12 MPC pads fawn they take over the function 'Note Repeat' and custom settings to 'swing'. In addition, the MPK49 possde arpgiateur its own story to the riff that kills quickly Overall, Akai we offer this product as much as 72 CONTRL assignable and connectors allowing the addition of one pedals, a footswitch or a pitch bend wheel and modulation.

* 8 full-sized, 360 degree rotation pots, EACH with 3 banks for 24 pots total
* MPC-style note repeat and all new arpeggiator
* 8 full-sized sliders with 3 controller banks for 24 sliders total for EACH
* 8 assignable backlit switches with 3 controller banks for EACH 24 switches total
* MMC / MIDI Start Stop transport buttons
* Large, easy-to-read custom LCD display

UTILIZATION

Touching the keyboard:

Report qualitprix excellent!
For example, I had a Clavia Nord Electro I found my good level.
Perfect for my use (beginners in computer music / guitarist I)

Configuration:

I have a MacBookPro 2.4 / 2Gb live + 7 (I have also received) and everything is dj pr-configured for him. Ditto for: reason, dfb, cubase, sonar, arturia, fxpanbfd and guru, ...
Select MIDI channels

As mentioned above, I really computer music beginners. (Guitarist with multitrack cassette, to tell you)
I know nothing: both keyboard in MIDI, configuration, ... I know dj and sound out, assign the volume effect, boot loops, ... DIFFERENT to buttons. It's super simple.
I have read on this forum, a problem with noise levels between DIFFERENT patches. By this point the report I can not tell you, but I'll DSOL dwell.

Manual:

One startup is in print and in French.
The other in English in pdf. I have written for in French but it is not yet available.

OVERALL OPINION

4 days. I am not to post an opinion, too quickly, especially when I do mastering a small part (and the same is not my area). But hey, it s just go out and not think so I tell myself as my own, no matter how small, could still be used even.

+ Learning: Fast, Easy, Fun (can be as Ableton Live and thanks leons) In any case recommend to beginners!
+ Trs trs touch keyboard really well.
Look + / manufacturing quality: it really does not "tinker" or "plastic" as in the photo / no comparison with the axiom that it is tinkering.

- Touch pads: I still have trouble with the sensitivity and I can not compare because I do not know the mpc but better than the axoim 49 (you will tell me, we could see the eye). It may be just me / lack of time / training / technical.
- Large manual in English, houououou, well yes I do not control enough to understand things a little more pointed.
- Delays in its release date.
- Same price whether it is justified by its quality, if it could be a little less expensive, it would not be worse. Especially as I squinted heavily on the axiom that 49 had more or less the same CHARACTERISTICS for 100 euros less.

Regardless, I do not regret my purchase. Come on, I go back fun
+ + +

- What characteristics have motivated your choice?
The pots and size of the keyboard (I had a synth touches)
- What connector (MIDI pedals ...)?...
usb

UTILIZATION

- The touch keyboard is it fun? Should your use?
Very pleasantly surprised
- The general configuration is it simple?
NO, I Gallery to the Reason to take full responsibility, being a novice.
- The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy?
I still have not found the "reason remote install" and I had to place the patch for Reason manually.
- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
No and Yes
edit: after a request to "Algama," I now have the complete manual in French but I find it lacks details of the multi-USB port.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
2 years
- What is so special that you like most and least?
most: the touch keyboard, pots integrated USB lemultiports (now that I know how)
The least: no power button on / off, length of USB cable, Pad sensitivity but after a hack with tape, the problem is solved. Still missing some details of the Manual.
- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
Not
- How would you rate the quality / price?
A little too much.

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes absolutely.

- What technical specifications motivated your choice?

I was looking for a versatile keypad with a touch enjoyable with linear and rotary fader to connect a macbook pro and use it with Logic, Live or Reason. The pads are a plus.
Before discovering the MPK49, I peered over the Edirol PCR500.

The quality of manufacture is the date. The BTE is heavy and solid.
Arpggiateur is also not bad at all. The function can be very useful as a soft Logic which is dpourvu.

- What connector (MIDI pedals ...)?...

see manual, I found my personal account

UTILIZATION

- The touch keyboard is it enjoyable? Should you use?

Yes trs touch is enjoyable, I got much more than the axiom. It's perfect if I use it is clearly one of the highlights of the keyboard. And knobs are mortal, the really great quality.

- The configuration gnrale Is it easy?

Yes and no, the configuration is not so simple since the keyboard is not recognized in Logic. Too bad there's no preset for Logic. It took me a while assigning the mano and assignment is a bit less convenient than Live on Logic for example.

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

The manual is lightweight, only the French version is in quickstart and paper.
For the complete manual, there is the pdf version and the English, but at least it's complete.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?

3 weeks

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?

The +:

- La AKAI quality manufacturing, excellent knobs
- The touch is top
- The arpggiateur which can rgler few paramtres (swing, gate, amplitude)

Le:

- Some of the pads by, even playing on rglages, is strong enough to type out a sound. They are dynamic, but there is a choice between "hit hard" and "banging like a nag." I do not know the MPC pads but I doubt whether the same ...
- Too bad also that lack of presets such as Logic.

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?

Some, especially the axiom of a friend, the PCR80 possde the last 3 years. MODELS few more quick, in-store ...

- How do you report qualitprix?

Rappot correct. The MPK is certainly a bit expensive (I pay 349 euros) but the price is justified given the quality of manufacture and versatility of the product.

- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...

Yes I am happy despite trs BMOL deficits (lack preset to logic and above all a little pads dcevants)

Confre akai site ... seen and reviewed
Everything is genia l. Nothing to say, the apreggiator, the look, feel etc ...

UTILIZATION

Recognized directly in Reason, installation in under 30 seconds, everything works perfectly.
I think that's not to be terrible, especially at the pads, especially the version Premire t borked. I buy rcamment 329 euros in home studio. Once the pads rgler well, one is obliged at all to type on like a nag. A quick and smoothly. The manual is too basic.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for some time so I see a time, I tried other models, and that is really the gnial. The ratio quality price, now and correct that there are one or two years.

With exprience, so I do it again this choice, why not.