I'm happy I found this video as well as very grateful for the comparison with the KS37 as described in the description, as I was just now looking for this type of controller and your arguments will help me a bit to make my decision. I dont comment much on your videos but I do enjoy the indepth thoughrough deep dive into new gear! I believe no one does it like you! So, keep up the awesome work!
Great video as always. Does it send arpeggios and note repeats as individual notes? I’m thinking about putting it before my Digitakt, recording the midi in the DT before sending it on to my synths.
@@loopop Thanks, now I'm sure I'm going to get it. It replaces both my currents midi keyboards (Launchkey 49 mk3 and Komplete Kontrol m32) as both of them have individual shortcomings that I really struggle to get along with. The Launchkey has a pretty decent keybed and midi out, but it's a bit big for my desk. The Komplete Kontrol has a great little keybed for the price, and work wonderfully together with Logic, but no midi out means I still need to have another keyboard for the hardware stuff. So this Akai keyboard could very well be a great replacement for both.
First channel I've ever seen hold the time stamps conveniently to side of our screen instead of making us scroll down to the description or comment box. More content creators needa pick up on this foreal. Salute brother
@@musicdefinesgravity usually they offer other colors but this the classic theme. Look at MPK MINI MK3 colors (classic, full black, grey, white, and red/black) so you can get an idea how this would look when its launched. I have black on black and its fire 😈 *some colors are limited edition.
I always appreciate this about your gear videos: you aren't just here to shill for anyone. This certainly isn't a unique quality on yt but it's not as common as it should be either. Of all the videos I watched on this controller, yours is the only one that didn't sound like boot-licking fawning. Thanks for keeping it genuine.
You can edit the keys velocity curve in the editor software by changing the values in the 4 time parts. Then the curve will change. To get full level I set all 4 values on highest possible. But you can also create a curve with the time values. A bit complicated, maybe fixed with an update, to change the velocity directly and maybe direct on the keyboard then, like a generation before. There you had to press the full level button for 5 seconds, to change the velocity. In the editor today it would be easier to grab and change the 4 velocity time positions with mouse, instead of changing values by "hand". Maybe they can fix that. By the way, to get (download) the Editor, you have to open the mini plus software manager. Up on the left click the preferences button and set a mark on "Show advances software". Then the Editor appears in the software manager for download.
Even worse, I finally downloaded the Program Editor, but it won't run on any version of MacOs earlier than 10.15, and mine is 10.14.7. That is total crap.
I initially had the impression that this is sort of a beatstep/keystep in 1? Also the cv outs seem to make it a must have for me, perfect combo for the deluge
Love your reviews, definitely see way more use for the MPK line with Dawless now even alongside a Keystep 37. Sweetwater link doesn't seem to show it yet, excited to see when it comes out!
Thanks for the kind words and for checking the links! Stores take a while to get the products listed on launch day - Sweetwater and Thomann are live now
man oh man as soon as i saw this thing i had the exact same impression: "what other ultra portable keyboard at this price does more than this?". i just got mine today as an early christmas gift and i am overjoyed. the joystick gets a lot of flack, but i plan on using it for vector synthesis. just gonna set the volume of 4 different synths all tied to the keys to the x+ x- Y+ y- and roll that sucker around when i put on some chords. your imagination truly is the limit with the joystick, and i welcome weird peripherals on my midi keyboards. im also using sunvox and i can confirm that this midi keyboard works nicely with it. cant wait to go indepth with the knobs and the FMX module.
I got one of these because it has old skool MIDI ports on the back (not just USB), which means I can connect it to retro hardware. Plus it was pretty small (but not too small), and I don't have a huge amount of space free.
Thank you so much for arguably the best MPK mini plus demo online ! On top of that, you sound a whole lot like Carl Sagan which is very convincing to me.
Fantastic overview, as ever. Thank you! Joystick indeed feels like a bit of waste as I'm sure wasn't cheap to make/integrate. It could be a fun/musical way to set auto-repeat values while playing live (left to halve, right to double, up for triplets...). Or a quick way to set "accent" (up) or "ghost" (down) notes while sequencing regardless of played velocity.
Wow! That's a heap of "bang for the buck"! Definitely on my imminent purchase list. Good vid as always. (Every time I watch your videos, it costs me money! Lol)
Nice! I've been waiting for a decent 37 key controller. It's the the sweet spot for me regarding octaves and the small desk space I have. Currently using a Microkorg as a midi controller but think I'll retire it for this.
Did you ever check that you could record MIDI note data in your DAW, play it back and have the notes transmit via the MPK with CV Setup Source set to CH 1 and actually get CV/Gate to output the notes played on a MIDI Track in your DAW? It seems nobody can confirm that this actually works as intended, my MPK will only output CV/Gate with Source Key or one of the internal Sequencers. DAW MIDI Clock is being relayed correctly via the MPK's Clock Out, but not Note data via CV or Gate. So far nobody on RU-vid did as thorough a deep dive into the unit as you did, hence the question. Asking for a friend.
hey loopop! i love watching your videos, and i love your music too. I had a question, do you do livestreams? if you did, you could make whole concerts with all your stuff! never stop being the g.o.a.t!!!
I think he is the King you can correct me if i am wrong, there is everything you need i feel little bit overwhelmed with those features after watching this video but i can learn. I don't need so much but it is there if i need. I ordered today so we will see.
Can it be battery powered? That seems to be a glaring omission for mini MIDI keyboards which have proper MIDI outs (i.e. not ones that only have USB MIDI). It makes them a lot less portable
@@DRRNNDGL I understand both viewpoints. Power banks work better when traveling for extended periods. As a counterpoint some power banks shut off the output if the power draw is too low and having two pieces of hardware will always feel a bit clumsy. I rotate two sets of 6 rechargeable AA's with my Yamaha and i love it.
As a sort of halfway house, I plug my phone into the USB port of the controller to effectively use the phone as a powerbank. Not particularly great if your phone battery is already low, but saves carrying around a powerbank specifically for the controller
I bought one of these to use with my standalone MPC Live, and was disappointed that it doesn't map equivalent to the Beats software. It's like a generic midi controller, and MPC doesn't let you map the Q-Links. So if you thought you could use one of these for more tactile sound design with MPC's plugins, you can't. I'd love to see a firmware update on either device that would make this work.
Zero complaints about the MPKs (amazing for the price since the very first) but the one thing that keeps me going back to Arturia controllers is how nimble they are at switching MIDI channels. In the heat of the moment, I just want to hit SHIFT+D2 to point everything at controlling track 3 (set for MIDI CH 3), for instance. Faffing with menus is a buzzkill.
Yeah that’s a bummer. But at least you can switch it from the keyboard. Some like my Korg nano key studio you can only save 8 scenes on a computer. No switching midi whatsoever from the keyboard. You have to switch it on the keyboard by switching to your computer programmed scenes with the scene buttons.
I am thinking Launchkey37 bc full size keys and build quality- this looks kind of cheap like the one guy said above, the keys are all a SINGLE piece, one breaks, whole thing is unrepairable. They don't make things worth fixing anymore.
Love your reviews man, the best! I also do small tutorials on the SPMK2 and I love the graphics you've been applying to your videos. How are you generating these? Thank you!
From day one I'm sorry I bought this keyboard. I wanted to be able to adjust the keyboard velocity, but apparently the only way I can do that is by using their app, which is not very user friendly. Contrast that with the Novation keyboards which allow you to simply adjust the keyboard velocity on the keyboard itself.
Hi Loopop, huge fan of your work, you've made music so much more accessible to me! I'm reaching out to see if you had any information on when the MPK Mini Plus will officially be added to the "control surfaces" menu if Abelton. With the current version, the transport controls and encoder knobs require manual mapping and unfortunately don't automap to tracks as showcased in your review. Is the beta Abelton live version you described available to be accessed by the general public or if not, do you have any information on when it may be distributed more widely? Also, I've checked the Akai website for editor software and that doesn't seem to have been released either! Any guidance or direction you can offer is greatly appreciated! Many thanks!
Thanks very much for the kind words and for letting me know, I've seen other comments about the script as well and it's a bummer they're not delivering on this. I've reached out to them - no word yet - and will do so again now, and I'll update you if I hear anything. If you haven't please reach out to their tech support too so they get it from all angles.
Hey - I heard back from Akai - the script should be included in the next ableton update and meanwhile you can email/call akai support and they'll send you the script
@@loopop Thank you so much for taking the time to help with this. I’ll get on that now! Sending you all the best and looking forward to your next video, as always! Peace!
!! Make sure you add that the keys are all molded together in single octave pieces like teeth of a comb and if one key breaks there is NO REPLACEMENT PART. If you are 53 weeks after buying it Akai will tell you this keyboard is "NON-REPAIRABLE". So, you can throw your controller in the garbage. The keys can break over time because there is no mechanism they are just flexing at the point of attachment to a common plastic rail inside. Buyer beware and don't play the keyboard hard .
thanks for pointing it out. I think this is sth often missing in gear reviews (understandable, because the review is usually done after just days/weeks with the product): Durability, repairability, customer service.
that's such a great video. But for a newcomer to this whole kind of stuff it would be sooo interesting for me to see, how you set the different channels into the software. I got the MPK Mini Plus too and I use MPC Beats. But I have no clue how to actually use those 2 channels, so I could play the Keyboard and the drums at the same time like you did in the video... I can't find answers or tutorials to actually set this up in the software. If anybody sees this, I would appreciate any tips if you know how to do this
Just got mine and I am really liking it so far but I can't get the Ableton program to work right, nothing is mapped automatically. You said you were using a beta program? Is there a remote script I need to download? Anyone know how I set this up? thanks
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.
Akai finally swapped the rows for the q link knobs.. One day after an update I noticed they were no longer upside down. But they still need to implement a 2nd bank.
I wish this was out 4 months ago when I bought my Komplete Kontrol M32. I like the M32, but I'd prefer seamless integration with the MPC Software / MPC One.
@user-lf7eb1wy8u honestly, I don't like it.. the pads and sequencer is nice, but I don't like the keys (maybe because they're small) .. I prefer normal size keys.. just my preference.. it is a nice piece for the price.. It lead me to get the acturia 47.. I like it better..
Hello! I would like to know if it has a proper MIDI thru capability. Can it pass MIDI data with ext. clock incoming on it’s input and route that to it’s output? Thanks!
oh man. It beat the keystep 37. I should've waited for this. I'm guessing that in regards to built quality and key feel nothing compares to the keystep, but c'mon it does bring all the features: pads, joystick, wheels, 37 keys in a single unit, both USB, cv and 5 pin MIDI! omg. Go away GAS.
MPC beats Abelton live, that's it!! wait with your launch if that's it... 🤣. I checked their homepage, it actually says. DAW CONTROL MAPPING MPK Mini Plus can be mapped to your favorite DAW such as FL, Logic, and Ableton-giving you all the portable creative control you need. Take advantage of controlling your Transport, macros, mixing environments, and even writing automation for your favorite plugin effects and instruments.
I bought and like the controller however I’m shocked that it doesn’t have AKAI MPC one mapping natively out of the box. I loaded the mpc controller program on the controller but can’t seem to get basic functionality like transport or knobs and encoders to work. I’ve spent a long time trying to NOT map them manually but I haven’t been able to get them to work. Shame I would think that like novation and ableton, the hardware should work out of the box with AKAI MPC. I thought it would be perfect for it but it’s been a nightmare. I get more functionality from my novation controller and MPC 1. Shame. Opportunity list. AKAI has spent a lot of time to make it work with the MPC software on computer but not the hardware mpc.
Ties / longer notes still aren't recorded live even with firmware 1.13, from what I gather. Keystep 37 wins, here (yet again). More cons: - 21:00 MPC Beats Q-Links-- what a major oversight.... this was also an issue with MPC Studio Black, and MPC in general. Unreal how Akai mapped this backwards. Makes zero sense. - Transport isn't midi-assignable (CC-wise) in the editor. It seems attached to the preset (MPC Beats, Ableton, etc). - Can't set pad sensitivity or threshold at all. They're not exactly sensitive enough - Encoders do not have a second bank, like the pads do.
There are price links in the description affiliate links full disclosure - I never mention prices because they change over time and there are at least three different numbers in pounds dollars in euros
Am not a computer savvy so how can i use the mini plus without computer or software? Some external device just to plug in and get the sound out of it? Something simple.
@@loopop Well, as a beginner and new to this I just wanted an advice no matter what's my taste, because I have no idea. I am sure there are plenty of sound modules or hardware synth brands out there. It's going to be difficult to choose the right one. Please help 🙏
@@loopop imo B is fine for bigger, less mobile, more at-home type devices, but for smaller portable controllers like this, it's terrible in your backpack when you have to start carrying around 4 different types of cable, two different charging bricks, etc. Would be really nice if this device just utilized the same cable I need for my phone
Hi @loopop! Superb review as usual. Is there a way to hold/latch keys without the arpeggiator? I can't find this option on mine and it seems you do hold some chords. Or are you using the sequencer?
@@loopop No worries! Yes, latch is available for the arp but I wonder if it's also available without the arp. I've been reading the manual but couldn't find anything.
Hi loopop, hope you're doing well man, great video, as usual, I have one question, how good is it for controlling something such as OP-Z? I hope you see this comment, I really need to find a good MIDI controller for the OP-Z Thank you for all your great reviews/tutorials 😊✌
@@loopop thank you for replying so fast man if this thing had faders instead of encoders it would have been Ideal for the op-z workflow especially because it has USB C, but it has so much good stuff going on, I think I'm going to get it ... 😊✌
Great overview. Just got mine this afternoon. What control surface setting are we to use in Ableton? For some reason the knob mapping is not working and official instructions are scant.
Thanks! There should be an MPK Mini Plus options - I got a file from the company as part of the beta, but they told me it should automatically be installed in an Ableton update, so perhaps make sure you're using the latest version, or just contact their tech support
I reached out to Akai support on this and was told there was no control surface available or developed for the Mini Plus. Seems that person was not well informed. Also not in the latest Ableton update, nor does it seem to be part of their beta releases. A little disappointed as that was one of the reasons I picked this board up (that + portability / feature parity with the keystep).
@@j4ustin thanks for the update. I haven’t heard back from my Akai support ticket yet. Ableton support just deferred to Akai. Surprised there aren’t more complaints/threads about this out there.
@@spektorama Yeah, it was the akai chat support that responded to me w/ that. I agree though, seems misleading from both the marketing side and the content side. At least make the control surface available as a beta download on the support page.
Excellent review, i'm really impressed about all the possibilities it offers. You ask us to tell you if another mini keyboard can challenge this Akai. Well i don't know because i have tested but what do you think about the M-Audio oxygene pro mini? It have less connectivity but the specs are interesting. It could be nice to make a comparison between this 2. Thanks a lot very good and very interesting video. Good job😉👍
Arf yes you are right, well so not this one for me too... Not easy to find something for me as beginner i have max 300€ i'm not limited in place i can go until 49 key. But i would like a keyboard with max connectivity to keep it a long time and to learn easely. An idea perhaps?
I like the concept and it looks nice but for ableton and logic I will be sticking with novation launchkey 37 and launchkey mini. This does look nice but I wasn't a fan of the mk2 or mk3 mini
Excellent review as ever. Looks good value but the keys are very small and that screen is wa too small for my old eyes. Why Akai and others are putting tiny screens on keyboards to save a tiny amount of money is beyond me.
It's a standard, very cheap OLED that is very available and also used in lots of hobby electronics projects. Yes, Akai could source something better but the likely reason why they chose this one is probably that it's very available and costs next to nothing.
I guess it’s the same keyboard as mpc mini mk 3 which is insanely nice keyboard to play. It was first mini key that I could really play grooves on. I don’t think you’ll need the screen that much.
just bought. I thought the sequencer sent and received midi clock sync (start/stop and bpm/tempo) but it doesn’t work. furthermore the bpm ext sync (arp&sequencer) only works via midi pin and doesn't work via usb midi, at least on ipad (korg gadget).
Can you please do a comparison video of the Mpk mini vs the M-audio Oxygen Pro Mini connected to the Akai Force pros and cons and ease of integration workflo. Thanks. Looking for a portable backpack set up.
Ah! I got my answer right at the end: no automation for midi CC knobs. Telle me if I understand this correctly, if I record some keys and play with the knobs to modulate sound, only the keys will be recorded? Is that true also with the pitch / mod wheels and sustain / mod pedal?
thanks for the tutorial! could you suggest how to adjust the keys sensitivity/velocity on the mini plus? it seems the FULL LEVEL + turning knobs trick that worked on the akai mpk mini doesn't seem to work on this model :(
Just making sure but the MPK Mini Plus sends midi notes from the arpeggiator from the MIDI out 5 pin port if its just powered on and not connected to Ableton/daw correct? Let's say you just have it powered on via USB
is it possible to use pressure pads just to control afertouch without generating any note data? (i mean: playing melody on keys while holding finger on a single pad just to control the expression)
I purchased this thing and the key bed on it is absolute trash. If you're traveling and you need a really well functioned packed small controller, it's what you should consider. The pads are typical high-end Akai. Knobs...endless encoders.... *as* *it* *should* *be.* Buttons feel clicky and durable. I like that. CV-Gate, clock, 5-Pin MIDI and USB.....home run. Actual physical Pitch-Bend and Mod-Wheel....home run. Keybed.....absolute trash. The keys on the Arturia Keystep-37 is the best. The keystep's keys are about a 16th of an inch wider than the MPK Mini-Plus. The Mini-Plus has undersized keys where the black keys practically go flat to the top of the white keys. You can't feel them the way a player needs to.
