AKAI MPK Mini Plus Review | Compact MIDI Controller With Standalone Sequencer

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MPK mini Plus is the latest member of the AKAI controller family and adds a standalone sequencer, chords and scales modes, and extended connectivity including CV to the trusted MPK concept. With 37 mini-keys, pads, encoders, transport controls and useful features such as note repeat and a powerful arpeggiator, it comes with almost everything you need to make music with your DAW. But is it just as convincing in a dawless setup? I put it to the test in my review and try the new features with a range of hardware synths and drum machines.
BUY* AKAI MPK mini Plus: bit.ly/3FDDUyT
00:00 Overview
00:54 Note Sequencer
02:26 Pad Sequencer
03:41 Chords Mode
04:52 Scales Mode
05:44 Conclusion
WEB
www.daccipucci.com
xander.ewald
CONTACT
hello(at)daccipucci.com
*Disclaimer:
Some of the links in this description are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I get a small commission from the retailer without any extra cost for you. It helps pay the bills and keeps the show running. Thanks for your support!
Transparency Statement: All opinions are my own. This video is not sponsored and I am not being paid for it. I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned. Review units are only accepted on a strict no-strings-attached policy.

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3 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 47

@andrefelixstudio2833 Год назад

Excellent video very easy to understand, I wanna run out and buy one tomorrow

@AleXianFPV 9 месяцев назад

Akai really should combine this and the MPK Mini Play. that would make a quite decent standalone instrument for beginners, IMO.

@Skijumptoes Год назад

Good to see someone mentioning an easy mode equivalent, it's rare to get it in hardware - NI have it, but it's part of the komplete software. Luckily if using a DAW something like Code42's "Cales" is a free replacement - but it would be nice to have natively for controlling external gear. But still, I think they've packed this full of some really usable features... Good video, thank you!

@krazywabbit Год назад

Mr. Ewald- You did a great job in reviewing and demo. Well done. Akai- Whose idea was it to use such a big window to see what you are doing? Anyone over 50 is out on this.

@XanderEwald Год назад

Thanks! I agree, the size of the display is a bit too small, but it’s really bright and sharp, which helps.

@neuzethmusic131 Год назад

Great video, thanks Alex! I hope the MPK Mini Plus is fine for hybrid setups (Ableton/Eurorack). Was not happy with the Keystep37. We'll see.

@XanderEwald Год назад

It works fine as a link between the two spheres, but as I said in the video, the sequencer is rather basic.

2 месяца назад

Do you think it will work with iPad Pro and Logic ? Great content by the way.

@lucianlangtr 6 месяцев назад

Will there ever be a play (standalone) version of this model? That would be awesome in my opinion

@iShredStreets 3 месяца назад

For sure! But you know Akai. They hate their customers.

@_Doom_20 9 месяцев назад

Anyone know how to change the pad sensitivity? The MPC beats program won’t let me change it, it seems to be greyed out.

@OperculumAudio Год назад

Hey Alexsander, do you still have your other channel Dachi Puchi? Not sure if I'm spelling it right. I watched your vids before, good to see you at it still

@XanderEwald Год назад

I renamed my channel from Dacci Pucci to Alexander Ewald, so you’re in the right place :)

@OperculumAudio Год назад

@@XanderEwald ahhh gotcha!

@trocchiettoski Год назад

Best review so far! All the features you mention I miss from the mpk plus "song mode, pattern chaining, micro timing, probability, conmditional trig, algorithmic sequencing, cannot record midi cc automation" I can work them around using logic pro?

@raffitchakmakjian Год назад

hey, I asked this on loopops channel, he hasn't given an answer yet. I was wondering, regarding midi CC, from what I've seen, you can assign it to a key or a pad. So I have a Meeblip Anode for instance which has glide tied to CC55. If I assign CC55 to a pad or a key and sequence a note ON for that key the CC is bound to, will it be possible to sequence CC in that way?

@XanderEwald Год назад

I don’t think it’s going to work like that. The sequencer outputs note information only, no MIDI CC, regardless where the CC data comes from.

@incaroads001 Год назад

I have a feeling that the "Easy Mode" is implicit in the note rounding feature of the general scales mode. for instance, when in harmonic minor, if you just hit the white keys you will probably get harmonic minor. just a guess.

@XanderEwald Год назад

Unfortunately no. If you select „transpose“ in scales mode, some scales will still place notes exclusively on black keys, so you would miss them when sticking to white keys only.

@incaroads001 Год назад

@@XanderEwald that sucks. I take it back then.

@ruicosta7016 Год назад

@@incaroads001 it is possible to bypass that with something akin to what decap did on this video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7pv0oGSKQxQ.html if you use ableton.

@JayaLove Год назад

Oh wow. I’m just now understanding what you mean. That sucks. I ordered mine assuming the white keys would hold whatever scale I chose. Didn’t realize I still had to incorporate black keys to make sure to get the right notes in the scale. Bummer. Hopefully they will fix in a firmware update.

@alexgoriatchenkov Год назад

Ordered one, next week should receive, have no idea what to do with this piano. Can I just plug it in my MacBook and using with GarageBand?

@XanderEwald Год назад

Yes, that's a good starting point. Enjoy!

@alexgoriatchenkov Год назад

Update # 1; receive my Mini Plus, looks great, like it...was trying just connect with GarageBand (no success ),spending 4 hours to set up, sign in and install all available Software. Now GarageBand working. MPC Bits however mooore complicated for novice. Big headache.

@chopshop523 5 месяцев назад

@@alexgoriatchenkovLOL Don’t buy this POS! It doesn’t integrate with your standalone gear out of the box. You have to map everything and it nearly impossible. You have to map this pos to your computer software as well. Downloading the software takes at least 45min on a M2 Mac because it’s downloading entering codes. Then downloading again, creating a Ilok account to get passcodes to unlock your plugins, installing all this sht. It’s a mess. Just the fact you have to use MPC Beats instead of your normal MPC software should tell you something. That’s taking up extra space on your hard drive for no reason other than the fact they don’t know how to integrate them both. Get yourself a KeyStep Pro and thank me later.

@hostsofmichael Год назад

That pulsar beat tho holy hell. very idioteque drummachiney

@ebubekirbinici6031 Год назад

how do transpose in semitones with this?

@XanderEwald Год назад

I am not sure it is possible, is it?

@ebubekirbinici6031 Год назад

@@XanderEwald it is , just cant find info on it.

@johnsuggs7828 10 месяцев назад

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.

@nickwatland3565 9 месяцев назад

Not for piano style stuff imo

@johnsuggs7828 9 месяцев назад

@nickwatland3565 agreed. But if you're traveling and need something thar you can bang out songs real quick without taking a bunch of space.... Its perfect

@ruicosta7016 Год назад

that midi controller packs so much stuff. good deal fror 170 dollars ngl

@XanderEwald Год назад

Indeed! I personally could do without the standalone features, but other than that it's the perfect little desktop controller.

@ruicosta7016 Год назад

@@XanderEwald how do you rank it versus the keystep 37?

@XanderEwald Год назад

It’s hard to compare. KS37 has superb quality, but a quite focused feature set. This does much more - pads, more encoders, joystick etc. It depends on your needs.

@neuzethmusic131 Год назад

I had the Keystep37. Sold it, really bad DAW integration imho. If you have a hybrid setup (like Ableton and hardware synths/modular) I would not recommend the Keystep. I'll get the MPK Mini Plus soon, hope it plays well together with my SQ64. I only would recommend the Keystep if you're working DAWless.

@XanderEwald Год назад

An advantage of the KS37 is the separate power adapter. MPK Mini Plus is powered over USB and will require a powered USB hub to work properly with external gear.

@ferenclucas2842 Год назад

I'll tell you the MAJOR problem with these is that the keys are all one piece of molded plastic for each octave and when you press keys they just bend at the point of connection like you are bending one tooth of a comb. If a key breaks off at the bend point 53 weeks after buying, akai will tell you the keyboard is "NON-REPAIRABLE" and you are out of luck the whole thing goes in the garbage and Akai won't care. So Akai is lying to you. Because nowhere on the box does it reveal that this keyboard is actually disposable. Oh and if you think you can just fix a broken key yourself with some kind of glue or plastic welding forget it with this type of plastic. And the shop won't be able to help either. The keyboard will literally be garbage if a key breaks off. Look online dozens of inquiries and pictures of broken keys and what to do. Reiterating. No parts! No way to repair. You are done

@XanderEwald Год назад

That’s a very good observation. Repairability is something I should talk more about in reviews, it’s an important quality.

@tomstewart995 Год назад

Are you sure that applies to this model? This is an all new design for the keybed.

@XanderEwald Год назад

I will check it and answer the question in next week’s video.

@aaronthearcticcat8548 Год назад

I'm usually pretty easy on all of my gear. But my mpk mini 1st gen has served me well for I don't know how long. It's the only one that's generally abused by being thrown in a laptop bag. Went to pull it out one day and a key was broken off in my bag. However, I do agree with you. Finding parts for these are challenging. But checking on ebay and even reverb I've found people selling replacement keys, knobs and even the whole top panels. Biggest issue is finding something that is specified to be the correct generation of the controller itself.

@MrAngellust 11 месяцев назад

I've had the same problem with the keys. Using an 'Akai MK3 mini play' for about 3 years, now, a key just broke off. As an expierienced model and scale builder, i've opened the keyboard (ignored the warning about high voltage, etc), and saw how fragile the keys are mounted on the frame. With some ca-glue i've mounted the key back, but anyway, anyhow, it's just a matter of time when a key brake down. Today another key just broke down....

@chopshop523 5 месяцев назад

Don’t buy this POS! It doesn’t integrate with your standalone gear out of the box. You have to map everything and it nearly impossible. You have to map this pos to your computer software as well. Downloading the software takes at least 45min on a M2 Mac because it’s downloading entering codes. Then downloading again, creating a Ilok account to get passcodes to unlock your plugins, installing all this sht. It’s a mess. Just the fact you have to use MPC Beats instead of your normal MPC software should tell you something. That’s taking up extra space on your hard drive for no reason other than the fact they don’t know how to integrate them both. Get yourself a KeyStep Pro and thank me later.