Joined in 2023 
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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. While the pads on the Novation may not have the feel of those of the MPK Mini Plus, they do have polyphonic aftertouch. A nice easter egg!! Yes! The MPK Mini Plus is compatible with both windows and Mac computers. (Please note that on Mac computers 2017 and up, you will need to use a USB-B to USB-C cable or adapter) Drum pads– Don’t debate us on this… when it comes to pads for finger drumming, the MPC style pads you get on an Akai midi controller are the best out there. They have great response, sensitivity & have a nice amount of feel to them. they don’t feel numb!
After all, it’s one thing to know a midi keyboard is rated good by experts, but another thing entirely to understand whether it’s the right fit for you & your studio; as much as we’d love for you to ‘take our word for it’, everyone produces music in their own unique way. So to be equipped with the right info from the get-go, makes it FAR more straight forward to make the best buying decision. Does the MPK Mini Plus require an external power supply? The Akai MPK Mini Plus is USB hub powered. It connects and powers via a standard USB-A to USB-B cable and does not require an additional power supply. For what you get, the price of the MPK Mini Plus is impressive. Yes, it’s more than some other midi controllers of similar size, but the amount of control it gives you for the money is pretty impressive. from SoCal on February 1, 2023 Rated 5/5 I love this midi controller. Great when paired with a newer model MPC!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. 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. 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. I bought this keyboard for my new travel rig and have taken it on countless adventures around Los Angeles, Austin, NYC, and the greater Boston area. I ended loving it so much that I downsized from my trusty old Axiom Air 61 (just gave it away!) and put this on my desk. It's slightly longer than the apple magic keyboard with numeric keypad but has the perfect size to sit right in front of my keyboard anywhere I go. I really wanted a keyboard with more than 25 keys that would fit in airline carry on sized bags and this fits the bill. We really didn’t expect this, but the Akai MPK Mini Plus also comes with an onboard sequencer. One that works in tandem with both with the pads & the keys. As far as sequencers go, this is flexible.
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. If you’re after built-in an arpeggiator or scale mode, then either of these keyboards will suffice. Both have these features built-in & in both cases they work really well.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: Prior to pitting the Akai MPK MIni Plus up against other midi keyboards in its segment, it’d be wise to first understand the specs of the MPK Mini Plus. Do so, & you’ll be able to fully grasp what the Akai MPK Mini Plus offers, & therefore reach a more accurate decision as to whether it’s right for you.
The MPK Mini Plus is a class compliant device, which means it can be connected to any computer without the need for additional drivers. The MPK Mini Plus gives you the added bonus of an in-built step sequencer. Another perk you don’t get with the standard Akai MPK Mini MK3. 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. Solution home Akai Pro | MPK mini Series MPK Mini Series | MPK Mini Plus Akai Pro MPK mini Plus | Frequently Asked Questions 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’.Pitch and mod on each of these controllers is completely different. With the MPK Mini Plus it’s assigned to the 2 dedicated wheels, while on the Arturia you control P&M via a set of touch strips. A slightly more compact approach, although for accuracy, you cannot beat the wheels you get on the MPK Mini Plus. 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. Both controllers give you access to a display when controlling their various functions/ modes. However, that you get on the Akai is not only OLED (instead of LED), but it also allows you to be that bit more accurate. 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…
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?As for software, bith have good bundles, BUT for 90% of players, the Novation’s is better. Buy the Launchkey & you get a bunch of software including: Abelton Live Lite, Spitfire Audio Labs Expressive Strings, Serato Sample LE, a 2-month membership to Splice Sounds, XLN Audio Addictive Keys& much much more!!
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