MPK Mini Plus - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 37 Mini Keys, 8 MPC Pads, Sequencer, MIDI/CV/Gate I/O and Native Instruments Sound Package, White Limited Edition

This is a fantastic controller for MIDI or CV capable synthesizers. The keybed has a light touch and is velocity sensitive. I find the MPC pads to be rather stiff, however. The pitch and mod wheels work perfectly. I've tested it with my Roland AIRA chord synth and I've also hooked it up to my PC and used it in FL Studio without any problems. The chord feature is fantastic and idiot-proof, and the menus are intuitive. This is definitely worth the extra money spent over the original 25-key version. I have a Stylophone on order that hasn't arrived yet, and this should also control that synth as well via CV, which is part of the reason I bought this.

Really nice MIDI controller. Comes with a USB-A cable to connect to a computer (no MIDI cables, which is normal for controllers, so not a surprise). Lots of good functions. The keys ARE small and feel kind of plasticky (they are, after all, plastic), but it's well made, and seems like it will last. Responsive pads for the percussion pads (rubberised -- 8 of them). Modulation wheel feels just right -- not too loose, not too stiff. The pitch bend wheel has a nice spring, and feels solid. Good set of keys and knobs. Some gate sync connections, a sustain pedal, and the 37 keys is a good size going up 3 full octaves -- I prefer it over the smaller 25 key formats. It's still small enough to be portable without being limited for use. The size of the keys makes playing full pieces a bit impossible, but it's a controller, and not meant for that. It's good for keying in the notes you want where you want them, and maybe doing a chord or two and a short run. Overall, I'm super pleased with this controller.

The Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 37 Mini Keys is excellent. Everything functions perfectly with my Windows 11 computer. Pad quality is good. It is easy to learn how to use. It is compatible with all my DAWs and VSTs. The control buttons are perfect. It's a great value for the money. Although I wear large size gloves, I can still play the mini keys without any problems. I highly recommend this MIDI controller.

UPDATE: It was important to me to return and update this review, as this info is not mentioned anywhere and I had discovered it only after contacting Akai's tech support. While the manual says that you can use the 5Din MIDI connectors when the unit is powered from an external source, such as a wall plug or a charging port only, it's not the case - MIDI data just aren't sent over. I bought it in thought that I could use it in a standalone setup to playing the sounds of my hardware synth, by connecting the MIDI-Out from this controller into the MIDI-In of my synth. However, no matter what I tried, nothing affected the hardware synth and pressing on the keys does nothing, unless I connect the USB port to a computer (host) and then set in my DAW to send MIDI signals from the MPK through its 5Din Midi-Out. So it basically forces you to use a computer host in order to use it, which is a terrible design flaw considering the fact that it has MIDI-In and MIDI-Out 5Din connectors. I contacted Aka's tech support and they confirmed that and said that this keyboard is designed to be used only with a computer, and that it cannot be used in a standalone setup. Maybe some modern hardware synths serve as hosts when connected to them via a USB cable, but my synth is quite old and doesn't serve as a host, and can only provide power to this keyboard from its memory stick USB port. So I just took 1 star away from this review, as this is still a great keyboard, only that it can't be used without a computer. I suggested Akai to perhaps fix this in a firmware update if it's possible, but I doubt this can be done if something physically needs to be changed in order for it to work - so we might just see a 2nd version for this great keyboard with proper 5Din MIDI connectors capabilities. You may find my original review below. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I planned on buying the first MPK mini when it was first out, but it didn't have pitch and mod wheels, which for me is a deal-breaker not to have any on a controller. While there are other keyboards with pitch and mod stripes, I always preferred physical wheels that I could both see and feel. When this MPK mini Plus was out I immediately knew that I'm going to add it to my setup, but I just couldn't afford one until now. Finally, I have this cute and practical thing on my workstation desk and I'm quite happy with it. I really like the quality of this thing. It's plastic, yes, but it seems like it was built to last. Its footprint is quite small (has the width of about the size of a standard PC keyboard), considering the amount of things you could find on it, and it's just a ton of features that utilize every inch of it! There's just no "empty" plastic space on this thing - Akai did quite well when designing this one to bring together all these features in this small form factor, and to still make it playable and not too small. You get physical pitch and mod wheels. You get drum pads. You get 8 endless rotary knobs to control parameters (I mainly going to use them for adjusting the tracks volume instead of faders). You get full transport buttons located in a convenient place, just above the key-bed to the right. You get Octave Down / Up buttons. You get full sized 5din MIDI-IN & MIDI-OUT connectors which you could utilize to connect to other midi devices, while using the USB port for powering the keyboard (if you connect it to a computer host via the USB then the 5din connectors don't work as you get midi-over-USB anyway). And many other features like a step sequencer and other connectors on the back which I'm not even going to use, but they're there for whomever needs them. Last but not least is the 37-key bed - unlike 25-key bed in other mini controllers, here you get 37 of them, which is just right for playing with 2 hands. The front shape of the keys is not full like you would find in semi / full-weight hammer action keys, and look like the traditional standard design that you'd find in most synth keyboards, only narrower and shorter since it's a mini keyboard after all. As for their feel? They're quite good. They're responsive and makes the job done. I didn't want to have a large keyboard above or under my workstation desk, as it's just going to be in the way and interfere when I don't need it. Hence, I looked for something small for recording music in small parts, and not something for playing an entire masterpiece on - for that I have my digital piano. If you're like me and waited for a small controller for sending midi signals to your DAW and to also have full transport control on top of it, grab this one as long as it exists. The only thing that I didn't figure out yet is how to hook it to my hardware synth via the 5din MIDI connectors. I followed the instructions and connected its USB port to a charging port only, but from some reason I don't get any input on my synth - through my DAW I'm able to router midi input from the MPK mini Plus and control my hardware synth without any problem. I'm still new to it so I think that it's just a setting that I need to adjust in the MPK mini Plus to make it work without a computer.

The keys take a little adjustment, but once broken in it feels like quality item. It’s super lightweight and portable. Its compact form makes transporting this controller incredibly easy. The drum pads are a bit stiff but can be adjusted for better performance. The interface has a lot of control buttons, which can be intimidating at first but are incredibly easy to use. It’s plug and play with some setup required if you use a DAW other than the one it comes with; functions on any DAW regardless with instant response during play. Akai is known for their quality products, and with the three free, industry grade plugins that come with it, it makes this price seem like a bargain.

I do a lot of composing and arranging and computer-engraving of music and find 25-key and 32-key controllers very frustrating with the number of times I have to switch octaves when entering typical orchestral or concert band music into my laptop. This 37-key unit is excellent for my purposes. I also am working sometimes in a DAW (digital audio workstation) environment and the extra pads/knobs on this are very convenient for that. But be warned -- the mini-keys and the keybed feel are NOT great if you're a real keyboard player used to full-size keys and a bit more resistance from the keys. This device (and most similar devices) are great for step entry or for trying out ideas but not for actual real-life playing. But for my uses it's ideal!

Product arrived and collected safely before arrival date. Product is as bought and in perfect conditions. UPS team in Zambia so friendly and helpful.

Really like this. Bought it as something for the family, I seem to be using it more than anyone else though. Didn't buy it for portability but, have had to move it plenty of times. I even took it on the go with a Steam Deck and used it just fine with LMMS. It all depends on the DAW you choose weather or not you can use it with a Steam deck since it's Linux based. Build quality is great. I mean it is made of plastic and a bunch of decent switches but they all do have velocity sensitivity. The software it comes with free is alright but it's kind of personal preference. I started with LMMS and it works decent enough but you should try out the software ... if you can before you buy. We'll, really you shouldn't buy it for the DAW anyways. Still worth it for me and all my kids like getting to play around on it.