Akai Professional's MPK Mini Plus II packs deeper MPC control into a small 37-key keyboard. This new model gets an improved mini keybed, a color screen, and more ways to make beats and play notes. It keeps the compact size of the range but gives music makers more direct control.
Eight RGB MPC pads react to both finger pressure and how hard each hit lands. Players can swap between two banks for more pad and knob tasks. There are also eight endless dials, a push dial, pitch and mod wheels, and buttons for DAW playback.
The LCD has a 160 by 80 pixel screen that shows live control values. That gives users a clear view of what each setting does without having to check the computer.
Creative tools get quite a bit of love here. Freeze, Glitch, Follow, Strum, and Mutate let players change beats, notes, and chords right from the keyboard. The arp can use custom note patterns, while Chord Creator has more chord options and lets users build their own progressions. Note Repeat has new tricks as well.
MPC users get tighter links with both the desktop app and standalone gear. The keyboard can launch clips, move through tracks, load plug-in sounds, control mixer settings, and use Q-Links. Basic playback tasks are also within reach.
And DAW support is pretty broad. MPC 3, FL Studio, Cubase, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live have script-based control with live screen feedback. NKS support also lets the unit work with Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol gear and tools.
For hardware fans, the rear panel has USB-C for both power and MIDI data. A standard five-pin MIDI jack sends notes to other gear, while three 3.5 mm CV/Gate jacks serve modular setups. There is also a quarter-inch jack for a sustain pedal.
Power does not have to come from a laptop. A USB adapter or portable battery pack can run the unit as well. The case measures 5.4 × 49.3 × 19.2 cm and weighs 1.46 kg.
Akai has packed in a fair bit of music gear on the software side. Buyers get MPC Beats and Studio Instrument Collection, with over 1,000 sounds from Moog Music, AIR Music Technology, and Akai. Native Instruments Komplete Select in its Akai Edition is part of the deal.
The MPK Mini Plus II is on sale for £134.99 in the UK or €159.99 in Europe.
Eight RGB MPC pads react to both finger pressure and how hard each hit lands. Players can swap between two banks for more pad and knob tasks. There are also eight endless dials, a push dial, pitch and mod wheels, and buttons for DAW playback.
The LCD has a 160 by 80 pixel screen that shows live control values. That gives users a clear view of what each setting does without having to check the computer.
Creative tools get quite a bit of love here. Freeze, Glitch, Follow, Strum, and Mutate let players change beats, notes, and chords right from the keyboard. The arp can use custom note patterns, while Chord Creator has more chord options and lets users build their own progressions. Note Repeat has new tricks as well.
MPC users get tighter links with both the desktop app and standalone gear. The keyboard can launch clips, move through tracks, load plug-in sounds, control mixer settings, and use Q-Links. Basic playback tasks are also within reach.
And DAW support is pretty broad. MPC 3, FL Studio, Cubase, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live have script-based control with live screen feedback. NKS support also lets the unit work with Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol gear and tools.
For hardware fans, the rear panel has USB-C for both power and MIDI data. A standard five-pin MIDI jack sends notes to other gear, while three 3.5 mm CV/Gate jacks serve modular setups. There is also a quarter-inch jack for a sustain pedal.
Power does not have to come from a laptop. A USB adapter or portable battery pack can run the unit as well. The case measures 5.4 × 49.3 × 19.2 cm and weighs 1.46 kg.
Akai has packed in a fair bit of music gear on the software side. Buyers get MPC Beats and Studio Instrument Collection, with over 1,000 sounds from Moog Music, AIR Music Technology, and Akai. Native Instruments Komplete Select in its Akai Edition is part of the deal.
The MPK Mini Plus II is on sale for £134.99 in the UK or €159.99 in Europe.
