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Akai MPK Mini MK2 anyone?
I have the Novation Launchkey mini which is nice, but I'd fancy some bigger pads and that pitch / mod joystick.
Anyone has it ? How are the keys/pads ? Are they crappy like the first MPKs?
The novation has nice pads, and quite sensitive for the price range, but kinda small for my big hands.
Comments
I'm interested in this too. :-)
I wish Akai would make a three octave (37 key) version, or that CMK XKey would add some CC control to their XKey 37.... I like both of these keyboards, but both lack in key features I want....
Personally, I plan to get the XKey 37, because 25 keys is just not enough for me.
i like 37 too... I had a MicroKorg XL and now a Micron.. and it's much much better.
But for the iPad I want something backpack-able.
)))
you can always record your chords in overdub
I'm not much of a 2 hand player either.
That's cool! Sounds like the MPK Mini Mk2 might be just what you are looking for! :-)
I got the MK2 Mini about a week ago. So far I like it. The joystick is a big bonus, the pads are responsive and the keys are pretty good too. The one surprising negative is that it doesn't have a low-power mode to work with IOS devices. The bigger MK2 controllers have it but their most portable controller doesn't. Akai's response was that the MPK Mini MK2 doesn't officially support IOS. An easy work around is to just connect it to the CCK via a small USB hub. It doesn't even have to be a powered hub. Any hub causes the CCK to boost the output from 20ma to 80ma which also provides enough power for my audio interface at the same time (Behringer UCA-222).
I wasn't aware that the MPK Mini MK2 wasn't iOS compatible!!! That's really good to know!
I was about to get it but if it sucks more power I'll probably leave it and get lpd8 to add to mpk mini for more control. I kinda got used to spongy keys and to be honest in such a small form factor one can hardly expect fatar weighed.
I just got it today, and unfortunately stupid me didn't think to check my own thread... before and see that it doesn't have low power mode.
A guy from AKAI said he'll forward a request to the devs to issue a fw update. Can hardly wait for that.
Overall I like it, and although the first MPK's were crappy, this one has a better keybed than Novation Launchkey mini, and pads also!
Worth the money.
@alexbuga have you checked if it works through a usb hub? That should fool the ipad and send more power apparently. As @Dham suggested earlier.
I've read that, but I'm at work, I haven't taken the keyboard at home yet. I have hubs at home, powered and unpowered. Should work.
But still it's a bummer. It was so clean to connect the keyboard directly to the iPad.
I've tested it on the mac with Maschine. Those pads are really really nice for the price range. They have better velocity response than Launchkey MIni, and yeah, they're normal size.
Can't seem to notice any difference when using that note repeat + swing amount. It repeats at 1/16 straight.
I'm using note repeat from iMPC and Nanostudio anyway. The ARP is a nice feature though.
I found that the arpeggiator on the original version was a bit drunk. I just bought my second mk2 second hand. I'll try and run them both hooked up to my ipad, hope it holds powerwise.
Works like a charm with an unpowered hub.
Also thought it works directly with the iPad. Thanks for this great workaround, which really works :-)
P.S.
Also works with my EWI USB.
i had it but sold and got mpk225
Sure, depends on what you need and/or already have. MPK 225 is nice, but already have the Axiom 25 and was searching for sth smaller fitting in the bag. Or on my desk where the free space is turning again to zero ;-)
I have the original one:
http://6be54c364949b623a3c0-4409a68c214f3a9eeca8d0265e9266c0.r0.cf2.rackcdn.com/461/images/sized/mpkmini_angle_lg_700x438.png
And here is the MPK Mini II
http://6be54c364949b623a3c0-4409a68c214f3a9eeca8d0265e9266c0.r0.cf2.rackcdn.com/988/images/MPKmini_angle_web_lg.png
I love the earlier one. Granted, I paid like $40 for it used (in basically new condition). As mentioned above, it does work with an iPad and Camera Connection Kit, and the big draw is that it runs off the iPad power. Is it the end-all-be-all composition tool? Heck no. But as a sketch tool that can do 25 keys, 8 sampler pads, and 8 CC knobs, you can do a lot with something that's about the size of a bluetooth keyboard.
The keys are plasticy, yes, but they at least have some resistance to them. I mostly use it for monophonic parts, but if you have a timing for a phrase in your head, it's a hell of a lot easier on a keyboard than a glass screen. (I also have some piano background, though not a ton).
The pads, well, I don't have other MIDI controllers to compare it to. I imagine they could be better. On my PC, there's just enough latency to cause problems if I'm tapping out a rhythm. On iPad, the latency is much less, but I still have accuracy issues. Still, if you were recording into something that could quantize your hits to nearest 1/16, 1/8, etc., it's totally workable. I think it's a great little tool. Even if I end up with a 49-key larger workstation at some point, it's possible the Mini would get used more often.
Controls+size+price make this a winner. Only arturia minilab comes close but has a dodgy software.
Edit: I don't think you can blame the latency on the mpk it has core midi drivers. @StormJH1
I used to have novation x station 49 with an amazing keyboard with aftertouch but it didn't get as much use as mpk. The new one with joystick looks even tastier
The Akai software and firmware is also dodgy. I can't believe they didn't think to make the firmware Ipad/IOS-friendly like other products (including Akai's larger controllers) and include a low-power mode. There are also many complaints that the main software included, MPC Essentials, does not work with the qlink knobs on the MPK Mini MK2. Only the pads and keys work. Then there is the 1 track limit of the Essentials software. More like demoware:) They could at least throw in a copy of Ableton Lite. Even Korg Gadget includes that. I sold my Mini MK2 got something with better software support and also more self-contained:)
@Dham ...which only confirms that whether it works for you will depend how you use it. For me it is great because it works flawlessly with all my ipad software. The power draw is minimal too. I'm not too bothered about the included software as I already have all of the software I may ever need. As long as the mac editor does its job (which it does) I'm at peace that this little thing will not let me down. I've tried novation launchkey mini, arturia minilab and maudio axiom air mini 25 and have no doubts with recommending mpk mini.
Disclaimer: it works for me but do your research before diving in.
But, if you need bigger pads, why not lpd8, pretty nice thing
I agree with you supadom for the most part in that it works with all of the Ipad software with minimal fuss. I was just mildly disappointed that it did not have the low-power mode despite being advertised as having it. Akai did respond to me that it was due to some music retailers using old ad verbiage, i.e. the ads from the original MPK Mini. That was not such a big deal because the small passive hub works and also has the added feature of allowing me to plug in my pad controller at the same time. Which leads me to the next point of not really needing the pads on the MPK. That's another reason I decided to go another route, because I have the 16 pad Element controller. The pads on the MK2 were redundant. Now my portable setup consists of the Element, Ipad and OP-1 which was 15% at Musician's Friend and also will be 15% as a part of Guitar Center's Columbus Day sale.
You mean 15% off right?
@TGiG said:
Yes, my bad. It will be 15% off this weekend. Any purchase over $299.
As I couldn't find this info out I thought I'd share it here:
My Akai MPKmini MK2 works fine with my iPad air when connected via an Apogee Duet for iPad. But as mentioned above draws too much power to work with just the CCK.
i'm also interested to get one of those.Maybe MKI but the lil joystick is neat.Do they draw a lot of battery power?
That really is a big issue but if they do add Natave ios support please inform me I really thought this was the perfect controller for me though.what kind of usb hub works I don't have one,what price is a unpowered one? I was also looking at the samson graphite m25 it has pitch/mod strips 4 pads and it seems to be a great controller but 4 pads that just dosent make any sense whatsoever,I know there are multiple banks of those 4 pads but suppose they aren't really for finger drumming
It works with a basic $5 non-powered hub. Really crazy that Akai didn't design it with native IOS compatibility yet they did with their larger controllers.
Is this thread still live? I just ordered the Mpc mk2 and I've been reading up on all the iOS issues as I only have an iPad 4th gen. So I'm going to get a usb hub but I'm looking for apps that will give a communication to the keyboard and let me map out effects. Am I wrong to think there are apps out there that can treat this as any other midi keyboard? I'd love to customize the joystick and ultimately record into auria. Apps I have: Auria, Beatmaker 2 Apps considering: Beathawk and IvCS3. Is there any hope for me? (I'm considering buying a cheap laptop to map my samples)
One downside that I've found with My MPK Mini Mk II is that a computer and custom app is needed to change the settings on the knobs/pads and there is no way to change the midi-transmit channel on the keyboard unless you program the 'programs' to transmit on a different midi-channel (I have one program set to channel 10 and the other 3 on 1,2,3). Also sometimes iPad Air 2 and 1st Gen Mini complain that it(MPK Mini Mk II) draws too much power but when attaching it using an unpowered hub it works nicely together with the Behringer UCA-202 so apparently the iPad Air 2 can power both devices without problems but during the initiation the MPK sometimes reports it draws too much power!?! (Maybe a firmware update is needed?).
Over all even with the small annoyances i do like the it and the 'action' on the pads and keys feels nice, I've 'retired' my CME-Xkey because my fingers got hurt banging on keys that do not move.
I do wish Akai would make an app for the iOS devices that allow us to custom the keyboards and maybe perform firmware updates when needed...
worst part is that the pads, keys, and knobs can't be set to different midi channels
Yepp, 'independent' channel selection for knobs, pads and keyboard would have been a very, very welcome addition together with quick midi-channel selection. Guess they need to save some 'features' for the Mk III...
I do find my self using an external keyboard a lot less nowadays and mostly end up playing the onscreen keyboards. Too bad many apps (like Gadget) lack velocity sensitive keyboard (vertical position = velocity, and once the key is 'on' swiping up/down would send mod-wheel/aftertouch or any other mod-cc). Knowing the limitations of the MPK Mini Mk II and all it's still a pretty nice keyboard when knobs, pads and keys are needed and the pitch-stick is quite fun to use as it allows 2 separate cc's one for up and other for down. So with little planning and pre-setting the programs for most common situations it's well worth it.