MPK Mini MK3 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Backlit Drum Pads, 8 Knobs, Music Production Software and Native Instruments Sound Package (NKS Integration), Black

Pad quality is outstanding, seems very easy to bring around with you. (haven't done it yet) Sounds perfect all inputs are correct, setup was VERY easy (Youtube is amazing lol) if you know basic chords then this should bring up your music production to a whole new level. probably one of the best things i've bought of Amazon!!

The Akai MPK Mini 4 MIDI Keyboard Controller is a well constructed unit with a nice feel to the keys (unweighted), drum pads, pitch bend wheel, modulation wheel and control knobs. The Akai MPK Mini 4 allows you to easily edit the controls and pads from the front panel without a need for software. Just enter into the edit mode and setup the pads and controls the way you want and save the setup to user locations 4 through 14. There are four preset configuration locations 1-4 that are used for popular DAW software and one plugin setup. Most of the control buttons and pads are labeled with a function and the "Shift" key allows for a second set of system editing operations which are labeled under each button and pads. The setups are quick and easy, just look at the clearly written owners manual for the steps to follow. The Akai MPK Mini 4 also comes bundled with production software and 1,000 free sound and loops. There are also links to the Akai store where you can purchase extra sound and loop bundles in various genres of music. I also appreciate the Akai MPK Mini 4 provides a 1/4 inch sustain pedal jack and full sized Midi output jack to connect directly to professional and older Midi keyboards and drum machines. That Midi output jack makes it possible to control an older keyboard or drum machine that may have worn out buttons and knobs that don't work any more from the Akai MPK Mini 4 keyboard controller with a custom setup that can be saved to a memory location in the Akai MPK Mini 4. I have just one complaint about the Akai MPK Mini 4 because it will not allow you to hear the sounds you assign to the trigger pads while in edit mode. You can use a General Midi drum map to assign note numbers to the pads with ease but you can not hear the sounds being triggered until you save the edited setup. So technically my star rating would be a 4.5 Stars but Amazon does not do half star ratings. I did some research and it seem that not being able to hear the sounds as you edit the trigger pads is actually a manufacturers choice/preference and is a simple firmware setup issue. Making a midi controller that allows you to hear the sounds of the edits as you make them is a very helpful feature that I hope Akai will address in a future Firmware update. But, the Akai MPK Mini 4 is still a great controller.

Easy to set-up with a lot of features great starter midi board for beginners and those trying to get back in the game

Been producing on and off for a couple years and finally picked up a dedicated controller. The MPK Mini punches well above its size. 25 keys is limiting for full playing but for production work — laying down melodies, triggering samples, tweaking parameters — it covers everything I need without taking up half my desk. The MPC pads are responsive and have enough sensitivity to actually play dynamically rather than just tapping on buttons. The 360° knobs feel solid and map easily to most DAWs without much setup. Pitch and mod wheels are a nice inclusion at this price point. Small but functional and they don't feel like an afterthought. USB-C is the right call. Plug in, recognized instantly, no driver headaches. The bundled software and Native Instruments sound package give you enough to start making music immediately without spending more on plugins right away. Compact, well-built, and genuinely useful whether you're just starting out or need a portable controller to travel with. Hard to beat at this price.

Owned for a few months now. Coming over from a arturia minilab mk2, this akai MIDI controller is generational leaps ahead. The built in arpeggiator and chord modes are really great and the menus are easy to use.. Not as fancy as a keystep or anything dedicated to MIDI sequencing, but it's everything I'd need in daily work imo. I really like the drum pads and knobs personally. Having pitch and mod *wheels* is a game changer over the sliders. Key feel is good. Not weighted like arturia mini controllers, but it's very consistent doesn't get in the way. Doesn't feel cheap at all. It feels very study, but is also light and compact enough to just put in a backpack. They did a really good job with making everything compact without feeling cramped to use. The USB-C connection is a welcome upgrade too. The aesthetics are also excellent. The black model is gorgeous, and to me is more timelessly beautiful than the gray model, though I love the retro look of that one as well. Setting up software was easy. Setting up akai's automatic bindings to daws worked perfectly fine with Logic, FL Studio, and Ableton 11 for me. It was astonishingly well documented and the instructions were very clear. Definitely feel well taken care of on the software side, which I definitely cannot say the same for other manufacturers. The bundled Akai Studio Instrument is leagues beyond what I expected to be honest. It's surprisingly high quality. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to get this controller for access to that, but the included plugin is definitely up at the same quality level as analog lab. Overall, it's great. For the money it's the best value mini MIDI controller imo.

I bought the Akai MPK Mini MK3 for my music production setup as an indie artist, and it’s been a very useful addition to my workflow. The size is perfect for a home studio—compact enough to fit on my desk but still functional for writing melodies, bass lines, and chord progressions. The keys feel responsive, and the backlit drum pads are great for programming beats and percussion. I also like having the knobs for quick adjustments while producing, especially when shaping sounds or tweaking effects without reaching for the mouse. Everything integrates smoothly with my software, and setup was straightforward. It is ideal if you’re working in a smaller space but still want creative flexibility. It’s intuitive, portable, and reliable, making it a solid choice for indie artists who want to produce music efficiently without a bulky setup.

It’s ok, and at the price hard to beat for a workstation. It is not the keyboard you want for performance - the mini keys and the feel/responsiveness of the keys and pads could be better. The menuing system takes some patience and isn’t very discoverable or friendly. On the plus side, it works great with Garage Band after installing the script, and basic operation with Tracktion DAW was plug and play. The Native Instruments plugin is a welcome addition. The footprint on my desk is tiny and works well for sketching ideas.

I recently purchased the AKAI MPK Mini mk 2 as an additional MIDI keyboard to use with my laptop, mainly as a means of adding a degree of portability to composing. That being said, I have since been using it with my iMac and Dorico so that I do not have to keep unplugging and plugging in my main MIDI keyboard. I have tried the AKAI MPK Mini on Cubase and everything seems to work well. I have also been using it with Dorico on Mac and it works equally well. It seems a solid piece of kit and very playable, despite the small keys and their limited number. I think it is perfect for the purpose that I had in mind as it is very compact and rugged. It is easy to switch the octave up and down, which given the limited number of keys is important. If you want something compact, rugged, and nicely versatile you should perhaps check this out .

Good value for mony

Takes a little setting up (run a script) for GarageBand. Works well!

I was really surprised at the quality of this MIDI controller for the price. It seems well made and has a ton of functions but all useful ones that efficiently use the space. USB-C connectivity is also a huge plus as not many other MIDI controllers have adopted that standard yet. It also comes with an excellent bundle of software that includes everything you'll need to start making music. All around an excellent purchase I would highly recomend

Been wanting a mini synth for years. Never had the spare dosh to purchase one. Along came another birthday and instead of spending it on the usual, purchased something for me. Oh boy so glad I did. Although I've still a lot to learn, each time I have a bit of me time I discover another gem sound or technique on this incredible unit (For the money it absolutely brilliant) The software it comes with is also great - especially like the customisability of synth sounds and been able to tweak them. I know a year on I've still barely scratched the surface of what this can do, but it brings a smile to my face every time I plug it in, and away I go 🎹🎶 Happiness is

Spettacolare per la suite di suoni Studio Instrument collection che suona da paura , piccola ma ben fatta . Una volta registrato il prodotto e scaricato il software ed il plugin i suoni sono pilotabili da logic anche con altre master, ma come rispondono in resa sonora ovvero rendono utilizzando con questa piccola master non sono altrettanto pilotando con altre master , il che e' anche comprensibile . Ho molto hardware vero di synth e strumenti , questa piccolina in abbinamento alla sua collection mi ha sorpreso e poi controlli il suono con immediatezza con manopole e controlli