Akai Miniak

$195.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (15)

2 Critic Reviews

3 Reviews

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Page last updated Jun 15, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 15, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (6)

$195.00 13 available Used

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Average Price: $195

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Akai Miniak is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Description

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Unleash your musical creativity with the Akai Miniak, a compact powerhouse that serves as your digital synth workstation. With its eight-voice virtual analog synth, this instrument is designed for the modern musician who craves versatility and quality. Whether you're crafting melodies, beats, or textured soundscapes, the Miniak has got you covered with an impressive array of features including a built-in drum machine and a 40-band vocoder. Its intuitive interface and portable design make it perfect for both studio sessions and live performances.

Key Features:

Eight-voice virtual analog synthesizer
Integrated arpeggiator and phrase recorder
Step sequencing capabilities
Built-in drum machine for comprehensive beat making
40-band vocoder for vocal processing and experimentation
Variety of stereo effects to enhance your sound

Product specs

Brand	Akai
Model	Miniak
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Categories	Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital	Digital
Key Size	Full Size
Keyboard Action	Semi-Weighted
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys	37 Keys
Polyphony	8 Voices

FAQs

Is the Akai Miniak synthesizer polyphonic?: Yes, the Akai Miniak is polyphonic, offering 8 voices which allows you to play chords and complex sequences.
Does the Akai Miniak come with built-in effects?: The Akai Miniak features stereo bus effects, including reverbs and delays, enhancing your sound design capabilities.
What type of keyboard action does the Akai Miniak have?: The Akai Miniak features a 37-key synth-action keyboard with velocity sensitivity, providing expressive playability.
Can the Akai Miniak be used as a MIDI controller?: Yes, the Akai Miniak includes MIDI Input, Output, and Through, allowing it to function as a MIDI controller for other devices.
What kind of sounds can I create with the Akai Miniak?: The Akai Miniak offers over 600 preset sounds, including bass, lead, pad, string, brass, keys, comp, drum, and SFX, providing a wide range of sonic possibilities.
Does the Akai Miniak include a vocoder?: Yes, the Akai Miniak comes equipped with a 40-band vocoder, allowing you to create vocal effects and robotic sounds.

Videos

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TheDSPproject

Akai MINIAK review - The DSP Project

TheDSPproject

Bad Gear - Akai Miniak - The Copy/Paste Synth

AudioPilz

Akai MINIAK demo by Vanderson

ॐ Vanderson ॐ

The AKAI Miniak VA Synth - Let's Play Some Of The AMAZING Multi Patches

The Sound Test Room

AKAI Miniak (Part 1: Pad, Lead, Bass) - Factory Presets Demo (no talking)

wolfgang S vukan

Akai Miniak - Does Vintage Sounds Wonderful!

LFOstore

MINIAK/MICRON - Why is this VA Synth so Unique in 2021?

RiczVeloce

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #33: Akai Miniak - Song 1

Christian's Sonic Spaces

Akai Miniak Demo

Panu M Savolainen

AKAI MINIAK (sounds and rhythms)

Keyboards - review - repair

Reviews

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PROS

Powerful preset patches with thunderous bass and superb pads/sound effects
High-resolution control architecture avoids stepping issues
Features 20 different filters, including classic models and unique types
Analog drift implementation for authentic analog sound
Two high-speed LFOs up to 1000 Hz for extensive sound shaping
Extensive modulation possibilities with a 12 channel matrix
Unique effects like the Theta Flanger and Through-zero Flanger
Includes a 40 band vocoder and analog drum machine patterns
Built like a tank, better build quality than the Alesis Micron
Compatible with editors like Hypersynth or CTRLR for deep editing

CONS

Requires extensive menu diving for sound editing and customization
Tactile switches under the front panel prone to wear out
Central sagging issue in some units, affecting aesthetic appeal
Single knob editing slows down creative workflow
Learning curve to map three smooth endless encoders

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai Miniak.

Comparisons

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The Miniak/Micron's architecture allows them to exchange patches via sysex-dumps, indicating shared hardware capabilities.
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Compared to the Micron and Ion, it is deemed more reliable and versatile, especially in its modulation matrix capabilities.
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User experience

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The Miniak's internal architecture shares similarities with the Alesis Micron, suggesting robustness in solder joints and potential cross-compatibility in patch management.
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Owners have successfully used contact cleaner and thorough pot manipulation to restore mid-performance volume control reliability.
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Although programming the Miniak can be challenging, it rewards patient users with a deep sound engine and impressive modulation matrix.
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Owners appreciate its portability and build quality, noting it survived rough shipping conditions without damage.
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Software and compatibility

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HyperSynth editor, available for Windows and MacOSX, is highly recommended for detailed control over Miniak's sound editing and management.
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Programming ease on the Miniak improves significantly with MIDI templates available for iPads, enhancing workflow visibility and sound engine depth.
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Mods and upgrades

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Replacing faulty FETs or solder joints may resolve distortion issues from the right stereo output, as suggested by experienced owners familiar with the Miniak's hardware.
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Features and functionality

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HyperSynth's editor provides NPRN control over Programs and allows storage of Sequences, Rhythms, and Multis in sysex form, reducing menu-diving for Program editing.
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The Miniak includes a unique MIDI phrase recorder, a feature praised for its utility despite its simplicity.
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The Miniak employs heavy-duty XYZ pots, which are praised for their durability, especially with careful use.
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It has a multitimbral sequencer and a useful hold button, enhancing its live play capabilities.
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Setup and maintenance

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Cleaning the volume pot with an air blast and contact cleaner can reduce crackles; Deoxit Fader is recommended for lubrication without long-term drying effects.
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Use cases and applications

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The Miniak shines as a performance-based synth and benefits from external reverb units for enhanced sound quality.
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Users find it effective for virtual analog sounds, comparable to higher-end models like the Prophet 12 and Pro 2.
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Value and pricing

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Owners suggest not paying more than $200-$250 for a used Miniak, valuing its performance but acknowledging its programming challenges.
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Build quality

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The Miniak's modulation wheels, two in number, are noted for their exceptional quality and usability.
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The Miniak's robust metal gooseneck vocoder mic is highlighted as a significant improvement over the Microkorg's plastic design.
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Critic Reviews

Akai Miniak

soundonsound.com

The Akai Miniak impresses with its excellent analogue modeling, versatile modulation, and flexible envelopes, offering a robust sound palette for synth enthusiasts. Its multitimbrality and onboard effects including delay, reverb, and vocoder are notable highlights. However, the lack of USB connectivity and editor software, coupled with a cumbersome single encoder editing process, shows its age. Despite these drawbacks, the Miniak's rich tones and comprehensive feature set make it a strong competitor in its class, particularly for those drawn to the added vocoder functionality and full-sized keyboard. A solid choice if you're patient with programming.

positive

Full Review

Akai MiniAK review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Akai MiniAK impresses with its robust sound engine and portable design, boasting a range of powerful, analogue-inspired tones and a versatile sequencer. However, its potential is hindered by a cumbersome programming interface and a subpar vocoder. The lack of a USB port is a notable oversight, making integration with modern setups less convenient. Despite these flaws, the MiniAK remains a valuable tool for those seeking fresh sounds at a reasonable price, provided users can overlook its interface challenges.

neutral

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star

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1 star

nokon

over 7 years ago

Good starter synth, tedious programming

My first synth. A good little keyboard to flip through some rather tasteful analog sounds. Comes with a custom gooseneck mic for some of the vocoder patches. A big downside to this synth is editing the sounds or coming up with your own. There is one knob that is used to select the parameter and change it. It really does slow you down creatively. There are three smooth endless encoders that are usually mapped to filter, resonance, filter type, etc. and that does help make it feel better but I could never figure out how to map them due to the jungle menu diving. It comes with a fully feature drum machine with some really big analog drum sounds. Also able to store sequences, drum and melody, and combine these into multi timbre layered tracks.

southern

115

over 9 years ago

Good, if you can get under the hood.

Far too much menu diving makes this repackaged Alesis Ion difficult to programme, though if you can stand this rather tedious editing process the Miniak does have an impressive set of features.