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Average Price: $84
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Description
Unleash your musical creativity with the Akai MPK61 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, a versatile tool designed to elevate your studio experience. Perfectly blending the tactile comfort of traditional instruments with modern digital capabilities, this controller is a must-have for both budding musicians and seasoned producers. Whether you're crafting beats in your bedroom or laying down tracks in a professional studio, the MPK61 stands out with its expansive 61-key semi-weighted keyboard. This feature provides a natural, responsive feel that mirrors the subtleties of a real piano, making it a joy to play.
The MPK61 doesn't just stop at keys. It boasts 16 genuine MPC-style pads, each with four banks, giving you a total of 64 assignable sounds or samples at your fingertips. Perfect for those intricate drum patterns or triggering synth stabs, these pads are renowned for their responsiveness and durability. Additionally, the controller features eight full-size assignable pots and parameter sliders, offering extensive control over your DAW and virtual instruments.
Designed with input from professional musicians and producers, the MPK61 seamlessly integrates into any setup, enhancing your workflow and allowing for a more intuitive music-making process. With its robust build and comprehensive feature set, it's no wonder that artists like The xx and Kaskade rely on the MPK61 to bring their music to life.
Key Features:
- 61-key semi-weighted keyboard for a natural playing experience
- 16 MPC-style pads with four banks for a total of 64 assignable sounds
- Eight full-size assignable pots and parameter sliders
- Seamless integration with popular DAWs
- Robust and durable design for long-lasting performance
Videos
alternatingbitmusic
AKAI MPK61 demo (Reason emphasis)
AKAI MPK61 demo (Reason emphasis)
alternatingbitmusic
AKAI MPK61 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller Unboxing
HomeTracks
✅ How To Use Akai Professional MPK 61 Midi Keyboard Controller Review
The Stuff I Use Channel
AKAI MPK 61 Instructional Video For Beginners
SampleKings
Reviews
PROS
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Remarkable weighted touch response
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Smooth operation of all features
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Key bed feels very tight
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Built like a tank for durability
CONS
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Fewer keys than larger models
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Pads become "squishy" over time
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Arpeggiator lacks intuitive visual cues
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Firmware issues; difficult to find support
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Large size affects portability for some users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai MPK61 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller.
Build quality
Comparisons
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The MPK61 is often compared to the Novation Launchkey, which offers more versatility and better pad functionality for EDM and related genres.
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The MPK261's key action is favored by some over the original MPK61, suggesting a subjective preference for the newer model's feel despite mixed reviews.
Source
Features and functionality
User experience
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Some owners feel that the 61-key version can be cumbersome if portability is a priority, recommending smaller models like the Akai MPK Mini for compact setups.
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Owners report successful key, pitch, modulation wheel, and sustain pedal function when connecting MPK61 to MPC Live 2 via USB.
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An owner sold their MPK61 due to space constraints, highlighting the importance of considering physical dimensions in shared or small spaces.
Source
Software and compatibility
Use cases and applications
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The larger pads on the MPK61 are considered better for finger drumming, making it a choice for users focusing on rhythm-heavy production tasks.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 31 Ratings
Very versatile machine
As far as MIDI keyboards go this is a great keyboard. The only downside is the portability (I have no problem transporting it from place to place if needed but some people may because it's so large). Although you can get a smaller MPK if you want something more portable. I produce in my home and in my studio so that's where the portability becomes a factor. Anyone in the same situation may want to consider that when choosing the size. Other than that the MPKs are GREAT
137
An Amazing MIDI Keyboard
The only thing this keyboard is missing is an 88 key weighted model. Other than that everything on it works nice and smooth.
820
Akai MPK 61 Controller
This is a great controller. I like the key bed feels very tight. Built like a tank too.
Artist usage
Add artist
This screenshot is from a video of Porter Robinson's performance of "Sad Machine" at the Fox Theater in Pomona, CA (from Last Call with Carson Daly). This shows Porter's live setup during the Worlds tour. His primary keyboard controller looks to be the Akai MPK61 USB/MIDI Keyboard Controller, which sits to the right of his laptop. The original video can be found here.
We spotted the Akai MPK61 MIDI Keyboard Controller in an Instagram photo of Sebastian Ingrosso's studio equipment.
Photos posted by Steve Angello show he uses the Akai MPK61 as his main MIDI Keyboard.
At 1:30 in this video, Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso are making melodies of "Don't You Worry Child" on an Akai MPK61.
He can be seen playing this controller
In a user-uploaded photo on Cloudinary, Daniel Lopatin, known as Oneohtrix Point Never, is shown with an Akai MPK61 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller on his studio desk.
In video "DOOM: Behind The Music Part 1" (3:14) we can see this keyboard on the Mick's table.
Vince Clarke can be seen playing an Akai MPK 61 at 1:23.
At 0:43 into this teaser, Sick Individuals is in the studio with Dannic producing on an iMac with an MPK61 keyboard attached.
At 3:05 in this video by Akai, Mark Foster talks about his use of the MPK61 saying, "I mean I'd experimented with a couple different midi keyboards before deciding on the Akais. And I think the way that it is setup is pretty user-friendly. I think it's pretty intuitive, just the way that the layout is and it seemed to be the most reliable midi controller. So that's why we went with that. And then also, it's just good to have the capabilities of having the pads separate from the keys and the faders, you know, to be able to program cutout for release and having effects there, it just made sense for what we needed to do."
At the 0:39 mark of the video Benjamin is shown playing the Akai MPK61
Album Usage
The Akai MPK61 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Akai MPK61 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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