Akai Professional MPK49 USB MIDI Keyboard

Perfect match of Plug&Play keyboard, Drum pads, Knobs and Faders for FX. Awesome for studio because you can record everything you got in your mind.

for me this midi keyboard is one of the best out there!

I use an MPK 49 because it works perfectly with Logic and offers a lot of extra Stuff like Faders, Drumpads etc.

This has been my main midi keyboard for the last four years, works great! It's a bit bulky though and I could probably do with something thinner with less features. I mainly play the keys so I think I've just discovered like 15% of what it's able to do. I've started to use the drum pads on it more as of late though, and that is a great add on. Has nice pitch and modulation wheels!

This is a great midi keyboard, but the pads do not work that great. I saw on a forum where someone had installed their own pads, and they said that they work much better. Also, I wish the knobs had lighting so I could see how far they are turned up. All in all, it is a great keyboard for a desk studio. Not very portable, but I plan on buying the mini version soon.

When using a DAW with mappable midi controls like Ableton Live like I use, having a MIDI controller with lots of knobs, sliders, buttons, pads and wheels is great. The pads are MPC/MPD style. The menus are a little wonky, and the keys are spongy for truly keyboardist type playing but for synthesis and MIDI controller stuff it works great. The drum pads feel pretty good, and can be upgraded with aftemarket pads that can give it a true MPC feel. In fact the MPC parts vendors allow you to customize every knob, slider and button. I might black mine out and get the thicker MPC style pads. There is an onboard arpeggiator that syncs to MIDI clock which is super useful. If they keys felt better, I'd make it my only keyboard, but my Korg M1 keybed feels infinitely better if I'm rocking a Rhodes or sampled piano patch. Also, controls can go out. I've only lost a couple of buttons over the years and they're probably repairable, but build quality could be better. It is still built better than most MIDI keyboards in the same price range. It is still my main MIDI keyboard input device to my DAW and via a MIDI to cv/gate converter, I use it to control my Eurorack modular too.

I love having a full piano in case I just want to jam out and not have to worry about switching octaves, and the drum pads/knobs are really nice. It also MIDI Maps right up to Ableton Live so that is nice too!! Love it.

I have the limited edition red version of the MPK 49 and I love it. The keys aren't weighted, but they have a great response and don't feel cheap or fragile like a lot of midi keyboards. The pads are also really responsive, and the built in sequencer and arpeggiator are great for quick inspiration.

Solid stuff for stage.

I picked up this UBS / MIDI controller to replace an older MIDI keyboard. This has a great feel to it and the buttons are very well placed. When working with Abelton it is amazing. When working with FL Studio, I had to dig around the net to find some mapping. Although, mapping is pretty easy in FL Studio. The unit has a good weight to it and I haven't taken it out of my home office/studio. The one negative review that people tend to have about this controller is the low sensitivity of the 12 gray pads. While I have noticed this a bit, it has not been too bothersome in recording or performance.