AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3

I have this keyboard for two months now and I am super happy about it. I use it as a small and mobile input to my MIDI setup and to create short melodies and sometimes just to have fun.

The quality (for the price) is quite high. I really like the feeling and the response of the pads. The whole thing is fully programmable and with 8 pads and 8 knobs it's completely enough for my use case to also act as a MIDI controller for my AUM setup on iPad.

Pros:
- quality for the price
- size
- programmable (the note and command code of all pads and knobs can be changed)
- No driver needed (Mac and iPad)

cons:
- the software package that comes with it is amazing, but the only thing is that somehow Akai makes it hard to download them. I had hard time finding the program editor, but once you get them, you are all set.


Con:

I recently acquired the AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3, and I can't help but sing its praises! This compact MIDI controller is marvelous.

From the moment I unboxed it, I was impressed with the build quality. Despite its small size, it feels incredibly sturdy, and the keys and pads have a satisfying tactile feel.

The functionality of this MIDI controller is where it truly shines. The keys are not only velocity-sensitive but also responsive to aftertouch, allowing for expressive playing. The drum pads are incredibly responsive, after some setting changes, making beat production a breeze. The knobs and buttons are well-placed and provide easy access to various parameters, making it versatile for controlling virtual instruments and effects.

Setting it up with my preferred software was a breeze, and the included software bundles are a fantastic bonus. The inclusion of MPC Beats and AIR Hybrid 3 greatly expands my sonic palette.

Portability is another big plus. The MPK Mini MK3 is compact and lightweight, making it perfect for musicians on the go. It easily fits into a backpack, and the USB power means you can use it with your laptop anywhere you go.

In summary, the AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 is a powerhouse of a MIDI controller packed into a small, affordable package. Whether you're a beginner just starting in music production or a seasoned pro looking for a portable solution, this controller delivers in every aspect. It's an excellent value for the price and has quickly become an essential part of my music production setup. I highly recommend it to anyone in the music production world. Five stars all the way!

Also thank you Thomann for the fast shipping, cheapest price and your pristine service.

I’m not a professional pianist, but I am a professional sound engineer.

I mostly work with live instruments, but most projects I do these days include at least some software instruments. So far I’ve got by with an old M-Audio keyboard, but I needed something better for a theatre-project I was working on. I wanted a portable and nice feeling keyboard that could make playing and recording synths and especially percussion easier, and this one ticked all the boxes for me: Small and light weight, pads, rotary encoders and a nice price.

Pros:
Keys feel nice. I like that they’re a bit stiff.

The rotary (endless) encoders are a huge plus.



The pads are very good. Velocity sensitivity is very good.

Excellent portability. Low weight and small frame means this will fit in the smallest of bags.

Cons:
Keys are a bit on the small side, but it’s not a huge issue unless you’re expecting real piano keys. I don’t play “real” piano, so I don’t care much, but my significant other, who’s a pianist, absolutely hates the size of the keys.

The joystick, instead of separate mod and pitch wheels, is so-so. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but I would prefer wheels.

This was my first MIDI controller. I was looking for a cheap, quality controller with pads and knobs and this one was new on the market. I can't compare it to other brands but compared to the previous version it's a lot better, or so they say on Youtube. It has endless encoding knobs which is a big plus if you're trying to control parameters in your DAW and the keys feel good (considering the price and what this is meant to be used for). Very portable and looks nice, I don't regret buying it! At the end of the day this is only as good as you are at messing around with the options your DAW provides. I bought it kind of blindly but have since learned a lot of tricks and ways to use it that blew my mind. For a beginner I wouldn't recommend anything else.