Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I just forayed into the world of midi music. Making music was my main aim and using the computer keyboard was getting frustrating for the creative process. For any song writer, a midi control is an invaluable tool. So I wanted a midi keyboard that wouldn't break the bank while giving me the control I want. I found a new one on amazon for $67, which was a steal given the current price point. ---------WHAT I LIKE----------- 1) 8 Pad buttons with 2 banks (8 X 2 = 16 notes) 2) Small form factor. This is one of the few keyboards that I can pop into my bag. Makes a great travel companion. 3) Built in Arpeggiator. You can chose to sync to the global tempo or tap your own tempo using the 'Tap Tempo' button. You can chose repetition intervals of 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32 and have triplets in each one. You can also change pattern of arrpegiation. 4) Octave up and down buttons. Although you can only control two octaves at a time because it has 25 keys, you can use these buttons to give you a full range. 5) Program mode: So this button can help you choose between 4 programs. So I can assign the same knob to different parameters depending on the program I am in. For example, I usually reserve Program 1 to the master mixer. And Program 2-4 to the VST's or Plugins I use. So in a sense they give you 8X4=32 knobs. But you can control 8 at a given time. 6) Sustain button: gives expression when playing keys like Piano or a Fender Rhodes. 7) So the program comes with an editor where you can edit all your presets. In this I like the transpose function a lot. I am used to playing the C scale as compared to any other scale. So depending on the song that I am composing, I transpose everything down or up so that C is my base note. 8) Lit buttons and pads: Adds to function and oomph factor. -----------WHAT I DON'T LIKE---------- 1) My biggest gripe is the sensitivity of buttons. A lot of people have complained that the pads are extremely insensitive. And they couldn't be more right. The pads have to be tapped pretty hard for them to even register. You get used to it eventually but because of that your velocity range is pretty small. My friend has a M-Audio trigger finger, and the pads in that are so responsive, values 1 through 127. My pads only register certain values. Hopefully this is a software issue and Akai can fix it through a firmware update or something. If velocity responsiveness is important to you, readily discard this as an option. Go for the LPD8. Same goes with the keys, they aren't really responsive. This is exemplified when you are playing acoustic instruments where you want a tight control on velocity like piano. 2) Lack of a mod wheel: I do know that this is a small budget keyboard an all, but the option of having a mod wheel would be a solid addition for future models. It adds so much expression in many instruments. 3) Lack of a sustain input: Same as above, would be a solid addition for future models. Some people are complaining that the sustain button needs to be held down and cannot be locked. I mean the sustain button was to make up for the lack of an input. Why the hell would you complain that you need to press it down! If anything, you can add sustain as an effect in your DAW if you want it for a whole section. 4) Only 4 presets. The nano key comes with 200 presets which allows you to control so many more parameters. ----------ALTERNATIVES-------- I think this unit has no real competition (offering same features) as of the moment in its price range. The Korg Nanokey: As good a device as it is, it has transport controls, knobs and sliders; missing out on the all important piano keys. The M-Audio Oxygen 25 is excellent too, but is $30 more. If the piano keys are all you need, the the Alesis Q49 is a solid keyboard giving you a fuller range, and it has a modwheel and pitch bend too. The Alesis Q25 is great too. M-Audio E-Keys 37 is useless lacking the octave change option and it isn't even touch sensitive. Consider: I use Fl Studio 10 and it doesn't have a preset for the MPK mini yet. And this is not the case with Oxygen 25. So if you need the perfect out of the box experience and if you are using FL studio, then consider the latter. At the same time I would say that mapping out keys in FL Studio is a hassle free experience and can be done with MPK manually fairly easily. -----------FINAL SAY:---------- Excellent beginner keyboard. For the price range, the features can only be a surplus. It seems like it is well constructed, and has the backing of an industry stable by carrying the name Akai. Some people seem to speak the opposite, but in my 1 month experience with the product it seems extremely well built. Looks and sounds like the first time I opened it. This device does have a few flaws. But if you were expecting a more refined product, why not stretch your budget? If dynamics on keys or pads are very important to you, DON'T BUY IT!!! I don't mean to sound like an apologist for this product, but I don't want the naysayers to deter the intentions of the average buyer like me who would benefit SO MUCH from a product like this. With hope for a better world, signing off for now.