AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3

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MIDI Controller

25 Velocity-sensitive mini keys
4-Way joystick for pitch and modulation control
8 MPC pads with note repeat and full level function
8 Assignable encoders
Octave selector for 10 octaves range
Integrated arpeggiator
OLED display for parameter display
Connection for sustain pedal: 6.3 mm jack
USB-B port (Class Compliant)
Dimensions (W x D x H): 318 x 181 x 44 mm
Weight: 750 g
Includes software package (downloads): MPC Beats, 6 virtual instruments (Bassline, Tubesynth, Electric, Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet) and 2 GB of sound content
Matching bag: Art.485306 (not included in delivery)
Matching case: Art.495975 (not included in delivery)

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since August 2020

Item number 498231

Sales Unit 1 piece(s)

Aftertouch No

Pitch Bend / Modulation Yes

Rotary Encoder 8

Fader (Amount) 0

Pads 8

Display Yes

MIDI interface No

Sustain Pedal Connection Yes

USB-port Yes

Mains Operation No

Battery Operation No

Bus-Powered Yes

Width in mm 318 mm

Height in mm 44 mm

Depth in mm 181 mm

Weight in kg 0,8 kg

Special Features Arpeggiator, Note Repeat

£69

Including VAT; Excluding £10 shipping

Delivery approx. between Thursday, 28.11. and Friday, 29.11.

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in Master Keyboards (up to 25 Keys)

Bundles & offers

AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 B-Stock
May have slight traces of use

£65

AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 Case Bundle

£102

AKAI Professional MPK mini Mk3 - AIEP3 Bundle

£126

For control freaks on the go

The MPK Mini MK3, Akai's most compact keyboard and pad controller, is an ideal stepping stone for beginners into realm of MIDI controllers at large and MPC beat making in particular. Compact, rugged, and roughly the size of an A4 sheet of paper, it features 25 velocity-sensitive keys (i.e. two octaves) for playing virtual instruments, eight backlit MPC-style drum pads for triggering drum sounds and samples, eight freely assignable endless rotary knobs for controlling DAW or synth parameters, a full-fledged hardware arpeggiator and a four-way joystick for pitch and modulation control. The keyboard is class-compliant and features USB connectivity to a PC or Mac. The rear side features a 6.35mm jack input for connecting a standard sustain pedal – which is uncommon in this price range and size category. Measuring 32x18cm and weighing less than a kilogram, the MPK Mini MK3 will literally fit into any backpack.

Pads on the AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 MIDI controller

A right little genius

The 25 mini-keys have undergone a complete redesign and cover two octaves, which can then be transposed up or down four octaves. The MPK Mini MK3 comes with a software bundle called the "Complete Music Production Starter Kit", which includes the MPC-Beats software and sound banks, six virtual instruments (including Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, and Velvet), and 2GB of samples. The pads can transmit both note and control change messages via MIDI, allowing DAW or plugin parameters to be altered in real time at the touch of a button. The pad and controller assignments can be saved into two different banks and easily recalled during live performances. The arpeggiator can be set with note duration values ranging from quarter notes to triplets, in binary and ternary time signatures, and offers 7 note sequencing modes. The tap-tempo button easily sets the tempo while the regular pitch and modulation wheels have been replaced by an x-y joystick placed at the top left of the keyboard.

Rotary knobs on the AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 MIDI controller

The nomadic solution

As mentioned above, the MPK Mini is a great first step into the world of MIDI controller keyboards. It is affordable, offers numerous features and a comprehensive software bundle, and its small size makes it highly portable. Whether on a train, on a plane, or in the garden – the MPK Mini can be used anywhere, even in the most cramped spaces. It also looks great on stage, for triggering samples or playback tracks in Ableton Live. Many popular DAW environments, including plugins and virtual instruments, have their own dedicated presets on the MPK Mini MK3, and the rotary knobs are perfect for controlling track volumes or filter sweeps. The new integrated OLED screen also provides clear and immediate parameter feedback.

Joystick on the AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 MIDI controller

About Akai Professional

Akai Professional has its origins in the long-established Japanese company Akai, founded in 1929, which initially manufactured electric motors, soon to be followed by high-quality tape recorders and hi-fi products. Since 1988, Akai has also become a household name like no other on the Hip-Hop scene. With the development of its first MIDI Production Centre (MPC for short), created in collaboration with Roger Linn, Akai wrote history by decisively influencing the sound of hip-hop and electronic music, which it continues to do to this very day. Famous exponents of the MPC series include DJ Shadow, Eminem, and Kanye West. Today, Akai is also well known for its robust and versatile USB MIDI controllers, not least of which is the bulletproof APC range of Ableton controllers.

A faithful friend

Whether creating rhythms on the train or performing on stage, the MPK Mini will prove a reliable companion, rarely pushed to its limits. The MPK Mini MK3 carries Akai’s DNA through and through: Its 25 keys and famous MPC-style pads, perfect for nuanced drumming and sample triggering, can be powered via USB - and its flexible mapping options will adapt to any situation. Thanks to its excellent ergonomic design, the MPK Mini MK3 can be carried around however the user wants and will satisfy, in the long run, even the most demanding on-the-go control freaks looking for an affordable MIDI-USB control keyboard.

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371 Customer ratings

5 271 Customers 4 84 Customers 3 9 Customers 2 3 Customers 1 4 Customers

4.7 / 5

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195 Reviews

Perfect combination of size, quality, features, and price

TheGreenDino 10.01.2021

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:

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Best in this price range!

ratch 27.09.2023

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.

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Superb keyboard for the price.

Handreas 04.12.2020

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.

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its nice

muwi1 24.04.2024

the keys and pads feel nice. the arpeggiator is really nice as it has a screen to show the tempo
but the endless encoders act EXACTLY like standard pots, as in: if you have two instruments and switch between them the encoder will keep the last set value on the other instrument instead of getting the value from the new instrument.
it also has zero daw integration, so I'll be returning this and getting the novation launchkey mini

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AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3

MIDI Controller