AKAI MPK Mini Plus MIDI Controller

[Constructed Identity]

Looks like a good set of features for the price (wheels *and* joystick) as long as the keyboard is ok. I hear they've been improved? I had an original lpk25, honestly worst mini keyboard I've used, more like little plastic flippers, much prefer Arturias take on small keys.

Yes, plastic flippers - good description of the "keyboard" on the new MPK Mini Plus

Have you tried the keyboard? Did they go back to bendy plastic tabs from the LPK/MPK Mini mk2 and earlier, rather than actual sprung keys like on the Mini Mk3 (similar to those on the Minilab Mk2)?
That would be a pretty big step back.

The keys had springs under them. No feel, just super light touch keys. The keys don't go to the front of the unit, strangely they stop about a quarter inch from the front.
I did not try the mod wheel or pitch bend so don't ask me about them but I did move a knob.
I also didn't pick it up to judge the weight. I moved on to the Arturia Drumbrute Impact which I liked.

[BONES]

Hopefully the build quality is good, personally I would rather pay more for a pro level model, than getting a cheapy one. By Pro level I mean rugged, metal chassis, quality knobs, pads, buttons etc.

I'm the opposite, I don't want to spend more than I have to on something that is just going to get the shit kicked out of it when we're gigging. As long as the keys are playable enough, I can live with the rest and I'm just as happy spending $200 every few years as I am spending $400 up-front.

One thing, though - I will ALWAYS choose plastic over metal. Plastic is so much more durable. Metal is far too easily dented and scratched.

[pekbro]

Hopefully the build quality is good, personally I would rather pay more for a pro level model, than getting a cheapy one. By Pro level I mean rugged, metal chassis, quality knobs, pads, buttons etc.

I'm the opposite, I don't want to spend more than I have to on something that is just going to get the shit kicked out of it when we're gigging. As long as the keys are playable enough, I can live with the rest and I'm just as happy spending $200 every few years as I am spending $400 up-front.

One thing, though - I will ALWAYS choose plastic over metal. Plastic is so much more durable. Metal is far too easily dented and scratched.

For me it's more about personal preference than practicality. I like stuff to be built well, even if the chances of me ever denting/scratching something is practically zero, as I am a bit OCD about my toys. Most everything else, I am not overly good at taking care of, though I am fairly adept at keeping stuff operational.

[BONES]

When you're gigging, it's not always within your control. Idiots walk past your set-up off-stage and knock something off your stand. Worse still, last time we played in Germany the stage was so springy my Monologue leapt off the stand and ended up face-down behind me. I was lucky not to have accidentally stomped on it. No damage, though. Ruining a Monologue would be bad enough but imagine if it has been a Dave Smith Pro 3 or something!?! That's why I am happy with cheap stuff.

[pekbro]

[BONES]

Hmmmm... that's kind of put me off. The keys look tiny when he's got his hands on them and he doesn't mention how the keys feel to play. Of coruse, I'll wait until I can try it for myself but I'm less excited about it than I was.

[pekbro]

Hmmmm... that's kind of put me off. The keys look tiny when he's got his hands on them and he doesn't mention how the keys feel to play. Of coruse, I'll wait until I can try it for myself but I'm less excited about it than I was.

I tend to prefer the rubber pad type keys when stuff is small like this. Still, for me it's not a huge deal, the video was pretty positive considering the price of the unit. I'll probably order one, since it's unlikely that I'll be able to try one beforehand, living in the middle of nowhere and all.

[BONES]

The thing is that I have no interest at all in most of it. All I really want is a decent keybed with proper Mod Wheel and Pitch Bend. I currently have a KeyStep, which is great to play so I don't want to step too far backwards.

[vurt]

The thing is that I have no interest at all in most of it. All I really want is a decent keybed with proper Mod Wheel and Pitch Bend. I currently have a KeyStep, which is great to play so I don't want to step too far backwards.

can't tell for sure, but unless his hands are huge, those keys look even slimmer than the keystep keys.
more like you see on a kids toy piano

[BONES]

If you watch the video, he puts them up next to each other and, overall, the KayStep is about 1.5 keys wider than the MPK but a lot shallower. I discovered with Korg's Minilogue that have nice, long keys is as imporant for playabiltiy as the width so the two things in combination may be a dealbreaker. But there is only one way to know for sure, and that's to wait until I can try it for myself.

[audiojunkie]

The question I have, is: Is it a class compliant device?