Is the Akai MPK61 Worth it?

[Lineypirate]

I've got an MPK25 (soon upgrading to a 61 / 88) and use it pretty much as you have described, for working out melodies and the like. It's much easier than using your computer keyboard or piano roll. I only wish I had bought a bigger one to begin with as with only 25 keys you soon run out of space for two handed stuff.

As for the feel of the keys, they have a pleasant enough feel about them and are velocity sensitive with aftertouch, which is great for mapping to filter cutoffs and the like for your soft synth of choice. And as for the pads, I bought a simple insert kit for under £5 on eBay and it took me about 15 minutes to open up my MPK and install them. Makes a massive difference.

[rawrjaay]

I've got an MPK25 (soon upgrading to a 61 / 88) and use it pretty much as you have described, for working out melodies and the like. It's much easier than using your computer keyboard or piano roll. I only wish I had bought a bigger one to begin with as with only 25 keys you soon run out of space for two handed stuff.

As for the feel of the keys, they have a pleasant enough feel about them and are velocity sensitive with aftertouch, which is great for mapping to filter cutoffs and the like for your soft synth of choice. And as for the pads, I bought a simple insert kit for under £5 on eBay and it took me about 15 minutes to open up my MPK and install them. Makes a massive difference.

do you think by any chance you have a tutorial on how to install the insert kits? and a link to buy them on ebay? Im buying the mpk61

[Lineypirate]

I just copied some videos from YouTube for my upgrade but it's fairly simple, just requiring a crosspoint / phillips screwdriver. If you need it I'm sure I could take a few photo's and disassemble mine again but it's quite easy.

Depending on your location, MPCStuff.com sells a whole plethora of goodies for the whole MPK range and the only link I could find on eBay is:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pad-Sensit...ht_2846wt_1156

There's even a handy video at the bottom!

Hope this helps.

[dwdbmills]

I would suggest going to guitar center and getting a feel for the keys. What I noticed was the MPK49 keys felt significantly better than the MPK61 keys, now there might have been other factors at play to make this true (how long they have been out for) but i would still recommend getting a feel for them in person. With all this said, I am not a pianist by any means so this is just my personal opinion.

[quality control]

My $200 axiom does melodies and tracks just fine. I spent the money on a better synth, but sold it as it did not increase my creativity or ability to play.

If you don't play well, why bother pretending?

[DStridium]

I have an Akai Professional MPK Mini and I love the little thing to death. Its got only 2 octaves at a time (you can shift up or down all octaves) but it also includes an arpeggiator with tap to tempo, 16 drum pads that are very intuitive to how hard you tap them, and 8 assignable parameter controls. I would recommend Akai products, personally I use mine as a MIDI controller for Traktor. The Mini sells for around $80 online although I got mine from a friend for $40.

[DStridium]

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