Akai MPK mini mk3

A
t a decade old,
MPK mini is still
a very popular
choice for both
beginners and
on-the go users.
At fi rst, the latest
mk3 iteration looks quite similar to its
predecessor, with 25 mini keys, eight
chunky pads, eight rotary controls and
the thumb stick style pitchbend/
modulation. However, there are
actually some signifi cant differences.
First, the keybed is new (Akai’s
Dynamic Gen 2 design) and although
I’m not a massive fan of mini keys in
general, this is solid, responsive and
mechanically quiet. Next up, the
controller knobs are now a continuous
rotary design and include both
absolute and relative options. If your
DAW supports relative controller
assignments, kiss goodbye to values
jumping when you switch plugins.
Excellent stuff.
The MPK mini mk2 had good
velocity and pressure sensitive pads,
but the ones in the mk3 are the same
super tactile design found in the MPC
series hardware. You haven’t got the
RGB function (the MPK minis are
always red), but the core functionality
is the same. So, the velocity response
is excellent when playing beats, but
you’ve also got great pressure
Further settings and behaviours
including MIDI channel, specifi c CC
assignments, knob behaviour and
aftertouch are set in the desktop
editor app (MPK mini 3 Program
Editor). Meanwhile Akai’s MPK mini
Software Manager handles installation
of the excellent Complete Music
Production Starter Kit software
bundle. This includes Air instruments
Hybrid 3, Mini Grand and Velvet plus
Akai’s own MPC Beats DAW and fi ve
MPC sound packs. Finally, MPK mini
mk3 is available in three colourways,
including the slick all black edition I
have on the test bench.
The MPK mini mk3 successfully
improves on the previous model and
it’s not bad for under £100.
performance when playing sustained
sounds. They also have aftertouch
(either channel and polyphonic can
be selected), which is great for
eliciting more organic performances
from suitably equipped synth
patches. One visually obvious
addition is the OLED display. This
tiny screen provides handy real-time
feedback on controller data, MIDI
channels, arpeggiator settings and
beyond, although it doesn’t seem to
display the data generated by the
keyboard. I’m sure additional
functionality could be added.
Physically, the MPK mini mk3 has
a new streamlined case, and they’ve
moved the USB socket from the side
to the back and the button layout has
also changed. The features are
otherwise similar to the mk2
including options to control MIDI CCs
and Program Changes from the pads,
an A/B selector to switch between two
pad banks, eight onboard preassigned
presets, pad options for full velocity
and note repeat, and an extensive
onboard arpeggiator. mk3 retains the
joystick style pitchbend/modulation
and this still requires some skill to
elicit just modulation – I’m sure some
would prefer touch strips. That said, if
you’d rather use it to control MIDI
CCs, you can assign four (one in each
direction on each axis).
THE PROS & CONS
+
New and
improved keybed
Excellent MPC
velocity and pressure
sensitive pads
with aftertouch
Continuous
rotary controls
New OLED screen
for instant
parameter feedback
Excellent
software bundle
-
Thumb stick won’t
appeal to everyone
FM VERDICT
9.0
A very decent upgrade with
genuinely pro features, that
cements its position in the
top handful of mini keyboard
controllers available
Akai MPK mini mk3 | Reviews
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FMU363.rev_akai.indd 91 05/10/2020 11:10