• Akai MPK261 Midi Performance Controller

AKAI Announces New Midi Performance Controllers

AKAI Professional today announced four new usb / midi performance controllers with build-in RGB illuminated MPC pads.

The MPK261 is the largest of the controller keyboards and features 61 semi-weighted, full-size keys, 16 MPC pads with RGB illuminated feedback, 8 assignable control knobs, 8 assignable faders, and a backlit LCD screen. The MPK261 comes with a nice production software package including: Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Twist 2.0, SONiVOX Eighty-Eight Ensemble and Akai Pro MPC Essentials.

The MPK249 has the exact same hardware configuration but with 49 keys semi-weighted full size keys and the same software package as the MPK261, minus the SONiVOX Eighty-Eight Ensemble software.

The MPK225 is a 25 semi-weighted, full-size keys variant, but with 8 RGB illuminated MPC pads, 8 assignable control knobs and the exact same software package as the MPK249.

Last in the series is the MPK Mini. This has 25 synth-action mini keys and a rather unique feature that the other ones don’t have, namely a 4-way thumbstick for dynamic pitch/modulation control. Furthermore it has 8 MPC pads with Note Repeat, 8 assignable control knobs. It is USB-powered so no power adapter is required. It also has a software package including Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech and SONiVOX Wobble 2.0.

More information on the Midi performance controllers can be found on Akai Pro’s website.

Categories