Akai MPK Mini Plus vs. MPK Mini Play vs. MPK Mini mk3 - Midi Keyboard Comparison

[@E_-_-]

Just got mine (mini plus). This thing is 100% worth it. Everything just works. Super fun to play with. I also tried Minilab 3 which was a struggle from start to finish. The only good thing about Minilab 3 is the keys. Which, here you have an octave more. I think MPK mini plus is 2022's winner

[@E_-_-]

Be sure to download the firmware, which fixed my jittering Mod wheel. Out of the box it can come with a very low version number (0.5 or something)

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm sure people will find this info helpful. Glad to hear you're loving MPK Mini Plus!

[@bloodcell6282]

How is it working with Ableton or logic? I was disposable with my last 2 akai but of course I ordered this new variation

[@E_-_-]

@@bloodcell6282 Sorry mate I use Reaper. In essence, it doesn't work at all with Reaper, that is, the 5 transport buttons don't do anything until they are configured in the daw For example the play button fromthe AKAI sends a midi message (B0 76 7F) which, in Reaper, you could assign to the action "Play", or anything else really. I'm not sure if such things are possible with Live. But I would be surprised if it doesn't work though, considering Live's popularity edit: actually there are presets for ableton and Logic in the AKAI bank 3 (prog select + pad 3) is Logic, I think bank 2 is Ableton but I have overwritten it

[@bloodcell6282]

@@E_-_- thank you for replying. thats how i found my last 2 worked as well, even though they had settings for the daw they never worked right. im so surprised there isnt some shared scripts for each daw, im pretty sure i had editors for each akai ive owned. i know they have them for my novaiob products and they are layed out nicely...yet ive searched for scripts before and never found them..business idea :) have a great week!

[@jlamjustin9812]

If da MINI plus comes out with internal sound / controller would be DOPE I WOULD DEFINITELY GET DAT 🫡🥺🎹🎵🎶✨

[@CrissJrTheBeatMaker]

I have MPK Mini MK3 but I fell in love with the MPK Mini Plus more than all for the Transport Control, I miss that in my MPK Mini MK3.

[@9Lumberjack6]

I will go with the Plus. It's full packed with nice functions and the 37 Keys are a good number to work with. Thx for the Video! :)

[@cinepost]

Thanks! Am trying to decide on something today. Real like the Akai drum pads

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Great! Hope this video was helpful! Cheers!

[@blok31092]

Amazing video man! I’ve been loving the MPK Mini Plus and honestly for the price differentials, it feels like a no brainer for the added keys and functionality. Gotta mess with the sequencer more - that beat you made at the end was 🔥🔥🔥

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

My Dude! Appreciate you man! You're always in these comments 🙏🙏 Thanks for sharing your experience with MPK mini plus. You definitely helped convince me to get one!

[@imanal2543]

@@PatrickBreenMusic if I buy the arturia mk minilab 2 will I get 6000 free sounds? Also do I get more vintage software and presets,sound with mini lab 2 or mini lab3?

[@Bazravish69]

Nice one bro, thanks for the vid 👍

[@kousuke24]

patrickさん 🎹　比較動画ありがとう😊 参考になりました〜

[@lucianlangtr]

I wished there was a plus version of the mini play mk3 so it can be used as a standalone keyboard as well

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped one in the near future. Seems like a lot of people are asking for that keyboard.

[@kevinmfafard]

the mini play with midi io would be fine too@@PatrickBreenMusic

[@mingusx3440]

Thanks for the video. I bought the MPK Mini plus as an upgrade to my original MPK Mk1 because of the added transport control section. But to my disappointment, I found out the MPK Mini Plus is not plug-and-play (for both Logic and MPC Beats). I found this to be weird because it has program select options for these DAWs. Really frustrating!

[@jeannedarc1566]

Whaaat…mine is being delivered today and I thought it would be, given Logic is one of its options. Hmmm

[@mingusx3440]

@@jeannedarc1566 yeah, it's not plug-and-play. Holla back though when you get yours. Would love to hear your experience. I know I was hella frustrated, so much so that I went and switched and got Native Instruments' M32 keyboard. NI's keyboard is already mapped out the box and the transport controls work perfectly for Logic.

[@G73Server]

What does plug and play mean?

[@mingusx3440]

@@G73Server it means it works as soon as you connect it. Maybe they have updated it now, don't know. I haven't touched it in while. Been using NI gear. NI gear is plug-and-play. Just works.

[@REFIELDOFFICIAL]

I need the akai to make a MPK mini play BUT as a PLUS version with 37 keys...

[@kloakovalimonada]

Exactly

[@GuyVignati]

That would be great, leaving space also for more knobs and not streamlined pads!

[@thomasecallaghan1111]

Yes, the speaker can replace the redundant joystick!

[@MikeAllenTarot]

dope! thanks for the info!

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

My pleasure! Thanks for the comment, my friend!

[@Schemez-16vhiphopbeatz]

just got the mini play to day to use with the mpc iv got the mpk and the lpk hooked up for two hands

[@OHDOTSEA]

I wish they had this, but with normal size keys. I want to upgrade to a bigger controller from my MPK Mini, but hate the width of the keys are too slim.

[@lueotw]

Oxygen Pro 25 ?

[@dreamsneezer8668]

No doubt, and they’re waaaay too light.

[@gratiswinter]

Very helpful!

[@debsongwriter]

I would love to have the Plus with the Play speaker left and right ❤

[@daniellancorai]

god that’ll be awesome

[@Sochi_Mochi]

Great video Patrick! I got a background in guitar and drums no experience with piano or synthesis. Would love to learn about making some electronic music with simple beats. Would this be a good keyboard for beginners?

[@markszostak5808]

I know your comment is a year old but I thought I'd reply anyway. My experience was with electric guitar. Then I came down with carpel tunnel problems making my fingers numb on my left hand. I could not feel the strings to make chords. This year I thought I'd buy a keyboard of some type but did not know where to start. I did not want to spend too much money. I wanted piano and synthe sounds. First I had ordered a Zoom R20 for recording guitar tracks but during the tutorials on KZbin I learned it had built in synthe functions but needed a midi controller keyboard. I pondered all makes and models and settled on the Akai MPK MINI PLUS because of its price point and 37 key features. I purchased it though Musicians Friend as an open box discount. With tax it came out to $148.00. They actually shipped a new one with the box never opened. Not having a clue what to do with it I hooked it up to the R20 and found a lot of cool things. However the MPK has free DAW software called MPC BEATS to download to a computer. This opened up all the possible sounds I was looking for and then some on a keyboard. It looked complicated but KZbin tutorials got me started. For a first time buyer I'm sincerely impressed with the AKAI MPK MINI PLUS. I would be interested to know if you settled on getting anything.🌵

[@BluelightGaming1]

Is the main point of having the built in sequencer just so you can not use a daw for that? Confused why you would want that on the plus.

[@williamfleming892]

Thank youuuuu

[@ChusRama]

Thank you very much for your video! Do you know if I can use it with android devices? Thank you very much. Regards.

[@mototravellife]

Hey, nice video! I'm looking for a midi keyboard for my 11 y.o. son who plays a bit piano and would like to try produce some music. I'm stuck between mini mk3 and mini plus. Although mini plus has obviouse advantages, I've got a feeling that it is at the same time more complicated and could cause some learning troubles for a beginner. What would you recommend for a complete newbie teenager?

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

I like mini plus because it has more keys! The more advanced features like arp and sequencer will be nice to have if he decides to get into that kind of music. But they don’t get in the way of the keyboards basic functionality, if that makes sense.

[@mototravellife]

@@PatrickBreenMusic totaly make sense. Thanks a lot for your answer!

[@vrainonymousanimationz6010]

Just a quick question because I am trying to decide and this would be a dealbreaker for me, are you able to use every sound/drums that the akai mini mk3 can do on the mini play? Or is the mini play only limited to those built in soundkits?

[@norakat]

How about a Bluetooth option for wireless midi and an on/off switch for the Bluetooth transmitter to save batteries

[@ChusRama]

Thank you very much for your video! Do you know if I can use the plus keyboard with android devices? Thank you very much. Regards.

[@marcelobaus]

Questions that I still have after watching this video because I am a newbie in this... 1. The built-in sounds that come in MPK Mini Play don't come on MPK Mini mk3? is that right? 2. MPK Mini Play has speakers but can we hear the sound from MPK Mini mk3 if we are using headphones? 3. MPK Mini Play can't record without a computer, does that mean that we can't make live loops without a computer?

[@Bangastarch]

Yoooooo Pat, have you got a piano loop pack ??

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Nahhhh should I make one? haha!

[@Bangastarch]

@@PatrickBreenMusic broooo don’t play with me.. you better.. or we could collaborate and produce some songs

[@Bangastarch]

@@PatrickBreenMusic just the way you play keys .. your go to chords are just DAMN.. sweet

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

@@Bangastarch Appreciate that man! Maybe I'll drop a sample pack!

[@herroglop7411]

Is it possible to connect the Mini Plus to an Android phone with some virtual instrument? Considering the issue of connectivity-compatibility and powering the Mini Plus. If there is a way of "getting" sounds ( keyboars, pianos, drums, instruments like that....) apart from plugging it into a computer or the phone I would appreciate that info too. Thanks

[@senpai_mangue6141]

i wonder, could you run a data cable(ONLY) into the MPK mini plus midi out

[@S.P.H.E]

Sbonge 🙌🏾

[@helijim]

This keyboard is lacking the 'program change' button though which I think is a shame. I've lost 8 pads now as I have assigned bank B for 'program change' Maybe there's another way to do this but it's what I came up with.

[@Recommendable]

Can this mini play be powered for instance by a external powerbank?

[@pierrefitch]

Is it possible to link 2 of these together with guitar ?

[@fostergood191]

How do I set up the mini plus on logic, having a pretty hard time trying to set it up

[@alll261]

So on the plus I can create a drum beat, it loops, then throw a jam session with the keys?

[@JasonCuriRockstar]

Does the Mini Plus fit in the Mono Bag?

[@_Doom_20]

Will I get all the same midi controls in pro tools with the Mini plus?

[@friedricegrain5593]

What kind of backpack can the Plus fit in?

[@123456Clemente]

one question, are the drum pads hard to the touch? or they have a button travel

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Honestly, they're pretty stiff. They work well, the velocity sensitivity is accurate. But they're definitely on the stiffer side.

[@frankbily9996]

Does the MPK Mini Plus have internal sounds like the play?

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Hey! No the MPK mini plus does not have internal sounds.

[@hanlinhanlin1811]

Good

[@AvidEric]

I mean, how much would you have to pay for the 100 sounds/drums/effects if you bought them for the MPK Mini mk3? Also, it's not only the sounds the Play comes with, also the in-built speaker/soundcard is part of the extra. So I may be wrong - please do if that's the case - but would the play not be better for someone just starting out, wanting to get the most for the least amount of money? Pair the Play with e.g. Koala sampler and that's all you need? Am I missing something? (By the way, by now the difference is more like 30€ from the 50 it once was - does that change anything?)

[@LeRoy9000]

The mini play sounds are a bit naff. The mini plus is the best value by far..

[@novakillbones2140]

"Beginner to intermediate level" what? Why wouldn't a seasoned professional buy an MPK Mini Plus? I just bought one and I've been writing, producing and performing for more than 40 years. We play festivals and support touring bands, locally, interstate and internationally, so my professional need is for something ultra-portable. A full featured controller like this, that I can slip into my carry-on luggage, is the best thing imaginable. Previously I had a KeyStep for the extra keys and a MiniLab for the pads and knobs, now Akai have made all those features available in a single controller that's the same width (length) as a 32 key KeyStep. What professional wouldn't be interested?

[@Averagegamerguyyy]

Does the mini have rgb like the plus?

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

It does not

[@nickwatland3565]

I just grabbed a plus for 105 bucks . It’s badass but I wish it was a funky color hahahaha

[@qwe1231]

"great feel and playability" maybe compared to Novation. But there are MUCH better mini keys elsewhere.

[@undersh1mmer]

do you have any other you’d recommend?

[@qwe1231]

​@@undersh1mmer Akai has good mini controllers with good features but there are much better keys on the Arturia Minilab 3, or the Native Instruments M32.

[@undersh1mmer]

@@qwe1231 oh thanks i’ll look into that last one, anything about the oxygen pro mini?

[@qwe1231]

​@@undersh1mmer Alesis, Akai, M-Audio are subsidiaries of the same corporation. Small differences between them: 32 vs 37 keys, Akai has sequencer and endless knobs. Oxygen has slightly better key feel. I'd personally take the Arturia (or the NI if I had NI software).

[@undersh1mmer]

@@qwe1231 thank u!!

[@CptLz24]

Is the mini plus a controller only or can it be stand-alone?

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

It can be stand-alone. You need to power it with a usb cable but you can do that and use it with a DAW-less setup.

[@CptLz24]

@@PatrickBreenMusic Thank you sir, great video 🙏🏾

[@bloodcell6282]

no sounds in it though Mega, you need to hook it up to either a synth, computer or ipad/tablet daw

[@BCCCsweden]

A "Play Plus" would be perfect, but I guess they aren't around?

[@emadebrahim1463]

منتج سيئ سوف تندم بعد شرائه

[@emadebrahim1463]

منتج سيئ لا يعمل ألا على منتجات ابل

[@dreamsneezer8668]

Easy, none of them. The keys have zero weight and the pads are hard as rocks. Added bonus the MPC “essentials” software is shite.

[@pizzaboy1996]

what do you recommend?

[@dreamsneezer8668]

@@pizzaboy1996 depends on budget, how serious someone is, and what they plan on creating a majority of the time. This thing is cool because of the price and you can play around and make some beats with it and it’s fun. I would recommend going with something that has bigger weighted keys and is a keyboard only, then grab some hardware with more pads for drums later or visa versa. If your not a keyboard player then you could probably get by with something that has a decent amount of pads only.

[@FoxinTaiwan]

​@@dreamsneezer8668for example?

[@zoomhardin]

is there a 1 key version? those have too many keys.

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Bro I wish. But it sounds like you got a billion dollar idea on your hands...