Is The Akai MPK249 Worth It? - In 2024

[@djmsquared]

This is the best keyboard controller in the game. I've bought it 3 different times looking to try something else but always end up back with the mpk249! I just love the quick workflow, the pads and the transport controls with the cursor buttons and of course the knobs and faders. 10/10!

[@Upwards._]

For sure!

[@Thisninjascared]

Why 3 times? Are they breaking on you?

[@djmsquared]

@@Thisninjascared No, I would sell it to get something else that I didn't end up liking and then end up buying it back again multiple times.

[@SureFeelsGood]

any thoughts on novation sl49 mk3?

[@djmsquared]

@@SureFeelsGood I haven't used it yet so I can't really comment on it unfortunately but it looks really cool.

[@christuusgnosis]

I love this unit You need to program the unit itself to get results the keys are full and heavy synth style, the pads rock, everything is solid but Akai has totally abandoned any software management for it. It could do so much more with a simple bios update, but it has been abandoned by akai the pads are capable of every single thing that other ableton controllers do, but akai has gimped the bios and doesn't allow the pads to be set as pure cc so you can't map certain buttons in your daw to the pads, like incremental record. Their own software MPC beats doesn't even have a midi mapping for this great keyboard!!! you have to load a preset for a different device to get the pads automapped in mpc but if you are aware that it must be you, clicking throught the device menus that must edit every pad to match the drum rack in ableton or switch to the gm preset. once you get used to editing the device and not using windows software to configure it it has a lot of pads and great keys. They could make this device into a rockstar unit, with just a bios update and a windows software to configure the device visually This is a road device, a strong unit you can transport around. and you can take it apart to fix stuck keys yourself.

[@kevinkempt]

the thing is so buggy for me nowadays but when it works its great

[@theblackdepths7322]

"This keyboard is very heavy" *laughs in ASR-10/EPS*

[@808beezy6]

Ha !

[@FirstSonsMotif]

I love it! I have the special edition all black keys version. I never seen keys on a controller as great as this one. Everthing feels great and it's built really great.

[@Upwards._]

Ooooh the black version looks awesome!

[@Mill-on-da-track]

I love mine. The only issue and its not just mine its everyone i know that owns one is the pitch wheel either glitches or doesnt work at all

[@thetealeaves9698]

You want some proper switch cleaner spray. They are self cleaning if you keep wiggling them and spray a little in the gaps it should sort it tbh

[@Mill-on-da-track]

Just tried that and now it the wheel doesn't work at all. (I used contact cleaner that it safe for plastics.) Im just gonna reach out to akai to see if i can buy another pitch bend wheel directly from them or try and find for parts one used somewhere and swap the wheel out ​@thetealeaves9698

[@nedim_guitar]

This video was very helpful! There is a used one that I'm considering buying. I just have to make sure that I am able to do my own MIDI mapping, and that it won't have any bugs in use, causing strange behavior or crashing of my DAW.

[@Do-si]

Great review! I think they will release the newer version soon

[@Upwards._]

Hopefully!

[@kadinbartlett2763]

Can you make a video on how to configure the controls onto logic, I have one and I can’t get the loop button to work? Love the video!

[@Upwards._]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2qtk6xqbMZkpqcsi=HnZnRbu4c8EZhs7_

[@DEADN8]

This was very helpful, thank you, good sir.

[@Upwards._]

No problem!

[@johannesobier2477]

I own the MPK261 and I believe it's the same with the MPK249: In the global settings you can adjust the velocity sensitivity even *between* the white and black keys. A lot of videos mention a velocity difference between the white and black keys. But it can easily be adjusted. OK, you say there is somehow a difference in the quality between the white and black keys (different tightness of the springs?). With the right adjustment between the white and black keys' velocity I don't experience a problem. But nevertheless there is one weakness with the keys: The aftertouch sensitivity curve. It is difficult to e.g. control the vcf filter opening via aftertouch. One of the best keybeds for a (channel) afterouch is still the Roland D-50's keybed, that had a really smooth aftertouch curve and even a slider for the aftertouch sensitivity. With the MPK2 series it's hard to control this effect of the famous "Pressure Me Strings" patch of the D-50/D-550 or the cloud version of it. The MPK2 series aftertouch curve is not a very good one.

[@williammarshburn]

does the aftertouch on yours seem to take a lot of effort? i got mine used. just wondering. but, yes. its the a-10 of midi keyboards.

[@RichardCyberPunk]

Important to know about this Akai keyboard in 2024: Are the most used DAW programs still good supported in 2024 for the Akai MPK249 (that was launched in 2014) ?

[@Upwards._]

Still works perfectly fine with the latest version of Logic pro

[@RichardCyberPunk]

@@Upwards._ Thank you for your fast reply.

[@francr1561]

Hi. Works good with Apple procesors?

[@Upwards._]

Yup! No issues 👍

[@RaaddrrVanOfficials]

can you sample in the mpk ? and chop samples does it use the mpc software ?

[@CrazyBOY-ub3ff]

What are the daws support in this keyboard

[@SureFeelsGood]

any thoughts on novation sl49 mk3 vs this one?

[@BlastbeatsRtreats]

Hi, once I assigned Invasion drum software to the pads but,it didn't save it. Do you save assignments in the DAW, software or in the controller?

[@KyushuSensei]

I believe you have to save in the controller.

[@alexaj241]

Does this work with fl studio. I use reason and fl. And i know reason supports it but i heard fl studio you lose some inherent functionality

[@joelsagayanatan2325]

Bro how to change the velocity sensitivity of the keys..

[@madworker1927]

Can I use these faders for orchestral VST's automation? Or should look towards fader master instead.

[@Upwards._]

Yup you can use the faders for automating anything! Depends on the DAW you use, sometimes it can be a little funky

[@madworker1927]

Ok Thanks!@@Upwards._

[@madworker1927]

@@Upwards._ should I pick this or nectar panorama p6

[@Upwards._]

@@madworker1927 I’ve never tried the Nectar before so I can’t say much about that sorry!

[@madworker1927]

@@Upwards._ ok no worries

[@ColinMcElaney]

Tough to get it working with Sonoma.

[@elizabetheastman]

I have a mpk 249 directly plugged into a new acer laptop running Ableton 11 lite and I CANNOT for the life of me figure out how to fix the lag!!! Regardless what pad or key I press it’s like a half a second delay - SO FRUSTRATING!!! Wanna love it but need to fix the lag before I can 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

[@austin33785]

Have you tried changing the input channel to mpk249 in the list. There are a lot of videos about this issue. I use to have it and it's fixed now. Also how much ram does your laptop have?

[@seriousdoubts3697]

You probably need to add a sound module like Arturia MiniFuse. That will take the processing load away from laptop. I had the same issue.

[@elizabetheastman]

@@seriousdoubts3697 Thanks! I'll try that :)

[@elizabetheastman]

@@austin33785 Yeah, tried changing the list but idk. 16RAM but I plug it into a MacBook and have the same issue.....

[@austin33785]

@@elizabetheastman okay your ram is fine. Try ASIO4All or a driver that can process the sound. J Your laptop driver probably isn't optimized is my guess.

[@fotpjusto457]

mpc beats is really fire if you have an mpc. A couple more features and its the best out

[@Upwards._]

True!

[@tylergates4075]

I think this will be renovated next

[@Upwards._]

Hope so!

[@josem.dueneztinoco2388]

It was so good it has not been necessary to update

[@Upwards._]

Also means the next upgrade will be even better!

[@leewightman8619]

It's a badass controller

[@Upwards._]

Sure is 😆

[@pellecarlen]

Will an iPad PRO with USB-c power this?

[@Upwards._]

Yes it will 👍

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

The MPK249 is getting old but I think Akai is planning on making anymore midi keyboards, and instead is making MPC keyboards instead.

[@Upwards._]

Yes I did see the new stuff they were making, but hopefully they’ll make more mpks!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@Upwards._ Na its been a decade since a MPK or MPD, I think they and there last Midi controller MPC Studio should of been called a MPD wasn't.

[@bigdazz8951]

Can u make a video on how to customize the rgb’s on the pads or at least tell me where I can learn how?! Thanks.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Its in the Akai MPK249 manual how to do everything.

[@foomoo1088]

As you see from all the comments, this thing is super complicated to set up and use. Please make a “How To” video for noobs 😀

[@Upwards._]

I read your mind 2 years ago XD watch here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2qtk6xqbMZkpqcsi=nLPw8AniceH2O2yL

[@elalemanpaisa]

the downside of daw integration is a logic thing.. logic is just a shit software and no professional is using it anymore

[@AngelGonzalez-r9c]

Stay away from Akai

[@Sidhu_G38]

But wakai?