AKAI MPK Mini Plus - Portable MIDI Controller with 37 Keys Reviewed

Portable studios are very popular nowadays, as music producers often find inspiration while traveling, and a large studio is no longer even necessary, as most DAWs contain all the essential tools for mixing or at least preparing tracks for mastering. 

Although DAWs nowadays offer so many features that physical devices are no longer necessary (unless one opts for standalone operation), MIDI controllers continue to enjoy great popularity, as they offer a more convenient and tangible method to realize one's ideas as a music producer.

AKAI Professional has always been one of the top brands when it comes to studio equipment. From the legendary MPC grooveboxes to the APC and MPK series MIDI controllers, they are all very popular among all types of music producers.

The new, revamped AKAI MPK Mini Plus takes the original MPK Mini to the next level, with an expanded 37-key (3-octave) keyboard, built-in sequencer, MIDI and CV/Gate connections, as well as a pitchwheel and a modwheel. 

With its improved connectivity, it is more than just a DAW controller, as it can also control other standalone synthesizers via the CV/Gate connections.

It is worth noting that the Mini Plus, unlike the MPK Mini Play, is not equipped with onboard sounds. 

37-Key Gen2 Keybed

The most important element is the keyboard expanded from 25 to 37 keys in the 2nd generation. Although it is much more convenient to work on a larger keybed, it affects portability to some extent. If you constantly carry your controller with you, you might want to reconsider upgrading to the Mini Plus, as it is 14 cm wider. If space is not an issue, you will definitely enjoy the new dynamic keybed.

The keys feel similar to those of other mini keyboards from other manufacturers, and with the additional keys, one feels less limited, especially when it comes to performance or chord searching, especially if one can play the keyboard. The keys are of decent quality, similar to those of the Arturia Minilab, probably slightly less smooth, but very pleasant to play considering the size limitations.

New Smart Modes

With the new Chord Mode, you can create chords with a single keystroke. If you only want to play notes in a specific key, like C major, you can activate the Scale Mode, and the controller will deactivate all keys that are not in that specific key—a very practical tool for finding notes.

Considering the size of the device, AKAI might have thought about adding a mixer section, but this keeps the surface tidy.

The pads are the same MPC Pads as found in most AKAI MIDI controllers. They have first-rate responsiveness and can be used to trigger drum kits in the DAW.

Now with Transport Section

The new Transport Controls are something we appreciate as they allow us to navigate through our projects without using the mouse or trackpad. The keyboard features Play, Stop, Record, Loop, and Locator buttons, and we actually expected this section even in the Plus version since even some competitors of the standard MPK Mini, like the M-Audio Oxygen PRO 25, come with transport functions at a similar price.

The MPK Mini features a Modwheel, which can influence or modulate sounds and samples. Since Modwheels are usually used alongside a pitch wheel, it's no different in the MPK Mini Plus. On top, there's now also room for the X/Y Joystick, which is freely configurable in the Plus version.

Everything else is what you'd expect from other "Mini" MIDI keyboards, such as the 8 knobs, arpeggiator, octave up and down, note repeat, tap tempo, and full level.

The MPK Mini Plus features a sequencer for pads and keys. By pressing the SEQ button and hitting the keys, the sequencer plays the notes in the same order and puts them into a loop. Be cautious, the sequence must be saved in the DAW as it's not stored on the device itself.

The 8 rotary knobs default to controlling various parameters of the selected plugin in the DAW, but of course, they can be freely customized.

Our Impression

The MPK Mini Plus is a fantastic MIDI keyboard. The 37 keys offer a decent range and can be played flawlessly without needing to switch octaves too often.

It has all the essential functions one needs in their studio, and its ability to control other synthesizers makes it the perfect choice if you want to expand your studio with a highly flexible control unit at a reasonable price.