My Akai MPK249 Controller Review
About AkaiProfessional
Company Details
Akai Professional was found in 1984.
They only had one purpose - to give artists in the electronic music industry the tools they need to express, explore and discover new musical possibilities to share with the world.
My Initial Thoughts
While it may look like a regular run-of-the-mill synth, Akai MPK249 offers a lot more than you might think.
This computer-operated keyboard controller seems like a perfect investment for an aspiring artist, and its features add to the value in the best way possible.
Check the Price on Amazon
- Pro Keyboard Performance - 49 semi-weighted,...
- Beat Making Essentials - 16 RGB-illuminated...
- Assignable Control - 24 assignable Q-Link...
Feel, Specifications, Dimensions, and Integrations
Although it is one of those lightweight keyboards, Akai MPK249 feels sturdy and durable.
It seems to me that the company wanted users to have the best experience, but they did not want to overpower the structure.
This is an all-in-one product, with forty-nine keys that are sensitive to touch, as well as sixteen performance pads.
The pads are illuminated, and various colors add to the melody adjustments.
Furthermore, it also comes with multiple knobs, switches, and faders - twenty-four, to be exact. In my opinion, this makes it rather easy to use.
There are so many options to choose from, and it would serve an aspiring artist well.
Also, those who know a thing or two about keyboards could get great use out of it.
What’s interesting about this keyboard is that it does not come with a power adapter. If you are a tech geek, you will love the fact that it uses a USB cable.
You can just plug it into your computer and start composing right away.
Advanced Features and Performance
MPK249 also comes with a software package which includes Ableton Live Lite and Akai Pro MPC Essentials.
In addition to that, you can use it with your Mac, or with Windows - even Windows XP.
However, they do require you to have a bit more space on your hard drive, and a compatible sound card.
Because it is such a lightweight product, you do not have to be too rough with it to make it work.
The manufacturer made sure that all the keys and knobs are sensitive, so I did not have any trouble at all.
Nothing jammed, and the melody easily changed once I made some adjustments.
In addition to that, I really like the fact that the sounds are not too artificial. Some synthesizers can sound a bit over the top - like you just plugged in a robot.
However, Akai MPK249 produces terrific sounds that nicely replicate instruments and give you a fantastic guide to composing.
Pros & Cons of MPK249
Benefits |
|---|
Suitable for both beginners and already established composers |
Neat layout which makes the workflow intuitive and easy |
lightweight, yet sturdy, so you can expect it to last you a long time |
Drawbacks |
|---|
There is a learning curve if you do not know anything about keyboards |
You have to tweak the settings a bit for it to do what you want |
If you want to use it with a power adapter, you would have to buy it separately |
My Final Thoughts
This is an excellent product if you are into composing your own tunes wherever you are.
The USB cable allows you to plug it into your laptop and make melodies in your studio or at home.
Overall, it gives you high-quality audio that is suitable for both live performances and creating custom sequences for personal use.
Check the Price on Amazon
- Pro Keyboard Performance - 49 semi-weighted,...
- Beat Making Essentials - 16 RGB-illuminated...
- Assignable Control - 24 assignable Q-Link...