Mini Plus' Youtube videos/reviews):ġ) how do the key sizes of the Mini Plus/Mini Mk3 compare? A couple of questions (as I so far haven't found any 'Mini Mk3 vs. I already have a Roland A-800 (61 key) keyboard controller as well as a Yamaha DX-7 (also 61 keys), but since neither are easily reachable from my computer desk I'm considering something small for auditing/editing softsynth sounds, recording simple melodies and programming beats. I've been considering getting an Akai MPK Mini Mk3 for a while and this one just popped up! Now I'm confused When you select a pad (Shift+Pad) it would be nice if it sent that note to the device. Only downside I noted was that you can't audition drum pads when live sequencing, you have to quit that mode to check. Not tried it standalone yet as just played at the dinner table on my laptop, but the sequencer and arp works very well. The joystick you can change their mode to send out different MIDI CC's depending on direction (So 4x MIDI CC's) - I mapped these to track up/down and presets next/prev and it's really nice for preset browsing. I mapped the rotaries in Cubase and Studio One and they are top knotch, feel just right. Probably uninstall Beats, thought it may be a Maschine-like experience but as you can only access 8 parameters from the 16 displayed it just doesn't seem to all that well thought out with this controller. MPC beats is not a great integration though, was expecting the pads to light up based on pad colouring in the app - but they don't, and also the rotary controls are reversed vs what you see on screen.

The chord mode is much better than I thought too, it actually plays the correct basic triads (or whatever you set) for that key. They seem narrower and shorter keys than minilab, but they play well, not soft like the launchkey mini that this will replace.

Keys are a little cramped, but it fits in my laptop backpack so not complaining one bit about that. Got one on Saturday, very good controller.

Mpc mpk mini