The Akai MPK mini play did a long journey. There was several models before which are different in features.
Originally the Akai Professional MPK mini MK3 was just a midi controller, maybe one of the most popular ones.
I owned the original model before, which is quite good but the keys were a bit too stiff in my opinion.
Now the big difference is that not only the keys feel much better but there is a build in speaker.
Unique selling point
The Akai mini play is a standalone midi keyboard. For some users this might be not super relevant because they would use it as a midi controller with a laptop or tablet anyway, but the build in speaker provides some very nice ways of usage.
Most obvious is that you can use it everywhere without any additional devices. You can use it via headphones, the internal speaker or (to increase the soundquality) with a bluetooth speaker (if it has an AUX port).
It is a lot of fun to just take it everywhere and practice or simply sit on the couch and play around with it.
Even for a jamession it is fun since you don’t need to set up a system of several devices with a lot of cables and power supply. The Akai mini play is a battery powered standalone unit.
Where others spontaneously grab their guitar to jam around, you grab the Akai miniplay and play along.
Features
The internal sounds/instruments are not perfect but better than in most standalone keyboards. In addition you are able to customize the sounds via the control knobs and change parameters or add reverb or chorus effects. This helps a lot to get a decent instrument sound.
You can save the customized sounds and load them quickly via the drumpads and additional buttons.
There is some different drumsets you can play via the pads. Playing drumpads and keys simultaneously is challenging but a lot of fun. It is ideal for practicing rhythm and coordination skills.
What I really like is the joystick on the upper left corner. I was sceptical at first but the change of pitch or modulation of some notes in a melody make your music sound a lot more expressive. (like bending guitar strings)
Akai MPK mini play and loopstation
However the best usecase in my opinion is to use it with a small loopstation via aux in.
In combination with for example the Boss RC-202 you get unlimited possibilities of mixing the different instruments and drum-sounds of the Akai mini play. There is so much you can create with just those two devices without a laptop or tablet-DAW.
If you add a bluetoothspeaker with aux in and a 9V capable powerbank to the loopstation you end up with a super small standalone loopsystem. This is incredibly versatile and portable.
(you could even add a small guitar with pickup and/or microphone to make the most of it)
DownsidesÂ
The 25 touch responsive keys are sometimes a bit less, I would really wish there was a 37 key version with a speaker. That would be perfect.
But nevertheless in combination with a looper the number of keys is ok since you anyways add the melodies one by one.
Conlusion
All in all I really like this thing and the market is lacking devices like this. The Akai mini play is really versatile, super compact and standalone. It kind of makes you addicted because it is so easy to use.
Weight + Size
968g / 2,134 lbs
32 x 18 x 6cm