AKAI MPK225 25-Key MIDI Keyboard

25-Key MIDI Keyboard

Thanks to its size, the Akai Pro MPK225 keyboard is an ideal USB MIDI control surface for frequent travelers, home studios, and live performances. From amateurs to professional synth players, with its two-octave full-size velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive keyboard, its 8 pads and as many rotary potentiometers, which operate on multiple banks, it can also act as an additional MIDI controller for more advanced DJs and Live sets, as well as for MIDI control of video software and iOS devices.
Designed as all-in-one USB MIDI control solutions for PC, Mac, and iOS devices, Akai Professional's MPK2 series keyboards provide a rich set of controls, from faders to rotary potentiometers, from velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive keys to RGB backlit pads. Perfect for computer-based recording studios and live performances by the most demanding keyboardists who need meticulous control of various virtual instrument software and MIDI hardware (Synths, expanders, samplers, drum machines, etc.), the AKAI PRO MPK225, MPK249, and MPK261 keyboards are poised to repeat the success achieved by the previous MPK series used by numerous industry professionals.
The semi-weighted, velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive keyboard is accompanied by wheels for pitch bend and modulation control (assignable), two pedal inputs, one footswitch (assignable to sustain) and one expression, and MIDI In & Out ports on 5-pin DIN connectors for connection to traditional MIDI instruments. In the MPK261, the 5-octave version, an additional connection for footswitch pedals and the Split function are added. A programmable arpeggiator is available on the keyboard, while the historical note repeat function is on the pads; both can be synchronized to external MIDI Clock, Tap Tempo, or manually set BPM.
Thanks to almost total programmability, by simply pressing the "Edit" button, you can program every single physical control directly from the keyboard and with the aid of the information shown on the bright LCD display: from the type of message that can be sent to the MIDI channel to which the generated message will be sent. With software such as Ableton Live or Cubase, you can control and play multiple MIDI tracks simultaneously, programming - for example - the pads to play drum samples, drum machines, clips, or loops, while playing your favorite virtual synth from the keyboard and, at the same time, physically controlling its parameters from the rotary controls and faders.
Akai Professional's MPK2 series keyboards connect directly to the USB port (no power needed) of Windows PCs (XP, Vista, 7, and 8) and Apple MacOS (10.5 and later), and to iOS devices (iPhone and iPad) using Apple's Camera Connection Kit (optional, NOT included). Those who purchase the MPK225 and MPK249 series keyboards can download and use the software *Ableton Live Lite, **AIR Music Tech Hybrid 3, SONiVOX Twist 2.0, and Akai Pro MPC Essentials for free. In addition, for MPK261 users only, a license for the SoniVox Eighty-Eight Ensemble virtual piano instrument will be included.

Specifications

• 25 semi-weighted keys with velocity and aftertouch
• Total 10-octave range (Octave up and down keys)
• Jack connection for sustain or assignable footswitch
• Jack connection for expression pedal
• Wheels for Pitch Bend and Modulation control (assignable)
• Programmable arpeggiator for the keyboard
• 8 MPC-style pads organized into 4 banks (32 virtual pads)
• RGB backlit pads, velocity and pressure sensitive
• MPC Full Level and Note Repeat functions on pads
• DAW Transport buttons: <<, >>, Stop, Play and Record
• 8 rotary potentiometers x 3 banks (24)
• 4 backlit buttons x 3 banks (12)
• Backlit LCD display
• Tap Tempo and Time Division for arpeggiator and note repeat
• USB MIDI, 5-pin DIN MIDI IN & OUT ports
• PC Windows, Apple MacOS and iOS compatible (iPad CCK required)

Dimensions

• Measurements: 490 x 298.5 x 92.2 mm
• Weight: 3 Kg