Akai Professional MPK249

MIDI controller Akai Professional MPK249

Always the ideal size for synthesizers, the 4-octave keyboard of the Akai Pro MPK249 ensures optimal control due to its semi-weighted keys with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, for maximum expression during live performances and MIDI recordings in the studio. Thanks to its rich set of physical controls, from pads to faders, from rotary potentiometers to the transport section, the MPK249 positions itself as a flagship product in the world of master keyboards for modern sequencers and DAWs available on computers, with the possibility of use also in an iOS environment, to play and control apps installed on the latest generation iPhone and iPad devices.

• • 4-octave USB/MIDI keyboard

• • 49 semi-weighted, velocity and aftertouch-sensitive keys

• • Octave up and down buttons

• • Assignable footswitch jack connection (sustain)

• • Expression pedal jack connection

• • Pitch Bend and Modulation control wheels (assignable)

• • Programmable arpeggiator for the keyboard

• • 16 MPC-style pads organized into 4 banks (64 virtual pads)

• • RGB backlit pads, velocity and pressure sensitive

• • MPC Full Level, Note Repeat and Swing functions on the Pads

• • DAW Transport buttons: <<, >>, Stop, Play and Record

• • 8 Faders x 3 banks (24 virtual)

• • 8 rotary potentiometers x 3 banks (24)

• • 8 backlit buttons x 3 banks (24)

• • Backlit LCD display

• • Tap Tempo and Time Division for arpeggiator and note repeat

• • USB MIDI, MIDI IN & OUT 5-pin DIN ports

• • PC Windows, Apple MacOS and iOS compatibility (iPad CCK required)

• • Dimensions and weight: 73.6 x 31.1 x 8.6 cm; 5.6 Kg

Designed as all-in-one USB MIDI control solutions for PC, Mac computers, and iOS devices, the MPK2 series keyboards from Akai Professional provide a rich set of controls, from faders to rotary potentiometers, from the velocity and aftertouch-sensitive keyboard to RGB backlit pads. Perfect for computer-based recording studios and live performances by demanding keyboardists who need meticulous control of various virtual software instruments and MIDI hardware (Synths, expanders, samplers, drum machines, etc.), the AKAI PRO MPK225, MPK249, and MPK261 keyboards are set to repeat the success of the previous MPK series used by numerous professionals in the sector.

The semi-weighted keyboard, sensitive to velocity and aftertouch, is complemented by pitch bend and modulation control wheels (assignable), two pedal inputs—one footswitch (assignable to sustain) and one expression—and MIDI In & Out ports on 5-pin DIN sockets for connection to traditional MIDI instruments. In the MPK261, the 5-octave version, an additional footswitch connection and the Split function are added. A programmable arpeggiator is available on the keyboard, while the classic note repeat function is available 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 displayed on the bright LCD screen: from the type of message that can be sent to the MIDI channel to which the generated message will be sent. With software like Ableton Live or Cubase, you can control and play multiple MIDI tracks simultaneously, for example, programming 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 with the rotary controls and faders.

The MPK2 series keyboards from Akai Professional connect directly to the USB port (no power supply needed) of Windows PCs (XP, Vista, 7, and 8) and Apple MacOS computers (10.5 onwards), 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 *Ableton Live Lite, **AIR Music Tech Hybrid 3, SONiVOX Twist 2.0, and Akai Pro MPC Essentials software for free. For MPK261 users only, a license for the SoniVox Eighty-Eight Ensemble virtual piano instrument will also be included.

IMPORTANT: USB MIDI keyboards do NOT have sounds, do not have audio connections, but send MIDI control messages. To function, they must therefore be connected to a computer, iOS devices, and/or compatible MIDI hardware. To play sounds, your computer must have appropriate software, such as DAWs (Cubase, Ableton Live, Logic, Sonar, Fruity Loops, Pro Tools, Bitwig, Reason, etc.) and/or Virtual Instruments. On iPad or iPhone, musical apps that support remote control via MIDI. The sound will then be reproduced from the audio output of your computer's sound card or from the audio output of your iOS device. If you own a PC/Windows computer but do not have a sound card or audio interface with ASIO drivers, you need to install ASIO 4 ALL drivers (click here to download) to play with low latency (without delay) using the integrated sound card in your computer. Software may be included with the keyboards, for which, as they are free, NO technical and commercial support will be available. EKo Music Group is exclusively responsible for hardware support, and is NOT responsible for technical support or any malfunctions that may occur with third-party products.

*Ableton Live Lite is owned by Ableton AG.

**Akai Professional, AIR Music Technology, and MPC are registered trademarks of inMusic Brands Inc. inMusic is the exclusive distributor of SONiVOX.