"AKAI PRO EXPANDS MPK KEYBOARD SERIES WITH NEW 25-KEY MODELMPK49 Keyboard Controller with MPC Pads Gets MPK25 Sibling
Cumberland, R.I. (Jan. 15, 2009) – Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces MPK25, a new addition to its popular MPK series of keyboard controllers with MPC pads. The MPK25 will be on display at the 2009 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif., January 15 – 18, 2009 at the Akai Professional booth, number 6400.
The MPK25 draws on the design of the popular MPK49, the first keyboard ever to feature genuine MPC pads. It features a 25-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch, 12 MPC pads, Q-Link controls and MPC technology. Its smaller, more portable size makes the MPK25 the perfect travel companion. Its small footprint can fit in a musician’s lap on the couch or on a plane, enabling them to create tracks whenever inspiration strikes.
The MPK series features Akai Professional-exclusive MPC pads that are pressure and velocity-sensitive to capture every nuance of the user’s creativity. The pads can access four banks of sounds, so performers can have 48 samples at their fingertips with the touch of a button.
The MPK25 offers extensive assignable controls through its Q-Link section. The MPK25 gives players 32 parameters of hands-on control through 12 virtual knobs and four virtual buttons, each of which can access two different banks of assignment via a bank-change control.
Two technologies pioneered in the MPC series and built into the MPK series are MPC Note Repeat and MPC Swing. These note-modifying features can be heard in many of the most popular tracks over the last two decades. MPC Note Repeat automatically plays a rhythmic pattern, such as 16th notes on a hi-hat, for accuracy and speed of entry. MPC Swing is sometimes referred to as "the heart and soul of hip hop". Users can specify exactly the degree and timing of swing they want to apply for the perfect feel.
The MPK25 has an arpeggiator, which enables performers to develop creative riffs in seconds. The arpeggiator features six different modes and can have its own swing settings independent of the MPC Note Repeat settings.
Because MPK series controllers are USB class compliant, they do not require custom drivers to work with Mac or PC computers and will work with all MIDI recording, sequencing and performance software. The MPK series is perfect for musicians, producers, DJs and VJs.
The MPK25 comes with Ableton Live Lite Akai Edition software, one of the most popular and powerful performance and production programs in the world. Ableton Live Lite enables musicians to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise and edit musical ideas in a seamless audio/MIDI environment.
“This new addition to the MPK line takes the expressive, creative capabilities of the MPK49 to new places,” said Gregg Stein, Director of Marketing, Akai Professional. “The MPK25 can go away for the weekend with you and it is easy to integrate into on-stage setups for multi-instrumentalists and drummers.”
The MPK25 keyboard controller with MPC pads will be available from pro audio and musical instrument retailers in Q2 at an MSRP of $399.99 and an estimated street price of $299.99.
# # #
About Akai Professional
Since 1984, Akai Professional products have been a staple of modern music both in the studio and on stage. With intuitive design and cutting edge features, Akai Professional is one of the world’s most influential manufacturers of musical electronics. For more information, visit www.akaipro.com; images are available at http://akaipro.com/media.php.
Update .zerozeroisland. via in the comments:
"It's a great piece of gear, let me tell you. I was one of the beta testers, and i have one sitting right next to me as i type this.
it's a solidly built hunk of metal with a great feeling keyboard and pads that are pretty much as good as the ones on my mpc, although slightly smaller. the Vyzex sofware editor for it is also a great app. with that many programmable pads, knobs, switches etc. you'll definitely be glad for the on-screen editing!"
GOSH DARNIT! THEY WENT THE WRONG WAY! I've been waiting and hoping for a 61 key version of the MPK. This is probably one of the best controllers on the market right now, if it only it had more keys! 49 just isn't enough :-\
ReplyDeleteIt's a great piece of gear, let me tell you. I was one of the beta testers, and i have one sitting right next to me as i type this.
ReplyDeleteit's a solidly built hunk of metal with a great feeling keyboard and pads that are pretty much as good as the ones on my mpc, although slightly smaller. the Vyzex sofware editor for it is also a great app. with that many programmable pads, knobs, switches etc. you'll definitely be glad for the on-screen editing!