The AKAI MPK Mini Plus II is the second generation of Akai Professional's compact 37-key controller. It combines a three-octave mini keybed with MPC pads, assignable encoders and a colour display. CV/Gate outputs and a MIDI DIN output alongside USB-C let it play software, MPC setups, external MIDI hardware and modular systems. It suits players who want more hands-on control without moving to a full-size keyboard.
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37 velocity-sensitive mini keys on an upgraded keybed, with pitch bend and modulation wheels and octave/transpose buttons
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Eight RGB MPC pads, sensitive to velocity and pressure, with dual banks for pads and encoders
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Eight assignable 360° knobs plus a 360° push encoder, with parameters shown on a full-colour 160 x 80 LCD
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Expanded arpeggiator with Chord, Scale, Note Repeat and Progression modes
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Generative tools: Glitch, Mutate, Strum, Freeze and Follow
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Hardware connectivity: three 3.5 mm CV/Gate outputs, five-pin MIDI out and a sustain pedal input
Compared with the first MPK Mini Plus, Akai has added the colour display, Progression mode, Strum and Mutate, more arpeggiator features, new pad modes and dedicated DAW maps. USB-B has been replaced by USB-C, and the joystick has been removed in favour of separate pitch and mod wheels. Transport controls remain on board.
In the studio, the controller ships with dedicated maps for MPC 3, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, FL Studio and other DAWs. It is fully NKS-compatible with Komplete Kontrol, with plug-in parameters shown on the screen. With MPC Standalone and MPC Desktop it handles transport, pads, knobs, wheels, plug-in presets, track navigation and clip launching. Away from the computer, the CV/Gate and MIDI outputs make it a compact sequencing and playing hub for synths and Eurorack, in the same territory as the Arturia KeyStep. It is powered over USB-C from a computer, wall adapter or power bank.
The included software listed by Akai covers the Studio Instrument Collection, with over 1,000 sounds from AIR, Moog and Akai as VST3/AU plug-ins or standalone, and Ableton Live Lite 12.