Akai Professional MPK Mini IV: The Most Substantial Redesign in the Mini History
Mini in size, Mini in price, big in features.
4,3 / 5,0 | 
Akai Professional MPK Mini IV · Source: Akai Professional
Akai Professional MPK Mini IV · Source: Akai Professional
Akai Professional MPK Mini IV · Source: Akai Professional
Pitch and modulation wheels star in Akai Professional’s MPK Mini IV, which features additional improvements to the MPC pads and keybed, plus DIN MIDI out! All for around 100 bucks.
Akai Professional MPK Mini IV
Akai Professional claims that its MPK Mini series of MIDI keyboard controllers is the world’s most popular compact controller. Akai doesn’t seem to have released sales data to back this up, so I can’t say definitively that it’s true, but it very much seems so, with the MPK Mini models firm favorites among producers (including yours truly). Akai Professional has today announced the latest, MPK Mini IV, with what it’s saying is the most substantial redesign in the series’ history.
New Controls, Better Keybed, Hotter Pads
The biggest change to the two-octave compact keyboard controller is the addition of real pitch and modulation wheels, what Akai says is a first at this price point. Indeed, before you would have had to move up to the MPK Mini Plus for that level of luxury. Additionally, the keybed has received an upgrade over the previous Mini model in the form of Akai’s third-generation keybed technology.
Akai doesn’t only make MIDI controllers. The MPC Live III is currently smoking up the music production community, with its new MPCe pads taking things to another level. You wouldn’t expect an entry-level controller to get those fancy pads (and you’d be right), but Akai has graced the MPK Mini IV with an all-new, even more responsive design for its velocity-sensitive RGB backlit MPC pads. Fingers at the ready.
Control I’m Here
The Mini IV is more than just keys and pads, though. It also offers a full-color screen for real-time visual feedback, eight assignable rotary knobs, an expanded transport section, an enhanced arpeggiator with Pattern, Arp Freeze, and Mutate functions, and Scale and Chord modes for playing in key.
If you’ve got a controller, you’ve probably got a DAW. Good news, as the Mini IV features DAW scripts for Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Bitwig, and Cubase with one-to-one mapping for control of preset parameters.
Connectivity and Software Bundle
Around the back, the MPK Mini IV offers a USB-C port for connecting to your computer for piloting your DAW as well as other supported devices, as well as a full-size five-pin DIN MIDI out port. Hallelujah!
The controller also comes bundled with a software package that includes the new Studio Instrument Collection, a virtual instrument with 1000 sounds from various AIR, Akai Professional, and Moog software instruments, plus a license for Ableton Live Lite 12.
Price and Availability
MPK Mini IV looks like a fantastic entry into Akai’s controller range and incredible value for money. I’m not necessarily in the market for a controller, but the fact that it has keys, pads, knobs, and full-size MIDI out makes me think I should grab one just to have on hand.
The MPK Mini IV black and gray models are available at Thomann* for €109.
More Information
*Note: This article contains advertising links that help us pay for this site. Don’t worry: the price for you will always be the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
This might also interest you
