NAMM 2019: Akai Pro MPK Road 88 road-ready stage piano style MIDI controller

22 Jan 2019 by Robin Vincent | Approximate reading time: 1 Minute

Akai Pro MPK Road 88 · Source: Akai Pro

Akai Pro MPK Road 88 with lid on · Source: Akai Pro

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I wasn’t expecting an 88 keyed hammer-action MIDI controller from Akai Pro but let me introduce you to the MPK Road 88 and I’m really liking it.

MPK Road 88

Most MIDI controllers of this size tend to be festooned with knobs and pads, sliders and buttons whereas this is so featureless you could stand a whole round of beers on it. And that’s exactly why I like. It’s uncomplicated, it’s not trying to control your DAW, it’s just there to let you get the best playing performance out of your virtual instruments or MIDI gear.

Akai Pro MPK Road 88

88 keys of hammer-action, velocity sensitive and aftertouch response. They say it’s an exclusive Model-A keybed that they’ve spent two years developing – who knew? Akai has built in a 4 output USB audio interface so with this plugged into your laptop you don’t need any other gear. It also comes with a bundle of useful software: Akai Pro VIP, AIR Music Tech DB-33, AIR Music Tech Velvet plus AIR Music Tech Mini Grand for Road 88.

It has dual expression pedal inputs, a sustain pedal, MIDI in/out, pitch and modulation wheels, octave shift and split modes. Just enough to make it useful in a live environment or in the studio. Built in a flight case style with a detachable lid – perfect for gigging.

Akai Pro MPK Road 88 with lid on

the Akai MPK Road 88 should be available soon for £799.

More information

Akai Pro MPK Road 88 webpage.

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