Akai MPK mini or M-Audio Oxygen 25 v3

[eyeneversleep]

Stuck on which to order. Looked over alot of different reviews, but am still not sure. I'm gonna be using a PC with Reason or something like that. Small studio set up. No room for bigger key board. Which one out of these two would be better. Looking to mainly make grimy rap/dubstep. I'm leaning a bit more towards the Akai, but I do like the M-Audios pitch bend and modulation wheels. I'm thinking I could assign that same function to a knob on the Akai though. please correct me If I'm wrong. Wanting to order asap, so any help is good help right now/

http://www.zzounds.com/item--AKAMPKMINI

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOOXY25

[daft cunt]

I have the Oxygen 61 and I love it. Never tried the Akai but a friend who has the MPK 49 told me they seem equally good regarding the build and aftertouch, which I assume applies to the 25 keys versions.
So it's all about the features imo. If you don't care about the drum pads but you feel like you're going to miss the wheels then go ahead and get the Oxygen.

[Eridu]

I have drum pads on my axiom 49 and have rarely used them. If you really like to play your drums you can play them with your keys just as good as you would with the pads. Oxygen has pitch bend and mod wheel, which are IMO necessary. I would go with the Oxygen.

[sprayyypaint]

i have the mpk25 im happy with it ^___^
it may not have a pitch wheel or modwheel but you can set your knobs to do that if you really wanted. ive never used the axiom but i can say im happy with the MPK mini!

[ridethecliche]

i have the mpk25 im happy with it ^___^
it may not have a pitch wheel or modwheel but you can set your knobs to do that if you really wanted. ive never used the axiom but i can say im happy with the MPK mini!

I'm just checking to see if anyone can confirm that you can assign pitch/mod to knobs on the Akai mini in reaper.

Thanks!

[IC0N]

I have the MPK mini and I love it. You should be able to assign the pitch/mod to any knob on it. I haven't worked with reaper but I'm assuming you should be able to.

[ridethecliche]

You haven't had any issues with hitting other knobs as you're trying to use them and such?

I'm debating between a used mpk25 or a mini. This will be my first midi/usb controller so I just want to cover most of the bases in terms of functionality.

Price difference is about 100-130 bucks between a mini and a used mpk25. That's a chunka change.

[IC0N]

You haven't had any issues with hitting other knobs as you're trying to use them and such?

I'm debating between a used mpk25 or a mini. This will be my first midi/usb controller so I just want to cover most of the bases in terms of functionality.

Price difference is about 100-130 bucks between a mini and a used mpk25. That's a chunka change.

I haven't had any trouble at all. Once you get used to its size (which doesn't take long) it's really easy to use.

[dogmancar]

You haven't had any issues with hitting other knobs as you're trying to use them and such?

I'm debating between a used mpk25 or a mini. This will be my first midi/usb controller so I just want to cover most of the bases in terms of functionality.

Price difference is about 100-130 bucks between a mini and a used mpk25. That's a chunka change.

I'd so go for the oxygen 61. In my studio I use an mpd32 and a 49 key behringer. I find the pads on mpd32 are useful when figuring out how I want the drum parts arranged but the things I use the most are the faders and knobs. I find it is very tedious to try and automate changes in volume and things like that without them so I would say go with the oxygen seeing as faders are not included in the mpk25. Pads are nice but they are nowhere near necessary.

[ridethecliche]

Cool. I think this will make a good first controller then!

I can always get something more complicated down the line and use this as a portable option. Not that I have a laptop right now... Haha.

Edit: I don't think I want something as big as the oxygen. I'll just have to figure out what works out better for the price.
I can get the mini for about 70 bucks new. The mpk25 sells for about 200 used. Don't want to spend too much more than that right now.

[ToxicBass]

I've got a MPK Mini. It's a good keyboard but if you've got really big hands you're fucked. Another thing is that the USB connector on the side is a bit fragile, if you put pressure on the wire it will break very easily. The guy in the shop said this is the biggest and only complaint he gets about them.
My connector seemed a little loose so I made sure it wasn't going anywhere with some tack. It's not ideal but it shouldn't happen if you're careful.

[monkfish]

Is the MPK mini just a LPK 25 keyboard and LPD8 pad combined?

Because I already have the LPK25 and I wanted to get the LPD8 pad to go with it, but I would like a new MIDI keyboard.

[BevOh]

I have an mpk mini and I love it. It's my first controller and I'm also working with a small space in my bedroom lol. Can easily assign pitch bend or anything to a knob and I really can't see how you would ever break the USB connected like the guy above, mines fine. But yeah highly recommend the mini as ur first midi controller or for small spaces and portability..

[monkfish]

I have an mpk mini and I love it. It's my first controller and I'm also working with a small space in my bedroom lol. Can easily assign pitch bend or anything to a knob and I really can't see how you would ever break the USB connected like the guy above, mines fine. But yeah highly recommend the mini as ur first midi controller or for small spaces and portability..

Well, I'm sold. I'll definitely place an order on this.

I mean, you don't need expensive advanced MIDI controllers to produce quality work anyway. I just want the knobs.

[secret door]

I like the MPK Mini, but I share the USB connector complaint and it's hard to play triplets on the pads without specific finger positioning.

[monkfish]

Wait, if I already have the LPK 25 keyboard, do I just need to buy the pad: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002 ... 95ES3PZBEJ

[Moody Strings]

Alright, I'm glad this thread is already here, as I was debating which of these I should get. I currently have the Akai midi keyboard, but felt it was a bit small and limiting. I'm a House and Trance producer first (Dubstep on the side) and I was looking for something I could use play in chords with both hands, which I'm finding it hard on this current 25 key. I'm not sure the purpose of a MIDI to be fair, because I enjoy programming chords with the pen tool and have no trouble doing so; so I guess the MPK Mini will be fine as it comes with pads and assignable knobs. I see no real downside.

[ridethecliche]

Just ordered a used MPK25 for usd 180. Psyched.

The mpk mini is available on ebay for around 80 shipped brand new if you look hard and wait for the right auction.

[jets]

I am in same predicament! not sure what to choose but leaning toward Akai.

QUESTION:::Are you able to use the drum pad for Samples on the Akai?

that is my deal breaker! hope someone can help
i will google it now Hehe

[jets]

The mpk mini is available on ebay for around 80 shipped brand new if you look hard and wait for the right auction.

also on amazon around $75 shipped, brand spankin new