AKAI MPK mini Play mk3: Tiny USB keyboard controller with sounds and a speaker

11 Jan 2022 by Lasse Eilers |

3,8 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

AKAI MPK mini Play mk3 · Source: AKAI Professional

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AKAI Professional has announced the updated MPK mini Play mk3 keyboard controller. It features 128 internal sounds like the original MPK mini Play, but comes with an upgraded keybed and pads, longer battery life and a beefier speaker.

AKAI MPK mini Play mk3

AKAI launched the original MPK mini Play about three years ago by putting 128 sounds and a tiny speaker into a base derived from the MPK mini USB keyboard controller. The upgraded MPK mini mk3 has been available for over a year now, so it was about time to give the mini Play an upgrade, as well.

Many features remain the same: Just like the predecessor, the new MPK mini Play mk3 has 128 internal sounds, 25 mini keys, eight velocity-sensitive drum pads, four assignable knobs, a bright red joystick for pitch bend and modulation, a small OLED display and an integrated arpeggiator. But take a closer look and you’ll discover that AKAI has made some major upgrades.

AKAI MPK mini Play mk3 · Source: AKAI Professional

First of all, the MPK mini Play mk3 now features the same Gen 2 keybed as the current MPK mini mk3. AKAI says that it provides a more precise velocity response and better playability than before. The pads have also been upgraded to true MPC-style drum pads, according to AKAI.

Looking at the pads, you’ll notice that they’re not square anymore. By making them slightly rectangular, AKAI was able to fit the four knobs above the pads, thereby making room for a larger speaker on the right. The manufacturer claims that the new speaker provides more volume and a fuller bass than the predecessor. While I doubt that it’ll be of much use for bass-heavy beat making, it’s certainly nice to have for sessions on the go.

If you like to produce on the road, you’ll also love the 14+ hour battery life that AKAI claims. In the studio, it’s also possible to run the keyboard on USB bus power.

The AKAI MPK mini Play mk3 comes with a comprehensive software package that includes the MPC Beats DAW software and a bunch of software instruments by AIR Music Technology.