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Comparison Akai MPK Mini mkII vs Akai LPK-25

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Akai MPK Mini mkII
Akai LPK-25
Akai MPK Mini mkIIAkai LPK-25
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Main
Joystick for pitch and modulation control. Note repeat. Built-in arpeggiator.
Keys25 шт25 шт
Key sizesmall-sizedsmall-sized
Mechanicsactive (dynamic)active (dynamic)
Rigidityunweightedunweighted
Aftertouch
Control
Pitch controller
Modulation controller
Sustain
Octave shift
Arpeggiator
Transport control
Pads8
Regulators (encoders)8
Connections
USB to host (type B)
Connectable pedals1 шт1 шт
General
Programming function
Dimensions (WxHxD)318x44x181 mm339x33x97 mm
Weight0.75 kg0.49 kg
Color
Added to E-Catalogfebruary 2018february 2018

Aftertouch

The presence of the aftertouch function in the keyboard (aftertouch). The essence of this function is to track the pressure force on the key after it is pressed. In fact, this means that in models with aftertouch, you can control the sound not only due to the force and speed of pressing the key, but also due to the change in pressure on it after pressing; this gives additional features and allows you to use various specific tricks of the game. The specific ways of changing the sound “tied” to aftertouch can be different, depending on the synthesis settings set: for example, when recording a guitar part, you can tie a small change in tone to this function and imitate string bending, when recording a saxophone, change the volume of notes, and etc.

Relatively inexpensive models use a common sensor to monitor aftertouch, which monitors the average force of pressure on all keys pressed; in more advanced ones, separate sensors are installed for each key.

Pitch controller

The presence of a pitch controller in the keyboard (Pitch Bend).

This controller is usually in the form of a small wheel or lever that slightly changes the pitch of the sounding note. This allows you to use some specific playing techniques — for example, to imitate string tightening on a guitar.

Modulation controller

The presence of a modulation controller in the keyboard.

This controller allows you to slightly change the volume of the sounding note. It is used mainly to achieve a characteristic "trembling" sound, which can be used both as an artistic technique and to imitate live performance on a particular instrument.

Sustain

The presence in the keyboard of its own sustain control — the extension of the extracted note. With sustain on, the note continues to sound (slowly decaying) even after the key has been released—similar to depressing the right pedal on a piano. Note that many keyboards allow the connection of pedals, including to control this function (see "Connected Pedals"), however, here it means its own controller, which allows you to turn sustain on and off using the keyboard itself, without additional equipment.

Transport control

The presence in the keyboard of the transport control function.

In this case, we are usually talking about support for the MIDI Machine Control standard, designed to control external recording and playback equipment. Such support actually turns the keyboard into an external remote control, allowing you to give commands from it to "Play", "Stop", "Pause", "Rewind" (forward and backward) and "Record". To do this, the design provides a separate panel with a set of appropriate buttons.

Pads

The number of pads provided in the design of the keyboard.

Pads are auxiliary controls in the form of characteristic pads, usually square. The pads respond to touch, each of them can be tied to a specific sound or even a sequence of sounds. One of the most popular ways to use pads is to play drums or other rhythmic instruments.

Regulators (encoders)

The number of encoder controlsprovided in the design of the keyboard.

Such a knob looks like a rotary knob, with which you can control various functions of the device to which the keyboard is connected — for example, turn the virtual knobs in the programme for recording and sound processing. At the same time, we note that a full-fledged encoder is capable of rotating 360 ° and turning to any angle in any direction, however, keyboards can also contain knobs with a limited rotation sector — they can also be called encoders. None of these options has a clear advantage: in some cases, an unlimited turning sector is more convenient, in others, a limited one.

Programming function

The ability to programme additional keyboard controls — buttons, pads, faders (see above), etc. — assigning them one or another function at your discretion. This feature allows you to optimally adjust the instrument to your needs and preferences. Note that the programming method can be different: most often you need to change the settings through a computer, but in some models this can also be done using built-in tools.
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