Akai Professional MPK mini Quickstart Guide

Box Contents

• MPK mini
• USB Cable
• Software Download Card
• Quickstart Guide
• Safety & Warranty Manual

Support

For the complete User Guide and the latest information about this product, visit akaipro.com.

For additional product support, visit akaipro.com/support.

Setup

Registration and Software Download

Register your product to access free included software, tutorials, and additional support. Follow the link on the included Software Download Card and then follow the instructions to register.

The MPK mini Editor is also available for download if you wish to customize your MPK mini’s MIDI configuration.

Setting up MPK mini with Your DAW

1. Connect the MPK mini to your computer using a standard USB cable. If connecting to a USB hub, ensure it is a powered hub.
2. Open your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
3. Open your DAW's Preferences, Options, or Device Setup, select MPK mini as your hardware controller, and then close that window. Your MPK mini is now able to communicate with your software.

Features

1. USB Port:

Connect this port to a USB port on your computer using a standard USB cable.

2. Sustain Pedal Input:

Connect an optional 1/4" TS sustain pedal to this input.

3. Keyboard:

This 25-note keyboard is velocity-sensitive and, with the Octave Down/Up buttons, can control a ten-octave range.

4. Display:

This screen shows MPK mini’s settings. The default screen shows the currently selected program and BPM.

5. Octave Down / Up:

Use these buttons to shift the keyboard's range up or down (up to four octaves in either direction). Press both Octave buttons simultaneously to reset the keyboard to the default center octave.

6. Arpeggiator On/Off:

Press this button to turn the arpeggiator on or off. Pressing it during a latched arpeggio will stop the arpeggio. To enter new settings for the arpeggiator, hold down Arpeggiator On/Off while turning the corresponding knobs or pressing the corresponding keys.

7. Tap Tempo:

Tap this button at the desired rate to determine MPK mini’s tempo (for the arpeggiator and note repeat function). Note: This button is disabled if MPK mini’s Sync setting is set to EXT (external).

8. X-Y Controller:

By default, moving this 4-axis thumbstick left and right will bend the keyboard’s pitch, whereas moving it up and down will apply a mod wheel effect. As you move the thumbstick, the Display will show the updated value (000–127) of the parameter you are editing.

9. Pads:

The pads can be used to trigger drum hits or other samples in your software. Each time you press a pad, the Display will show the velocity level of your press (000–127).

10. Bank A/B:

Press the Bank A/B button to switch MPK mini's pads between Pad Bank A (red) or Pad Bank B (green).

11. CC:

When this button is active, MPK mini's pads will send MIDI CC messages instead of MIDI Note On messages.

12. Prog Change:

When this button is active, MPK mini's pads will send MIDI Program Change messages instead of MIDI Note On messages.

13. Full Level:

Press this button to activate or deactivate Full Level Mode, in which the pads always play at a maximum velocity (127), no matter how hard or soft you hit them.

14. Note Repeat:

Press this button to activate or deactivate Note Repeat Mode. When Note Repeat is activated, pressing a pad will cause it to automatically retrigger at the current tempo and time division settings. To enter new settings for the note repeat function, hold down the Note Repeat button while turning the corresponding knobs or pressing the corresponding keys.

15. Assignable Knobs:

Each 360º knob sends a MIDI CC message. The knobs can also be used to edit arpeggiator or note repeat settings (while the corresponding button is pressed and held).

16. Prog Select:

Hold down this button and press one of the pads to select the corresponding program number (1–8). A program is a group of settings stored as a file on your MPK mini. Programs can be created and then sent to MPK mini with the downloadable MPK mini Editor.