Akai Professional has launched the MPK Mini Plus II, a compact 37-key MIDI keyboard controller aimed at producers who move between DAWs, MPC workflows, external MIDI gear and modular instruments. Its headline additions include eight velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB MPC pads, a full-colour display, expanded performance tools and direct control integration with MPC Standalone and MPC Desktop.
The controller also combines USB-C, five-pin MIDI output and three CV/Gate outputs in one unit. That makes it a potentially flexible desk controller for beatmaking and software production, while retaining connections that are useful for hardware and Eurorack-based setups. The launch was reported by Synthtopia ↗ (opens in a new tab).
Key Takeaways
- The MPK Mini Plus II has a three-octave, 37-key mini keybed, eight RGB MPC pads and eight assignable rotary controls.
- Akai says the pads respond to both velocity and pressure, allowing additional expression from finger-drummed parts and pad-based performance controls.
- Direct MPC Standalone and MPC Desktop integration adds access to transport, Q-Links, mixer functions, clip launching, presets and track navigation.
- USB-C, five-pin MIDI and three CV/Gate outputs allow the controller to address computer instruments, MIDI hardware and compatible modular systems.
- Akai has not provided pricing or availability details in the supplied launch information.
What has changed on the MPK Mini Plus II
The MPK Mini Plus II pairs its upgraded 37-key mini keybed with dedicated pitch and modulation wheels, eight assignable 360-degree knobs, a push encoder and transport controls. A 160 x 80 full-colour LCD is designed to show active parameters, reducing the need to repeatedly check the computer display when changing assignments or editing sounds.
The biggest practical hardware update is the eight-pad bank. As well as RGB backlighting and velocity response, Akai specifies pressure sensitivity. In use, that should give producers a second continuous gesture after the initial hit: for example, pressure could be mapped to filter movement, modulation or another MIDI parameter where the target instrument supports it. It is distinct from simply using pads as on/off drum triggers, though the result will depend on the software instrument, DAW mapping and MIDI configuration in a particular setup.
Dual-bank control extends the number of available pad and encoder functions. For producers who work largely in software, that can make one controller cover drums, clip triggering and selected instrument or mixer controls without permanently sacrificing pads to one job. Anyone new to this approach can also see how controller mappings fit into a software setup in Product London's guide to hands-on DAW controllers.
MPC, DAW and NKS integration
Akai says the MPK Mini Plus II has direct integration with MPC Standalone hardware and MPC Desktop. The stated controls include transport, pads, Q-Links, pitch and modulation wheels, mixer functions, clip launching, plugin presets and track navigation. For existing users of the Akai MPC range ↗ (opens in a new tab), the appeal is straightforward: it adds a compact keyboard and dedicated physical controls without requiring a separate generic MIDI mapping for every project.
The company also lists scripted DAW integration for MPC 3, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase and FL Studio, alongside NKS compatibility for Native Instruments' Komplete Kontrol ecosystem. Akai says parameter information can be shown on the controller's display when using those integrations.
That does not remove the value of conventional MIDI mapping, but it could speed up sketching if the supplied mappings suit the way you work. FL Studio users recording chords, bass parts or automation from the keyboard can brush up on the underlying workflow with our guide to recording MIDI in FL Studio.
Performance tools are aimed at faster idea development
Akai has added or expanded an arpeggiator, Chord Creator and Note Repeat, with custom arpeggiator patterns. It also lists User Progressions and advanced chord workflows, allowing chord progressions to be built and performed from the pads or keys.
The new Glitch, Mutate, Strum, Freeze and Follow functions are presented as tools for generating variations in melodies, rhythms and chords directly from the controller. These features may be useful during writing sessions when a loop needs a quick alternative before committing to detailed MIDI editing. They are creative aids rather than substitutes for arrangement decisions, but hands-on variation tools can be useful for getting beyond a static four- or eight-bar pattern.
The MPK Mini Plus II also ships with Akai's Studio Instrument Collection, which includes more than 1,000 sounds from AIR Music Technology, Moog Music and Akai Professional. Native Instruments Komplete Select (Akai Edition) and MPC Beats are also included, according to the announcement.
CV/Gate connections broaden the hardware role
Many compact USB controllers stop at computer connectivity. The MPK Mini Plus II adds a full-size five-pin MIDI output and three CV/Gate outputs, alongside USB-C for power and MIDI data. There is also a quarter-inch sustain-pedal input.
For a producer with a desktop synth, drum machine or modular voice, that means the same keyboard can control a DAW instrument one day and hardware the next, rather than acting solely as a USB peripheral. CV/Gate is intended for compatible analogue and modular gear, so users should still check the connection and voltage requirements of their particular instrument before planning a setup.
Akai says the controller can be bus-powered over USB-C, or powered from a compatible wall adaptor or power bank, both sold separately. When support materials become available, users should check Akai's downloads and support page ↗ (opens in a new tab) for the relevant editor, documentation, firmware and software installation details.
What to watch next
The supplied announcement does not include a price, release date or detailed compatibility requirements for the DAW and MPC integrations. Those details will matter, particularly for producers deciding whether the controller is an upgrade from an existing MPK or a compact keyboard companion for an MPC setup.
The available official MPK Mini Plus product page appears to cover the earlier model rather than the announced Plus II, so prospective buyers should wait for Akai's dedicated MPK Mini Plus II listing and documentation before relying on model-specific specifications or software support.