{"id":2091616,"date":"2025-10-15T00:15:43","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T00:15:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2091616"},"modified":"2025-10-15T00:15:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T00:15:43","slug":"weve-completely-reimagined-whats-possible-in-a-compact-controller-akai-unveils-mpk-mini-iv-with-pitch-and-mod-wheels-new-keybed-and-full-size-midi-output","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/weve-completely-reimagined-whats-possible-in-a-compact-controller-akai-unveils-mpk-mini-iv-with-pitch-and-mod-wheels-new-keybed-and-full-size-midi-output\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;We&#8217;ve completely reimagined what&#8217;s possible in a compact controller&#8221;: Akai unveils MPK Mini IV with pitch and mod wheels, new keybed and full-size MIDI output"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"1cad7644-957a-4cd1-a1d6-53ab836367e5\"><strong>Five years on from the <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/news\/akai-mpk-mini-mk3-new-version-of-the-worlds-best-selling-usb-midi-keyboard-controller-looks-slicker-and-plays-better\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/news\/akai-mpk-mini-mk3-new-version-of-the-worlds-best-selling-usb-midi-keyboard-controller-looks-slicker-and-plays-better\"><u><strong>release<\/strong><\/u><\/a><strong> of the <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/reviews\/akai-mpk-mini-mk3\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/reviews\/akai-mpk-mini-mk3\"><u><strong>MPK Mini Mk3<\/strong><\/u><\/a><strong>, Akai Professional has unveiled the next generation of its compact MIDI controller keyboard: MPK Mini IV. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A major update that Akai is describing as the \u201cmost substantial redesign\u201d in the series\u2019 history, MPK Mini IV introduces pitch and modulation wheels, revamps the keybed and pads, adds a 5-pin MIDI output and USB-C connection and bundles the controller with a new software instrument that features more than 1,000 presets.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"elk-seasonal\" href=\"\" data-url=\"\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"1cad7644-957a-4cd1-a1d6-53ab836367e5-2\">Among Mini IV&#8217;s array of upgrades, the headline is the pitch and mod wheels, which replace the four-way joystick found on the Mk3. MPK Mini&#8217;s strongest competitors, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/reviews\/arturia-minilab-3\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/reviews\/arturia-minilab-3\">Arturia&#8217;s Minilab<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/music-tech\/midi-controllers\/novation-launchkey-mini-mk4-review\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/music-tech\/midi-controllers\/novation-launchkey-mini-mk4-review\">Novation&#8217;s Launchkey Mini<\/a>, both have touch strips for pitch bend and modulation, so the wheels are a welcome addition, even if they&#8217;re arguably <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/news\/m-audios-oxygen-pro-midi-keyboards-offer-smart-features-and-maximum-control\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/news\/m-audios-oxygen-pro-midi-keyboards-offer-smart-features-and-maximum-control\">not quite<\/a> the &#8220;industry first at this price point&#8221; that Akai is claiming they are.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-3 pb-4 mb-4 border-solid border-y border-neutral-300\">\n<span class=\"font-article-heading block pb-3 !text-base font-bold uppercase sm:text-sm text-[#333]\"><br \/>\nYou may like<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The wheels are joined by an updated 3rd-gen 25-key keybed that reportedly offers \u201cenhanced expressiveness\u201d and eight velocity-sensitive RGB backlit pads that Akai says are more responsive than those found on the Mk3. Rounding things off in the control department are eight assignable rotary knobs.<\/p>\n<p>Mini IV swaps out Mk3\u2019s monochrome OLED display for a full-colour version and introduces a transport section for hands-on control over essential DAW functions \u2013 the controller ships with pre-made scripts for <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/tag\/ableton\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/tag\/ableton\">Ableton<\/a> Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio and Cubase. There are new Scale and Chord Modes for staying in key and building chord progressions, and the arpeggiator has been equipped with three new modes, including an intriguingly named Mutate function.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"c6569533-99df-4e07-a3d1-c132e8f94977\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:7680px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:60.01%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hkmE7eJHrSWE2DezMtQVBF-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hkmE7eJHrSWE2DezMtQVBF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hkmE7eJHrSWE2DezMtQVBF-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hkmE7eJHrSWE2DezMtQVBF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hkmE7eJHrSWE2DezMtQVBF-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hkmE7eJHrSWE2DezMtQVBF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: inMusic)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"9bcb3e7a-168b-4202-8763-91a595746f10\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:7200px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:60.01%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F.jpg\" alt=\"akai mpk\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-1200-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cszGYMUyskVoJ4qRGhua6F.jpg\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: inMusic)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"be1d0cef-6a5c-41e3-83c6-51da4bd4a76c\">With the release of Mini IV, Akai is introducing Studio Instrument Collection, a new software instrument that features 1,000 sounds from brands across the inMusic family, including <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/tag\/moog\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/tag\/moog\">Moog<\/a>, AIR and Akai themselves. You\u2019ll also get a license for Live Lite 12, a cut-down version of Ableton\u2019s flagship DAW.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s more, Mini IV brings a full-size 5-pin DIN MIDI output, making the controller a far more versatile tool for integrating with DAWless setups and external gear. There\u2019s also a USB-C port in place of Mk3\u2019s USB-B connection, and a sustain pedal jack. The controller is available in two colourways: a standard black and red finish and a retro grey that\u2019s reminiscent of classic MPCs.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-tk9gMJVxzavZfn4t6Qokaa\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-tk9gMJVxzavZfn4t6Qokaa slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The MPK Mini IV embodies our commitment to empowering creators of all skill levels with professional-grade tools,&#8221; said Akai Pro\u2019s Andy Mac. &#8220;We&#8217;ve completely reimagined what&#8217;s possible in a compact controller \u2014 delivering tactile, expressive controls; instant access to premium sounds; and true portability at an accessible price point. It\u2019s designed to inspire creativity from the moment you plug it in.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>All that for under $100 makes MPK Mini IV a serious contender for the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/news\/best-cheap-MIDI-keyboards\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/news\/best-cheap-MIDI-keyboards\"><u>best cheap MIDI keyboard<\/u><\/a> on the market. This is a proper update, bringing many of the most desirable features of the pricier <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/news\/akai-mpk-mini-plus-midi-keyboard\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/news\/akai-mpk-mini-plus-midi-keyboard\">MPK Mini Plus<\/a> to its 25-key sibling, and making a budget controller that was already among the most appealing options in its price bracket even more of a tempting proposition.<\/p>\n<p>The Akai Professional MPK Mini IV is available now for $99\/\u20ac109.99\/\u00a394.99. <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.akaipro.com\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.akaipro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\">Find out more on Akai&#8217;s website. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.musicradar.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Five years on from the release of the MPK Mini Mk3, Akai Professional has unveiled the next generation of its compact MIDI controller keyboard: MPK Mini IV. A major update that Akai is describing as the \u201cmost substantial redesign\u201d in the series\u2019 history, MPK Mini IV introduces pitch and modulation wheels, revamps the keybed and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2091617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25179],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2091616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Weve-completely-reimagined-whats-possible-in-a-compact-controller-Akai-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2091616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2091616"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2091616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2091618,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2091616\/revisions\/2091618"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2091617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2091616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2091616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2091616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}