AKAI Professional MPK 261

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USB/MIDI Pad and Keyboard Performance Controller with 61 Keys

61 Semi-weighted keys
16 MPC Pads with RGB lighting
8 assignable knobs, sliders and switches each
Inputs for expression and sustain pedal
Arpeggiator
MPC Note repeat
MPC Full level
Tap tempo and time division
Backlit LCD indicator
DAW Integration through comprehensive transport and parameter control
Assignable buttons for keyboard commands
2 x Jack input for expression pedal
1 x Jack input for sustain pedal
USB MIDI and 5-Pin MIDI in/ out
iOS Compatible with Apple Camera onnection kit (not included)
Dimensions (W x D x H): 905 x 311 x 86 mm
Weight: 6.85 kg
Incl. Software downloads: Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Twist 2.0 and Akai Pro MPC Essentials

30 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

3 3-Year Thomann Warranty

available since May 2014

Item number 338301

sales unit 1 piece(s)

Aftertouch Yes

Split Zones 2

Layer function No

Pitch Bend / Modulation Yes

Rotary Encoder 8

Fader (Amount) 8

Pads 16

Display Yes

MIDI interface 1x In, 1x Out

Pedal input Yes

USB-port Yes

Mains Operation Yes

Battery Operation No

Bus-Powered Yes

Dimensions 905 x 311 x 86

Weight in kg 6,9 kg

Special Features Arpeggiator, Note Repeat

£439

All prices incl. VAT

Delivery free of charge expected between Monday, 5.06. and Tuesday, 6.06.

Sales Rank

in Master Keyboards (up to 61 Keys)

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66 Customer ratings

5 46 Customers 4 15 Customers 3 1 Customer 2 2 Customers 1 2 Customers

4.5 / 5

handling

features

quality

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41 Reviews

Good controller, but lackluster quality control

Anonymous 06.12.2021

Some people warned about keybed quality control (either received broken product or keybed failing far too soon after buying). I still wanted to give it a try, because of the good features/layout, my former good experience with Akai, and especially because I like the feel of the pads on Akai products in general.

Sadly the product I got had a broken keybed on arrival that made proper playing impossible.
I have now read enough horror stories of dead keys and broken velocity detection after very limited time of use, while trying to troubleshoot my unit right out of the box for way too long. Such a trust I had in Akai, that I was confident about user error and not a dysfunctional unit, even when it was already obvious.

Knobs, sliders and pads felt solid. "Feel" of the keybed was good, better than excepted. Springs have quite a lot of resistance, so coming from very light touch keyboard or proper hammer-action piano might be weird for you, obviously. But any way, it felt solid and consistent on the keys that worked on my product.

If you don't mind possible warranty-return hassle and have the luck to get working and long lasting unit, it is still a very nice controller for the price.

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Faulty keybed

BoVe 28.01.2020

This controller has excellent reputation and I totally agree with it based on its feature set. It has (almost) everything a keyboard player could need for one’s live duties. Unfortunately, the unpleasant personal experience I have with this controller is related to a faulty keybed. The first unit I received from Thomann was faulty on delivery, so Thomann kindly replaced it with another one. Sadly, that unit showed the same design weakness after relatively short period. I am quite disappointed.

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Poor excuse for a MIDI keyboard

Eph-Jay 10.12.2022

The drum pads are amazing and fun to use.
Nice Mod/Pitch wheels.
The Keyboard has been manufactured with appallingly low standards and quality regarding the most essential aspect of any keyboard instrument.

Cosmetically, the AKAI looked perfectly fine with no visual damage and no damage to the inner packaging.
After connecting the keyboard and trying it for the first time, I was disappointed to see and hear that the keyboard has a serious technical flaw.
The MPK261 is suffering from a number of serious velocity and sensitivity issues. Certain keys when pressed gently will output maximum or erratic velocities while others respond more normally.
The notes D1 and G#4 in particular will trigger themselves multiple times at maximum values after only being pressed once. This renders the keyboard completely unplayable since it is impossible to play with any dynamic control.
I recently had very similar problems with a brand new Novation keyboard and more interestingly it was the same key too.
I decided that Akai would be a better replacement, but now I feel that my money has been wasted again.
I am extremely disappointed as I expected so much more from Akai and a keyboard of this caliber.
The Thomann technical department advised me to reset the keyboard to the factory default again, and to test with separate MIDI cables. This unfortunately made no difference.

Demonstration of the techincal issue - https://www.mediafire.com/file/t5wgqgsyaaarle4/MPK261_Fault_2022-12-01_17-39-25.mkv/file

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Perfect!

Anonymous 22.02.2022

It is very good product. Just a bit heavy, so locate it on a strong and stable desk or stand.

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AKAI Professional MPK 261

USB/MIDI Pad and Keyboard Performance Controller with 61 Keys

This is what customers who viewed this product bought

66 Customer ratings

41 Reviews

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AKAI Professional MPK 261

USB/MIDI Pad and Keyboard Performance Controller with 61 Keys

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66 Customer ratings

41 Reviews

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