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Akai Professional MPK249 49-key Keyboard Controller

USB/iOS MIDI Controller Keyboard with 49-note Semi-weighted Keybed with Aftertouch, 16 Performance Pads, 8 Assignable Faders/Buttons/Encoders, Arpeggiator, and Transport Controls
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Akai Professional MPK249 49-key Keyboard Controller
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The Controller Keyboard, Evolved

Akai Professional's MPK controller keyboards have become standard equipment in many professional MIDI rigs. The latest MPK249 rocks improvements in every major area, from its new RGB-illuminated MPC-style pads to the superb action of its aftertouch-enabled 49-note keybed. The MPK249 gives you boatloads of workflow-enhancing features such as MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, and an arpeggiator for complex rhythmic and melodic manipulation. With its assignable faders, buttons, and encoders (eight each), 16 performance pads, transport controls, LCD screen, and USB/iOS modes, the MPK249 gives you absolute control over your software.

Juice your productions with authentic MPC functionality

With the Akai Professional MPK249, you can juice your productions with authentic MPC workflows, using the familiar tools producers have relied upon for years. MPC Swing delivers that tight, organic groove that made MPC units instant classics. MPC Note Repeat and 16 Levels make it easy to build beats and construct short melodic sequences using the MPK249's 16 RGB-illuminated MPC-style pads. Also onboard is an arpeggiator that lets you easily explore more complex melodic ideas with its adjustable resolution, range, and patterns.

Addictive keyboard feel and plentiful performance controllers

At Sweetwater, keyboard feel is a big deal. (We're a picky bunch.) The MPK249's semi-weighted action is an ideal middle ground, working well for piano parts as well as fast synth leads. Akai Professional has also equipped it with assignable aftertouch - perfect for adding tasty vibrato and other modulation without having to disengage your hands from the keyboard. In addition to its assignable faders, buttons, and rotary encoders, the MPK249 is also fitted with sustain/footswitch and expression pedal jacks, as well as the de rigueur pitch and mod wheels.

Enhanced hardware control over your software

Seamlessly bridging the gap between hardware control and software performance, Akai Professional's latest generation of MPK controllers gives you the enhanced response of a refined new keybed, new RGB-illuminated MPC-style pads, the ability to send QWERTY-style commands via soft-controls, and a low-power iOS mode. It all adds up to enhanced hardware control over your software - which translates to greater productivity for you. The MPK249 is plug-and-play with your Mac or Windows computer, and it also sports iOS compatibility via Apple's optional iPad Camera Connection Kit. It even comes with free software, including Ableton Live Lite, Pro MPC Essentials, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, and SONiVOX Twist 2.0

Craft sophisticated Virtual Instrument rigs with Akai Professional VIP

The difference between a cool MIDI controller keyboard and a full hybrid keyboard workstation is Akai Professional VIP3. This third-generation version of Akai Professional's Virtual Instrument Player software is a masterpiece of workflow management. It lets you load up just about any VST plug-in and combine up to eight virtual instruments plus effects into sophisticated arrangements with key zones, splits, and custom mappings — exactly what you'd expect from a standalone workstation. What's more, there's an ever-growing list of plug-ins that automatically map to your controller, but thanks to VIP3's MIDI Learn function, you can map any plug-in with any controller in any way you like. Run it as a standalone platform or use it as a plug-in in your favorite DAW. Either way, VIP3 will revolutionize the way you approach virtual instruments.

Akai Professional MPK249 Controller Keyboard Features:

  • 49 semi-weighted, full-size keys with aftertouch
  • 16 RGB-illuminated MPC pads derived from the MPC Renaissance (each with 4 banks)
  • 24 assignable Q-Link controllers include knobs, faders, and switches (8 of each)
  • New control layout with backlit LCD screen
  • USB-MIDI with 5-pin MIDI input and output
  • Comprehensive transport and parameter controls for hands-on DAW integration
  • MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, and arpeggiator for advanced rhythmic and melodic manipulation
  • MPC Full Level, 16 Levels, Tap Tempo, and Time Division assist with dynamics and tempo
  • Pitch bend, modulation, and octave controls for expressive recording and performing
  • One sustain/footswitch jack, one expression pedal jack
  • USB bus power for plug-and-play connectivity
  • iOS compatibility via Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
  • Production software package included: Ableton Live Lite and Pro MPC Essentials
  • Virtual synths included: Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech and SONiVOX Twist 2.0
  • Includes Akai Professional VIP3 virtual instrument workstation software/plug-in

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Keyboard Controller
  • Number of Keys: 49
  • Type of Keys: Semi-weighted
  • Velocity Sensitive: Yes
  • Aftertouch: Yes
  • Pads: 16 x Backlit, Velocity-sensitive pads
  • Other Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel, 8 x Assignable Buttons
  • Encoders/Pots: 8 x Encoders
  • Faders: 8
  • Dedicated Transport Control: Yes
  • Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4" TS (sustain/footswitch), 1 x 1/4" TRS (expression)
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB/iOS
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Computer Connectivity: USB
  • Software: VIP3.0, Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR, SONiVOX Twist 2.0, MPC Beats
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: 1.25 GHz G4/G5 or Faster (Intel Recommended), 2GB RAM
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: 1.5 GHz Pentium 4 or Celeron CPU, 2GB RAM, Windows-compatible Sound Card
  • OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.7 or Later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later
  • Power Supply: USB bus powered
  • Height: 3.38"
  • Width: 29"
  • Depth: 12.25"
  • Weight: 12.6 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: MPK249

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

High quality controller with high quality songs.

The newest member of my recording studio. Oh boy! This midi controller is the best out there, and all the sounds it giving you access to, I don't think I'll buy any soft synth any time soon. It took me about 2-3 hours to figure out how to get it to work with Reaper, and once I did, everything is history. I'll using the controller to control reaper, and every single sound coming out of this controller is extremely high quality, making my Korg Krome 88 sound pale in comparison.
Rated 4/5

Great control center for my studio, but some minor annoyances

While an older piece, and not quite perfect, the MPK249 has really become central to my studio, and was the best match for my needs I could find.

It's my first 4-octave controller, and I'm appreciating the extra octave as well as the additional control surfaces. The keybed is very playable, and the position of the bend and mod wheels means it fits a narrower space than other 49-key controllers, which was required for it to even fit my desk.

The unit feels very solid and substantial, and aside from the too-clicky (IMO) buttons the controls feel good. It's also a good looking device, and a nice addition to my setup.

I've mapped one bank of the "mixer" controls to my Behringer XAir12 mixer and a few knobs of another bank to my Proteus 2000 front panel controls. Both have been very convenient, and I expect to do more of this. The only issue here is my memory
Music background: Dabbler
Rated 5/5

Premium Key Bed, Great Build Quality, Versatile Controls/IO

I've had this for a few years now. It's Heavy because of the metal base and feels very sturdy and well balanced. I personally bought it because of the semi-weighted key bed. I wanted synth style keys, but not the flimsy ones on cheaper controllers. With 3 banks of the control faders/knobs/buttons, I can map every important parameter on any synth plugin and it feels like a hardware synth. The pitch bend and modulation wheels are very good quality and have a nice rubbery texture. I do enjoy having note repeat and arpeggiator features built into the controller. The drum pads feel great. I've used arturia's cheaper controllers before and by contrast, theirs felt very cheap and had no dynamic range to speak of. I can get great subtle dynamics when finger drumming. While this piece is quite old, I think that is a reason choose this one. It might not have polyphonic aftertouch or the latest generation of LCD screen etc, but it has proven over the years that it can withstand wear and tear and doesn't have bugs that many newer pieces would have because they're so new. I'd have no hesitation recommending this to someone who these features would be a good fit for.
Music background: Music Artist/Producer
Rated 5/5

Great gear!!!

Very happy with my Mpk249 !! It s an awesome piece of gear
Rated 5/5

A beautiful monster

This keyboard looks great, feels great and is great. Theres a reason they're still in production, absolutely fantastic midi keyboard for the price.
I purchased this after having felt held back by a cheap keyboard and I was right, having all of the faders and control dials toggle is just amazing and opens up so many possibilities.
And the looks, its got a functional-egalitarian look to it in person that just doesn't quite come through unless you're standing in front of it. Just a stunning keyboard all around, and thats not even talking about the keys!
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