Akai’s Professional MPK Mini MK3 is the world’s best-selling USB MIDI keyboard controller, and now looks slicker, affordable and plays better.
The AKAI MPK mini MK3 features a new keybed, endless rotary knobs and an OLED display. It also comes with a comprehensive software package.
Described as a musical Swiss Army Knife, gets an improved keybed, though this again features 25 keys. This is joined by eight MPC performance pads, eight endless rotary knobs and a 4-way joystick for pitch and modulation control. In addition, parameter feedback comes from an OLED display, while performance features include note repeat on the pads and a built-in arpeggiator. The Bundled software comprises MPC Beats, Akai’s new free beat-making DAW – plus expansions, and Air Hybrid, Mini Grand and Velvet.
Akai is promising universal compatibility from the Akai MPK mini mk3 – hence you can plug in and play without installing any drivers. What is more, you can select the correct mode for the DAW you are currently using.
Korg’s new i3 music workstation features 61 full-size keys with a velocity-sensitive keybed, EQ, sequencer, song storage and contains over 800 instrument sounds – known as Sound Set – including a complete GM2 library for General MIDI compatibility, and are powered by a PCM engine that delivers 64 voices of polyphony, and there are two stereo effect processors.
The operation of the i3 distinguishes between the Sound Set and the Style Performance Sets. The Style Performance Sets contain sounds and parts that can be used to create a backing track for your playing and it is flexible. Each backing track can contain up to eight parts and you can mix and match from different Style Performance Sets to create custom arrangements. In addition, each of the 270 Styles also contains rhythmic variations and you can add effects. Once you have recorded a song or performance that you are satisfy with, all settings can be saved to a single Set List location, and the i3’s sequencer can also function as a linear 16-track recorder.
Once completed, finished projects can be saved as MIDI files or bounced down to audio for export. The sequencer can play back WAV and MP3 files, as well. And two USB ports are provided to save data to a flash drive or connect to a computer. The Korg i3 can also be powered by batteries.
The workstation keyboard is designed for musicians and composers to bring their ideas to life swiftly and expressively.
The Korg i3 comes in black and silver finishes and is now available.
The Korg SV-2 stage piano seemed to be one of the hits at the NAMM event. The SV-2 is the successor of Korg SV-1 which was launched a decade ago.
The SV-2 comes with more than 10 times the sample data of the SV-1, driving more new piano and high quality keyboard sounds – total 72 sounds. Favourites can be stored in 64 memory locations for instant access.
The SV-2 Editor software allows you to create split and layered programs, and there are now 128 note polyphony. In addition to the high-quality and wide range of classic keyboard instruments-including a version of Korg M1 piano and you will find organs, strings, mallets, brass, choirs, guitars and basses.
The Korg SV-2 versions also feature Korg’s RH3 graded-hammer action keyboard, and includes effects like a 3-band EQ, amp models, various pre-FX, modulation FX, reverb/delay and a limiter. Additionally, there are many MIDI and audio connectivity available. However, there is a second version of the SV-2, known as the SV-2S. The Korg SV-2S version has a built-in K-ARRAY speaker system. As such, the SV-2S could be considered as an alternative to a traditional home digital piano.
