Is the Akai MPK88 a reliable rig?

somehowsomeway · 28th January 2012

I have a CME UF80 classic 88 key everything was going great I've had it about a year and then .....mod wheel goes out.

Now I've started looking for a new controler. I like the specs and features on the Akai MPK88 (even though its a little heavy) and I like all the auto mapping features basically everything about it. Except its casing is plastic. My CME has aluminum casing and is 10 pounds lighter. But if its a reliable controller man I'd like to buy one. Unless there is a better usb/midi controller with weighed keys for under a grand then tell me about it.
Thanks y'all.

underground is the sound

MitchXI · 28th January 2012

Have you had a chance to play one?

I've tapped some notes on one and I liked the action very much. However, some complain that it is too stiff, it has a definite threshold that you will snap over when you hit a key. Very tactile.

alexdg · 28th January 2012

I've been touring across North America and Europe with my MPK61 for the past 6 months or so, and after being thrown into vans and planes day after day it is still functioning perfectly. I did have a knob cap come off, but such battle scars are to be expected in a rough touring environment. Overall it's well built and reliable. I assume the MPK88 will hold up just as well.

skira · 28th January 2012

Trent Reznor used an MPK88 on his last tour.

On the latest Phantogram tour Sarah Barthel dumped her Korg R3 and picked up an MPK49.

somehowsomeway · 3rd February 2012

Thanks for all the input! I decided to go with the MPK61 since I fixed my CME's mod wheel ....don't ask me how. But am way stoked on the Akai I gig about 3xs a week and I bet it will hold up just fine.

The next 88 key rig I get will probably be the Roland NX300. I want a hardware synth just in case of a computer crash or some other shitty problem that can happen live.
underground is the sound

28th January 2012	#1
somehowsomeway Gear Head Joined: Nov 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 30 Thread Starter	Is the Akai MPK88 a reliable rig? I have a CME UF80 classic 88 key everything was going great I've had it about a year and then .....mod wheel goes out. Now I've started looking for a new controler. I like the specs and features on the Akai MPK88 (even though its a little heavy) and I like all the auto mapping features basically everything about it. Except its casing is plastic. My CME has aluminum casing and is 10 pounds lighter. But if its a reliable controller man I'd like to buy one. Unless there is a better usb/midi controller with weighed keys for under a grand then tell me about it. Thanks y'all. underground is the sound

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28th January 2012	#2
MitchXI Gear interested Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 29	Have you had a chance to play one? I've tapped some notes on one and I liked the action very much. However, some complain that it is too stiff, it has a definite threshold that you will snap over when you hit a key. Very tactile.

28th January 2012	#3
alexdg Gear interested Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 11	I've been touring across North America and Europe with my MPK61 for the past 6 months or so, and after being thrown into vans and planes day after day it is still functioning perfectly. I did have a knob cap come off, but such battle scars are to be expected in a rough touring environment. Overall it's well built and reliable. I assume the MPK88 will hold up just as well.

28th January 2012	#4
skira Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 676	Trent Reznor used an MPK88 on his last tour. On the latest Phantogram tour Sarah Barthel dumped her Korg R3 and picked up an MPK49.

3rd February 2012	#5
somehowsomeway Gear Head Joined: Nov 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 30 Thread Starter	Thanks for all the input! I decided to go with the MPK61 since I fixed my CME's mod wheel ....don't ask me how. But am way stoked on the Akai I gig about 3xs a week and I bet it will hold up just fine. The next 88 key rig I get will probably be the Roland NX300. I want a hardware synth just in case of a computer crash or some other shitty problem that can happen live. underground is the sound