Some people say that every year technology accelerates at such a rate as to enable humanity to produce machines that are twice as powerful, half the size and half the price of those manufactured the year before. If this is indeed true, it could explain the growing prominence of mini yet powerful midi controllers currently available on the market for that can transform your laptop computer into a portable studio for $42-$100. With midi-assignable keys, pads, faders, and knobs. These pint-sized treasures come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
First there is Akai’s LPK 25 – a 25 key controller that sells for a mere $42. Then there is the Akai LPD8 – with 8 assignable midi pads for $47. Korg’s has a team of mini-rivals along the same lines. The NanoKEY, nanoPAD, and nanoKontrol, all selling within the $45-$49 price range offering assignable Keys, pads, and a knob/fader combination respectively.
Korg's NanoTEAM
But my all-time favorite lil toy has got to be Akai’s latest offering: the MPK mini. At $75-99 retail in most retail and online stores, this little guy packs some serious punch. With 25 semi-weighted keys, 8 assignable knobs, 8 pads, and mapping capabilities that enable the user to extend the keyboard to the same 7 1/4-octave range you would find in a standard piano, plus the capabilities to double the knobs and pad’s mapping capabilities to cover 16 different parameters each, its capabilities are impressive, as are its consumer reviews. All of this comes in a lightweight 2-lb package that is not even as big as a 15″ laptop. In fact, if you have a laptop bag with a little extra space, chances are you’ve got room for this little guy along with your lappy, power cable, and a pair of quality studio-monitor headphones like the Sony MDR-7506′s.
No, I do not work for Akai. I am just simply in love… with this mini micro sized machine that just might make all of my traveling musical dreams come true.