[montydog]

My first ever Midi controller is on it's way! I've gone for the the AKAI Professional MPK Mini MKII 25-Key Portable USB keyboard. I don't a bloody clue about how Midi works so it's a steep learning curve. Any tips? Is this a decent bit of kit?

M

[Boydie]

Most DAWs are really good with managing MIDI so you don't need to worry too much

You may need to tell your DAW you have attached a MIDI device and assign the inputs and outputs in the global settings/preferences

I presume you will be driving soft synths/virtual instruments and triggering drums

In most cases just set the input of the midi track to your device and select "omni" as the midi channel (which means it will listen to all channels)

You only need to start faffing with midi channels etc. if you find you are triggering the wrong instrument or another instrument plays when you don't want it to - but I think you will be fine

[ScottLevi]

Hey Monty,

I think that's the same one I have.

Not fully got to grips with it but is loads of fun.

If you're installing the software that comes with it (MPC essentials); I had the same issue on 2 different machines when trying to load plugins and spent ages both time trying to fix it.

In case you get the same, check out this thread
https://c.getsatisfaction.com/akai_professional/topics/mpc-essentials-crashed-when-i-scan-plugins

If you are still having the crashing error, try this out:

1) In your Control Panel, click Appearance and Personalization.
2) Under the Display heading, click Make Text and Other Items Larger or Smaller.
3) The default scaling options allow you to choose a 100-percent scale (the default), a 125-percent scale, or a 150-percent scale.
4) To use one of these scaling options, make a selection, and then click Apply.
5) Log out of Windows then log back in
6) Reopen MPC Software

All the best,
Scott.

[pompeyjazz]

It's a good un for a starter for sure. I use the M-Audio mini 32 which is very similar.  Boydie are you going to have some fun. Midi opens up a whole new dimension 

[adamfarr]

I have that one - my recommendation is don’t use MPC essentials unless you especially want this for drums - if you have a DAW you don’t need it. The free synths are really good - you get VIP which is great I think has almost identical sounds to AIR xpand2 (look out[size=78%] Pompeyjazz!)[/size]


You also get Sonivox Wobble which I’m not sure is really your style but has some really interesting pads especially.


There are a few important set up things - not sure what DAW you have but you have to select the controller as an input, and you need to set the track to midi input, make sure input monitoring is switched on and ensure you have an instrument set up on the track!


The keys are quite stiff but you should get used to them quickly.


Will be fun and you’ll have all known instruments (more whether there’s a bodhran!)