Akai MIDI Controllers

Posted by Pro Music World Published in Computer Music, DJ Gear, Keyboards, MIDI Controllers, Recording

Akai has always stayed ahead of the curve with their sampling and production technology. They bring the same innovative spirit to their MIDI controllers and provide unique ways for music to be performed. Akai’s pad controllers, styled after their MPC workstations, are very popular for programming rhythm and drum tracks and their EWI wind instrument is the perfect MIDI controller for the modern saxophone player.

Akai MPK49 Keyboard USB MIDI Controller
Beat creation, MIDI sequencing, and live performance control are all possible with Akai’s MPK49 USB / MIDI controller. Featuring a sleek black design, this 49-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch comes with 12 MPC-style drum pads with four pad banks each for a total of 48 total pads.The pads have swing parameters which can be applied to the MPC Note Repeat function and the MPK49 keyboard’s own arpeggiator for instant creation of ear-catching riff effects. They also feature the MPC-style Full Level and 12 Level velocity function. Included in the array of assignable controls are 8 full-sized, 360-degree rotation pots, 8 full-sized sliders, and 8 backlit switches. All of them come with three banks, giving you a total of 24 pots, 24 sliders, and 24 switches to play with. Amongst the other assignable inputs are an expression pedal, footswitch, pitch bend, and modulation wheel. The MPK49 midi keyboard controller also has Tap Tempo and time-division buttons allow for real-time control of Note Repeat and Arpeggio clock speeds.The large, custom LCD display makes it easy to see what you’re working with, whether in the dark atmosphere of a nightclub or in the comfy confines of the studio.

Akai MPD24 USB/MIDI Pad Controller
Akai Professional’s MPD24 is the velocity sensitive pad controller for musicians and DJs working with sampled sounds. The MPD24 features 16 MPC-style velocity and pressure sensitive pads plus transport controls for interfacing with DAW/sequencing applications. With Akai’s MPC 16 Levels and Full Level features for ultimate pad control, four selectable pad banks totaling 64 pads, six assignable faders and eight assignable, 360 degree knobs for transmitting MIDI Control Change data, the MPD24 provides unprecedented creative freedom for manipulating sampled material.

Akai EWI4000S Electronic Wind Controller
The EWI 4000S Wind Instrument by Akai is a big step forward in the development of MIDI controllers and synthesizer instruments. It offers customizable sax-style fingering with advanced controls and functions for expressive performance and makes a number of higher-end synth features available. For more information on fingering options, download the Fingering Chart PDF below.Most significant is an onboard sound module so you no longer have to play tethered. By using MIDI and an optional wireless transceiver, you can move freely onstage and switch between stored programs from the instrument. Its internal sounds are based on a virtual analog synth sound module and are very responsive to nuances of your playing. Breath, vibrato, glide time, and bend width are easily adjusted to suit your musical style, and you can send multiple MIDI messages via breath for expression and aftertouch changes.There is also an octave key and mode that automatically doubles below the note you play, a Hold Mode which sustains a note while you play around it. It has 2 oscillators with separate volume controls, and a voltage controlled filter that can go from 2 to 4 pole filters. The EWI 4000S improves breath noise emulation and also has sostenuto.The EWI 4000S also has a sweep function that is more effective than typical envelope generators. By changing the force of your playing you can alter the sweep parameter to give dynamic shape to your sound.To keep controls to a minimum, the EWI 4000S comes with a MAC/PC editor program on which to customize your sounds. You can store edited programs and recall settings instantly during performance.

_____________ More Akai MIDI Controllers

Akai MPD16 USB/MIDI Pad Controller
The Akai MPD16 is a dedicated pad controller with MIDI and USB outputs you can use with any sampler, sound module, sequencer, or software to record and play drum and percussion patterns. The 16 pads on the MPD16 allow you to play with expression and feel for a realistic, human performance. The pads are assignable with two banks for a total of 32 pads plus a performance slider for hi-hat and other sample switching. Each pad also has variable velocity range and support for MPC’s famous Full Level and 16 Levels pad response modes. Full Level switches all pads to maximum output velocity (127). The 16 Levels feature allows you to generate note velocities in 16 steps with each of the 16 pads.

Akai MPD32 MIDI/USB Software Control Surface
The MPD32 is Akai Professional’s ultimate velocity-sensitive pad controller for musicians and DJs. Modeled after the industry-standard MPC series, it delivers one of the most expressive software beat control available.Sixteen velocity and pressure-sensitive, genuine MPC pads, provide for one of the industry’s finest in feel and expression. It has four selectable pad banks for a total of 64 playable pads. Eight assignable faders, eight assignable switches, and eight assignable 360ø knobs, for transmitting MIDI Control Change data, all combine for unprecedented creative freedom. Three selectable control banks extend the number of available faders, buttons, and knobs to 24 each. Two assignable footswitch inputs, and an expression pedal input, takes the total assignable controller count to 75, which a lot for any pad controller.The MPD32 also features transport controls for interfacing with DAW/sequencing applications. It is a fully programmable controller, and multi-functional control surface, that fits perfectly within any production, or performance environment.

Akai E2 Headrush Delay/Looper Pedal
The Akai E2 Headrush Delay/Looper Pedal picks up where the award-winning E1 left off. This stompbox brings together 16-bit digital delay with times from 0.5ms to an astonishing 35 seconds, tape echo simulations with 4 separate heads, and a looping recorder in one convenient effects pedal.In addition to offering digital and analog-type delay sounds, user-selectable delay options allow for maximum control of signal output. There are several realtime interval and level adjustment selections as well as feedback level for repeats.Headrush can also simulate a 4-head analog tape echo machine and it is possible to set the spacing between the virtual heads to create complex multiple delays and repeats. The outputs of each of the virtual heads appear on individual outputs for ultimate flexibility when used with an external mixing console.The looping mode allows you to record and overdub layer after layer of sound in real time making Headrush an unbelievable live performance tool.Depending upon which mode is selected, the left switch controls the on/off and play/stop functions while the right switch sets the tap delay time or recording and overdub options. The LED display indicates which effect is in use and blinks in time showing the delay time selected.