Akai ProfessionalLPK25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 25 Responsive Synth Keys for Mac and PC, Arpeggiator and Music Production Software,black

I got this midi keyboard to use with my DAW. So far it has been working out just fine! Seems this keyboard has a lot of potential. I’m only using it to program drum tracks on my recordings, but I’ve used it for some piano work too. It comes with some recording software to make beats that is kinda fun to mess around with. I’d recommend it for anyone looking for a budget midi controller to start out on. The keys are responsive, they feel almost weighted. Not cheap feeling by any means. Seems to be well built as well! Connectivity is easy, due to the USB cord. Easy setup! I’d get another AKAI product in the future.

Had this product for over 2 years. I bought this to help me transcribe music into Sibelius (Mac), and it saves me sooo much time. Product feels sturdy, keys are responsive, buttons are intuitive. I wish I bought a keyboard with more keys, but that is not an issue with this keyboard, per se. It is ultra portable, and works like a charm!The only issue I have with this keyboard is the mini-usb port. It is very cheap and was some wiggle in the port when I bought it. After carrying it in a laptop bag with the cable still inside the port (for a year or so), it stopped working. Apparently this is a common issue. Luckily, I am an engineer with just enough soldering experience to be dangerous. I followed the steps here:[...] and got it back up and running in a matter of an hour or so. I now have a USB cable hard-wired into the keyboard. Used some JB PlasticWeld to keep the joint stiff, and it has been going strong ever since. I think akai should genuinely consider hardwiring a cable as opposed to leaving an exposed port, but that's just my opinion.Regardless, I would still recommend this keyboard.

I bought this as a replacement for my (broken) Korg NanoKey and it's been a fantastic purchase.I enjoyed the NanoKey for the first month or so that I had it. It was inexpensive, ultra-portable, and served its purpose. Unfortunately after only a few weeks, keys started dying, and this was despite taking very good care of it. The NanoKey is just a very flimsy product. The LPK25 is anything but.DURABILITY- Despite the fact that it's entirely made of plastic, this thing is remarkably solid. Nothing is loose or flimsy or cheap feeling- with care, this thing should last a long time.SIZE- while significantly thicker than the NanoKey, it's still very portable. It would fit easily in a medium sized pocket of a backpack.THE KEYS- remember before buying this that the keys are much smaller than "normal" keyboard keys, much closer in size to that of a small Casio keyboard. But don't let that dissuade you! They may be small, but they're not cheap. They're obviously (for the size) not weighted keys, but they have a good, firm, but not overbearing resistance to them. It's a little tricky to figure out the velocities, but that's not why you buy a keyboard this size.THE DOODADS- For some reason, the LPK25 has a built-in arpeggiator, which while totally functional, seems a bit superfluous. Especially since the unit is lacking pitchbend and modulation controls. I'd gladly give up the real estate the arpeggiator controls take up for a modulation slider or pitchbend buttons or both. The octave +/- buttons light up, which is nice, but they only light up one way. That is, you can't tell by looking at the unit if you're pitched up 1 octave or 3, unlike the NanoKey which had multicolored LEDs to indicate the octave. It's a minor gripe but it's still worth mentioning.USB- Plug and play on both PC and Mac. I didn't have a single issue on either platform or in any program.Ultimately though, any negatives that could be leveled against the LPK25 are overshadowed by the fact that it serves its role as an affordable, reliable, portable, and easy to use unit. If you need a small keyboard you can toss in a backpack or suitcase, it's worth every cent.

Having the old Line 6 Toneport KB37 as my midi controller for the last 10 years, I was super excited to get a new and super small keys controller. The Toneport served its life well, helping me write 4 albums of instrumental music and 7 movie scores for PBS. I used it with an 08 Mac laptop using garageband and an 2010 imac with protools for many years, but now it seems to not interface with any of my 3 rigs and actually crashed my Protools rig. After setting up the new Garageband and on a new imac, it wouldn't interface and the time to update equipment has arrived!So easy to use! I turned on garageband and connected usb and BHAM! it loads automatically. If you've used a DAW before, usually you have to select in a special window which is fine, just digging the new garageband and the seamless connectivity this controller offer. I'm a musician not a engineer, so I want to spend my time recording and not tinkering.Ive recorded a few songs and loved the feel of the keys. Good response and has a good feel. Touch sensitivity is not as good as my much bigger keyboard, but for under $60 compared to the $300 spent in 2008 that makes sense! Also the user reviews here have a ton of complaints about a faulty usb connector, but seems rock solid to me. I don't travel with my gear or abuse it so I never have those problems that many seem to have with their gear...As always the bottom line is take care of your stuff and it will last!!!Final Verdict: Couldn't be happier. Perfect piece of equipment and can't wait to write and use it! That's what I like in my equipment. Works well and inspires. Excelsior!!!