I'm guessing it can't have gone unoticed in the Akai boardroom, that the Korg nano series proved to be incredibly popular - people just want little, dinky, controllers they can chuck in the laptop bag.

So enter the new LPK25 25 key mini MIDI keyboard with 'proper' mini synth travel keys. One critisism that could be levelled at the nanoKey was that its keys were a little unorthodox, more akin to laptop qwerty keys. The keys on the LPK are larger and more traditional and are  velocity sensitive. There is also an on board arpeggitator with beat division selections along the same lines as the MPK keyboards - presumably the unit can receive MIDI clock -  there's also a tap tempo and octave +/- buttons.

The LPD8 combines a set of 8 light-up velocity sensitive pads with 8 assignable knobs, it's not known if the pads are pressure sensitive for performing the press roll functions like the MPC and MPK pads do, but looking at the image, I'm guessing not. Each unit has four memory locations for storing setups and presumably are USB powered.

More information will no doubt be forthcoming as the units are on display at this weekends Summer NAMM show in Nashville.

Pricing and Availability
 To be announced, expected to ship this Autumn.

 

More Information

• AkaiPro.com

 

 

 

 

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• Akai Introduces MPC Stems 15-Jan-24
• Akai Pro Announces Flex Beat Update 02-Nov-23

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