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Akai MPK261 Performance USB/MIDI Pad & Keyboard Controller

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Akai MPK261 Performance USB/MIDI Pad & Keyboard Controller
Special Price £485.00

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Quick overview

Engineered to be an all-in-one controller solution, the Akai Professional MPK261 is a performance pad and keyboard controller that combines deep software integration, enhanced workflow, and core technologies from the iconic line of MPC workstations.

  • 61 semi-weighted, full-size keys
  • 16 RGB-illuminated MPC-style pads
  • 24 assignable Q-Link controllers
  • Revamped control layout with backlit LCD screen
  • USB-MIDI with 5-pin MIDI input and output
  • See full product description

Engineered to be an all-in-one controller solution, the Akai Professional MPK261 is a performance pad and keyboard controller that combines deep software integration, enhanced workflow, and core technologies from the iconic line of MPC workstations.

The MPK 261 is a performance pad and keyboard controller that combines deep software integration with over £400 worth of premium music software included, enhanced workflow, and core technologies from the iconic line of MPC workstations.  The MPK261 additionally features a number of enhancements requested by our producer community. 

Classic MPC Note Repeat and MPC Full Level are onboard for further inspiration. With MPK261, musicians and composers can incorporate genuine MPC workflow into their productions and create with the tools that producers have relied on for years. In addition, an arpeggiator, with adjustable resolution, range, and patterns, enables users to explore complex melodic ideas, effortlessly. 

MPK261 is armed with powerful production software—Ableton Live Lite for out-of-the-box music creation. Ableton Live Lite is a fluid audio/MIDI environment that enables musicians and producers to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise, and edit musical ideas. Additonally, MPC Beats is now included.

MPC Essentials with a RRP of £100 is groove/beat production and sample-triggering software. It can integrate directly into any DAW, such as Ableton Live Lite, or run standalone. In addition, it extends the power of MPK261 by adding up to 8 pad banks and 4 samples and insert effects per pad.  With the comprehensive included 1GB sound library, MPC Essentials empowers you with the essential sounds of modern music production, and you can easily import your own WAV and AIFF sound samples as well and assign them to any pad. 

Hybrid 3.0 with a retail value of £109 from Air Music Technology is the next generation in synthesis.  Hybrid is a legendary synthesiser from Air Music Technology.  The AIR team is responsible for the core of much of the effects offerings in Avid’s Pro Tools® software, and also developed a suite of award-winning virtual instruments specifically for Pro Tools. Leveraging this history of excellence, AIR’s mission is to create the world’s most innovative virtual instruments, music software, and effects now for all platforms. 
Also included with your keyboard is the new instrument and effects control software from Akai, VIP 3.1. This plugin inserts into any DAW of your choice and allows you to control any VIP enabled plugin with more precision and control.

This high-definition virtual synthesizer combines the coveted warmth of analog synths with a full range of futuristic digital manipulation capabilities. The result is the best of both worlds — a virtual instrument with a comprehensive set of precisely adjustable parameters that can sound like a synth you remember or something no one has ever heard before.  

SONiVOX Twist with a £79.99 RRP is a spectral morphing synthesis virtual instrument, makes it easy to create unique, serious sounds using simple controls.  SONiVOX designs, develops and markets leading music software technologies, products and applications for desktop and mobile consumer devices. 

Expand your creative arsenal further with exclusive discounts on premium Air Instruments unlocked with your purchase.   The AIR Instrument Expansion Pack brings the world’s most innovative virtual instruments to your favorite DAW. These seven instruments, ranging from breathtaking emulations of vintage gear to unique synthesis technologies, enable you to tap into familiar sounds or create something no one has ever heard before. Breathe some life into your music.

SONiVOX Eighty Eight Ensemble with a retail value of £89.99, is a leading recreation of the Steinway 9-foot CD 327 grand piano layered with additional orchestral and synthetic instruments for rich, cinematic sounds. Meticulously sampled and expertly voiced, Eighty Eight Ensemble 2.1 provides every composer, pianist, and musician the opportunity to infuse their compositions, recordings, and performances with the breathtaking realism of this truly world-class grand piano.

Akai MPK261 Key Features

  • 61 semi-weighted, full-size keys with aftertouch
  • 16 RGB-illuminated MPC-style pads each with 4 banks for 64 pads
  • 24 assignable Q-Link controllers include knobs, faders, and switches (8 of each)
  • Revamped control layout with backlit LCD screen
  • USB-MIDI with 5-pin MIDI input and output
  • iOS compatibility using the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
  • Comprehensive transport & parameter controls for hands-on DAW integration
  • MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, and arpeggiator for advanced rhythmic and melodic manipulation
  • MPC Full Level, 16 Levels, Tap Tempo, and Time Division assist with dynamics and tempo
  • Pitch bend, modulation, and octave controls with split mode for expressive performances
  • 2 assignable footswitch jacks and 1 expression jack
  • USB power and plug-and-play connectivity
  • Production software package included: VIP 3.1, Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Twist 2.0, SONiVOX Eighty-Eight Ensemble and Akai Pro MPC Essentials (downloads)
  • Now includes MPC Beats

Akai MPK261 Tech Spec

  • Number of Keys: 61 semi-weighted, full-size keys with aftertouch
  • Pads: 16 pressure- and velocity-sensitive, light-up MPC-style pads x 4 banks
  • Q-Link Controls: 8 control knobs, 8 faders, and 8 backlit switches
  • Computer Interface: USB-MIDI with 5-pin MIDI input & output
  • Octaves: 10 with Octave Up and Down
  • Arpeggiator: Yes
  • Additional Controls: MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, MPC Full Level, 16 Levels, Tap Tempo, and Time Division
  • Additional Inputs: (1) 1/4" (6.35mm) TRS expression pedal input and (2) 1/4" (6.35mm) TS sustain pedal or footswitch input
  • Power: USB power; no power adapter required
  • Dimensions: 35.63" x 12.25" x 3.38"
  • Weight: 15.1 lbs

System Requirements

  • Macintosh: 1.25 GHz G4/G5 or faster (Intel Mac recommended), 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended), Mac OS X 10.4.11 (10.5 or later recommended)
  • Windows: 1.5 GHz Pentium 4 or Celeron compatible CPU or faster (multicore CPU recommended), 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended), Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP, Windows compatible sound card (ASIO driver support recommended), QuickTime recommended
  • Available USB Port

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