AKAI MPK Mini Play Quick Start Guide
Overview
In this article, we will show you how to set up and get started with the AKAI MPK Mini Play. Follow the steps below to get started!
3. Make Sounds
Getting Started
If you’re like us, the first thing you probably want to is to play your MPK Mini Play. Who could blame us? But first, you’ll want to get started by registering it with AKAI so that you can the included software. Follow the software download instructions below.
Software Download Instructions
The first thing you need to do is register your MPK Mini Play with AKAI. By doing so, you’ll be able to access all the bundled software including Pro Tools First, MPC Essentials, and the Hybrid and Wobble virtual instruments. If you already have an AKAI account, you do not need to create another one, just log in. Follow the instructions below to register and obtain your bundled software.
1. Log in to your AKAI account or create one for the first time.
2. Register your MPK Mini Play on your account’s product registration page.
3. View included software on your account’s products page.
Install Bundled Software
Once registered, your bundled software can be found on your account’s products page. Follow the instructions to register and install each app/instrument. Learn more on AKAI’s support page.
Click the above image to register your MPK Mini Play with AKAI.
Setup and Connections
Setting up your MPK Mini Play couldn’t be easier.The keyboard can be powered two ways: with a wired USB connection or by using three AA batteries to go wireless.
The battery option is ideal for mobile use, especially if you want to jam or create with headphones. Regardless of how the keyboard is powered, it must be connected via USB in order to transmit MIDI signal to a computer.
While the MPK Mini Play appears to play audio, it does not actually transmit audio over USB. To get sound, the MIDI data must trigger a virtual instrument like the bundled Hybrid 3 or Wobble. Here are a few tips for connecting your MPK Mini Play to a computer.
Bus & Battery Power
The Power switch determines whether the device is battery or USB powered. When connecting to a computer over USB, the MPK Mini Play is bus powered from the computer and does not drain the batteries.
USB Hubs
Connecting to a USB hub may not provide enough power for your device, especially with passive hubs that don’t use a power adapter. Try using a USB hub with its own power supply or reconfiguring your USB connections so that the MPK Mini Play is connected directly to your computer.
Not showing up?
If the MIDI controller does not show up, first try unplugging and plugging it back in or try another USB port and/or USB cable.
Use the USB connection with a computer/tablet.
Playing MPK Mini Play Internal Sounds
To play the internal key and drum sounds, you must have the INTERNAL SOUNDS button engaged. Once on, the keys and pads will create their respective sounds. If you don’t want to use the internal speaker, either turn the volume down, disable INTERNAL SOUNDS, or connect a set of headphones.
Make Sounds
The MPK Mini Play comes with built-in sounds: 128 keys and 10 drums. So long as the INTERNAL SOUNDS button is engaged, both pads and keys can be used simultaneously. Consider the following tips when playing the MPK Mini Play’s internal sounds.
Drums
- Press the DRUMS button and press the pads to trigger each drum kit’s sounds.
- While DRUMS is enabled, rotate the encoder (to the right of the screen) to change between the 10 drum kit sounds.
- Engage the FULL LEVEL button to make all pads sound at full velocity.
Keys
- Press the KEYS button and play any of the keys to create sound.
- While KEYS is enabled, rotate the encoder to change between the 128 sounds.
- Use the Arpeggiator (below) to arpeggiate chords in all sorts of ways.
Saving and Loading Favorites
To save a sound to a pad (FAV 1, 2, etc.), hold the FAVORITES and INTERNAL SOUNDS buttons and then press one of the eight pads. To load a saved sound, hold the FAVORITES button and press the corresponding pad.
Engage the INTERNAL SOUNDS button to hear drum and key sounds.
Arpeggiator
Enable/disable the arpeggiator by pressing the ON/OFF button underneath “ARPEGGIATOR”. While turned on, the arpeggiator will alternate the notes you play at a given tempo. Follow the instructions below to change the arpeggiator’s behavior.
Change the arpeggiator’s rate, range, and rhythm with the following settings:
TEMPO: Repeatedly press the TAP TEMPO button to set the note’s tempo.
TIME DIVISION: Hold the ON/OFF button and press a key labeled with a rhythmic value (¼, 1/4T, etc…)
OCTAVE: Increase the arpeggio octave range. Hold the ON/OFF button and press a key labeled with ARP OCT ( 1, 2, etc.)
SWING: Swing the rhythm by holding the ON/OFF button and pressing keys labeled with swing percentages. SWING 50% equals no swing.
Arpeggiator Modes
Changing the arpeggiator mode means changing how the arpeggiation plays back. Hold the ON/OFF button and choose one of the following modes by pressing its corresponding key.
UP: Notes arpeggiate lowest to highest.
DOWN: Notes arpeggiate highest to lowest.
INCL (Inclusive): Notes will sound from lowest to highest, always repeating the lowest and highest notes.
EXCL (Exclusive): Notes will sound from lowest to highest, and the lowest and highest notes are not repeated.
ORDER: Notes sound in the order they were pressed.
RAND (Random): Notes sound in a random order.
LATCH: Notes will continue to arpeggiate after you stop pressing the keys. You can add additional notes by continuing to press. If you release and press new notes, the new notes will begin to arpeggiate.
Use the ON/OFF button and use the keys to change arpeggiator settings.
Helpful Links
PC & Mac Optimization Guides
Resolving Audio Interface Issues on Windows 10
Resolving Audio Interface Issues on Mac
How to Install and Use ASIO4ALL
macOS 10.14 Mojave Compatibility List
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