Akai Professional® today announced MPK® Mini Plus II, the next generation of its compact 37-key MIDI keyboard, designed for creators who want more performance and production control without moving to a full-size keyboard. MPK Mini Plus II combines an upgraded 37-key mini keybed, eight velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB MPC pads, a new full-colour display, and creative tools including Glitch, Mutate, Strum, Freeze, Chords, and Follow. Direct MPC Standalone and MPC Desktop integration brings deeper MPC control to the keyboard, while USB-C, five-pin MIDI, and CV/Gate connectivity allow MPK Mini Plus II to move easily between software instruments, hardware synthesisers, and modular setups.
“MPK Mini has introduced a lot of creators to hands-on making music, and MPK Mini Plus II is built for the creator who’s ready for the next step,” said Andy Mac, Executive Manager of Content, Artist Relations and Business Development at Akai Professional. “Tools like Glitch, Mutate, and Strum help turn simple ideas in new directions, while deeper MPC, DAW, MIDI, and CV integration gives creators room to build a much bigger setup around one compact keyboard.”
EXPRESSIVE CONTROL, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
MPK Mini Plus II pairs an upgraded 37-key mini keybed with eight velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB MPC pads, giving creators more room for melodies, basslines, chords, finger drumming, and performance while maintaining a compact footprint. Dedicated pitch and modulation wheels, eight assignable 360-degree knobs, a push encoder, and transport controls provide hands-on control over sounds, sessions, and performances.
A new full-colour display provides immediate visual feedback for active parameters, making it easier to understand what each control is doing without repeatedly turning back to the computer screen. Dual-bank control expands the functions available from the pads and encoders.
TAKE SIMPLE IDEAS IN NEW DIRECTIONS
MPK Mini Plus II introduces new creative tools designed to help producers develop ideas and explore variations directly from the controller.
Expanded Arpeggiator, Chord Creator, and Note Repeat modes include custom arpeggiator patterns, while User Progressions and advanced Chord workflows let creators build and perform chord progressions from the pads or keys. New Glitch, Mutate, Strum, Freeze, and Follow tools introduce additional ways to transform melodies, rhythms, and chords, helping creators experiment without interrupting their workflow.
Together, these tools give beatmakers, songwriters, and performers more ways to move from a starting idea toward something unexpected while keeping creative decisions in their hands.
BUILT FOR MPC
MPK Mini Plus II integrates directly with MPC Standalone and MPC Desktop, extending the MPC workflow to a compact keyboard controller. Hands-on access to transport controls, pads, Q-Links, pitch and mod wheels, mixer functions, clip launching, plugin presets, and track navigation lets MPC users play parts, launch clips, adjust plugins, and navigate projects directly from the MPK Mini Plus II.
The integration is designed to provide a consistent control experience across compatible MPC hardware and computer-based MPC production, making MPK Mini Plus II a natural keyboard companion for existing MPC setups.
DAW CONTROL WITHOUT THE MOUSE
For computer-based production, MPK Mini Plus II provides dedicated integration with MPC 3, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, FL Studio, and more, plus full NKS compatibility with Native Instruments’ Komplete Kontrol ecosystem, mapping commonly used production controls to the hardware and displaying parameter information on the colour screen. This puts frequently used transport, mixing, and production functions within reach of the keyboard and reduces reliance on mouse-based control.
MPK Mini Plus II is equally equipped for hardware setups. USB-C provides power and MIDI connectivity to a computer, while a full-size five-pin MIDI output connects external MIDI instruments. Three CV/Gate outputs extend control to compatible synthesisers and modular systems.
A 1/4-inch sustain pedal input completes the physical connectivity, while USB-C bus power allows MPK Mini Plus II to operate from a computer or compatible wall adapter or power bank, sold separately.
The result is one compact controller that can move between software instruments, MPC, MIDI hardware, and modular systems as a producer’s setup grows.
SOUNDS TO INSPIRE
MPK Mini Plus II includes Studio Instrument Collection, featuring more than 1,000 sounds from AIR Music Technology, Moog Music, and Akai Professional. The collection covers a range of instruments and sounds for beatmaking, songwriting, and music production.
Native Instruments Komplete Select (Akai Edition) and MPC Beats add further instruments, effects, and production tools, providing new creators with a substantial starting library while adding new sounds and software for established setups.
KEY FEATURES
PERFORMANCE & PLAYABILITY
- Upgraded 37-key mini keybed with three-octave range
- 8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB-backlit MPC pads with dual-bank control
- Dedicated pitch bend and modulation wheels
- 8 assignable 360° knobs and a 360° push encoder
- 160 × 80 full-colour LCD display with direct parameter feedback
CREATIVE TOOLS & WORKFLOW
- Expanded Arpeggiator, Chord Creator, and Note Repeat modes with custom arpeggiator patterns
- Glitch, Mutate, Strum, Freeze, and Follow creative tools
- User Progressions and advanced Chord workflows
- Direct integration with MPC Standalone and MPC Desktop
- Deep scripted DAW integration with real-time display feedback
CONNECTIVITY
- USB-C for power and MIDI in/out
- Full-size 5-pin MIDI out
- 3 × 1/8″ (3.5 mm) TS CV/Gate outputs
- 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TS sustain pedal input
SOFTWARE & CONTENT
- Studio Instrument Collection: more than 1,000 sounds from AIR Music Technology, Moog Music, and Akai Professional
- Native Instruments Komplete Select (Akai Edition)
- MPC Beats
SIZE & WEIGHT
- 2.1″ × 19.4″ × 7.6″ (5.4 × 49.3 × 19.2 cm); 3.2 lb. (1.46 kg)
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus II is available now for $169 USD, 159.99 €, £134.99 through authorised dealers and select music retailers worldwide.
To learn more, please visit www.akaipro.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Akai_Pro on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X, and AkaiPro on Facebook.
ABOUT AKAI PROFESSIONAL
For over four decades, Akai Professional has been at the forefront of modern music production, delivering iconic tools that have shaped entire genres. From its early innovations in sampling and sequencing to today’s cutting-edge standalone systems, Akai Professional continues to redefine how music is created, performed, and produced. Trusted by the world’s leading artists, producers, and creators, Akai Professional remains a driving force in the evolution of sound. Akai Professional is proud to be part of the inMusic family, a global collective of premier music technology brands.