AKAI Professional LPK25 - USB MIDI Keyboard controller with 25 Velocity-Sensitive Synth Action Keys for Laptops (Mac & PC), Editing Software included,MultiColored

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.

I use FL Studio 10 on a laptop that i like to bring around with me to friend's houses, the laundromat, etc. The LPK25 is the perfect edition to my traveling studio! It is a great price for the quality...it does not feel like a cheap toy (like some other MIDIs in the same price range) the key sizes are perfect, and it still fits in my backpack with my laptop. It's perfect for easily, and effortlessly trying different riffs, and progressions.Any downsides? Okay, fine...the keys have a pretty decent reaction to velocity, but you do have to be a little aggressive to get it the loudest, or to react as highest velocity.It does come with a cd, but i havent used it yet...it may have an instruction manual, or programming options. As i said before, i use it with FL Studio 10 and it was plug and play...i opened fl studio, plugged up my lpk25, went to MIDI options, clicked the lpk 25, clicked enable, and BOOM! ...it worked. Arpreggiator works, tap tempo works, octaves work, sustain works (but only while you are pressing it)...also, so far, i can link any key or button to anything in FL Studio....sorry for rambling, hope this helps.

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.

I don't impress easily, but when I do, I use Amazon reviews. :) I bought this keyboard as a way to save space and maximize my ability to use FL Studio for music production. What I got was something even more amazing.Usually companies will bundle hardware with some gimmicky software just to make it easy to market, but they don't expect people to use the software. Akai did things differently, and instead they provided awesome quality software I think I'll be using for a while as I get into music production.Some of the stuff included are:1. Melodic 30-day trial to learn how to pay the keyboard. (I think 30 days is all I'll need to get going, but who knows, I might subscribe at the end.)2. Hype (Synth) - I've played around with some of the synths that come with FL Studio, but Hype is really easy to use, comes with all kinds of knobs, LFO, loads of presets that you can tweak, and so much more. I'll be using it for a while and if there comes a need for Serum, I'll get that later on. Hype really is badazz.3. Lots of downloadable sound kits. (Haven't looked into them yet.)4. BFD Player (Drum kit) - I'm still downloading the hefty library for it, but it looks like it'll be cool. It says it's for real drum sounds, so I imagine a drumline studio type of deal.There's dozens of other software I haven't mentioned, and most of it is free to download. If I'm looking for new tools, I'll use their "InMusic Software Center" to find some cool stuff.Well worth the tiny price tag, and don't let the nay sayers fool you. Yes, the USB socket feels loose, but it's not falling apart, nor is it disconnecting. The cable itself looks normal or even premium, but the socket seems to have some give. (The plug is just a tad smaller than the socket is all.) I was worried about the socket when I read that, but wow am I glad I bought this thing. It's exactly what I wanted.Oh, and about the keys being smaller, if you curve your fingers and put them on the keys, they'll fit easily. I'm new to playing, so I might not notice what the pros do, but my giant manly hands do just fine on them. I'm 235lb and under 6', so yes my hands are a bit fat as well. If you're a dainty girl or someone my size, then you should do just fine.