MPK Mini MK3 : Superb keyboard for the price.

I’m not a professional pianist, but I am a professional sound engineer.


I mostly work with live instruments, but most projects I do these days include at least some software instruments. So far I’ve got by with an old M-Audio keyboard, but I needed something better for a theatre-project I was working on. I wanted a portable and nice feeling keyboard that could make playing and recording synths and especially percussion easier, and this one ticked all the boxes for me: Small and light weight, pads, rotary encoders and a nice price.

Pros:

Keys feel nice. I like that they’re a bit stiff.

The rotary (endless) encoders are a huge plus.



The pads are very good. Velocity sensitivity is very good.

Excellent portability. Low weight and small frame means this will fit in the smallest of bags.

Cons:

Keys are a bit on the small side, but it’s not a huge issue unless you’re expecting real piano keys. I don’t play “real” piano, so I don’t care much, but my significant other, who’s a pianist, absolutely hates the size of the keys.

The joystick, instead of separate mod and pitch wheels, is so-so. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but I would prefer wheels.