The Akai LPK25 Mk2 is proving to be quite useful. This is a surprise because I initially bought the LPK25 Mk2 as an “organ donor” for one of my other Akai MPKs. I intended to transplant its Gen2 dynamic keyboard to either the Akai MPK Mini Play Mk1 or Akai MPK Mini Mk2. Given the mounting requirements and potentially incompatible cabling, a transplant is very doubtful.
Instead, I’ve been test driving the LPK25 Mk2 with virtual instruments running with an Audio Modeling Camelot host on iPad. Connection is made through an Apple USB charge adapter since the LPK25’s only interface is a full-size USB-B device connector.
Akai LPK25 Mk2 keyboard controller
The LPK25 Mk2 is super small — barely bigger than its mini keybed. Power draw is extremely modest. You can run the LPK25 Mk2 from iPad battery using the old Apple Camera Adapter. [This was tested.] I’m using a charge adapter primarily to satisfy the CPU- and power-hungry virtual instruments. Not many mini keyboards can run on iPad battery power, tripping the infamous “attached accessory uses too much power” message followed by USB shut-down. Definitely a plus for the LPK25 Mk2.
As I mentioned in my transplant article, the LPK25 Mk2 has the new Akai Gen2 dynamic keybed. The LPK25 Mk2 Gen2 keyboard is still two octaves and tiny, but it’s playable! The degree of touch sensitivity depends upon the responsiveness of the virtual instruments themselves. The LPK25 Mk2 does not have any internal touch sensitivity setting.
Functionality is straightforward. The LPK25 Mk2 arpeggiator borrows from the well-known (well-worn?) MPK Mini series. There isn’t much more beyond the arpeggiator: octave up and down buttons, shift, and sustain. The sustain button (CC#64) is the only way to send a MIDI CC message as there are not sustain/expression inputs, knobs, sliders, wheels, etc. Nada. The sustain button may be a lifesaver because I need some way to control rotary speaker speed in IK Multimedia B-3X.
CC#64 is all you get. The CC message number cannot be changed to anything else like CC#1 modulation. Akai missed an opportunity here as allowing this change by way of the LPK25 editor would provide a tiny skosh of configurability.
If you absolutely detest mini keys, I doubt if the LPK25 Mk2 will change your opinion. However, if you want a “lap board” and accept the limitations of 25 small keys, the LPK25 Mk2 is a candidate for consideration. It’s not much bigger than the Keith McMillen QuNexus and its mini keys are more playable than the KMI chiclets. Of course, the Akai keys don’t have tilt, aftertouch or MPE…
My dream is a tiny keyboard rig for melody lines or the occasional one-handed pad. In this respect, the LPK25 Mk2 is $40 USD well-spent (Used, B&H Photo Video). The LPK25 Mk2 is also an ultra inexpensive gateway to Akai’s MPC production suite and software ecosystem.
Ever since I started playing SWAM software instruments on iPad, I wanted to begin experimenting with MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). Like most folks on a budget, I established a price threshold — $200 or less — and cast around for likely candidate controllers. $200 is a bit more than “impulse purchase.” $300 is definitely too much for a trial. (Sorry Lumi.)
A note on budget, toys and reviews. I don’t get free products for review. Like you, I spend my hard-earned cash. No B.S., here.
I considered using an iPad app like GeoShred, but screen-based controllers don’t have the tactile feel of a physical instrument. I tried the Roli 5D app, too, and found the virtual keyboard to be too small for my fat fingers, although I get why people dig Seaboard.
There are several “alternative” controllers implementing MPE and I decided against them. Give me keys or at least a keypad. Budget and key considerations narrow the field of candidates considerably.
Keith McMillen and Keith McMillen Instruments have been designing and making electronic instruments for 35+ years. They offer two products for $200 or less: QuNexus RED ($199USD MAP) and K-Board-C ($119USD MAP). The two models are physically similar: a small form factor (12.8″ by 3.3″), a two octave keypad, a group of control buttons to the left of the keypad and USB-C connectivity.
Keith McMillen QuNexus RED
The QuNexus is the older and more capable brother to the K-Board-C. QuNexus sports additional connectivity options including control voltage (CV) IN/OUT and a MIDI expansion port. KMI supply a compatible 5-pin MIDI expansion dongle with the QuNexus. The extra connectivity swayed me in favor of the QuNexus over the K-Board-C. The QuNexus is smarter, too, and has a multi-track sequencer, arpeggiator, etc.
A word about styling. I love the K-Board-C colors. I may need to buy one just because they are so cute. A number of on-line reviews complain about the QuNexus RED. In person, the RED is more “grapefruit orange” than “fire truck.” It’s rather attractive and I wouldn’t let the color put you off.
The keys and buttons resemble fat chicklets. They have a pleasant, solid feel. They are not squishy in the way Roli Seaboard is squishy. There’s a fair bit of resistance. I have several concerns with the keypad:
Its short width precludes two-fisted playing.
The sharp/flat keys are not raised, i.e., higher than the “white” keys.
The key layout and size conspires against certain chord fingerings, e.g., playing F# and A together with my 3rd and 5th fingers didn’t work for my hand.
Of course, one shouldn’t be surprised by these concerns; just look at a picture or two.
If you’ve read some of my other posts, you’ll know that two octaves is not enough. I played Christmas music while testing and found myself out of keys at the bottom and at the top. If a manufacturer must make a two octave keyboard, I strongly recommend an F-to-F layout which better covers the range of the human voice (most melodies).
Knowing all that, I was fully prepared to shed with QuNexus. Being no stranger to mini-keys, I quickly learned to play melody lines without looking down at my hands. Although the QuNexus fits neatly on one’s lap (angled for comfort), it is more at home on a desktop.
QuNexus has four preset configurations. The first two configurations (non-MPE) worked quite well in Korg Module and SWAM Flute. The third configuration implements MPE. I tested the first three configurations in SWAM Flute. I did not test the fourth configuration, drums.
Again, the first two non-MPE configurations played well with SWAM Flute. MPE (the third configuration) was a bit alarming. SWAM Flute responded to all gestures, but the response to tilt (mapped to flute flutter) was too much right out of the box. As to tilt, the key pads seemed to be rooted at the bottom. Striking and holding keys near the bottom tamed tilt and the flutter. Playing and pressing near the top of the keys brought in much more tilt. Clearly, this is going to take some practice!
So. KMI QuNexus RED. What happened?
My QuNexus suffered from a few sensor defects that made it unusable. Three keys (Eb, A and middle C) spontaneously triggered ON or would trigger with the slightest touch. The notes did not turn OFF by themselves. (All verified using MIDI OX.) The end result was random stuck notes. Unacceptable.
I contacted KMI support and they very quickly analyzed the problem as a “hot sensor.” Well, I’d say there are three hot sensors. To their credit, KMI offered a replacement should I not get a quick turn-around response from Patchwerks. Patchwerks came through. Both companies deserve props for customer service.
In the end, I returned the QuNexus for a refund. I agonized over this decision. My policy (philosophy?) in regard to key-related issues is to pass on a replacement unit which possibly comes from the same production run.
Will I give KMI another try in the future? Yes. The K-Board-C is closer to “impulse purchase” and the colors are gorgeous. I will go in wiser knowing that I will need to woodshed in order to play melodies with confidence on a K-Board-C . Also, I will need to tweeze and tweak MPE parameter sensitivity to match controller with synthesizer (and vice versa). When we play an ax like MODX, KRONOS, etc., professional sound designers have done the tweaking for us. When starting with MPE, expect to do some work.
I need to mention another reason to choose KMI. KMI and GeoShred are offering discounts on GeoShred and GeoSWAM for K-Board Pro 4, QuNexus and K-Board-C users. Discount codes are provided by KMI. The offer is good Nov 20, 2022 to Nov 20, 2023. See this video for details.
I have seen synthesizer heaven and its name is “Patchwerks”.
Patchwerks was my go-to source for synthesizer gear during the pandemic. I have placed several on-line orders with them and each time their customer service was spot on.
I finally had an opportunity to visit their Seattle showroom at 4129 Stone Way North in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood. If you live in Seattle or visit Seattle, I strongly recommend a trip to the Patchwerks showroom. You won’t be disappointed!
The showroom seems to have one of everything. In addition to synths and beat boxes, you’ll also find patch cables galore, DIY kits, and of course, friendly staff. No one comes screaming “Don’t touch that!” and there aren’t any wannabe guitar gods. (You know which other brick and mortar retailer I have in mind…)
Don’t bring your Ford F-250 or RAM 2500 truck because you may need to park on a side street. Wallingford is old Seattle. Side streets are three cars wide and two of the “lanes” on either side of the street are filled with parked cars. It was a challenge parking my dinky Scion iM. 🙂
I’d like to say that the “opportunity” was to buy something new. Instead, I needed to return a troubled Keith McMillen QuNexus. Good on Patchwerks because they readily offered an exchange or return after seeing a video of the malfunction. These guys are on the level. (Regular returns are subject to a 10% restocking fee.)
I must give a shout-out to Keith McMillen Instruments (KMI), too. After getting the trouble report, they immediately stood behind their product and offered an exchange if Patchwerks was unable to resolve the issue/situation. Both Patchwerks and KMI responded to my initial trouble report within 24 hours. Very quick and to the point. It’s a pleasure to call out a positive customer service story.
I will continue to order from Patchwerks and I will likely give Keith McMillen Instruments another go, too. Even though the QuNexus didn’t work out, those colorful K-Board-C are quite appealing.
When you’re in Seattle, be sure to visit Patchwerks.
