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I’ll be back later this week with a new installment of Tech

Talk, but this particular review is dedicated to all the beat makers, producers

and aspiring tunesmiths. I want to tell

you about a product from Akai Professional called the MPK49. Released in 2007, it is geared toward those who want to go studio to stage with beat making, MIDI sequencing and live performance capabilities.

Key Features49-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch and full sized keys8 full-sized, 360 degree rotation pots, each with 3

banks for 24 pots total12 genuine MPC pads with velocity and pressure

sensitivity8 full-sized sliders with 3 controller banks for each

for 24 sliders totalMPC note repeat and all-new arpeggiator8 assignable backlit switches with 3 controller banks

each for 24 switches totalMMC/MIDI Start/Stop transport buttonsLarge, easy-to-read custom LCD display

Here is a professional demo on the MPK49:

Since I’m not a producer myself, I recruited

the help of my friend Jimmylee of DOA Productions for some feedback.  Here is his assessment:

Hot Point:  The all-in-one package makes the most of the

given space. Having a full size mixer

you to maximize your productivity. The construction is very sturdy, and the

weighted keys give you the response you expect from an acoustic instrument

Not Hot

Point: Did not care for the arpeggiator. It allows the player to

automatically step through a sequence of notes based on the player’s input, and it

only had one noticeable setting. The

touch pads were at times under-sensitive, and at other times over-sensitive.

Troy

Gayle is the Founder of www.gadget-t.com