Mapping Akai 25 Mpk Mini Garageband Ipad
Let’s Multi-Instrument! Bass Rig Keyboard Setup
Mapping Akai 25 Mpk Mini Garageband Ipad
Ok, maybe somone here has gone through this before. I have a new Akai MINI mpk midi controller that I am using with the most current version of garageband. I am using this controller to lay down a sick organ track via a 'B-3' virtual instrument track. My question: can I assign one of the pads. If you are looking for a 25-key MIDI controller, the Nektar Impact LX25+ MIDI keyboard is a perfect choice as it is extremely user and wallet-friendly. Many DJs and music producers prefer this MIDI keyboard because of its smooth mapping experience. View price on Amazon. Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII – A versatile MIDI keyboard for beginners. SANTA has been quite generous this year - I got a nice AKAI MPK 225 and I prefer it to the Mini as the piano keys really much larger sized. To my surprise, basically none of the iPad DAWs or synths is able to cope with the on-board functions of the MPK - I am able to assign the rotation potentiometers to it, but nothing else really.
Ever since seeing Greta Kline from Porches alternate between bass guitar and bass keyboard duties, I’ve been semi-obsessed with creating a bass rig keyboard setup of my own. Greta plays a Novation Bass Station II. At some point I’d like to try out that keyboard out, but I ended up landing on the Akai MPK Mini MkII keyboard controller, with an iPad brain, and Garageband Keyboards for the software.
AKAI has introduced the MPK Mini Play – an update to their MPK Mini MIDI control keyboard that adds on-board sounds, built-in speakers and more. Features: Standalone mini keyboard with built-in speaker and USB MIDI controller; Built-in sound module with over 128 instrument sounds + 10 drum kits; 25 synth-action mini keys. A fully-featured MIDI keyboard that fits perfectly in a backpack. Check out our full review of the AKAI MPK Mini Mk3. Additional features for the MPK Mini III include a 4-way joystick for dynamic pitch/modulation control, built-in arpeggiator with adjustable resolution, range, and modes, dedicated Octave Up and Octave Down buttons, onboard arpeggiator, and a Tap Tempo button.
I play an Ampeg SVT-VR which has 4 inputs so I got this crazy idea that I should be able to use one of those inputs for the keyboard setup, when I’m not playing bass.
My Bass Rig Keyboard Setup
I selected the Akai Mini because it has both keys and drum pads. It has enough features to be ‘professional’ but is simple enough for a beginner electronic musician such as myself. The final reason I chose it is because you can find them for as little as $20 buck or new for $99. I already had an Apple iPad with Garageband on it so I thought I could have a great keyboard/drum pad set up for about the cost of a round of beers…it’s never that simple.
Getting the iPad to connect the Akai was a nightmare…I easily connected my Android phone and my Macbook Pro to the Akai so I knew the Akai was working.
Here’s all the different crap I tried getting this stuff to work:
- USB hub – Internet says this will work but you need a specific adapter and it will run your iPad out of power.
- Powered USB hub – Internet says this will work, but you still need the same lightning to USB adapter.
- USB A to USB C Adapter – Don’t try this, I lost my mind and thought Apple switched over to USB C. I was able to used it for my phone though.
- USB B to lightning Adapter – Doesn’t work, iPad complains that Akai is drawing too much power.
- Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter – WINNER WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!
The Remedy
In the end I recommend using the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter because this is the simplest, least expensive, working solution. This adapter converts USB A to lightening and delivers power to the iPad. Any solution involving a hub, also requires a USB to Lightening adaptor…even if you think it doesn’t, it does.
If I end up loving this set up, I may switch the iPad with a iPod Touch that is dedicated to running Garageband. This would make my set up even more simple and compact.
My Setup Bass Rig Keyboard Setup:
Akai Pro MPK Mini MKII - Downloading, Installing And Using The Sample Content
- Multi-input Bass Amp