Akai Professional announces that the MPK88 is now shipping.
This new addition to the MPK series of keyboard controllers with MPC pads and technology brings the utility and creative control of its siblings to more dedicated piano and keyboard players, thanks to its fully-weighted, hammer-action keyboard with assignable keyboard split and aftertouch.
In addition to the premium keybed, the MPK88 gives the player 16 MPC pads that are velocity and pressure sensitive and can access four banks of sounds each, for access to 64 sounds at any time. The MPK88 also puts the player in command of their software with assignable Q-Link faders, knobs and buttons. The user can assign any Q-Link to control nearly any parameter in their software for hands-on, mouse-free performance. The MPK88 also has two assignable footswitch inputs and an expression pedal input.
Two technologies pioneered in the MPC series and built into the MPK88 are MPC Note Repeat and MPC Swing. MPC Note Repeat is a capability that enables the MPK to automatically play a rhythm pattern, such as 16th notes on a hi-hat, for accuracy and speed of entry. MPC Swing turns perfectly aligned sequences into human feeling time alignments. Users can specify exactly the degree and timing of swing they want to apply for the perfect feel. The MPK88 also has an arpeggiator, which enables performers to build creative riffs instantly.
The MPK88 sends MIDI values over USB and a traditional MIDI jack. The controller works with most MIDI recording, sequencing and performance software as well as sound modules, synthesizers and other MIDI-compliant hardware.
The MPK88 comes with Ableton Live Lite Akai Edition software. The MPK88 is available from pro audio and musical instrument retailers, with a U.S. retail price of $999 and an estimated street price of $799.
