Why, why, why doesn't the LPK25 have regular midi ports?

Especially a product coming from Akai. This is rigoddamndiculus! I was looking to pick it up until I realized no freakin midi ports! Only USB/midi. I mean what IS going on with Akai? What if you wanted to record a soft synth with the LPK25, and sequence it in the MPC, then record it into you're DAW and use it as a sample in you're MPC? Nope, can't do it. Have to use the DAW sequencer. This is absurd.

I agree. I have the MPK mini and its disappointing. But its cool as hell sitting in starbucks with the laptop...

Anyway, you can use most DAWs to route the MIDI all around, but its a hassle that's not even worth it...

Man, I was really looking forward to getting this until I found that out. You can't even use it along side an MPC.
It would be cool up in starbucks though! Great conversation starter I bet for the hunny's.

Edit: I just can't get over that, man that's depressing.

mp3 wrote:I agree. I have the MPK mini and its disappointing. But its cool as hell sitting in starbucks with the laptop...

Anyway, you can use most DAWs to route the MIDI all around, but its a hassle that's not even worth it...

Could you give me an example on how this could be done with the routing perhaps? I just tried testing with a midi controller keyboard. I disconnected the midi from the keyboard to the MPC so I only had USB connection to the computer just to see if I could get it to some how record the vst notes I played with the midi controller onto the MPC. I could not get it to record into the MPC. I couldn't figure out what routing exactly needs to be done.

Its is designed for use with laptops, just get something else (with midi ports) for studio work.

What's the big deal?

this is why i never buy anything online without reading a full description of the piece of gear as well as looking at a picture of the back panel online... always need to know what ins/outs something has before dropping the $$.

I guess it's not really a big deal at all.

Cicatrix wrote:

mp3 wrote:I agree. I have the MPK mini and its disappointing. But its cool as hell sitting in starbucks with the laptop...

Anyway, you can use most DAWs to route the MIDI all around, but its a hassle that's not even worth it...

Could you give me an example on how this could be done with the routing perhaps? I just tried testing with a midi controller keyboard. I disconnected the midi from the keyboard to the MPC so I only had USB connection to the computer just to see if I could get it to some how record the vst notes I played with the midi controller onto the MPC. I could not get it to record into the MPC. I couldn't figure out what routing exactly needs to be done.

Depends on which DAW and which MPC you use.

On the DAW side its pretty straight forward. Just set up a MIDI track (with no plugins) to receie MIDI from the LPK and send it to the MPC. Set up another track with the desired VST, and set it to receive MIDI from the MPC.

On the MPC side, set it up so incoming MIDI notes are passed thru and back out. Its called 'Soft Thru' on my 1k

clint246clint wrote:What's the big deal?

The size.

Thanks very much for breaking it down for me like that mp3. I really appreciate it. I forgot to mention what MP I'm working with. I have the 2500. I have never used midi through, but I will have to try this if nothing else just to see how it all hooks up and works.
Thanks again!