AKAI MAX49

Anybody have any experience with this MIDI controller? I can't find any reviews on it. I just wanted to know your thoughts on if you know anything about it. I'm thinking about purchasing one.

Lampdog wrote:http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2012/12/06/soniclab-review-akai-max-49-controller-with-cvgate/

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2012/ ... rd-review/

I keep reading that novation sl series is better.

I was also looking at those, that Novation 49 SL MkII looks amazing. I'm definitely looking for something with some sort of automap.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much- ... d-get.html

Read dudes reply, link above:

toasterjoey6
Gear interested

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 17


Quick fact sum up:

Max 49: Only useful if you need CV or like the fancy red touch faders. No rotary encoders.

MPK 49: Fantastic build quality, firm, springy keys, good controls, but no automatic mapping.

Axiom Pro: Good controls, good keys, apparently good automapping, but I've read the lcd display is very fiddly to navigate. This seems like a solid, safe, bang for buck option.

Novation: Poor build quality, has nothing over the axiom pro IMO. I'd prefer m-audio's auto mapping.

Was recently making this decision myself and went for a Studiologic VMK-161 Plus. Odd choice but the hammer action keys are great, and it has enough controls to keep me happy.

But I would recommend you buy the Axiom Pro out of those options.

Hope this helped a bit.

Joe

wasn't there a serious problem with mpk keys? i think it even received a name, something like 'mpk key syndrome'.. i could be wrong though

Lampdog wrote:http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/778970-akai-vs-m-audio-vs-novation-what-midi-keyboard-get.html

Read dudes reply, link above:

toasterjoey6
Gear interested

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 17


Quick fact sum up:

Max 49: Only useful if you need CV or like the fancy red touch faders. No rotary encoders.

MPK 49: Fantastic build quality, firm, springy keys, good controls, but no automatic mapping.

Axiom Pro: Good controls, good keys, apparently good automapping, but I've read the lcd display is very fiddly to navigate. This seems like a solid, safe, bang for buck option.

Novation: Poor build quality, has nothing over the axiom pro IMO. I'd prefer m-audio's auto mapping.

Was recently making this decision myself and went for a Studiologic VMK-161 Plus. Odd choice but the hammer action keys are great, and it has enough controls to keep me happy.

But I would recommend you buy the Axiom Pro out of those options.

Hope this helped a bit.

Joe

Good looks on this Lampdog, those where exactly the controllers I had it narrowed down to. Now to make my final cuts....

Just received mine in the mail a few days ago. i like it a lot. i use it with the included ableton live lite and logic pro 9.

The pads on the MAX49 are streets ahead of the pads found on the MPK series, imho.

Direkt wrote:The pads on the MAX49 are streets ahead of the pads found on the MPK series, imho.

It's the newer LPD/Ren style design right? The MPK's are like MPD's you can fix it but a bit crazy that Akai released 9 machines with the same sensor gap after the 1000 fiasco.

I didn't think I'd consider an MAX49 but now that affordable stuff with CV capabilities are everywhere I think I may need one in the future.

AntonPD wrote:wasn't there a serious problem with mpk keys? i think it even received a name, something like 'mpk key syndrome'.. i could be wrong though

Yes sir you are correct on this. I got a pic floating around here on the forum showing my MPK49's broken key right after i removed it straight out the box.
Imo... The mpk-49 is a great build for a midi controller but I really wish it had auto map for Logic, Guru, Traktor and other VST/AU plug ins like the LuSH101 that just purchased.

Direkt wrote:The pads on the MAX49 are streets ahead of the pads found on the MPK series, imho.

I never tried the MAX49 but I had to beef up my MPK pads by adding bike inner tube patches under the rubber pads to get better sensitivity.

I _do_ want cv/gate, so the MAX looks interesting..

There is an ongoing Midi Clock problem though.. cant send master clock, and when slaved to external device or DAW the sequencer/arp skips notes.. serious downer..

If they can solve that, the MAX has got the goods for us CV freaks..