Akai ProfessionalLPK25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 25 Responsive Synth Keys for Mac and PC, Arpeggiator and Music Production Software,black

I don't impress easily, but when I do, I use Amazon reviews. :) I bought this keyboard as a way to save space and maximize my ability to use FL Studio for music production. What I got was something even more amazing.Usually companies will bundle hardware with some gimmicky software just to make it easy to market, but they don't expect people to use the software. Akai did things differently, and instead they provided awesome quality software I think I'll be using for a while as I get into music production.Some of the stuff included are:1. Melodic 30-day trial to learn how to pay the keyboard. (I think 30 days is all I'll need to get going, but who knows, I might subscribe at the end.)2. Hype (Synth) - I've played around with some of the synths that come with FL Studio, but Hype is really easy to use, comes with all kinds of knobs, LFO, loads of presets that you can tweak, and so much more. I'll be using it for a while and if there comes a need for Serum, I'll get that later on. Hype really is badazz.3. Lots of downloadable sound kits. (Haven't looked into them yet.)4. BFD Player (Drum kit) - I'm still downloading the hefty library for it, but it looks like it'll be cool. It says it's for real drum sounds, so I imagine a drumline studio type of deal.There's dozens of other software I haven't mentioned, and most of it is free to download. If I'm looking for new tools, I'll use their "InMusic Software Center" to find some cool stuff.Well worth the tiny price tag, and don't let the nay sayers fool you. Yes, the USB socket feels loose, but it's not falling apart, nor is it disconnecting. The cable itself looks normal or even premium, but the socket seems to have some give. (The plug is just a tad smaller than the socket is all.) I was worried about the socket when I read that, but wow am I glad I bought this thing. It's exactly what I wanted.Oh, and about the keys being smaller, if you curve your fingers and put them on the keys, they'll fit easily. I'm new to playing, so I might not notice what the pros do, but my giant manly hands do just fine on them. I'm 235lb and under 6', so yes my hands are a bit fat as well. If you're a dainty girl or someone my size, then you should do just fine.

I got this midi keyboard to use with my DAW. So far it has been working out just fine! Seems this keyboard has a lot of potential. I’m only using it to program drum tracks on my recordings, but I’ve used it for some piano work too. It comes with some recording software to make beats that is kinda fun to mess around with. I’d recommend it for anyone looking for a budget midi controller to start out on. The keys are responsive, they feel almost weighted. Not cheap feeling by any means. Seems to be well built as well! Connectivity is easy, due to the USB cord. Easy setup! I’d get another AKAI product in the future.

This keyboard is great for anyone who is trying to get into music production. Music production is extremely intimidating and daunting to anyone who actually to get into into it, and that's because it IS. Getting used to a certain DAW (Digital arrangement workshop) is like learning a new language. Even when you get used to that language, getting a midi keyboard is essential, unless you want to be creating every individual note in your songs and drive yourself insane. Keyboards can cost a lot of money, in a world where most of us struggle week-to week to pay the bills, it is a massive task with palpable pressure on the producer to make the right choice and to save enough money. This AKAI Keyboard is one of the most affordable and useful keyboards I've found online. You don't have to have a lot of space for it, or invest many hours to figure it out, you can even fit it in a backpack and bring it almost anywhere. There are only two complaints I would have about this keyboard. The first is that I feel like it is a couple of keys too small. When you progress in your piano skills it is very useful to have around 2 1/2 Octaves so you can use any chord or chord progression with BOTH of your hands. The second complaint is that the keys are not touch very touch sensitive, for example you can't slowly let go of a key to make a note fade out or vice versa to have it fade in, and the keys can sometimes feel a little clunky compared to a full size keyboard. I still love this keyboard, and I don't think my complaints are as big of an issue as they could be, because having the portability and great affordable price more than makes up for the flaws, and you cant get the highest quality at a discount anyways. The slight drawbacks i mention should take off 1 star in my opinion because some important functionality is missing for high level piano playing but for what is is trying to be, which is a beginner keyboard made for accessibility, it deserves 4 stars and overall is a great product I'll be using for a while.

The media could not be loaded. I got this to put together an instrument out of an old guitar amp, a docked steam deck, and Bitwig. It works pretty much plug and play, and the extra keys e.g. octave keys and such work.