General
A USB/MIDI, 88 key keyboard is simply a pleasure to play. You get all the room to perform octave-spanning parts and a sound big enough for both the stage and studio. Since the AKAI MPK Road 88 is also fitted with an integrated flight case, this keyboard can take all the bumps and knocks of the tour-circuit while the built-in audio interface gives you access to all the virtual instruments offered by your laptop.
Features of the AKAI MPK Road 88
Remove the lid from the integrated flight case, connect it up and this keyboard is stage ready, making it a huge advantage for seasoned stage monsters. Connect your laptop via the USB audio interface to run virtual instruments and use the simple audio outputs and headphone port. No-nonsense, highly practical and pleasurable design.
Modest Yet Multi-Faceted
The operation and layout is modest. In addition to a pitch and modulation wheel, you get a simple rotary knob for volume, buttons for preset, transposition and split options, keeping the top of the board clean and empty and leaving plenty of room for controllers that can be stabilised by a discreet slip mat (not included). MIDI-in/out and USB-MIDI ports are found round the back along with ports for two expression pedals and a sustain pedal. The 88 aftertouch keys are rare on a stage piano of this size and make the use of virtual instruments intuitive while opening up the access to key switches. For these reasons and more, the AKAI MPK Road 88 is equipped for everything that the studio and stage might throw at it.
