Is the Akai Professional MPK49 a keyboard or synthesizer?

[Jericho79]

Hey everyone. I was hoping to get lots of input from all you experts here.

I tend to get confused when I try to sort out the difference between an electronic keyboard and an electronic synthesizer.

One of my classmates recently bought an Akai Professional MPK49 performance controller.

http://www.akaipro.com/product/mpk49

I don't know too much about this particular piece of equipment. I tried to do some research using the Akai Professional website. However, the website's description of this "performance controller" didn't clarify much for me.

The Akai Professional MPK49 appears to be a state-of-the-art USB/MIDI controller furnished with drum pads. It seems to be a studio workstation in of itself.

This electronic instrument looks to be too advanced to just be called a "keyboard".

Is the Akai Professional MPK49 a keyboard or synthesizer?

 

[bharatbash]

It is actually a 'synthesizer' , actually anything with 'keys' on it is technically a keyboard. So , in a broader sense it is first a keyboard, then a synthesizer.

These terms are market defined to cater to the different needs/wants of the consumer. Also to widen the horizon(catalogue) of instruments available.

So to put it simply - Every synthesizer is a keyboard, but every keyboard is not a synthesizer.

Hope that helps

 

[happyrat1]

Actually it is NOT a synthesizer. It is technically a "keyboard controller" only.

It has no built in voices whatsoever. It can only generate sound in conjunction with an external computer or a hardware rack synthesis module.

By itself, it's about as musical as a mouse or a computer keyboard or a bowling ball.

Gary

 

[Jericho79]

Actually it is NOT a synthesizer. It is technically a "keyboard controller" only.

So the Akai MPK49 is neither a musical keyboard or an electronic synthesizer? It's essentially useless if not connected to a computer?

 

[happyrat1]

Unless it is hooked up to a computer VSTi or a hardware MIDI sound module it is essentially a percussion instrument that makes a soft thud everytime you smash a key

Gary

 

[happyrat1]

If you're looking for something in that range that makes some good quality sounds Korg just released the Triton Taktile in 25 and 49 key versions, though I'd wait to see a few reviews before ordering one if I were you.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TaktileTR49/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1025341-REG/korg_trtaktile49_triton_taktile_49_key_usb.html

http://www.korg.com/us/products/controllers/triton_taktile/

I may end up buying the 25 key version just to use it as a module and get my old Korg TR sounds back.

Gary

 

[Jericho79]

Unless it is hooked up to a computer VSTi or a hardware MIDI sound module it is essentially a percussion instrument that makes a soft thud everytime you smash a key

So I guess the Akai MPK49 can't be classified as a "musical keyboard" either. Right?

 

[happyrat1]

Like I said earlier. It's classified as a MIDI CONTROLLER.

It can be as musical as you're wiliing to make it,.