Experts recommend Akai Pro MPK249 more than Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII
As of 6 Jun 2024, experts prefer Akai Pro MPK249 over Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII, but both MIDI Controllers have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Akai Pro MPK249 received 3 recommendations: from Digital Piano Judge (8 Jan 2021), Music Critic (7 Jan 2023) and Equipboard (1 May 2024). By contrast, Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII received only 1 recommendation from Gearank (7 Apr 2024).
| Rank | Change | Price | MIDI Controller | Digital Piano Judge  | Gearank  | Music Critic  | The Guitar Junky  | E-Home Recording Studio  | Prime Sound  | Equipboard  | Music Radar  | Keyboard Kraze  | Sweetwater  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | - | $349 |  Akai Pro MPK249 The Akai Pro MPK249 is a MIDI controller keyboard with 49 semi-weighted keys, a range of controls, and excellent build quality, making it a reliable choice for musicians and producers. | 1 | - | 3 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - |
| 40 | N/A | $403 |  Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII The Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII is a highly regarded MIDI controller with a lusciously playable keybed, versatile connectivity options, and exceptional build quality, making it a reliable and feature-rich tool for musicians and producers. | - | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Curious to see this month's entire MIDI Controllers ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 8 Jan 2021 Digital Piano Judge ranked Akai Pro MPK249 as #1
Rank MIDI Controller #1 out of 7 Akai Pro MPK249 ... ... Source: digitalpianojudge.com - On 7 Jan 2023 Music Critic ranked Akai Pro MPK249 as #3
Rank MIDI Controller Comment ... ... ... #3 out of 10 Akai Pro MPK249 Best Value... ... ... Source: musiccritic.com - On 1 May 2024 Equipboard ranked Akai Pro MPK249 as #1
Rank MIDI Controller #1 out of 7 Akai Pro MPK249 ... ... Source: equipboard.com - On 7 Apr 2024 Gearank ranked Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII as #5
Rank MIDI Controller ... ... #5 out of 9 Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII ... ... Source: www.gearank.com
After counting and adding up the 87 expert endorsements of the June rankings, Akai Pro MPK249 outranks Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII. This is not to say that Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII is a bad option. Like Akai Pro MPK249, it is recommended by experts, but less.
As can be seen below, Akai Pro MPK249 is mentioned by key experts in Jun 2024, while Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII is not.
| Rank | Change | Price | MIDI Controller |
Digital Piano Judge | Gearank | Music Critic | The Guitar Junky | E-Home Recording Studio | Prime Sound | Equipboard | Music Radar | Keyboard Kraze | Sweetwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $92 |  Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 The Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 MIDI Controller is a compact and versatile option for musicians and producers looking for a portable and affordable MIDI controller for creating electronic music and controlling parameters in music production software. | - | - | 7 | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | - | - | - |
| 2 | - | $349 | Akai Pro MPK249 The Akai Pro MPK249 is a MIDI controller keyboard with 49 semi-weighted keys, a range of controls, and excellent build quality, making it a reliable choice for musicians and producers. | 1 | - | 3 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - |
| 3 | +4 | $98 |  Akai MPK Mini MK3 The Akai MPK Mini MK3 is a highly regarded MIDI controller that offers a range of features and functionality, including 25 mini-sized keys, programmable knobs, and a compact and lightweight design, making it a reliable and versatile option for musicians and producers. | - | 2 | - | - | 4 | - | - | 2 | - | 5 |
| 4 | +12 | $119 |  M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 is a versatile and portable MIDI controller with realistic keyboard action, customizable controls, and USB connectivity, making it a great option for musicians of all levels. | - | - | 4 | - | - | - | 4 | - | - | 3 |
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Expert reviews [6]
Total expert reviews: 6
- with a score: 1
- without a score: 5
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
Expert reviews [3]
Total expert reviews: 3
- with a score: 1
- without a score: 2
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
From Seller:
- Pro Keyboard Performance - 49 semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive full-size keys and a premium piano-style keybed for unprecedented response and natural feel
- Beat Making Essentials - 16 RGB-illuminated MPC-style pads each with 4 banks for 64 pads - the perfect solution for triggering samples, loops, one-shots, melodics and more
- Read more
From Seller:
- THE BEST MUSIC-MAKING FLOW: Sensitive enough to accurately capture the subtleties and nuances of delicate playing, while still being robust enough to feel the energy of high-impact performances, KeyLab MkII is an easy keyboard controller that adapts to your needs, your style and your workflow, so you can make music just the way you like it. It comes with a 2-year warranty, so you can get creative safely in the knowledge that it can go the distance.
- Read more