Let’s Multi-Instrument! Bass Rig Keyboard Setup

• My Akai MPK 25 works perfectly well with Garageband, but is not working with Mainstage 3. Actually, the knobs work with Mainstage, but the keys and pads do not. The firmware is up to date and I have reset to factory defaults. When inserting the usb I get a prompt from Mainstage to turn to preset 1, which I do, but nothing comes out of the keys.
• Finally back with another video! We found some time to record, so from now on keep it locked to MusicTableTV for weekly videos covering all aspects of beat m.

With that said, perhaps the most popular keyboard out right now is the Akai MPK Mini MKIII (also on Amazon). A lot of people prefer this little machine, and there are bigger versions of it as well. In addition to the price, the Akai MPK Mini Mk2 only has 25 keys, so I didn’t want to get it for that reason. Dec 18, 2010 I have a bit of experience with music tech, i got a new Mac recently, and rather then install my Stienberg software i previously used, i experimented a bit with GarageBand, and have fallen in love. I also use some of Akai's mini USB controllers, so hopefully i can help. SANTA has been quite generous this year - I got a nice AKAI MPK 225 and I prefer it to the Mini as the piano keys really much larger sized. To my surprise, basically none of the iPad DAWs or synths is able to cope with the on-board functions of the MPK - I am able to assign the rotation potentiometers to it, but nothing else really.

Ever since seeing Greta Kline from Porches alternate between bass guitar and bass keyboard duties, I’ve been semi-obsessed with creating a bass rig keyboard setup of my own. Greta plays a Novation Bass Station II. At some point I’d like to try out that keyboard out, but I ended up landing on the Akai MPK Mini MkII keyboard controller, with an iPad brain, and Garageband Keyboards for the software.

I play an Ampeg SVT-VR which has 4 inputs so I got this crazy idea that I should be able to use one of those inputs for the keyboard setup, when I’m not playing bass.

My Bass Rig Keyboard Setup

I selected the Akai Mini because it has both keys and drum pads. It has enough features to be ‘professional’ but is simple enough for a beginner electronic musician such as myself. The final reason I chose it is because you can find them for as little as $20 buck or new for $99. I already had an Apple iPad with Garageband on it so I thought I could have a great keyboard/drum pad set up for about the cost of a round of beers…it’s never that simple.

Getting the iPad to connect the Akai was a nightmare…I easily connected my Android phone and my Macbook Pro to the Akai so I knew the Akai was working.

Here’s all the different crap I tried getting this stuff to work:

• USB hub – Internet says this will work but you need a specific adapter and it will run your iPad out of power.
• Powered USB hub – Internet says this will work, but you still need the same lightning to USB adapter.
• USB A to USB C Adapter – Don’t try this, I lost my mind and thought Apple switched over to USB C. I was able to used it for my phone though.
• USB B to lightning Adapter – Doesn’t work, iPad complains that Akai is drawing too much power.
• Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter – WINNER WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!

The Remedy

In the end I recommend using the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter because this is the simplest, least expensive, working solution. This adapter converts USB A to lightening and delivers power to the iPad. Any solution involving a hub, also requires a USB to Lightening adaptor…even if you think it doesn’t, it does.

Akai Pro MPK Mini MkII - Complete Setup In Ableton Live Lite

If I end up loving this set up, I may switch the iPad with a iPod Touch that is dedicated to running Garageband. This would make my set up even more simple and compact.

My Setup Bass Rig Keyboard Setup:

1. Multi-input Bass Amp

Cached

Here’s a quick video showing how I set it up:

Akai MPK Mini MK2 Anyone? — Audiobus Forum

Dec 19, 2010 2:46 PM