Your hardware iPad studio
Akai MPK Mini Mk3
PRICE £89 WHAT IT IS 25 Key velocity-sensitive mini keyboard CONNECTIVITY USB-C POWER USB
A very well spec’d keyboard for the money. It’s also great for adding melodies, basslines and simple chords to projects, and eight encoder knobs can be mapped to practically any parameter, plus those eight full-sized MPC style drum pads really make a difference. It’s small enough to be thrown in a backpack, yet contains enough useful features to make it a highly useful addition to any studio. You’ll need a USB-C or Lightning adaptor though. akaipro.com
IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 49
PRICE £270 WHAT IT IS 49 full-size key, velocity-sensitive keyboard CONNECTIVITY USB POWER USB or batteries
IK have great controllers for iPad use, like iRig Keys 2 and iRig Keys 2 Mini, but we’ve opted for the larger keyed iRig Keys I/O 49. Not only is it a full-sized iPad keyboard option but it doubles as an audio interface and is a recommended third-party Apple device. The keyboard action is decent and the onboard audio interface excels, with 24-bit/96kHz operation. The unit fits even the most hectic desktops and handles basic recording duties and MIDI control easily. It’s good value too, with a knockout software bundle. ikmultimedia.com