Stamatis Stabos Unleashes the Akai MPK Mini IV: Pocket-Sized Rave Commander

Tiny Titan: The MPK Mini IV Arrives

Stamatis Stabos wastes no time getting into the guts of the Akai MPK Mini IV, pitching it straight away as the go-to compact MIDI controller for beatmakers and producers who don’t have time for faff. The unboxing is brisk—no endless box fondling or fake surprise here, just the essentials: the controller, a USB-C cable, and a quick start guide. It’s clear this thing is built for those who want to plug in and get moving, not stare at packaging.

From the jump, Stabos frames the MPK Mini IV as a serious contender in the portable controller game. Forget the toy vibe—this unit is all business, with a design that’s more bunker than bedroom. If you’re after something that’ll fit in your rucksack and still handle a late-night studio session or a guerrilla gig, this is your new mate. The message is simple: small doesn’t mean soft.

Feature Overload: Pads, Keys, and That Screen

The MPK Mini IV isn’t just a rehash—it’s rebuilt from the ground up, and Stabos is quick to highlight the upgrades. The new keybed is a proper step up: 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys with a third-gen feel, bigger and comfier than before. The pads? Thicker, chunkier, and ready for finger drumming, even if they’ve shrunk a bit from the last model. The pitch and mod wheels finally get the respect they deserve, ditching the old joystick for proper wheels that don’t feel like they’ll snap off mid-rave.

Then there’s the colour screen—no more squinting at cryptic LEDs. Add in 8 endless rotary knobs and a clickable encoder, and you’ve got a controller that’s not just about looks. The full-size MIDI out and sustain pedal input mean this thing can boss your hardware as well as your DAW. Stabos doesn’t sugar-coat: the build is solid, the buttons click, and the workflow is streamlined. It’s a street weapon, not a toy.

"Akai completely rebuilt the world's best-selling compact controller from the ground up."

© Screenshot/Quote: Stamatisstabos (YouTube)

Plug, Register, Play: Setup Without Tears

Stabos walks us through the setup like he’s done it a thousand times—because he probably has. Plug in the USB-C, hit the Akai site, register your unit, and grab the software. No mysteries, no drama. The InMusic Software Center does the heavy lifting, and you’re sorted with drivers, manuals, and a pile of virtual instruments before you can say ‘where’s my serial number?’ DAW integration is a breeze: just enable the MPK in your MIDI settings and you’re off. If you can’t get this running, you probably shouldn’t be near a MIDI controller in the first place.

Preset Playground: Studio Instruments Go Wild

"MPK4 includes also studio instrument collection with 1000 virtual instrument sounds and other pro audio essential softwares."

© Screenshot/Quote: Stamatisstabos (YouTube)

Here’s where things get tasty. The bundled Studio Instrument Collection isn’t some throwaway freebie—it’s a proper arsenal, with over 1,000 presets pulled from heavy hitters like Air Music, Moog, and Akai. Stabos flips through sounds using the bank buttons and encoder, showing off the split between keys and pads for maximum chaos. Whether you want dusty Rhodes, filthy bass, or punchy drums, it’s all in there.

The demo section is a blur of preset swapping and pad-bashing, with Stabos making it look way too easy. If you want to hear how this thing actually sounds in a real track, you’ll need to watch the video—some things just don’t translate to text. But trust me, the sonic range here is enough to keep any bedroom producer up till sunrise.

Track Attack: MPK Mini IV in the Wild

To cap it off, Stabos drops a music track built entirely on the MPK Mini IV, flexing its performance chops. No fluff—just a tight, punchy jam that proves this controller isn’t just for noodling. If you want to see how it handles under pressure, this is the bit you can’t miss. The MPK Mini IV goes from unboxing to full-on rave bunker in under 25 minutes. That’s how you do a demo.