MusicRadar

The MiniAK is based on the Alesis Micron.

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• Review

Think Akai, and synths are probably the last thing that comes to mind. However, the MiniAK isn't Akai's first foray into synthesis by any means.

In 1984, Akai released its AX range of analogue synths (AX80, AX73, AX60 and later the VX range) and although these synths came at a particularly tricky time for analogue synthesis with the advent of digital technology (and rule of the Yamaha DX7 in particular), they were nonetheless very capable.

So it's good to know that Akai does have a solid synthesizer heritage at its foundation, as well as their thorough knowledge of sampling.

Akai became part of the Numark group in 2004, alongside Numark and Alesis, so combining expertise from across these companies. The MiniAK is clearly a product of the partnership with the Alesis team as it is in fact a re-branded and improved Alesis Micron.

Overview

The MiniAK is a good-looking machine, more serious looking than its chirpier Micron brother. Its black livery is very much current Akai style and the branding is very strong all round - make no mistake, you know what you are playing! The build quality feels good for a low-priced synth too, with the front panel knobs, dials and buttons feeling reassuringly solid.

It's great to see three wheels on the front of this synth. We don't know why more manufacturers don't do this. Our Yamaha EX5 had three and we much prefer wheels to dials as they are so quick to use and very tactile. The MiniAK's three yellow-backlit wheels (pitch plus two assignable wheels) have a nice textured rubberised surface to them, unlike those horrible overly sprung hard plastic wheels you often find on products around this price point.

A quick look around the interface reveals there is little else to grab apart from the X, Y and Z assignable dials, though in practice, these work very well and as much as it would be nice to have more control (it would be great to have dedicated envelope and filter controls) there is enough here to draw you in and keep you involved in the sound creation and performance areas.

To assign the XYZ dials to a function, it's simply a case of scrolling to the function you want using the data dial, pressing and holding it and turning the corresponding XYZ dial that you want to assign the function to. Very easy.

Another not too shabby aspect of the MiniAK is its keyboard. Yes it's short (37 notes) but it's fine to play - slightly too stiffly sprung but certainly not bad. Unfortunately, bad is something that can be associated with the screen. It's very difficult to read at the best of times. Blue writing on a blue background is not the best combo, and the screen can only be easily viewed from directly above it. And, because it's so deeply set, it's hard to read from certain angles and can be obscured by the bottom-edge of the screen. Some serious marks off here then, especially as the MiniAK relies so heavily on its screen for programming.