fixing up an Akai MPK 49 controller keyboard

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I picked up this beaten up Akai MPK49 for 10 euros on the flee-market. With a bit of work I could have myself a nice and cheap controller keyboard. The USB connector didn’t work, the mod wheel was making squeaky noises, some sliders were a bit bent, some knob caps missing and well, .. it looked kinda filthy.

replacing the USB connector

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The controller is bus powered or you can connect an adapter. The downside is that it doesn’t have a simple on/off switch. It puts the strain on the USB connector which is now used to turn the thing on and off. And of course it broke because of this.

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Desoldering the faulty connector and replace it. Good thing I’m a bit of a parts hoarder and keep these things around.

Quickly fire it up to see if there’s any point in continuing to fix it. Seems to work.

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Further disassemble the keyboard so I can remove all the parts and give everything a good wash. Fix some bent sliders while I’m at it. This device seems pretty well built actually for an affordable controller.

cleaning it up

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I’m just using some warm water with a tiny bit of washing up liquid and give everything a good rinse.

new parts

I couldn’t get the drum pads clean so I ordered it new, together with some knobs and a power adapter. I have to say the people at Akai were very friendly and helpful! And the total cost was very reasonable. Not worth trying to get them on Ebay. These 4 knobs+caps directly from Akai for instance were less than the their caps alone on ebay.

finishing

Et voilà, a new keyboard controller !