Keyboards · Akai Professional

Make your MPK mini mk3's knobs work in GarageBand

GarageBand plays the keys, but ignores most of the 8 knobs and 11 buttons on the Akai Professional MPK mini mk3. KnobLink connects them: it recognises the MPK mini mk3 the moment you plug it in.

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Akai Professional MPK mini mk3as KnobLink draws it

What each control does in GarageBand

Setup in three steps

  1. Plug in the MPK mini mk3 and open KnobLink. It shows your keyboard, controls and all.
  2. Allow instrument knobs in System Settings › Accessibility, once.
  3. Restart GarageBand, only the first time. Then play.

Questions

Does the MPK mini mk3 work with GarageBand?

GarageBand plays the MPK mini mk3's keys and pads, but ignores most of its knobs and faders. KnobLink connects those too: knobs move the instrument's Smart Controls, faders set track volume, transport buttons work.

Do I need to set up the MPK mini mk3 by hand?

No. KnobLink recognises the Akai Professional MPK mini mk3 by name when you plug it in and knows its factory settings. If you changed its settings, KnobLink asks you to move the changed controls once.

Does it work with Logic Pro?

KnobLink is made for GarageBand. Logic Pro has its own controller assignments.

Other Akai Professional keyboards: APC Key 25 mk2 APC mini mk2 LPD8 mk2 MIDImix MPD218 MPD226 MPK mini IV (mk4, 2024) MPK mini Plus MPK225 MPK249 MPK261