Is the Akai Miniak a good synthesizer?

As should now be obvious, the Miniak is a virtual analogue synthesizer. It offers three oscillators per voice and eight notes of polyphony in total, and in its creation, priority was given to the quality of analogue modelling rather than the number of playable notes. In that respect, I think Alesis (and now Akai) have got the balance about right.

Does the Miniak have a stereo input?

The Miniak’s rear panel plays host to a stereo output pair, headphone port, stereo inputs and two footswitch inputs — all on quarter‑inch jack sockets — as well as MIDI In, Out and Thru connections. All edit functions fall under the jurisdiction of the main encoder, which has push functionality, so it can double as an Enter key.

What is the Miniak?

The MINIAK has a 37-key semi-weighted keyboard with velocity sensitivity for all-in-one performance. It can also be used as a sound source for MPCs, computer software, and keyboards via MIDI. A MINIAK program is a sound built from the MINIAK’s internal oscillators, filters, and envelope generators.

What’s the best alternative to the Miniak?

We’ve seen that the strongest competition for the Miniak is clearly the Alesis Micron. There’s obviously also Korg’s Microkorg XL, which is well established and, with its small keyboard, excellent vocoder and supplied editor software, is the one to beat.

What’s the difference between the Akai and the Korg?

The Korg has a broadly similar spec, and Akai invite closer comparisons with the addition of a gooseneck microphone. Thrusting proudly from the panel, this mic is aided and abetted by a sticker pointing out how to operate the vocoder.

Does the Yamaha Miniak show its age?

In this respect the Miniak shows its age as if sporting a wrinkly neck and liver spots. At least MIDI sockets are in full attendance, though. Power is via a line‑lump adaptor, and completing the rear view are three additional jacks: a headphone socket and inputs for a sustain pedal and an assignable expression pedal.