Akai Professional MPK261 Keyboard Controller

Akai Professional, commonly known as Akai, began its journey in Tokyo, Japan, in 1946 as Akai Electric Company Ltd. The brand became a legendary staple in the music production world, specifically through its pioneering MPC (Music Production Center) series, which revolutionized the workflow of hip-hop and electronic music producers in the 1980s and 1990s.

Following corporate restructuring in the early 2000s, the consumer electronics division and the musical instrument division took different paths. Today, Akai Professional is owned by inMusic Brands, an American conglomerate based in Cumberland, Rhode Island. While the brand carries a strong Japanese heritage, most of its modern musical instruments and MIDI controllers, such as the MPK series, are designed in the United States and manufactured in China to industrial standards.

Under inMusic's ownership, Akai Pro continues to lead the market in music technology, integrating classic hardware tactile feel with modern digital audio workstations. The parent company, inMusic, manages a vast portfolio of music technology brands including Numark, Alesis, and Denon DJ, centralizing their global operations and distribution from the USA.