Akai Professional MPK261 Keyboard Controller

Akai Professional is a brand that revolutionized music production, best known for its legendary MPC (Music Production Center) series which became a cornerstone of hip-hop and electronic music. Originally founded in Japan as part of Akai Electric Company, the brand heritage is deeply rooted in high-fidelity audio and sampling technology that helped shape the sound of modern music.

Following a period of financial restructuring in the early 2000s, the professional music division was separated from the consumer electronics side. Today, Akai Professional is a key member of the inMusic Brands portfolio. While the brand carries a Japanese legacy, its engineering and product development are now driven primarily from the United States, with manufacturing taking place in global hubs, most notably China.

The global headquarters of the parent company, inMusic, is located in Cumberland, Rhode Island. This ultimate owner oversees a vast array of music technology brands, ensuring that Akai Professional continues to innovate in the MIDI controller and standalone production market while maintaining its status as a world leader in electronic musical instruments.