So this week is NAMM, and the hardware above is just one of the things you’ll see unveiled there this week.

They are the Akai LPD8 and LPK25 and they are undoubtedly Akai’s answer to Korg’s nanoSeries. Will these be any better than the nano devices? Will they feel as cheap? I’m going to make a guess and say they probably won’t.

The LPK25 has mini keys, but it also has velocity sensitvity. It also has an arpegiator, sustain ability, octave up/down, and tap tempo functions.

The LPD8 feature true MPC-style pads and a bunch of pots. Both devices have not yet had their prices announced and they’re expected to be released by Q3 of this year.