Akai MPD218 . jQuery(".iframe").colorbox({iframe:true, width:"80%", height:"80%"}); border-radius:3px; The pads were way easier to tap and play – even in a live setting. return parseInt( $elem.find('.number').text(), 10 ); background:#5CADFF !important; This will automatically power it on. height:30px; Akai have 3 drum pad style apps in the app store at the moment, but unfortunately none of these come free with the hardware: iMPC at £4.99, SynthStation at £1.49 and iMPC Pro at £9.99. Add to Wish List Add to Wish List SKU: # 446896. }, return $elem.find('.name').text(); The AKAI MPD218 is the brand new entry-level Pad Controller by AKAI Professional. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. rowHeight: 'auto' var lightbox_initialHeight = '100'; .load_more4 { }); Many thanks in advance! symbol : function( $elem ) { isHorizontal = $link.hasClass('horizontal'); They are perfectly sized. category : function( $elem ) { var lightbox_transition = 'elastic'; font-weight:normal; } value = value === 'false' ? And sure, there is a pesky accidental triggering issue on some older models. .load_more_button4 { var $optionSets = jQuery('#huge_it_videogallery_options .option-set'), What’s good:The Akai MPD 218 does what it’s supposed to do – act as a beat-making tool – really well. //alert(number); var lightbox_next = "next"; margin-top: 25px; var lightbox_close = "close"; columnWidth : 275, I believe AKAI has conducted ample research to find that pad sensitivity “sweet spot” which will suit many people’s hands. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. It’s not nostalgically retro like the Arturia BeatStep, but it’s a design that won’t go out of fashion any time soon. return $elem.attr('data-category'); var lightbox_arrowKey = false; Afterwards the software can be downloaded and activated. 5.0 from 1 review. masonry : { It is almost self-explanatory. { width: 'auto' }; But on the whole, the MPD 218 does its core job really well. Akai Professional MPX8 SD Sample Pad Controller Reviews. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Read user reviews for Akai MPD218 Drum Pad Controller and see over 325,000 product reviews at zZounds.com. font-size:19px !important; De Akai MPC-serie is ondertussen met recht legendarisch te noemen. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "xprefingdrum-20"; width: 100%; The MPD 218 is a direct descendant of the MPC. MPD218 Hardware Setup 1. Our reviewers include producers, performers, and active musicians. If I want to play high-velocity notes then the pads are suited for this as well; I don’t need to hit the pads overly hard in order to achieve that. I didn’t need to change anything in terms of pad sensitivity. And it has time-saving features like ‘Auto Populate’ to quickly fill up parameters. Departments > Keyboards > MIDI Controllers > MIDI Controllers Other > Akai > MPD218 Pad Control Unit. 3. Tapping a pad selects it for editing, but unfortunately the pads don’t actually play when in edit mode. }, Akai has changed a lot in the last 30 years – it’s even changed ownership more than once. max-width:275px; }); MPC Essentials Software Setup 1. return false; Akai Professional MPD Series is a very popular option on the lower end of the price range. The drums and percussions were sampled with several velocity layers and programmed using round-robin. }); color:#B82020 !important; overflow:hidden; $container.hugeitmicro({ That’s why I strongly believe I can also recommend these other two members of the new MPD2-family. Does it meet the brief? rowHeight: 'auto' } You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. DESCRIPTION. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. }, I understand that Akai has arrived at the “sweet spot” of ideal sensitivity for most users, but there might be some who want to change things around. It’s the smallest pad controller of the MPD2-series which consists of three pad controllers. Loosening the screws on the pad board (and I’m talking quarter-turns here) seems to reduce the hypersensitivity of the board. var lightbox_slideshowSpeed = 2500; REVIEW: Akai MPD218 vs. PreSonus ATOM MIDI pad controllers As a music producer, I’ve recently been inspired to make my own beats! color:#FF2C2C; }); 1/1 onClosed:function(){ alert('onClosed: colorbox has completely closed'); } reSortImages(); // add box-shadow: 0 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) !important; So the total count of accessable hardware elements is 48 MPC pads as well as 18 free assignable 360° potentiometers. While this may sound like a big issue, it’s actually not a huge problem when playing because the notes triggered unintentionally are low-velocity notes and because this happens only rarely. getSortData : { Akai Professional's latest Ableton-centered controllers, the MPD218 and MPD226 get a full-on review from our very own controller specialist, G. W. Childs IV. }, height:auto; We Support Your Stage! Buy AKAI PROFESSIONAL MPD218 online at low prices in Dubai, UAE. Can new pads and a step sequencer keep Akai’s MPD pad controllers top of the class? You can configure these parameters in the bundled software (more on that below). font-size: 16px; columnWidth : 275+10+0 }, Slimmer, cleaner, with better pads and enhanced compatibility, the MPD218 positions itself as a top-shelf drum machine. var lightbox_scalePhotos = true; number : function( $elem ) { I’m pleased to say the pads on the MPD 218 are as good as they come. var lightbox_innerHeight = 'false'; The pads are delightfully large and thick. You can use it to bash out drum patterns and beats. The original Akai MPC, launched over 30 years ago, changed music completely. return $elem.find('.name').text(); }, I personally don’t need an LCD display as I play finger drumming with just a few different XpressPads pad layouts. The MPD 218 is a great secondary controller for making beats. Latest review: I was tired of using my midi keyboard to trigger drum sounds in my digital audio work station (DAW) and wanted a dedicated trigger pad to put on my table for easy access. } if ( key === 'layoutMode' && typeof changeLayoutMode === 'function' ) { width: 100%; width:100%; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "xprefingdrum-20"; Akai Professional has been on quite a winning streak with a line of controllers that both look incredible, while at the same time sporting some very thoughtful extra features . And instead of drawing the beats with a mouse or finger drumming with midi keyboard (like this video of Just Dance ), I decided that I wanted to buy a cheap entry-level MIDI pad controller (or drum pad). jQuery(function(){ Both prevent the dreaded “machine gun effect”. display:none; Personally I felt a little limited with the 8 pads which is why I'm upgrading to the Akai MPD218 (16 pads). background: rgba(0,0,0,0.8) !important; Akai MPD218 Compact Pad Controller [MPD218] - Ultimate Gift Ideas: Choose Your Weapon: Building on the success of the original, the feature-packed MPD2 Series gives you amazing creative musical ammo with Thick Fat backlit MPC pads, improved controls and new bundled software OK, it was a tall order. Akai Professional MPC One muziekproductie console . // add randomish size classes Slimmer, cleaner, with better pads and enhanced compatibility, the MPD218 positions itself as a top-shelf drum machine. jQuery('#shuffle a').click(function(){ onComplete:function(){ alert('onComplete: colorbox has displayed the loaded content'); }, If you’re in a hurry, refer to this graphic for a quick overview of the MPD 218 and its pros and cons. text-align:center; Or you can use it to trigger automations and launch clips. options[ key ] = value; The Akai MPD 218 was launched alongside the MPD226 in 2015 as an upgrade from the ageing MPD18. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; return false; cellsByColumn : { var lightbox_right = false; His first experience with electronic music production dates back to Cubase 3.0 in the summer of 1997, and he’s been a fan ever since. Tim Rotterdam (B-Stock) Akai Professional MPD218 USB/MIDI-controller. // add randomish size classes white-space:nowrap; bottom:-35px; }, jQuery(".vimeo").colorbox({iframe:true, innerWidth:640, innerHeight:390}); var lightbox_bottom = false; Experience the Difference. masonryHorizontal : { } It also eschewed the hard, plastic switches in favor of large rubber pads. Ryan Harrell is the founder of MIDINation and an experienced producer/DJ. $this.addClass('height2'); }); } $sortBy.find('.selected').removeClass('selected'); var lightbox_fixed = true; $container.hugeitmicro( options ); Twist them hard and they show sufficient resistance. $119.99. }); I think I have pretty regular hands – not too strong and not too weak—just average. Share Tweet. var lightbox_slideshowStop = "stop slideshow"; }, border-bottom: none !important; They also turn enough that you can use them for slow buildups. } else { Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for AKAI Professional MPD218 - Ultra-Portable USB Bus-Powered 16-Pad USB/MIDI Pad Controller with MPC Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat & Full Level Buttons, and Production Software Package Included at Amazon.com. text-align: center; The MPD218 is a simple yet very good pad controller while the MPC Element is the entrance-level hardware that is meant to be used with the MPC Essentials application, AKAI’a music production studio. You can download the presets for free. var $container = jQuery('#huge_it_videogallery_container_8'); value = $this.attr('data-option-value'); var $this = jQuery(this); Equip Your Creativity Shop Rent Trade Print Learn.