Akai Professional MPD18 Compact Pad Controller
The MPD18 is the easiest way to add genuine MPC pads to your setup. This MIDI-over-USB pad controller for DJs, programmers, producers, and other musicians is built around the pads and controls from Akai Professional’s industry-standard MPC series. The MPD18 is an expressive and intuitive instrument for the studio and stage. The MPD18 is built around the pads of the industry-standard MPC and contains some of the same technology that gives tracks made with the MPC an unmistakably human feel. The MPD18 is an expressive and intuitive controller for the studio and stage, and its compact footprint is easy to fit into any setup. When combined with virtually any MIDI software, the MPD18 delivers everything needed to create tracks that feel great. The heart of the MPD18 is its bank of 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive MPC pads, an Akai Pro exclusive. You can access three different banks of sounds from the MPC pads for a total of 48 sounds at your fingertips. The MPD18 also borrows the MPC series’ assignable Q-Link controllers, enabling you to control nearly any parameters in your software in real time. You get an assignable Q-Link fader for natural, hands-on control of your most-used parameters, and MPC Note Repeat enables you to quickly input patterns such as hi-hat parts or drum rolls. The MPD18 also has 16 configurable presets so you can program it for the way you work with different hardware and software. The MPD18 sends MIDI information over its plug-and-play USB interface so you can use it with your Mac or PC without installing any drivers. The USB connection even powers the MPD18 so the included USB cable is all you need for portable production. The MPD18 can control nearly any MIDI software, as well as MIDI hardware, such as synths, sound modules, samplers, sequencers, drum machines, and more. The MPD18 gives you the control feel of the MPC in a super-portable instrument with a compact footprint that’s easy to fit in any setup.
Product Features
- 16 velocity and pressure sensitive pads
- Note Repeat enables you to quickly input patterns such as hi-hat parts or drum rolls
Wonderful way to add realistic drumming. Mapping instructions in review!!! I have been playing guitar since I was a teenager, did the college band thing, etc and periodically have checked out home recording options. In the past software has been expensive and leaves a lot to be desired. A few months ago I discovered that’s all changed now and there are a lot of options for an amateur musician like me to record at home.Mainly I play guitar and bass but I wanted to be able to add drums with more feeling than I could do with the basic note sequencer (at least…
Easy to use, reliable, very effective. Killer drum controller!
Should have listened about the velocity sensitivity on the pads… I had high hopes as Akai was the brainchild between the MPC series which has an awesome touch-pad sensitivity, but this? I guess I’ll be trying another manufacturer in the future as in order to get full volume you must *literally* bang on the pads as hard as you can. There isn’t much range in sensitivity and I find myself frequently recording with the ‘full level’ switch on only to have to go into my DAW and manually set the note volumes.Disappointed. Going to save up and go for a…