Its intuitive blend of MPC controls and technologies mesh with easy USB connectivity to bring the feel of classic beat making into the world of computer music production.įirst, we stepped up our game by adding new, ultra sensitive Thick Fat MPC pads, creating an amazingly responsive user experience. So, I don't have much else to say really.The MPD218 is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller perfect for producers, programmers, musicians and DJs alike.

Generally the feel is nice to play and doesn't tire your hands so much as say the LPD8 which really needs more of a whack on the pads sometimes to get them to trigger. I find it a bit fiddly during playing to use after-touch to choke cymbals anyway, so I just turned it off and put any chokes I wanted in editing. Either turn it off on each pad or rig it so that the cymbals that you want to choke are on a different MIDI channel to the rest of the kit. This meant that I was often choking hits in an undesired fashion (mostly noticeable on cymbals). One problem I had was that after-touch was on and set to trigger on the the MIDI channel. I was quickly able to set up some custom banks that worked almost instantly with EZDrummer and in cubase. The configuration software that comes with the unit is OK and does the job. The 6 endless rotaries feel good, but I don't really plan to use them, so I can't elaborate much there. You can get a nice amount of dynamics in the sensitivity.

The pads themselves feel good and are much more responsive than the LPD8. The unit is solid looking and feeling, doesn't move around on a table top when you play due to good quality rubberized feet. I also wanted more pads for variety in my 'finger drum' playing. Which has served me well for the most part, but is limited and has now started to mis-trigger on one pad. I bought this unit to upgrade from my Akai LPD8.

Akai mpc 218