Akai Professional, among well known brands, has emerge with three new MIDI pad controllers for us to experiment with. Nowadays, a MIDI keyboard that currently has pads alongside it in place of an item of gear specialized in only parts is usually used by us producers. However, how about an additional upgrade in terms of station feelmake? What about some extra faders, knobs and buttons to determine soundsFX to? In this article, we focus on the middle style of their completely new MPD2 series of controllers, the Akai MPD226 MIDI Controller.
akai mpd226
Main features/specs of the MPD226
16 “MPC Style” patches (RGB illuminated and velocitypressure sensitive)
4 banks designed for pads
4 faders, 4 Qlink Switches and 4 Qlink buttons (all assignable)
3 banks designed for controls
Note RepeatFull Degree functions
Suitable for most major DAWs
MIDI via inout or USB
Transport controls
Software bundle included
Total features
akai mpd226
Akai promotes them as “Thick Fat” and describe them quite nicely — you can always trust this model as it pertains to parts considering it’s been their strength for decades. The acceleration and pressure sensitive attributes simply add to the pure sound when you’re enjoying — it’ll submit databased how hard you hit them not automatic, providing each hit it’s own volumeflavor. RGB illuminated which isn’t necessarily essential but makes the appearance really stick out within your facility or if you’re considering being onstage. It can also enable you to remember which mat is which if you want some help with that category. 16 great quality drum parts with 4 feasible for a total of 64 different sounds? We’ll take it.
Besides the crucial parts, the Akai MPD226 can be a bit more expensive than others because of the faders, Q Link switches and buttons. You have 4 of each and 3 banks for a total of 36 assignable controls in all. We appreciate using faders for a few FX processing and whatnot, or utilize the links to easily add some resonant filter on the sound.
Design and build
Another links may also be backlit and you have a small screen up-top for many navigation. The complete unit is superslim for easy location in almost any setup. Akai’s knobs and buttons should never be slight (we’d hope so for a couple Benjamins) so we never truly have problems when it comes to publishing the ‘build’ part of our Akai gear reviews.
We wouldn’t be concerned about investment if you’re obtaining this over another mat controller; it’s unfortunate it doesn’t come with a case, but we’d atleast consider it may easily fit into anything or a laptop bag of that manner.
Software bundle
We were somewhat skeptical when it stumbled on the application bundle within their flagship model, but with the value of MPD226, we’d claim this makes it worthy of it. You have strong drum and percussion sound VST’s to use right out of the field: Cinematic Percussion and Sonivox Big Bang General Drums. Lastly, and just like an advantage, MPC Requirements software comes along with all of it should you feel like trying out their type of some music making application.
A compact slim build by Akai
The last verdict about the MPD226 MIDI controller
This can be in our opinion among the best mat controllers out there in regards to general features and station quality and will also be for a while. Thinking about the price, you will get a tad little more attributes (the excess assignable controls) rather than basically patches to mess around with together with a software deal in a price that meets the form considering additionally it includes Akai’s solid build. Read the MPD226 thread over at GS if you would like to learn a number of the equipment head’s opinions.
So if you’re buying feature-packed pad controller with extra buttons, buttons and faders with sweet feeling parts to play with and don’t necessarily desire a step sequencer, catching this will save you around 100 bucks. It also has the same application bundle so you’re really not lost much, particularly when you find step sequencers to be traditional within this time and employ a digital audio workstation for making your songs.
The Akai MPD226 MIDI pad controller is definitely worth the money.
akai mpd226
Main features/specs of the MPD226
16 “MPC Style” patches (RGB illuminated and velocitypressure sensitive)
4 banks designed for pads
4 faders, 4 Qlink Switches and 4 Qlink buttons (all assignable)
3 banks designed for controls
Note RepeatFull Degree functions
Suitable for most major DAWs
MIDI via inout or USB
Transport controls
Software bundle included
Total features
akai mpd226
Akai promotes them as “Thick Fat” and describe them quite nicely — you can always trust this model as it pertains to parts considering it’s been their strength for decades. The acceleration and pressure sensitive attributes simply add to the pure sound when you’re enjoying — it’ll submit databased how hard you hit them not automatic, providing each hit it’s own volumeflavor. RGB illuminated which isn’t necessarily essential but makes the appearance really stick out within your facility or if you’re considering being onstage. It can also enable you to remember which mat is which if you want some help with that category. 16 great quality drum parts with 4 feasible for a total of 64 different sounds? We’ll take it.
Besides the crucial parts, the Akai MPD226 can be a bit more expensive than others because of the faders, Q Link switches and buttons. You have 4 of each and 3 banks for a total of 36 assignable controls in all. We appreciate using faders for a few FX processing and whatnot, or utilize the links to easily add some resonant filter on the sound.
Design and build
Another links may also be backlit and you have a small screen up-top for many navigation. The complete unit is superslim for easy location in almost any setup. Akai’s knobs and buttons should never be slight (we’d hope so for a couple Benjamins) so we never truly have problems when it comes to publishing the ‘build’ part of our Akai gear reviews.
We wouldn’t be concerned about investment if you’re obtaining this over another mat controller; it’s unfortunate it doesn’t come with a case, but we’d atleast consider it may easily fit into anything or a laptop bag of that manner.
Software bundle
We were somewhat skeptical when it stumbled on the application bundle within their flagship model, but with the value of MPD226, we’d claim this makes it worthy of it. You have strong drum and percussion sound VST’s to use right out of the field: Cinematic Percussion and Sonivox Big Bang General Drums. Lastly, and just like an advantage, MPC Requirements software comes along with all of it should you feel like trying out their type of some music making application.
A compact slim build by Akai
The last verdict about the MPD226 MIDI controller
This can be in our opinion among the best mat controllers out there in regards to general features and station quality and will also be for a while. Thinking about the price, you will get a tad little more attributes (the excess assignable controls) rather than basically patches to mess around with together with a software deal in a price that meets the form considering additionally it includes Akai’s solid build. Read the MPD226 thread over at GS if you would like to learn a number of the equipment head’s opinions.
So if you’re buying feature-packed pad controller with extra buttons, buttons and faders with sweet feeling parts to play with and don’t necessarily desire a step sequencer, catching this will save you around 100 bucks. It also has the same application bundle so you’re really not lost much, particularly when you find step sequencers to be traditional within this time and employ a digital audio workstation for making your songs.
The Akai MPD226 MIDI pad controller is definitely worth the money.