mpd226
Akai MPD226 MIDI Pad Controller Review One of the most popular brands, Akai Professional, has arrived out with three new MIDI pad controllers for us to relax and play around with. Nowadays, us producers often use a keyboard that is midi already has pads alongside it in place of a piece of gear dedicated to only pads. Nonetheless, think about an upgrade that is extra terms of pad feel\make? Think about some faders that are extra knobs and buttons to assign sounds\FX to? In this article, we focus on the middle model of their completely new MPD2 variety of controllers, the Akai MPD226 MIDI Controller.
mpd226
Main features/specs of the MPD226
16 “MPC Style” pads (RGB illuminated and velocity\pressure sensitive)
4 banking institutions readily available for pads
4 faders, 4 Q-Link buttons (all assignable)
3 banking institutions readily available for controls
Note Repeat\Full Level functions
Compatible with most major DAWs
iOS compatible via Camera Connection Kit (not included)
MIDI via in\out or USB
Transport controls
Software bundle included
Overall features
One of the best drum pad controllers out thereFirst and most important, the pads on these things are among the better out there (unless you’re comparing it to a real MPC drum machine, you might have some trouble there). Akai advertises them as “Thick Fat” and describe them quite well — you can always trust this brand name as it pertains to pads considering it is been their forte for years. The velocity and pressure sensitive features only add to the normal noise when you’re playing — it’ll send in data based on how hard you hit them so it is maybe not robotic, offering each hit it’s very own volume\flavor. They’re also RGB illuminated which is not necessarily a must but makes the aesthetics really stand out in your studio or if you’re planning on being on stage. It could also help you remember which pad is which if you need some help in that category. 16 nice quality drum pads with 4 easy for a complete of 64 different noises? We’ll take it. Apart from the pads that are important the Akai MPD226 is a little higher priced than others due towards the faders, Q-Link knobs and buttons. You have got 4 of each and 3 banking institutions for a complete of 36 controls that are assignable all. We love using faders for some FX processing and exactly what perhaps not, or make use of the buttons to quickly add some resonant filter on a sound.
Design and build
Super quality that is nice padsAs it is possible to see from the photos, this thing looks pretty slick. The other buttons are also backlit and also you have actually a small screen up top for some navigation. The machine that is entire super slim for simple placement in any setup really. Akai’s knobs and buttons should never be flimsy (we’d hope so for a couple of Benjamins) so we never really have complaints when it comes to composing the ‘build’ section of our Akai gear reviews.
With regards to longevity of the MPD226 controller, Akai gear has lasted us 5+ years (if you take care of it — aka keep it safe in your studio or if you’re traveling, wrap that thing up!). We wouldn’t worry about investment if you’re buying this over another pad controller; it is unfortunate it doesn’t include case, but we’d at the least think it can easily fit in a laptop bag or something like that of that manner.
Software bundle We had been a bit skeptical whenever it came to the application bundle in their flagship model, but with the price of MPD226, we’d say this will make it certainly worth it. You have solid percussion and drum sound VST’s to use right out of the container: Sonivox Big Bang Universal Drums and Cinematic Percussion. If you’re looking for an electronic audio workstation, Ableton Live Lite comes too which is perfect if you want to use it down and see why everyone calls it the most useful DAW out there. Lastly, and just as a plus, MPC Essentials software comes along if you feel like testing out their version of some song making software with it all.
A concise build that is slim Akai
The last verdict on the MPD226 MIDI controller
That is in our opinion certainly one of the best pad controllers out there when it comes to pad quality and overall features and will be for some time. Considering the price, you get a tad bit more features ( the excess assignable controls) in the place of merely pads to play around with as well as a software bundle at a price that fits the mold great deal of thought also comes with Akai’s solid build. If you'd like to see some regarding the gear head’s opinions, check the MPD226 thread out over at GS.
As stated formerly, that is literally the MPD232 MIDI controller minus the step sequencer and half the quantity of assignable controls (still a feasible amount). So around a hundred bucks if you’re looking for a feature-packed pad controller with extra knobs, faders and buttons with sweet feeling pads to play with and don’t necessarily need a step sequencer, grabbing this will save you. It has also similar software bundle so you’re actually not missing much, particularly if you use a digital audio workstation for making your songs and find action sequencers to be archaic in this day and age.
Akai MPD226 MIDI Pad Controller Review One of the most popular brands, Akai Professional, has arrived out with three new MIDI pad controllers for us to relax and play around with. Nowadays, us producers often use a keyboard that is midi already has pads alongside it in place of a piece of gear dedicated to only pads. Nonetheless, think about an upgrade that is extra terms of pad feel\make? Think about some faders that are extra knobs and buttons to assign sounds\FX to? In this article, we focus on the middle model of their completely new MPD2 variety of controllers, the Akai MPD226 MIDI Controller.
mpd226
Main features/specs of the MPD226
16 “MPC Style” pads (RGB illuminated and velocity\pressure sensitive)
4 banking institutions readily available for pads
4 faders, 4 Q-Link buttons (all assignable)
3 banking institutions readily available for controls
Note Repeat\Full Level functions
Compatible with most major DAWs
iOS compatible via Camera Connection Kit (not included)
MIDI via in\out or USB
Transport controls
Software bundle included
Overall features
One of the best drum pad controllers out thereFirst and most important, the pads on these things are among the better out there (unless you’re comparing it to a real MPC drum machine, you might have some trouble there). Akai advertises them as “Thick Fat” and describe them quite well — you can always trust this brand name as it pertains to pads considering it is been their forte for years. The velocity and pressure sensitive features only add to the normal noise when you’re playing — it’ll send in data based on how hard you hit them so it is maybe not robotic, offering each hit it’s very own volume\flavor. They’re also RGB illuminated which is not necessarily a must but makes the aesthetics really stand out in your studio or if you’re planning on being on stage. It could also help you remember which pad is which if you need some help in that category. 16 nice quality drum pads with 4 easy for a complete of 64 different noises? We’ll take it. Apart from the pads that are important the Akai MPD226 is a little higher priced than others due towards the faders, Q-Link knobs and buttons. You have got 4 of each and 3 banking institutions for a complete of 36 controls that are assignable all. We love using faders for some FX processing and exactly what perhaps not, or make use of the buttons to quickly add some resonant filter on a sound.
Design and build
Super quality that is nice padsAs it is possible to see from the photos, this thing looks pretty slick. The other buttons are also backlit and also you have actually a small screen up top for some navigation. The machine that is entire super slim for simple placement in any setup really. Akai’s knobs and buttons should never be flimsy (we’d hope so for a couple of Benjamins) so we never really have complaints when it comes to composing the ‘build’ section of our Akai gear reviews.
With regards to longevity of the MPD226 controller, Akai gear has lasted us 5+ years (if you take care of it — aka keep it safe in your studio or if you’re traveling, wrap that thing up!). We wouldn’t worry about investment if you’re buying this over another pad controller; it is unfortunate it doesn’t include case, but we’d at the least think it can easily fit in a laptop bag or something like that of that manner.
Software bundle We had been a bit skeptical whenever it came to the application bundle in their flagship model, but with the price of MPD226, we’d say this will make it certainly worth it. You have solid percussion and drum sound VST’s to use right out of the container: Sonivox Big Bang Universal Drums and Cinematic Percussion. If you’re looking for an electronic audio workstation, Ableton Live Lite comes too which is perfect if you want to use it down and see why everyone calls it the most useful DAW out there. Lastly, and just as a plus, MPC Essentials software comes along if you feel like testing out their version of some song making software with it all.
A concise build that is slim Akai
The last verdict on the MPD226 MIDI controller
That is in our opinion certainly one of the best pad controllers out there when it comes to pad quality and overall features and will be for some time. Considering the price, you get a tad bit more features ( the excess assignable controls) in the place of merely pads to play around with as well as a software bundle at a price that fits the mold great deal of thought also comes with Akai’s solid build. If you'd like to see some regarding the gear head’s opinions, check the MPD226 thread out over at GS.
As stated formerly, that is literally the MPD232 MIDI controller minus the step sequencer and half the quantity of assignable controls (still a feasible amount). So around a hundred bucks if you’re looking for a feature-packed pad controller with extra knobs, faders and buttons with sweet feeling pads to play with and don’t necessarily need a step sequencer, grabbing this will save you. It has also similar software bundle so you’re actually not missing much, particularly if you use a digital audio workstation for making your songs and find action sequencers to be archaic in this day and age.