Akai MPD232 Controller reviewAkai's original MPD16 established back in 2002. Fast forward to 2015 and right here comes the new MPD2 range.
mpd 232
Here we are going to be focusing on the new MPD232 with a look that is brief the smaller MPD226 and 218 models. Even though the outgoing MPD32 looked utilitarian, the MPD232 looks much more inviting. The larger, flatter case is created from smooth black colored and red plastic and surrounding the screen (which is mainly used for assigning MIDI data/CCs to the 72 assignable controls), the case morphs into shiny black perspex (unfortunately the exact same fingerprint and scratch-inviting type on the recent Advance controllers and on Roland's JD-XA synth).
mpd 232
This plastic can also be very reflective and shiny which some might find distracting, although in normal lighting conditions it willn't be problem, especially as the panel writing is clear.
Build-wise things are generally speaking solid. The rotary that is endless feel sturdy, the sliders feel tough with little wobble (and they produce smooth MIDI output), plus the yellow backlit buttons click reassuringly.
One concern is that the slider tops can off be pulled and during vigorous slider sessions this may be problematic for some. In addition, none of the slider/pad/button/rotary values appear with in the display when pressed/ moved which is a shame – ideally this can be addressed in an OS update.
Connection-wise, the MPD232's USB port enables the system to be buss-powered from your computer (and there's MIDI in/out over USB too). In addition, the 232 and 226 can be powered via a 6v that is optional energy adaptor (ie they work standalone), though I feel this would have been a part of the £190 price – there is nothing to clamp the cable in place so tread carefully!
There are also two concerns that are further. Firstly, due to the slimline situation, the MIDI in/out ports (used for sending MIDI to and MIDI gear, besides the USB port) are on breakout cables. This means more cables to remember for gigs, plus mini jack connections are way less sturdy – this is a disadvantage over the outgoing models along with their standard DIN MIDI connections.
The second concern is that the new MPD2s haven't any footswitch or phrase pedal jacks so, if you like to sustain noises on certain pads or add expression via pedals, you're out of luck!
Pad layout As the outgoing MPD32 had a more familiar MPC-style design, the 232 has the pads towards the lower left and transport to the far upper left advantage with all the current tweakable/assignable dials, sliders and buttons (eight dials, eight buttons, eight sliders) to your right. In practice this works okay, though we much choose having transport controls regarding the right as a whole and placed closer to the front advantage.
On the 232 you can inadvertently trigger the pads when reaching over to the transport, particularly if you are sitting down using it on a desktop. ( Note that the transport can be used for starting/stopping outside hardware sequencers/drum devices or your DAW).
The pressure/velocity that is new MPC-style thick pads feel exceptional and durable and they are a number of the nicest I've used. They respond well to a light touch and their response may be customised to taste into the menus.
It's also great that the pads are illuminated which pays to both on and off stage – this allows you to definitely keep an eye on everything nicely and so they can also be set to virtually any of 16 colours for both on and off modes. Also remember that the pads is set to control note on/off, program changes and bank changes too.
Above the pads are the standard Akai Pad Bank buttons (there are four pad banks here) and you also'll also find note that is MPC-style, plus 16 Level and Full Level buttons. There is additionally a Tap Tempo button which flashes to denote the interior or external MIDI-synchronised tempo. Time divisions for step sequencing therefore the note repeat function are set by the right Time Div switch as well as the eight buttons below the dials, plus there's MPC swing too.
Action sequencer Consistent with present styles, there's a decent 32 step x 64 track sequencer onboard which adds a welcome new dimension to the MPD range ( it can be MIDI-synchronised and used to manage software instruments and/or external MIDI instruments).
To record, hit Seq Rec (Real-time) or Seq On (Step), find the pad you need to record, hit the pad, include steps via the pads in real time (or utilizing the 16 action buttons at the bottom right), select the next track to record (using any pad or the screen) and repeat! Downsides right here are editing is basic, there's no pattern chaining/song mode and no method to assign onboard sequences to pads like an MPC, if you can trigger outside sequences/clips from the pads when using the 232 with Ableton (Live Lite is included).
Finally, there are three Control Banking institutions. These enable direct front panel use of 72 real-time parameters, so you have a lot of power for bringing performances to life. If you do not want to use the screen for starting your custom controller presets, there's a nicely intuitive and elegant USB pc software editor included for assigning parameters to the 232's controllers (and for sequencing too).
There are additionally presets for several DAWs included, though like other present Akai items it isn't quite plug-and-play as you'll have to earn some handbook controller assignments within your chosen DAW ( it had been relatively painless to set up the 232 with Logic X's 'smart' controls).
mpd 232
Here we are going to be focusing on the new MPD232 with a look that is brief the smaller MPD226 and 218 models. Even though the outgoing MPD32 looked utilitarian, the MPD232 looks much more inviting. The larger, flatter case is created from smooth black colored and red plastic and surrounding the screen (which is mainly used for assigning MIDI data/CCs to the 72 assignable controls), the case morphs into shiny black perspex (unfortunately the exact same fingerprint and scratch-inviting type on the recent Advance controllers and on Roland's JD-XA synth).
mpd 232
This plastic can also be very reflective and shiny which some might find distracting, although in normal lighting conditions it willn't be problem, especially as the panel writing is clear.
Build-wise things are generally speaking solid. The rotary that is endless feel sturdy, the sliders feel tough with little wobble (and they produce smooth MIDI output), plus the yellow backlit buttons click reassuringly.
One concern is that the slider tops can off be pulled and during vigorous slider sessions this may be problematic for some. In addition, none of the slider/pad/button/rotary values appear with in the display when pressed/ moved which is a shame – ideally this can be addressed in an OS update.
Connection-wise, the MPD232's USB port enables the system to be buss-powered from your computer (and there's MIDI in/out over USB too). In addition, the 232 and 226 can be powered via a 6v that is optional energy adaptor (ie they work standalone), though I feel this would have been a part of the £190 price – there is nothing to clamp the cable in place so tread carefully!
There are also two concerns that are further. Firstly, due to the slimline situation, the MIDI in/out ports (used for sending MIDI to and MIDI gear, besides the USB port) are on breakout cables. This means more cables to remember for gigs, plus mini jack connections are way less sturdy – this is a disadvantage over the outgoing models along with their standard DIN MIDI connections.
The second concern is that the new MPD2s haven't any footswitch or phrase pedal jacks so, if you like to sustain noises on certain pads or add expression via pedals, you're out of luck!
Pad layout As the outgoing MPD32 had a more familiar MPC-style design, the 232 has the pads towards the lower left and transport to the far upper left advantage with all the current tweakable/assignable dials, sliders and buttons (eight dials, eight buttons, eight sliders) to your right. In practice this works okay, though we much choose having transport controls regarding the right as a whole and placed closer to the front advantage.
On the 232 you can inadvertently trigger the pads when reaching over to the transport, particularly if you are sitting down using it on a desktop. ( Note that the transport can be used for starting/stopping outside hardware sequencers/drum devices or your DAW).
The pressure/velocity that is new MPC-style thick pads feel exceptional and durable and they are a number of the nicest I've used. They respond well to a light touch and their response may be customised to taste into the menus.
It's also great that the pads are illuminated which pays to both on and off stage – this allows you to definitely keep an eye on everything nicely and so they can also be set to virtually any of 16 colours for both on and off modes. Also remember that the pads is set to control note on/off, program changes and bank changes too.
Above the pads are the standard Akai Pad Bank buttons (there are four pad banks here) and you also'll also find note that is MPC-style, plus 16 Level and Full Level buttons. There is additionally a Tap Tempo button which flashes to denote the interior or external MIDI-synchronised tempo. Time divisions for step sequencing therefore the note repeat function are set by the right Time Div switch as well as the eight buttons below the dials, plus there's MPC swing too.
Action sequencer Consistent with present styles, there's a decent 32 step x 64 track sequencer onboard which adds a welcome new dimension to the MPD range ( it can be MIDI-synchronised and used to manage software instruments and/or external MIDI instruments).
To record, hit Seq Rec (Real-time) or Seq On (Step), find the pad you need to record, hit the pad, include steps via the pads in real time (or utilizing the 16 action buttons at the bottom right), select the next track to record (using any pad or the screen) and repeat! Downsides right here are editing is basic, there's no pattern chaining/song mode and no method to assign onboard sequences to pads like an MPC, if you can trigger outside sequences/clips from the pads when using the 232 with Ableton (Live Lite is included).
Finally, there are three Control Banking institutions. These enable direct front panel use of 72 real-time parameters, so you have a lot of power for bringing performances to life. If you do not want to use the screen for starting your custom controller presets, there's a nicely intuitive and elegant USB pc software editor included for assigning parameters to the 232's controllers (and for sequencing too).
There are additionally presets for several DAWs included, though like other present Akai items it isn't quite plug-and-play as you'll have to earn some handbook controller assignments within your chosen DAW ( it had been relatively painless to set up the 232 with Logic X's 'smart' controls).