The Akai MPD218 is an USB MIDI controller with a 4x4 MPC pad-matrix and 6 assignable potentiometers that each provide 3 banks. So the total count of accessable hardware elements is 48 MPC pads as well as 18 free assignable 360° potentiometers. The pads have red colored backlight and are excellent playable with good touch- and velocity-sensitivity. The only port of the Akai MPD218 is an USB that functions as data transfer and power supply. The USB port is class compliant so the MPD218 can be used with iOS devices as well as with Windows and Mac OSX devcies equally.
The Akai MPD218 is a versatile and stylish USB MIDI controller featuring 16 red light-UP MPC pads with three banks. This USB/MIDI controller is iOS compatible and comes complete with Ableton Live Lite plus other powerful music creation software, making it ideal for budding producers.
The feature-packed MPD2 Series offers an amazing level of creative musical ammo with Thick Fat backlit MPC pads, improved controls and new bundled software. The MPD218 is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller ideal for producers, programmers, musicians and DJs alike. An 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.
The MPD218 also has an expanded control set of six knobs in three banks versus one control on the previous MPD18 model. This will enable you to maximise your sound and give you increased control over effects. MIDI information is sent over its plug-and-play USB interface for use on Mac or PC; therefore there is no need to install any drivers. The USB connection powers the MPD218 so the included USB cable is all you need.
Akai have added iOS compatibility using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately) and included a ton of free software including Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Big Bang Drums and Big Bang Cinema from Sonivox, Ableton Live Lite, and Software Preset Editor.
I certainly recommend this product for the low price, simple and well done design. But I am a young beginner. The delivery was well done, the box was in good condition. Good to have ableton live. In my pc has some delay, I had to lower the preview sound quality a bit but maybe is my pc that is a mid-end portable. And I have no other controller to compare so...
In the end, Im satisfied with my product I can now produce beats and samples more naturally.
This is a really brilliant bit of kit for the price you pay. The pads have a fantastic feel and the responsiveness is spot on. It is well built and the quality overall is great. Item arrived ahead of time and was very well packaged. Communication from purchase to delivery was brilliant. 10 out of 10.
LOTS of functionality for not much money. Able to connect to DAWs on the computer as well as IOS devices. Dynamic touch, note repeat and fixed velocity controls as well as that classic Akai swing.
You kind of get what you pay for with the actual pads tbh. They could be more sensitive, but you can just open it up and add a bit of electrical tape if you want them to be more sensitive