Akai MPD16 USB MIDI Pad Control Surface

Feature:
For the money, this has all the features you need. An MPC like this is enough of a feature. It has cool things like 16 levels, full level, 2 banks, and a fader. I don't use the fader at all because I own a Frontier Designs Alpha Track, which is more than sufficient for my purposes. I barely ever use 16 levels or full level, which basically simplify the velocity of the midi signals it produces. I use this in conjunction with Battery 3 by Native Instruments and it is a match made in heaven. The only downside is that this provides no real controls to navigate Battery but it is such a complex program, a mouse is really all I can think to use. The only thing I want now, if it can compete with this unit's strong points, is the Korg padKontrol, simply because of the ability to change parameters through it and so I can have an X-Y coordinate plane for effects.

Quality:
It is sturdy as heck. I think this could last forever. Again, with it grooving all over the table when I play it, I think it could suffer some falls and such but I was very surprised with its construction when I got it.

Value:
Given the current prices for such devices and how much fun and success I have had with this unit, this is fantastic value. I'm glad I got this one although I wish I had had the extra money to splurge and get the padKontrol.

Desirability:
It isn't particularly attractive and it is really simple. I have owned this for a while for trying to do really good acoustic drum emulation for my band but once I saw RJD2 life ripping on his MPC production thingy, I fell back in love with this thing.

Sound:
There is no actual sound produced by this unit. The midi signal is a midi signal so I don't think there is much to be desired their.

Ease of Use:
It is really simple to use and the software that comes with it is perfect. There is nothing I could desire with this product as for ease of use besides if it had a stronger base. It is difficult on a smooth surface to really rock out with this thing and have it stay in one place. Besides that, all the features add to its ease of use and the software allows you to easily choose what notes each pad controls as well as pad sensitivities for each pad.

Support:
Never dealt with their support.

Overall:
I think I want the padKontrol now. Don't let that put you off. I wouldn't give up this thing for the world. In fact, I don't know whether to sell it or not if I get the padKontrol (though I probably will because I am in college). It has everything you need to lay some fat beats down. This won't make you incredible at anything, it is just another instrument and some people will excel on this and others won't. I found it to be just what I needed to really expand my rhythmic abilities. Just wish it would stay still more.

Feature:
Features are pretty good overall. Although a continual trigger woulda been nice, I suppose that's just for the real MPCs... I think that the 16 level/full level feature is awesome...using the 16 level feature allows you to have subtle variations in your volumes, useful for programming things like hi hats...The included software, although I hate having to use it, is very useful also.

Quality:
Well made product, but I woulda preferred it to have a power switch, instead of it always being on...

Value:
I got my unit for under $150, so the value is well worth it.

Desirability:
I definately wanted a more hands on approach to the beats, and this just "feels better" than using a keyboard to do drums...

Sound:
No sounds included obviously...

Support:
Haven't needed

Overall:
I should say that I've never used an MPC before, so I couldn't really review this product in that sense - but as far as triggering your Midi sounds in a fun and useful manner, this product definately rocks...I endorse highly.