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.

Feature:
Set-up was fairly painless

Quality:
Compact so it doesn't occupy a lot of space...pads feel great!!!

Value:
Though I wanted its big brother...completely satisfied with this...

Desirability:
used to black but,it suited me fine...

Sound:
N/A its a controller

Ease of Use:
Fit right in...w/ minimal exception

Support:
haven't needed it

Overall:
Intergrated well with all the software I use (except "Reasons")...the utility software is a breeze to set up...so it spared my controller K/B unecessary abuse

Feature:
has all the features it needs when using with a program only bad thing is that doesn't have a note/repeat button

Quality:
very durable and sturdy, pads feel wonderful but midi cord has weak connebtion other than that very greta quality

Value:
Great price and you get the exact value for what you pay for

Desirability:
Very beautiful machine sometimes i just stop and stare at it

Sound:
No sounds actually come with it

Ease of Use:
Very easy to use with the right software

Support:
Haven't needed it yet.

Overall:
Very useful machine would highly recommend to anybody defintely someone using fruity loops.

Feature:
Perfect for me, I just need it as a controller. Everything else I do is done on the computer. There's no features, except for one fader and thats exactly what I wanted.

Quality:
Well it is plastic, but its sturdy. The pads are great.

Value:
Definitely worth it. Basically turn your CPU into an MPC.

Desirability:
I love it cause its real simple silver and black. Looks sharp and professional.

Sound:
Well it doesn't come with any sounds, its a controller.

Ease of Use:
Just plug it in and your good, only thing I didn't like was the Utility software doesn't pop-up automatically to install. You have to manually go into the contents of the CD and run the setup, fine for me but could be frustrating for others without much CPU knowledge.

Support:
Haven't had to deal with it.

Feature:
All I need is working so far

Quality:
The body looks fragile but don't get fooled

Value:
Good product for the money

Desirability:
Maybe a black one with gray pads

Sound:
great tools

Ease of Use:
Pretty much an usb drum machine

Support:
I don't need it so far

Overall:
As long as I can do my projects. It Will be fine

Feature:
No accessories, just a a 2 foot usb cable which i threw away. Could use the 4 banks instead of 2 but the 16 level feature is nice, and there is a short MIDI delay when using it in USB mode

Quality:
Pads don't feel too solid, like if i hit on them long enough they might wear out, and the contacts inside the pads feel cheap

Value:
Worth the price

Desirability:
This thing is so ugly lol, if it was black... i might "lust" over it

Sound:
No Sounds, It's a MIDI device.

Ease of Use:
Too easy, just installed the drivers, and i was using it in minutes

Support:
Haven't needed AKAI for anything, BUT i wish they had pad upgrades or replacements for the MPD like they do for the MPC...

Overall:
I am upgrading to an MPC soon, i just bought this to see if i would actually use the pads, they are a great thing to have especially if you are chopping up samples

Overall:
Easy to use pads and great for chopping up samples.

Feature:
I wish it had a lil'more features but the one's you have are amazing

Quality:
its well made can fit anywhere in my room and since i dont need a a/c adapter it takes up less room and this product is real reliable

Value:
THE VALUE is very amazing its very worth it

Sound:
IT doesnt have any sounds but if you use it with a plugin and you like pads it makes your beats sound way better

Support:
AKAI is amazing if you need help but you shouldnt need help

Overall:
MAN ITS THE ONLY THING YOU'LL NEED BESIDES A GOOD PROGRAM TO MAKE BEATS THIS COMPLETES MY PRODUCTION STUDIO

Feature:
It needs more banks. More banks = more programmable sounds.

Quality:
A pad got stuck once, so I took it apart.

Sound:
This a midi controller. The pads are ok.

Ease of Use:
The Utility, if used right can actually help you.

Support:
Constantly crashes computer because of a driver fault. Akai has yet to release an updated driver. If you actually use the MIDI OUT with the DC IN you won't have to worry about installing the driver.