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Akai MPD32 USB/MIDI Pad Controller
16 full-sized, genuine MPC pads with velocity and pressure-sensitive response.
"MPC For Your PC"
Overall:
After I upgraded to a laptop with Windows Vista, I was on the hunt for a new MIDI controller. I was using an Akai MPD16 but after several failed installs on my Vista laptop, I found out that Akai decided not to make a Vista driver for my antiquated hardware. At first, I was a bit angry that my equipment that I’ve been using for a long time with Windows XP no longer worked. But then the prospect of getting new gear calmed me down. All I really wanted was a pad controller with MPC style pads and a "note repeat" function. I researched several pad controllers: M-Audio Trigger Fingers, Akai MPD24, and Korg padKONTROL. I also gave Akai’s new MIDI keyboard, the MPK49, serious consideration since it has 12 MPC style pads. After much debate, and plenty of time spent watching demos of each product on YouTube, I finally placed a pre-order for an Akai MPD32. It arrived a couple months later and it was plenty worth the wait and money. The first thing I noticed is that the MPD32 is large, much larger than my previous MPD. Its footprint is a bit bigger than my 15.4" laptop. The next thing I noticed is that it's built solid. All of the knobs, faders and pads feel great. These pads are the same pads that are used on the MPC2500. The only criticism I have for the pads would be with the sensors. Akai uses a round sensor under the pad so not all of pad surface is usable, unlike the Korg padKontrol which uses a square sensor for its pads. But this is not a deal breaker for me. The MPD32 comes with presets for many popular music production programs (e.g. Live, Reason, FL Studio, Cubase, etc.) Personally, I use Reason 4.0 and Live 7. The presets for Reason work perfectly. The 8 knobs and faders are easily assignable to manipulate filters and effects within Reason. For me, the MPD32 is perfect. If you’re in need of a MIDI controller with MPC pads for your DAW, look no further.
After I upgraded to a laptop with Windows Vista, I was on the hunt for a new MIDI controller. I was using an Akai MPD16 but after several failed installs on my Vista laptop, I found out that Akai decided not to make a Vista driver for my antiquated hardware. At first, I was a bit angry that my equipment that I’ve been using for a long time with Windows XP no longer worked. But then the prospect of getting new gear calmed me down. All I really wanted was a pad controller with MPC style pads and a "note repeat" function. I researched several pad controllers: M-Audio Trigger Fingers, Akai MPD24, and Korg padKONTROL. I also gave Akai’s new MIDI keyboard, the MPK49, serious consideration since it has 12 MPC style pads. After much debate, and plenty of time spent watching demos of each product on YouTube, I finally placed a pre-order for an Akai MPD32. It arrived a couple months later and it was plenty worth the wait and money. The first thing I noticed is that the MPD32 is large, much larger than my previous MPD. Its footprint is a bit bigger than my 15.4" laptop. The next thing I noticed is that it's built solid. All of the knobs, faders and pads feel great. These pads are the same pads that are used on the MPC2500. The only criticism I have for the pads would be with the sensors. Akai uses a round sensor under the pad so not all of pad surface is usable, unlike the Korg padKontrol which uses a square sensor for its pads. But this is not a deal breaker for me. The MPD32 comes with presets for many popular music production programs (e.g. Live, Reason, FL Studio, Cubase, etc.) Personally, I use Reason 4.0 and Live 7. The presets for Reason work perfectly. The 8 knobs and faders are easily assignable to manipulate filters and effects within Reason. For me, the MPD32 is perfect. If you’re in need of a MIDI controller with MPC pads for your DAW, look no further.
"Akai's MPD 32"
Feature:
Very nice features with plenty of flexibility It would be nice if Akai added a humanistic feel
Quality:
The unit seems very durable. The pads, switches, knobs, and faders are solidly constructed and very responsive
Value:
It has tremendous value to me. I have several PC based drum programs, including Stylus RMX, Elab Obsession, Spectrasonics samples, Fxpansion's DFD and Guru,and Steinberg's Groove Agent. The controller allows me to maximize my rhythm programs using a single controller.
Sound:
Cannot provide sound rating, as the device is a MIDI controller
Ease of Use:
Very easy to use but the lack of a power switch was a colossal blunder on Akai's part. you'll have to unplug the usb cable from the rear of the unit when it's not in use.
Support:
Haven't engaged their support. That's a good thing
Very nice features with plenty of flexibility It would be nice if Akai added a humanistic feel
Quality:
The unit seems very durable. The pads, switches, knobs, and faders are solidly constructed and very responsive
Value:
It has tremendous value to me. I have several PC based drum programs, including Stylus RMX, Elab Obsession, Spectrasonics samples, Fxpansion's DFD and Guru,and Steinberg's Groove Agent. The controller allows me to maximize my rhythm programs using a single controller.
Sound:
Cannot provide sound rating, as the device is a MIDI controller
Ease of Use:
Very easy to use but the lack of a power switch was a colossal blunder on Akai's part. you'll have to unplug the usb cable from the rear of the unit when it's not in use.
Support:
Haven't engaged their support. That's a good thing
"Im a pro when it comes to using the MPD32. READ THIS"
Feature:
The note repeat function is awesome, and if you dont have swing on a computer based program, then thats cool too, however i recommend you use the DAWs swing feature. NO OFF BUTTON. pain pluggin and unplugging EVERY time to use.
Quality:
Overall, the unit is solid. All the faders and knobe are GREAT! However, the pad response is terrible(not the pads themselves). This can be remedied by opening the unit up and doin the pad modification(I saw some guy on youtube do this, look it up. Now I LOVE the response i get out of the unit.
Value:
If i didnt have the problems associated with the reponse of the pads, then i would say this unit was flawless....but i can only recommend this if you plan on doing the pad mod.
Desirability:
This thing is sexy, one of the reasons I bought it
Sound:
I know this is a controler and doesnt in fact produce sounds... However,when coupled to a sound source, the pad response is terrible, producing bad sounds...Even with the pad sensitivity set to the max 16, low threshold for touch, and a hard responding velocity curve.
Ease of Use:
READ the owners manual and the use the software editor to save presets. After spending countless hours setting this thing up the way i wanted to, i have become a pro at getting it to do what i want when i want it to.
Support:
Havent needed anything from them, but I recommend you download the latest firmware for the unit before you even turn it on.
Overall:
Overall, if you download the latest firmware from the akaipro site, then open up the unit and do the pad mod(not difficult) then the mpd32 is great. If not, expect sore fingers and poor response.
The note repeat function is awesome, and if you dont have swing on a computer based program, then thats cool too, however i recommend you use the DAWs swing feature. NO OFF BUTTON. pain pluggin and unplugging EVERY time to use.
Quality:
Overall, the unit is solid. All the faders and knobe are GREAT! However, the pad response is terrible(not the pads themselves). This can be remedied by opening the unit up and doin the pad modification(I saw some guy on youtube do this, look it up. Now I LOVE the response i get out of the unit.
Value:
If i didnt have the problems associated with the reponse of the pads, then i would say this unit was flawless....but i can only recommend this if you plan on doing the pad mod.
Desirability:
This thing is sexy, one of the reasons I bought it
Sound:
I know this is a controler and doesnt in fact produce sounds... However,when coupled to a sound source, the pad response is terrible, producing bad sounds...Even with the pad sensitivity set to the max 16, low threshold for touch, and a hard responding velocity curve.
Ease of Use:
READ the owners manual and the use the software editor to save presets. After spending countless hours setting this thing up the way i wanted to, i have become a pro at getting it to do what i want when i want it to.
Support:
Havent needed anything from them, but I recommend you download the latest firmware for the unit before you even turn it on.
Overall:
Overall, if you download the latest firmware from the akaipro site, then open up the unit and do the pad mod(not difficult) then the mpd32 is great. If not, expect sore fingers and poor response.
"I love it!"
Feature:
The only thing I still can't make fully functional is Tap Tempo and Note Repeat syncing with Reason. The one suggested by Akai works fine, but the tempo is not displayed in Reason (it says 0). This is the only reason for 9 for features. Everything else works great, lots of useful features.
Quality:
It's really early to say, but seems durable. Well build, all the pads, knobs, sliders and buttons seem solid and feel great.
Value:
Payed 365 CAD for the new one. Great deal. Worth every cent.
Desirability:
Esthetically perfect. Great colors, looks really nice and modern.
Sound:
It's the midi controller, so it doesn't have any sounds.
Ease of Use:
I read lots of reviews with people having problems setting up the device and programming different controls. OK, I understand not everyone is technically strong and stuff, but I had no problems at all. Very easy to use, program, set up the way you need it.
Support:
Never had a need to contact them.
Overall:
All in all, great controller. Great features, endless possibilities when it comes to programming it and setting it up. Great integration with Reason so far. Would buy another one, no doubt.
The only thing I still can't make fully functional is Tap Tempo and Note Repeat syncing with Reason. The one suggested by Akai works fine, but the tempo is not displayed in Reason (it says 0). This is the only reason for 9 for features. Everything else works great, lots of useful features.
Quality:
It's really early to say, but seems durable. Well build, all the pads, knobs, sliders and buttons seem solid and feel great.
Value:
Payed 365 CAD for the new one. Great deal. Worth every cent.
Desirability:
Esthetically perfect. Great colors, looks really nice and modern.
Sound:
It's the midi controller, so it doesn't have any sounds.
Ease of Use:
I read lots of reviews with people having problems setting up the device and programming different controls. OK, I understand not everyone is technically strong and stuff, but I had no problems at all. Very easy to use, program, set up the way you need it.
Support:
Never had a need to contact them.
Overall:
All in all, great controller. Great features, endless possibilities when it comes to programming it and setting it up. Great integration with Reason so far. Would buy another one, no doubt.
"AKAI MPD 32"
Feature:
Comes with some on board face effects and features my favorite feature is the pressure sensitive touch pad which trigger with much ease.
Quality:
this thing is probly the number 5 most important item in my home studio of about 15 items. every time i make music in my studio i use this machine
Value:
this machine is a very valueable peice of equipment is my home studio
Desirability:
i think that this thing look good it has good looks and feels mine is jet black
Sound:
the ableton lite software that came with the mpd 32 had good drums kits, loops and sounds all which sounded real and professional not cheap and fake
Ease of Use:
this machine is pretty easy to use the only problem i had was getting this thing installed. at first i didnt even know that to do so i called akai and they told me everything about this machine from start to finish now it a breeze to use
Support:
akia was good with the tech support that they gave me when is called
Overall:
overall this is a good machine for any kind of studio that is dealing with drums or melodies there is so many things that i can do with this machine when im in my studio
Comes with some on board face effects and features my favorite feature is the pressure sensitive touch pad which trigger with much ease.
Quality:
this thing is probly the number 5 most important item in my home studio of about 15 items. every time i make music in my studio i use this machine
Value:
this machine is a very valueable peice of equipment is my home studio
Desirability:
i think that this thing look good it has good looks and feels mine is jet black
Sound:
the ableton lite software that came with the mpd 32 had good drums kits, loops and sounds all which sounded real and professional not cheap and fake
Ease of Use:
this machine is pretty easy to use the only problem i had was getting this thing installed. at first i didnt even know that to do so i called akai and they told me everything about this machine from start to finish now it a breeze to use
Support:
akia was good with the tech support that they gave me when is called
Overall:
overall this is a good machine for any kind of studio that is dealing with drums or melodies there is so many things that i can do with this machine when im in my studio
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