https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPDDgCPN1hU&feature=youtu.be

We’ve all seen the too many buttons video, but I would imagine that even watching such a thing in-house at Akai Pro is worthy of disciplinary action. So it comes as no surprise that more boxes with MOARE BUTUNZ have been developed just in case all the buttons in the world aren’t enough. The MPD218, MPD226, and MPD232 are updates to the 18, 26, and 32 respectively, and tick the boxes of needs and budgets.

THEIR SAY

AKAI PROFESSIONAL ROCKS ELECTRONIC MUSIC MARKET WITH STUNNING NEW MPD SERIES MIDI PAD CONTROLLERS

Feature-packed units give artists unprecedented creative musical firepower with Thick Fat backlit MPC Pads, multiple controls and included software

Ash Vale, UK (July 7th, 2015) —Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of keyboards, mixers and production equipment for performers and recording artists, today announced the introduction of their new MPD Series of pad controllers. These new controllers are a product of over six years of detailed customer research and user feedback. The result is the most capable and user-friendly line of pad controllers Akai Professional has developed to date.

All models feature new, ultra sensitive Thick Fat MPC pads creating an amazingly responsive user interaction. They also have an expanded control set to maximize the sounds and effects available to the user, iOS compatibility using the Camera Connection Kit and over $400 of free software (Big Bang Drums and Big Bang Cinema from Sonivox, Ableton Live Lite, and Software Preset Editor).

Building on the success of Akai Pro’s previous MPD18, MPD26 and MPD32, these new pad controllers introduce greatly enhanced control capability to support the artist’s creative efforts:

– The MPD218 has red light-up MPC pads and a greatly expanded control set of 6 knobs in 3 banks vs. one control on the previous MPD18 model.

– The MPD226 has an expanded control set of 4 knobs, 4 faders, 4 buttons in 3 banks for 36 total controls vs. 12 controls on the MPD26

– The MPD232 boasts an all-new 64-channel 32-step performance sequencer, which the MPD32 did not have.

In addition users enjoy intuitive control editing right from the front panel on the MPD226 and MPD232, and all three models can be programmed via the included easy-to-use Preset Editor, so musicians of any level can enhance their performance right away. This is one of the many things that distinguish the Akai Professional MPD218, 226 and 232 from everything else.

A recap of the new MPD Series features:

MPD218

• 16 Thick Fat backlit MPC Pads with Velocity and Aftertouch
• 48 assignable pads accessible via 3 banks
• 18 assignable 360-degree potentiometers accessible via 3 banks
• MPC Note Repeat and Full Level
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• 16 configurable presets
• Includes Ableton Live Lite
• USB powered, no AC adapter required

MPD226

• 16 Thick Fat RGB illuminated velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC Pads
• 64 assignable pads accessible via 4 banks
• 4 assignable faders, 4 assignable Q-Link knobs, 4 assignable Q-Link buttons
• 36 assignable controls accessible via 3 banks
• Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, 16 Level, Full Level and Tap Tempo
• 30 presets total, with configurations for most popular DAWs
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• MIDI In and Out jacks for controlling external gear
• Dedicated Transport controls
• Includes Ableton Live Lite

MPD232

• 64-part, 32-step sequencer to control pad events
• 16 Thick Fat RGB illuminated velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC Pads
• 64 assignable pads accessible via 4 banks
• 8 assignable Q-Link faders, 8 assignable Q-Link knobs, 8 assignable Q-Link buttons
• 72 assignable controls accessible via 3 banks
• Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, 16 Level, Full Level and Tap Tempo
• Dedicated transport controls
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• 30 presets total, with configurations for most popular DAWs
• Works with virtually any MIDI software or MIDI hardware
• MIDI In and Out jacks for controlling external gear
• Includes Ableton Live Lite

“The MPD218/226/232 family marks an important evolution in our pad controller series. Six years of research and customer feedback has led directly to some of the most capable pad controllers we’ve ever developed,” said Dan Gill, Product Manager for Akai Professional. “Our goal was to create controllers that respond quickly and intuitively to the player’s input, to make their playing experience the best it can be. We’re very excited about these new units.”

The Akai Professional MPD Series will be available in Summer 2015 at Akai Professional dealers.

MSRPs for the MPD series are £69.99 for the MPD218, £139.99 for the MPD226 and £189.99 for the MPD232.

For more information, visit akaipro.com.

OUR SAY

Given that the progression of pads has been from bland colourless MPC types to multicoloured Thick Fat (yes with Caps – it’s a thing now) ones, it was just a matter of time before these appeared. And these have also been updated top match the new evolving slab-like Akai Pro brand ID.

Not being especially familiar with the MPD range, it’s hard to know if the layout changes make sense or not. But I do know that from a DJ perspective, these look to be very cool secondary controllers. The MPD232 in particular looks to be a killer controller to harness the power of the Serato DJ SP-6 sampler. Well something needs to anyway.

And although updated, they’re the same price as before, but prettier, and with a heap of free content too.

YOUR SAY

Do you currently own MPDs and see these as a cool update? Have you been looking for an additional controller and fancy one of these for your setup?

GALLERY