Akai Announces MPD Drum Pad Controllers

Three feature-packed units will be available this summer.

Akai has announced three new, feature-packed drum pad controllers—MPD218, MPD226, and MPD232—to be available this summer.

The new controllers are, according to the accompanied text, the product of over six years of detailed customer research and user feedback. All three models feature new, ultra sensitive MPC pads, 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). A recap of the features of all three MPDs can be found below, with more information available over at the Akai website

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