DJ Mag review - Akai MPD32 Midi Controller

[wrathallll]

best review ive seen dude, short snappy and detailed

[jbass657]

if i buy one of these can i use it with ableton live for a mac?

[NickysRapAttic]

@jbass657

yep

[funkb0x]

I'm going to have to get one of these.

Great demo explaining its usefulness to control synths & sequencers via midi. :)

3 banks of 8 saved midi settings is insane. I can bet it isn't easy to program but with patients & learning this piece of kit has huge potential. Especially with rack mount VST's.

I can imagine a Novation Bass Station with this for some heavy grit.

Yep! I've definitely got to get one. I've convinced myself. :)

[TheScampiGod]

so im getting one of these (maybe the 26) ive never had one of these, but i know it comes with ableton live lite. so does live lite come with loads of noises and drums and stuff that you can edit the sound of.

[AmbellinaWatchOverMe]

So would I be able to hit a single pad to trigger a backingtrack/sample through, let's say, mainstage?

[cMaXeJIJIo]

I think I just jizzed me pants, mate...lol

[teunv111]

I heard you get a sound delay when hitting a pad if you're connected trough the usb cable? is this true?

[golemast9]

@teunv111 no

[hallal55]

so is this like a mpc but you connect to DAW to sequence/

[24GreekGirl]

So does this work with protools??

[ATonOfTime]

@24GreekGirl its universal it works with whatever

[samuelkeshon]

Is reason good with the mpd 26,or whats a software where i could assign different sounds to the pads..im a noob haha

[audiovoid]

I cannot stand the pads on this thing. There's literally a design flaw that is only fixable by opening the thing up and puting layers of electrical tape underneath each pad just to make them actually responsive. There's youtube videos of How to do it actually.

[THEBURNZINATOR]

can you review the native instruments maschines because i really dont know wich one to get and i heard great from both of them

[yano777]

whats the track in the background?

[TornTech]

Wow i posted this post over a year ago. SInce then I have got it, and I don't use it as much as i thought I would...

[iragekao]

I'm wondering how do you sample on one?? like...does it come with certain software to put the samples on the pad and to record too?? or will it plug and play with my protools and record to and from it??

[Namesibeats]

check out my page for some sick beats...

looking for artists

[DurdyDo]

For some reason, my MPD32 tops out on bank C. I use Reason 4 and when I mess with samples or just sounds, I can go thru all the banks and get higher octaves but when I hit bank D..... NO DICE!! Am I doing something wrong?

[Vidmakr6302]

could this pad just plug into ur compuyter and play the sounds out through ur pc speakers? or do u have to buy seperate speakers to plug into the midi out?

[jvoltios]

Truth is that the MPD32's pad sensitivity really sucks =(... I got one and I was sooo dissapointed when I noticed it needed actual hitting rather than just touching... however, after i opened it and "reinforced" the pads with tape the sensitivity improved dramatically =D so I'm really happy now XD... Anyway, if someone tells you that this is THE pad midi controller, it's a lie... unless you tweak it's a punching pad...

[langerCAN]

@jvoltios Ya I noticed that with this thing as well... But you can also adjust it so that the velocity mode is turned off I believe. Either way, how much tape did you put under each pad? I'm picking one of these up off of a friend so I might need to tweak it myself.

[jvoltios]

this was a little bit tricky... at first i went kinda crazy on the tape XD but realized that the pads had so much on 'em that they "activated themselves"... it didn't sound but the signal was recognized in the screen flashing like crazy XD...

[jvoltios]

I removed a few patches from each one and voila... I believe it depends on the tape u use and i'm not really sure how many patches u've got to use... also, once you get to open it... it's kinda tricky too since the sensitivity varies with the screws on and without them... in the end is up to you...

[Randomonious]

can you use this with logic?

[microcrubeguy]

u can't sample with this right? U have to up load ur samples?

[ifizzy142]

@microcrubeguy yup, this is just a midi controller; all the sampling you do with it will be software based with AbeltonLIVE or dj software cue points

[CCUn1versal]

Yes chopping is done through your computer.

[uptightkid]

I have just spent an afternoon opening up my MPC1000 to try and fix the pads and a broken button. Just about had it with my MP. Would like to check out the MPD32 but how are the pads?

[RedRavenRuler]

@uptightkid the same

[TornTech]

Man it looks cool but its so complicated. I will never be able to learn that stuff. Does anyone use this with FL studio? Whats your experience with it?

[joshman94]

@TornTech lol fl studio

[Fperez04]

@TornTech ... everythin takes time to learn, I think you could learn this in like a week if you really set to it bro

[mixxinmel]

@TornTech i use the mpd 26 which is simular to this unit but with only 6 faders and knobs and it works fine with reason and fruity in my test.

[evolancer900]

@TornTech i use it with fruity loops sometimes and with the fpc, this MPD turns into a MPC super dope man.

[2chromedout]

@TornTech im saving up for one but it works great with fl studio. and its easy to use

[KokainHipHop]

@TornTech its okay for your first tries of making beats, but nothing I would recomend in a long term. Im just using FL tro try to find "my sound", and what i enjoy making. you will get much more props by producing beats with this dont worry just because its difficult in the beginning, you will get a grip on it sooner or later :) there are also alot of videos on youtube that you may find helpful if u wonder. and by just making beats on this instead of FL make them much more attractive

[MiK1ng]

@KokainHipHop Thankyou for your comment everybody elses comment seems to be all negative, but i guess people take in what they want to hear /=. Any ways check out my beats and tell me if this would come in handy for me.

[Talez1982]

@TornTech i got this one for 2 days... yeahh its complicated... i uses fl studio to make beats but with the mpd32 i use reason its a way easier and you can recycle tracks so that you can use your own sample

[TheFahnestockEffect]

@TornTech Just YouTube tutorials on it.

[dead0ne69]

@TornTech i dont use FL studio with this but i do use ableton live and its a lot simpler than it looks. i know people who use FL with the MPD32 and they are VERY satisfied for what they paid. i got mine for like 195 off amazon.

[DjLaikal]

@TornTech you'll learn it extremely fast. its really not that hard. I use that daw too, it works fine with it ;)

[kipkipful]

@TornTech no one answered you but you have a top comment

[wrathallll]

@TornTech it easy as pie dude!!

[SilverBeatzProd]

@TornTech it is the easiest thing. you can use this in fpc in flstudio and it works perfect

[LifeAbsolute]

Great Review, nice job!

[SnurferDoody86]

The pads are fantastic, if you turn the full sound on then you barely have to tap them...

[Plumpynuter]

I have one and the pads are great

[KidQualityMusic]

@Plumpynuter

hey so is this just like a MPC because i cannot afford a mpc and i have been looking for a subtitute

[124reppin]

@Plumpynuter - hey uhhmmn...how much is it?? n is it possible to make southern beats with this thing??

[atmosferaasi]

The pads are terrible. You have to basically slam on them to get sound out. This is due to an air pocket underneath the rubber padding.

[DJJamesHighton]

can you assign all pads knobs etc to traktor? for eg use the pads for play pause cue?

[monyetbesar]

yes.

why not, its all midi so it should do the job :).

[PimpSlappaz]

is it usb?

[NumarkVideo]

Yes, it's USB.

[holycrapyousuck]

Can you use the buttons as controllers while Time Division is on?

[czerwoneguitary1990]

yo wiggas, yall keep da shizzle cumin, coz first and foremost yall get their ears, then yall get their hearts, and thats da way we do it in da hood, wid da mpd32, ya get me, respect g's

[vuur150]

chav

[DjJampos]

Been using one for a few months now. Lovin' it.

[YoungCheriff]

ordered 3 days ago, i'm expecting today...btw nice review

[NovemberRain1107]

When are we gonna get lit pads so we can group samples.

[gombie]

This seems like something i've been waiting for.. The price seems ok too.

[trggerfingor]

im so getting one. nice vid guys....

[gesc1200]

Thank you, very well done.

[joeycarr333]

i have this akai mpd32 i advise to save to get a Real Mpc!!

[Maxsdiscos]

Quite nice I suppose

[PhiberCell]

Best video on this hardware yet.

Very noce