Akai Professional Announces MPD Series MIDI Pad Controllers

Akai Professional has unveiled its new MPD Series of pad controllers.

The new line is the product of six years customer research and user feedback, resulting in what Akai Professional describes as the most capable and user-friendly line of pad controllers that the company has developed to date. Consisting of the MPD218, MPD226, and MPD232, the MPD Series features ultra sensitive Thick Fat MPC pads that boast an amazingly responsive user interaction. Each is also equipped with an expanded control set to maximize the sounds and effects available to user, and each boasts iOS compatability (with the Camera Connection Kit) and over $400 of free software (Big Band Drums + Big Bang Cinema from Sonivox, Ableton Live Lite, and Software Present Editor).

The new controllers build upon Akai Pro’s previous MPD18, MPD26, and MPD32 and introduce greatly enhanced control capability to further support artist’s creative endeavors.

The full product details for each is below.

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