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Akai Professional MPD218 USB Pad Controller

BH #AKMPD218 • MFR #MPD218
Akai Professional MPD218 USB Pad Controller
Key Features
  • 16 x Thick Fat Backlit MPC Pads
  • 6 x Assignable 360° Potentiometers
  • Note-Repeat Button
  • Full-Level Mode
The MPD218 by Akai Professional is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller which brings the feel of classic MPC beat-making to producers, programmers, musicians and DJs, in a lightweight and compact package.
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Akai Professional MPD218 Overview

The MPD218 by Akai Professional is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller which brings the feel of classic MPC beat-making to producers, programmers, musicians and DJs, in a lightweight and compact package.

Sixteen ultra-sensitive Thick Fat backlit MPC pads are used to trigger drum hits and other samples in your software or external MIDI sound module, and are pressure- and velocity-sensitive, for a responsive feel and intuitive playing. You can switch between three pad banks to control up to 48 samples.

The MPD218 features 3 banks of 6 assignable 360° potentiometers which send continuous controller messages to the software for up to 18 parameters. The controller incorporates some of the MPC's most popular functions such as a Note-Repeat button and Full-Level mode.

The unit is bus-powered and class-compliant with Mac and Windows, and is iOS-compatible via Apple's Camera Connection kit (available separately). It comes with a comprehensive software bundle which includes Ableton Live Lite, Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Sonivox Big Bang Cinematic Percussion & Big Bang Universal Drums, and Software Preset Editor.

  • 16 x ultra-sensitive Thick Fat backlit MPC pads
  • Switch between three pad banks to control up to 48 samples
  • 6 x assignable 360° potentiometers send continuous controller messages to your software or external MIDI device
  • Control-Bank button to select one of three banks of potentiometers and control up to 18 parameters
  • Program-Select button to recall pre-mapped layout of pads
  • Note-Repeat button to retrigger pad at a rate based on the current tempo and time-division settings
  • Full-Level mode causes pads to always play at a maximum velocity no matter how hard or soft you hit them
  • 16 configurable presets
  • iOS-compatible with Apple’s Camera Connection kit (sold separately)
  • MIDI information is sent over plug-and-play USB interface for use with Mac or Windows
  • USB powered, no AC adapter required
  • Kensington lock slot to secure unit to a table or surface
  • Included software: Ableton Live Lite, Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Sonivox Big Bang Cinematic Percussion & Big Bang Universal Drums, and Software Preset Editor

 

UPC: 694318016930

Akai Professional MPD218 Specs

Pads16 x velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads, red-backlit
3 x banks accessible via Pad Bank button
Controls6 x 360° assignable potentiometers
3 x banks accessible via Control Bank button
ConnectionsUSB port
Kensington lock
System RequirementsMac:

1.25 GHz G4/G5 or faster (Intel Mac recommended)

1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)

Mac OS X 10.4.11 (10.5 or later recommended)


Windows:

1.5 GHz Pentium 4 Celeron-compatible CPU or faster (multicore CPU recommended)

1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)

Windows 8, 7,  Vista, or  XP

Windows-compatible sound card (ASIO driver support recommended, QuickTime recommended)

 

Power SourceUSB bus-powered
Dimensions9.4 x 7.9 x 1.6" / 23.9 x 20.1 x 4.1 cm
Weight1.65 lb / 0.57 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight2.2 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)11.6 x 10 x 3.25"

Akai Professional MPD218 Reviews

Love this!

By Don
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-22

I work part time at a nonprofit working with handicapped individuals. I started a music program about 5 years ago and since then I have been trying different ways of reaching them with music. This product is perfect on so many levels. First when an individual has limited hand ability, this offers the perfect solution to trigger sounds. I also like the pads lighting up to give positive reinforcement to keep playing. The software that came with it is off the chain, however it was very hard to learn, still trying to learn it, but it's very powerful. I'm talking about MPC Beats, not Ableton. I look forward to seeing them use this all the time in our music classes.

Great product.

By Robert
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2017-10-30

Well built and so much fun to use.

Amazing and the Best Price

By DJ TeeOh
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2016-03-07

I couldn't wait for this to arrive. B&H kept me informed every step of the way. It arrived fast and packaged well. Since I got it, I've been on it every day! Very easy to use, quality built, very responsive, and works excellent with all my programs.

Pretty Fun!

By Kevin
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-08-02

Great entry-level drum pad! The pads are very sensitive, so you just got to make sure you don't hit them too hard if you don't want any double triggering.

Pretty good controller I guess, haven't used any others

By Gordon
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2019-10-23

This controller seems to work pretty good except for the occasional false triggers that people talk about, I haven't tried to fix it loosening the screws on the back yet. I haven't really learned how to use it yet, but it seems pretty good for an entry level pad.

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do you guys know what platform i use for my pad ...

do you guys know what platform i use for my pad controller?
Asked by: jordan
Hi, I'll be glad to assist! The Akai Professional MPD218 is a class-compatible controller and will be recognized without a driver on Windows or Mac OS. It is compatible with almost any digital audio workstation, but it may require manual MIDI mapping for specific controls inside of the digital audio workstation.
Answered by: ION AUDIO
Date published: 2020-06-08

question

are there going to be any more stocked ? if so when
Asked by: Quinton W.
Please email us at [email protected]<a href= http://bhphoto.com target= _blank >bhphoto.com</a> for assistance with your inquiry.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-26

does it have to be a mac book or can it be any ...

does it have to be a mac book or can it be any computer?
Asked by: jordan
Hi, I'll be glad to assist! The Akai Professional MPD218 is a class-compatible device, so the hardware is plug-and-play on either a Windows or Mac operating system. The operating system compatibility for the included software will vary.
Answered by: ION AUDIO
Date published: 2020-05-26

do we have to use a mac book or can it be any ...

do we have to use a mac book or can it be any computer?
Asked by: jordan
No, you are not limited to using a MacBook and can use any computer that has a compatible Mac or Windows based operating system.
Answered by: Lisa
Date published: 2020-10-18

question

Can I use this item alongside fl studio?
Asked by: Diego G.
Yes.
Answered by: Robert M.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

My son is interested in make his own music. Is this a good place to start?
Asked by: Anonymous
Hi, thanks for asking!The MPD218 is a great way to get introduced with music making, especially if geared towards any hip-hop or electronic music production, while still being useful for seasoned veterans. It includes introductory software that is great to get started with but is not necessary to use with the device in the long run.
Answered by: inMusic Support Alto Expert
Date published: 2019-06-09

question

Do you I need a computer to use it
Asked by: Brian T.
Yes. The MPD218 is a MIDI controller and doesn't have any built-in sounds. You will need to connect it to a computer in order for it to work.
Answered by: inMusic Support Alto Expert
Date published: 2019-06-09

question

hello. i would like to add akai pad controller to my dj set. can i use it to set hot cue point, set samples to it, other than it being a drum machine. what software do i use? can i use it with serato dj like novation dicer? bare with with me the question, lol
Asked by: Felix A.
Hi, Thanks for asking!Yes, you can use the editor to assign CC values to the pads and then use MIDI learn in Serato to map to sample triggers and other functions.
Answered by: inMusic Support Alto Expert
Date published: 2019-06-09
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