AKAI MPD218 / MPD-218 QUICK LOOK & MINI REVIEW
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- Опубліковано 1 сер 2015
- Thanks for stopping by and watching my video!
As some of you asked about the velocity sensitivity, I’ve uploaded a short video to show what I can achieve in Cubase here:
• Akai MPD218 Pad Veloci...
Also, with me having to record the video on my DSLR and the audio on my computer, the end of this video went out of sync slightly, so I uploaded it again here:
ua-cam.com/video/5m6KD9Qb5WEh/v-deo.htmlttps://y...
Background music composed by me. :)
For those of you who would like to see a short demo I made of the pad sensitivity/velocity recorded in Cubase, please click here : ua-cam.com/video/OmV2bBxpd7Q/v-deo.html#t=20 Hope that helps! :)
+Krishee Lalbahadoor Hi there, thanks for your comment! My DAW is Cubase 8 and the sounds are coming from Battery 4 and Kontakt 80's Drummer patches...all sounds can be found in Native Instrument Komplete 10 Ultimate bundle. Hope that helps :)
1MusicalSoul chi sunk, Enid Dunn fun duck Fu č do chunk hmm, p
Hi , I've got a problem with MPD 218. One button doesn't have another sample. It's the same on PAD12 and PAD8.. I don't know why.
Programm doesn't recognize PAD12 and PAD8 like two different buttons...I'm using MPC Essentials. Please help.
@@1MusicalSoul Can you teach me how to make good music i have akai but i dont know how to make good music Can you make a Tutorial?
Can i use it by trial and trust? Is it just for profesional producers?
“Sorry still learning...”
*crushes it*
I mean it's quantized, but yeah he did a good job i'm sure.
she
“Sorry still learning.”
*proceeds to rip out a full drum kit groove on mpc*
Haha...it took about a hundred takes to get that one... ;)
Nice beat at the end
Thank you! :)
Short sweet and to the point💥 well done doc! Killed the beat at the end too👍🏽
This is a great review! No unnecessary information, well structured and to the point!
Thank you so much!! I'm so pleased you liked it! :)
I just got one. It's totally worth the money. Works really well with korg gadget.
Great! You won't regret it :) I've had mine for over a year and it's still my go-to set of pads! Amazing value for money!
the cHroNic nOize co. Me too. But I do not know how to use it.
Is this a good one for me to purchase? I need one that’s professional level, not a kiddy one, if you know what I mean.
Does it need midi input?
cabbage no, usb.
A clear and sincere review. Well done!
+Zillion Thanks so much! I really appreciate your feedback! :)
Probably one of the best reviews I've ever seen without a VO! Nice one mate, thanks!
Wow! Thanks so much! :)
Wow! Thanks so much! :)
Great review! Everything I needed to know plus it was very well made. Thanks!
Thank you! I'm so happy it helped you in some way :)
Finally someone that shows the note repeat function. Thank you.
No problem! Hope it helped! :)
cette vidéo est exceptionnelle
This video is amazing. Simple, short, relevant
Thanks!! :)
This Video Is SO Helpful!
I’m so happy it helped! :)
I freaking love you already for the opening music!!!
I open everything to The Legend of Zelda's chest opening sound...even envelopes :D
Thank you so much! Great review.
That beat at the end was pretty sick. Nice job.
+CaliCristian510 Thank you! :)
Love the Zelda treasure find sound bite at the beginning!
It plays in my head every time I open a box .... ;)
Thanks for the wonderful support, likes and comments guys and girls! I'm so pleased this video helps in some way! :)
Thank you very much for this very useful demo 👌
Aw, thanks! :)
Merci !
I. Must. Have. THIS!! Great demo. Thanks for sharing :)
Haha! You won't regret it - I've had mine coming up to 18 months and still loved it! :)
Awesome review man!! I want a MPD218 right now.
+David Zapata Thanks for your comment :) It';s a great little controller and has opened up my creativity so much!! I highly recommend it!
thanks for the vid! just got the 226 and love it :)
Andrew Song No problem :) Glad you're enjoying your controller too!
Andrew Song Yop ! I want 226 too ! It is really good or not ? What's your impressions ? :P
Love This! 😻💖
Thank you!! :)
Nice review! I'm gonna cop this asap
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it :)
Great review. Thanks
Thank you! :)
Simple and useful! Thanks!
No problem! Thank you! :)
Fire vid.
Is there something like 16 levels?. I have mkp 249 and there is.
Will it work in garage band to control the drums
Hi can this machine do stand alone if program some drum loop inside and use for live performance without plugging it into com?
Hii :) Sadly not. The MPD 218 is just a midi controller and can't make or store any sounds. It needs to be plugged into your PC/Mac via USB to trigger sounds in your daw. I think Akai make a drum sampler that might be able to do that though...might be worth checking their website? Hope that helps! :)
Thinking about switching out my MPD 32 with this. I literally have to smash the pads to get a response
Super
Thanks :D
is it possible to change the note on pad using the machine or do i need the software at any cost?
Sorry for the late reply! There is some free editing software that you can download from Akai which allows you set up your own templates (and decide which notes the pads trigger) and you can save this to the MPD218 memory. Here’s the link in case you want to take a look :) www.akaipro.com/mpd218
THANK YOU!I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT HAS ACTUAL DRUM SOUNDS.
Great video. A very brief but human mini-review :D
Thank you! :)
Good information and performance, thanks
Thank you! :)
This might be a dumb question but could you it like a sound sample pad drummers use?
Hello :) Not dumb at all! It doesn’t actually have any sounds built in, but you can load virtually any sound into a software sampler in your music software (like Battery 4, or Kontakt) and use it to trigger the sounds. Hope that helps!
Very nice!
sir i like to ask u 1 question that in this rhtm box how to do the indian mass rthms...?
Hi, the MPD 218 doesn’t make any sounds by itself, but if you have some music software (such as Cubase, or Ableton) and load the drum sounds into an instrument (such as Battery 4), you’ll be able to trigger the sounds via midi by playing your rhythm using the MPD218 pads. Hope that helps :)
YooOooo Big Ups On The Intro first off all
Thanks! :D
great work
Thank you! :)
hey, so can I plug this to my DAW (Reason 10)? Thing is I connect to it through a USB interface and not sure I can connect 2 at the same time.
Hi, I have used the MPD 218 in earlier versions of Reason, so I’m sure it would work in more up to date versions :) Not sure about sending midi over the USB interface though, I’ve only ever plugged it straight into my PC. I’ll ask around and see if I can find out :)
Dose it still comes with Reason or is it still available the offer akai with reason essentials thx. One love
Hello :) Hmm, it’s a very long time since I purchased mine, and in the UK it came with Ableton Lite, MPC Essentials and some Sonnivox Drum Instruments....might be worth checking with your local retailer to see what the current packages are :)
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help! Good luck!
is it possible to sync samples to each pad and play a lo fi beat?????? if so plz let me know
Hi there. Yes, that's possible....in your DAW, just load your lo-if samples into your VST sample player (or whatever you're using) assign them to midi notes, then use the MPD218 to trigger them. Hope that helps.
Mine didn't come with the abelton thingy and I got this exact one
By any chance would you know is this controller compatible with mpc studio 2.2?
Hi, I’m sorry but I don’t have that software so I can’t be sure, but the MPD218 did come with MPC Essentials....so I guess it could? Maybe you’d be best to check with Akai before going ahead.
Sorry that I couldn’t help more. Good luck :)
Novation Launchkey MKII 49 Midi Keyboard midi is supporting or supporting not in window 10 plzz tell me about this
I'm sorry, I don't have that keyboard. Have you tried looking on Novation's website? I should imagine that their product page will have the spec for you to confirm :)
Great beats 😎✌️
how good you play!!!!
Like the intro.
That was really cool! I literally just started looking up drum pads and looping pedals to help me make music, your drum pad looks nice and sounds pretty good!
***** Thanks! The sounds I used here were being triggered in Native Instruments Battery 4 by the AKai MPD218. The midi controller does come with some great drum software though...SoniVox Big Bang and Orchestral Drums that you can use as a plugin in any DAW (including Ableton Live Lite that comes with the MPD218!!)
Nice video! Thank you :)
+Roberto Reale No problem! Thanks for the comment :)
Really good quality review
Thanks so much! :)
How did you get sound from yours, my Akai Mpd218 will not produce sound on the laptop.
Hi, do you mean sounds coming the unit itself? The sounds should be coming from your laptop speakers/headphones, depending on which instruments you have loaded in your DAW software on your laptop. The MPD218 acts like a midi keyboard, it doesn’t have any onboard sounds itself.
My setup is PC, but I have my MPD218 plugged in via USB, then I load Cubase and an instrument track such as Battery 4, then I set that track to receive midi from the MPD218. When I press the pads on the unit, it will then trigger the sounds in Battery 4 and send it through my audio interface to my speakers.
Hope that helps! :)
Coool!!!
I want to play other sounds from it not just drumscan I do this? I want to get one to effectively play synth sounds as I like the idea of a synth but I don't have piano training to play it well enough. I thought if I brought one of the then I could do it but I don't know if I can do that with the software the supply!? Every video only has drum sounds and if I were to join a band I don't want to take the job of the drummer I want to play the synth so if you know how this works I would love a response?! If I can I have other questions on the subject.
Hi there, thanks for your comment :) Sure, the MPD218 is a midi controller and sends midi messages just like a midi keyboard does so you can use it to control your software synths in your chosen DAW too! I hope that helps :)
Nice done
What do you use this in conjunction with? Can I produce this sample set without being connected to anything?
Hi. Unfortunately it doesn’t make sounds/record samples on its own. The MPD218 is simply a midi controller and needs to be connected to your Mac/PC to trigger the software instruments/samples you have loaded into your DAW of choice.
Personally, I use Cubase 10 Pro with Native Instruments Komplete 12 Ultimate Collectors Edition, but it will control literally any sound you tell it to via midi and some music software.
Hope that helps :)
love the intro
Thank you! :)
can it be used with logic or i have to use the software it came with ?
Hi there, I use it with Cubase to control Native Instruments VSTs with no issues. As it's just a midi controller, so long as your DAW supports it, you should be fine.
Onde q eu acho pra vender?
so is there a free software download for ur computer that has the diff sound effects? or do i need garage band?
Hi, yes, my package came with Ableton Live Lite and some drum vst software, but that was 3 years ago so it might be worth checking what the current bundles contain. :)
is there a button to loop sounds on the actual device?
Hi, sadly there isn't a loop button. You'd have to loop within your DAW software if you wanted to record in that way. Hope that helps :)
Thanks!
Yoshi ♡~ great video!
Tre Blodgett Thanks! ;)
how did you keep the highhat going when you werent pressing it anymore?
Hi there. I had Cubase set to loop recording mode so that you can layer sounds. Hope that helps! :)
I have a question can u use the mpd 218 without a computer. Will it work if u just plug the USB midi in a power source.
Unfortunately, the MPD218 both draws its power and sends midi data via the usb cable and needs to be plugged in to your pc/mac. I sometimes wish it did have another midi output so you could control hardware with it, but sadly it’s a software controller only. Hope that helps! :)
Grrreat video!👌👈👈👈👈🙌
Thank you! :)
Looks good. That was a nice song, have you done/uploaded more songs?
Thank you! :) I don't have anything online at the moment, but will be setting up a Soundcloud soon. I'll post the link in the description when I'm all set up. Thanks for asking!
So if this needs a Pc to play music with, is there something else that i can just grab and bring with me on the road to play? No pc or anything ty
Hi there, if you have an iPad, then I believe the MPD218 can be used with that if you have a compatible app. Other than that, there are a few drum/beat creation machines that come with sounds already loaded onto them but I'm afraid I don't know anything about them so wouldn't be able to recommend one in particular....but they definitely exist, so I'm sure there's something out there for you!
Sorry I couldn't be of more help!
1MusicalSoul Oh ok thank you!!
Hi I am new to music production. I'm going to start soon & i was wondering is there a way I can adjust the volume on this when I use it? it seems to be pretty loud & I don't want to disturb the other people I live with when I am working on my projects. I don't think this comes with a headphone port
+Sonia Wright Hi there to a fellow female in the world of music production! You're going to love it :)
Sorry for my late reply...UA-cam didn't notify me of a comment on the video!
The MPD218 doesnt actually make any noise itself. It is a USB midi controller that sends midi data to software in your DAW on your Mac/PC. I use mine in Cubase and use it to control Native Instruments Battery 4 and software like that. The volume is controlled by your audio interface sending the output from your DAW to your speakers or headphones :) I hope that helps! If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask and I'll try and help! :)
+1MusicalSoul ok thanks for replying it helped me
Does it come with sounds on it? And we're does the sound come out of?
Hello, thanks for commenting. The MPD 218 doesn't actually have any sounds onboard as it's a midi controller. It sends midi data (how hard you hit the pad and which note you trigger) down the USB cable to the music software on your PC/MAC which then triggers the sounds you have loaded in your VST instrument. Hope that helps! :)
So you select that finger for testing the ultra responsiveness ... :D
Another Cubaser here! I have a old MPD16 and the response is a joke, painfully unpredictable!!! :( * I now have ordered a MPD218 and everyone including you say the response is great at least? The smooth rotaries I will have some use for as well! Looks like it's more inspiration than struggle this little box? I just can't wait to unbox this thing once it arrives from a large store in Germany ...
Great mini review me thinks while waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ...
I hope you have recovered from whatever it was by now?
Hello there fellow Cubaser! :) Thanks for your comment! Haha, I was so nervous recording myself...I didn't know what to do with my hands and fingers so I look a little awkward at times!! Yes, I find the response on the pads just about right for my playing style. Not too heavy, not too light...and the rotaries are really good and very accurate. (I made a quick video showing the kind of velocities you can get here: ua-cam.com/video/OmV2bBxpd7Q/v-deo.html) It just fits into my little home setup perfectly without issues. I actually had a Maschine Mikro MKII first but it did nothing but freeze and crash Cubase 8 and really got in the way of my workflow...plus, it was so pretty with its coloured lights I was afraid to play it..haha...the MPD218 on the other hand just gets the job done for me better.Let us know how you get on when it finally arrives!Kat :)
So does this have to be connected to a computer or a ‘brain’? I was looking at the Akai MPX8 and you can put samples onto an SD card and transport them to that. Is this the same?
Hello! Sadly the MPD 218 is just a midi controller so can only trigger sounds loaded into your DAW on your computer. It doesn't have the capability to save samples like the MPX8. Hope that helps!
Thx! I’m mainly looking for a sample pad I can use as a drum set on songs recorded at home, and to make it sound better than a drum machine.
Someone knows if the pads can be used to launch something recorded with another midi instrument and to play drum samples as the ones in the video at the same time?
Hi....If you’re using a software instrument that you load samples into (such as Battery or Kontakt), then you can set those samples to the same midi note to be triggered by your hardware. It would be something you set up with your chosen software. Hope that makes sense :)
@@1MusicalSoul is there any free software for the PC that can load samples onto the device? Just wanna try things out before deciding if I wanna get totally into this.
Your best bet would be to download a free trial of a DAW that has a drum/sample vsti (like Reason) or maybe the standalone version of Battery 4 by Native Instruments.
Samples can only be loaded into the software, and not the MPD218 itself, sadly.
all the sounds are of drums or you can put what you want? like conecting it to a piano or something
Hello there :) Yes, you can use it to trigger any sounds you like. It will control any VST in your audio program via midi - just like a midi keyboard can, but with pads instead. Hope that helps :)
hi. with this controller. can you only make drum noises?
Hi there. The MPD218 doesn't have any sounds loaded into it, it sends midi data just like a midi keyboard so you can use it to control any VST instrument in your DAW. Hope that helps! :)
How do you set up sounds on it?
Hi, sadly it can’t make sounds by itself. It acts like a midi keyboard does and controls/triggers sounds you have loaded into your music software. Hope that helps :)
perfect review
Thank you!! :)
1MusicalSoul would you be doing more reviews like this?
Hopefully :) It might not always be music gear, but I have a few things lined up for the coming months.
Zamolicu vas za naziv aplikacije koju bih trebao da instaliram i povezem isti uredjaj kao i vas...ako mi mozete reci kako se zove aplikacija.hvala
You brought my two loves (Zelda and production) together. Camera quality was great and so was the sound. You were extremely thorough as well for this only being a four minute video. And the beat you made at the end was really good! But do you have to hold down note repeat or is there a setting where you can just tap it and go?
+Dracula Wannaboogiedown Hi there. Thanks so much for the kind comment :) Unfortunately, you do have to hold down the note repeat button while holding down the pad you want the effect to be triggered on. There are no assignable buttons on the MPD218 (just the pads and knobs) but if I find a workaround that enables it to 'hold', I'll let you know. Interestingly, judging by the product images on Akai's website, ( www.akaipro.com/product/mpd226 ) it looks like the next model up, the MPD226, does indeed have this missing feature...although it might be worth downloading the manual and checking first :) Anyhow, thanks again...and, yep - love my Zelda, Nintendo and music production....even at the same time..(*embarrassingly admits to making remixes of Zelda tunes*) Have a great day!
You had me at Zelda reference ;)
Haha! I wasn't sure if anyone would notice ;D
Cool! :3
+Nelík Furtado Thanks! :)
how did you connect it
Hello, it connects (and is powered by) USB straight to your computer or laptop :)
Great video! Any thoughts on using this to control Groove Agent? Is it a good (functional) match? Many thanks.
Hi, sorry for the late reply - wanted to test it first! Having just had a play around I would say it works really well! The stock samples/kits seem to react well with the pad sensitivity and I had no problems with getting a good beat going. Hope that helps! :)
this look fun
+Pianist Anime It's great fun! :)
I wanna know how to change the beats on the pads. To something like a trap or "alternative pop" song
Sound* not song
Hi there. Do you mean the note repeat function? I'm not sure that you can change that on the MPD218. Perhaps there's a midi plugin or feature in your DAW that could provide the beat you're after?
great video
+steve Thanks you! :)
Can you assign any audio to the pads ?
Hi, you can't assign audio to the hardware directly, but as the MPD218 sends midi data, you can have it trigger any sound you have loaded into a sampler in your chosen DAW.
Hope that helps ! :)
Hey! I was just wondering if I can switch the sounds each sound pad makes! If you can respond that would be great!
Hi there! You can definitely choose which sound you assign to each pad-this would be something done in your DAW software and the VST instrument that you have your sounds loaded into. Switching sounds would also have to be handled by your DAW as sadly, the MPD218 doesn't have any free assignable buttons to add custom functions to. Sorry I can't be if more help! :)
Thank you so much for your relpy! I just got the mpd226 and need a software to run it on. Any recommendations?
No problem! In terms of DAW, then it really does depend on what kind of music you like to make and your budget! I personally use Cubase 8, mainly because I've used it for years and I know it inside out.....but when I first got into music making, I started with Reason. My MPD218 came bundled with a lite version of Ableton, so that's a good place to start....after that, you could demo the other DAWs on the market (Reason, Cubase, Reaper, Studio One, FL Studio) to see if there's one you prefer. Most companies offer affordable versions right through to more expensive pro versions.
As for instruments/sounds I tend to only use Battery 4, Kontakt and everything from Komplete 10U by Native Instruments, but also own synths by U-He and libraries by Heavyocity and Sonniccuture.
Hope that helps! :) Enjoy your new pad controller!
Thanks! Helps a lot and I'm looking forward to making music!
Hi ive been listenening to uk hip hop for a few years now and have started to write lyrics and would love to start making beats. My question is : whats the best beat pad for a beginner and do i need to buy a decent laptop and software to make beats or can i just buy a beat pad and create beats?
Hello there. Thanks for your comment! :)
I guess it really depends on your budget and how far you want to take things. As I'm sure you know, there are some all-in-one drum solutions where your sounds etc are already built in to the hardware....but to be honest, I've only had experience with midi drum controllers.
I prefer a midi controller as I can use it with all of my different software, plus, it's usually a cheaper route when starting out.
As for the best pad controller? I've only really tried three in my life. The Korg PadKontrol, the Maschine Mikro, and the Akai MPD218.
All three are great, and all offer different things, but if you're only interested in beats, then Maschine does come with some awesome sounds and DAW software right out of the box. The others need you to have a DAW already (eg Ableton, Cubase, Reason etc). Plus, you'll need to buy your sounds/drum VSTs and will be learning mixing too....which is all part of the fun :)
Personally, I am using the Akai MPD218, the Maschine Mikro, and Yamaha MOX6 midi keyboard/synth with an aging 5 year old PC running Cubase Pro 8.5. I have it loaded up with Native Instruments Komplete 10U, plus loads of plugins from U-He,Waves, Fabfilter etc...BUT....that PC is really starting to struggle nowadays. Software and effects plugins are getting more and more CPU and ram hungry, so your going to need to start with a reasonably fast laptop and an audio interface (I use a Focusrite Scarlett) so that you don't hit and performance problems.
I hope that helps. :)
1MusicalSoul thank you:) i guess ill get saving
One of the greatest reviews I've seen in the week.
I have been searching for reviews like this on many items, Thank You so Much!
I would recommend you use a front photo of the Akai for the main tour, that way you can avoid out of focus and the pan problems that could exist. Also the video tour works just to get a chance to see the "product" turning on every side, perhaps by rotating it with your hands rather than moving with camera.
Just an idea, hope I don't sound dicky.
Anyway, I really appreciated this.
One Question, you happen to know if the button lights can be set to be turned on, as "inverted" reaction ? I really have problems with my eyes , ha.
¡Gracias!
Wish you could make one on the Korg PadKontrol :P
Thanks for your feedback, I really appreciate it. :) To be honest, I’d never made a video before, and just wanted to get the basics down for people like me who were struggling to find reviews at the time...so I guess it’s a bit rough around the edges :D
Sadly, I’m not sure you can invert the lights, which would have been a great feature. I may be wrong though...perhaps it might be worth checking the Akai forums in case someone has found a way to do it?
The PadKontrol was pretty awesome ;) ..I kinda wish I still owned one, but I do love this little Akai, even after owning it for a few years I still adore its simplicity :)
Thanks again for your comment and feedback!
does the mpd218 come with sounds when u first open it?
Hi there, thanks for the comment. It does come with some drum VST instruments from Sonivox that you load onto your computer and control through the DAW of your choice. The MPD218 itself doesn't hold any sounds, but you can use it to send midi /trigger to any VST software just like a midi keyboard does. Hope that helps! :)
Thanks madam.
what has she connected it to? like her laptop or?... i know nothing about akais
Hi...I have the controller connected my my PC via USB, and use it to control sounds loaded into instruments in Cubase. Hope that helps :)
Where can I get your music playing at 0:16 it sounds so beautiful!
+asd Tekola Hello and thanks for the kind words....it's just some chillout music I made a few years back. I don't have it online at the moment but I'm setting up at Soundcloud account soon so stay tuned :)
When playing back an already recorded sequence the pads don't light up? like on the Maschine...?
+illCapBeats Hi there! Thanks for your comment. They don't light up on playback and I'm not sure if it's possible...there may be a way to send the midi data back to the unit depending on your software...I'm really not sure but I cant see why not, especially on the other models that have more midi inputs and outputs. It might be worth asking a quick question on the Akai forums here : community.akaipro.com/akai_professional I'm sure someone will know for sure on there. Sorry I can't answer your question but hope that helps! :)
Hey there, hoping to purchase this wonderful piece of hardware soon, but I gotta know two things, first off, what do the knobs do? Yes, I know they are assignable, but what would I assign to them? FX? Sounds? And secondly, how well does the included version of Ableton live work? And how are the included VST's?
Hi :) I guess it comes down to the software you're using, but I use the knobs for all sorts of things...mostly though, I use them for recording automation- like assigning one to the cutoff on a synth and sweeping the frequency, or sometimes assigning one to the pan or the volume parameters in my daw for fades or panning effects....even assigning one to the wet/dry knob on your effects to increase/decrease the intensity of the effect at a certain point for impact or variation. If your EQ plugin allows midi learn, I guess you could assign them to EQ nodes too! The possibilities are endless! :D
(By the way-the knobs on the MPD218 are amazing!! Really , really smooth and accurate.)
Unfortunately, I haven't used the Ableton Live software so I'm unable to be of much help with that. I've been on Cubase for too long, but the SonniVox drum VSTs that come with the pads are pretty good and certainly useable.
Hope that helps! :)
Where did u buy?