#17 in Computer recording MIDI controllers
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Reddit mentions of AKAI Professional MPD218 | 16-Pad USB/MIDI Controller With MPC Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs, Production Software Included
Sentiment score: 3
Reddit mentions: 4
We found 4 Reddit mentions of AKAI Professional MPD218 | 16-Pad USB/MIDI Controller With MPC Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs, Production Software Included. Here are the top ones.
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Beat Production, Anywhere - Ultra-portable, feature-packed and USB powered pad controller with 16 thick fat MPC pads for triggering drums, melodic samples, effects and moreExpandable Banks - Easily accessible dedicated controls for three pad banks provides a total of 48 assignable padsAssignable Control - 18 fully assignable 360-Degree potentiometers accessible via three banks for controlling DAW, virtual effect and virtual instrument parametersFeature Packed - MPC note repeat and full level controls for immersive expressive performancesComprehensive Software Suite Included - Ableton Live Lite, Sonivox Big Bang cinematic percussion and Big Bang universal drumsThe MPC Production Experience - Includes MPC Beats Software complete with the finest features and essential production tools from the Akai Professional MPC SeriesiOS Connectivity Covered - Control your iOS apps and open up a world of pad control capability using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
Specs:
| Color | Red LED Pads |
| Height | 2 Inches |
| Length | 10 Inches |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Size | MPD218 |
| Weight | 2 Pounds |
| Width | 8 Inches |
This is dependent on what type of beats you'll be making, but consider doing some research and getting a three piece mic set for your drums (kick, snare, hats/cymbal) as well as an interface with enough mic inputs. Based on a couple reviews of those monitor speakers, I might go for something wired and a little more conventional amongst home producers. Apparently the low end on those struggle a little bit, which means you'll be overcompensating your low end and probably fucking up your mix. If it's what you want, though, after awhile you'll learn the speakers and know what to adjust in terms of mixing. To be honest, with your headphones you can wait a little bit on the monitors unless you really want them.
Edit: I just noticed the types of beats you'd be making in your initial post. If you can swing the money I think you would enjoy getting some mics on your drums. Also, I owned the MPK Mini II for awhile when I first started and always wanted the extra 8 pads. I drummed for about a decade before I started making beats, and I think you, as a drummer with the sampled based music you want to make, would agree.
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If I were you I'd get the MPD218: https://www.amazon.com/Akai-Professional-MPD218-Controller-Software/dp/B0116X17JW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QREITWBNB2P3&keywords=mpd218&qid=1574714057&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=mpd%2Cmi%2C156&sr=1-1
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and the LPK25: https://www.amazon.com/Akai-Professional-LPK25-Ultra-Portable-Controller/dp/B002M8GBDI
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It would essentially be the same thing with 8 extra pads, without the thumbstick modulator (which I don't think you'd be using a ton), at ~$40 more. You'd also be able to separate the pads and keys which is nice if you don't have a ton of extra desk space.
I will jump in and sayi f you want to get into producing I would highly recommend getting a 25 key midi keyboard. AKAI MPK Mini is a solid choice. If you want to used pads AKAI MPD218 is a good choice as pads on most midi keyboards are not ideal. Other than that, a DAW and some monitors is really all you need to start.
The akai mpd 218 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0116X17JW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_nnfQzb9XHH9DW
Bought it a little over a year ago. If you have a daw already, it's a really great drum pad
Well you've got a few options then.
If you want to start with an All-in-one, this controller has a keyboard and drum pads. It's $100. It'll get you started, but it'll leave some to be desired. The main issue is it only has 8 drum pads which I don't think is really enough.
Otherwise, I'm a big fan of this midi keyboard. I use it a lot when I'm on the go. You'd then want to get a drum pad as well, I'd recommend this or this. I'm partial to the Akai, I'm big fan of their more inexpensive drum pads over the Korgs, but with the Xkey there, too, you're looking at $200 which is the max you've got for your budget. So XKey+Korg is about $160.