Akai MPD 32 Review and Comparison

After upgrading to the Akai MPD32, I decided to give a small review. This is not an instructional video, but helpful things to consider if you are trying to decide on a drum pad midi controller. www.silkwolf.com Please visit and subscribe to / djsilkwolf for all of my videos from this point on.

[@damondarkwalker]

Really appreciate this, man. I'm in the market for a new piece of gear and I was looking for some real reviews of this piece. peace

[@6thCreated]

hey thanks for this I was planning on buying a mpd 24, but I just found out this is out so I might now get this based on the review.

[@stompymusic]

nice one man, cheers for the review

[@uptightkid]

Cool vid, nicely done. One question, you mentioned quantize, note repeat and note division. Does the MPD have it's own midi clock which synches as the master with your daw?

[@Fraeg]

thanks for the feedback

Ordered one last week and should get it on my hands any minute now :) Anyway I liked your review and especially the track that started in the end, could you tell me what it is?? Thanks!

[@nurudinS]

i managed to map my MPD26 to traktor and i've used it live a couple of times. so i'm pretty sure you can map the MPD32 to traktor as well. not too sure if it'll work with serato/virtual dj/etc.

[@ChrisBrooker]

First off: excellent review. Second: have you compared the sensitivity/playability to any other controllers like the triggerfinger/padkontrol/mpd24? I hear the padkontrol is reeeeally sensitive but I'm not sure if people bashed the sensitivity of the mpd line because they just didn't know you could adjust it or what. Any opinions?

[@WouterVandenneucker]

@han549 I'm not sure but as far as I know it has midi out.. so yes..

[@tommyamaro]

Can I please be directed to a more specific comparison between mpd32 & the trigger finger?

[@bratharick702]

thanks Bra very helpful info...

[@hazzhall88]

Hey man, nice vid. Would you recommend getting one of these and a normal keyboard controller or just getting an mpk49 for use in logic and reason? cheers man

[@despondentbosco]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@ChrisBrooker]

I have owned both and kept the HS80M, more accurate, but not as much low end as the Rokits =) Keep in mind though I did get the first run of the Rokit8's so I'm not sure if they changed them at all.

[@aleeninwonderland]

Hi, Thanks for the review, I'm currently wondering which MIDI controller to choose. I see you have an Axiom keyboard, there are drum pads too on it how are they compared to the MPD ones ? (sensitivity etc...) One last question, I really loves the groove starting at the end of your video, what is it ? Aleen

[@NatsaBes]

A few questions. What kind of desk is that and what kind of speakers are those? I love your setup.

[@Revelator72]

Blackdot50, there's many ways to tackle your problem in Reason 4. The simplest is to load 16 samples or hits in the NN19 or NNXT and set the polyphony to 1. This will mimic how an MPC cuts off the previously triggered pad. If you don't know how to keymap samples in these devices check the manual, it's easy to understand and is well worth the time. If you don't mind only 10 pads, use the length knob in the Redrum channels. Hope this helps.

[@mrpower328]

I just bought one and I was wondering whats the best software to use with this machine. Also how do I get the MPD to work with the software?

[@auditoryocular]

well said ... what software are you running and what platform are you on ?

[@devildogtone]

@DOKTOR242 Looked into getting a trigger finger. It's not compatible with windows 7 and has been discontinued...

[@Fraeg]

next question would having Akai Professional APC40 make the need for this redundant?

[@RIDICULOUSWHIPS]

what about the AKAI MPC4000? and uno in the song 'one by swedish house mafia' what is he using in that mayn? im just starting and i want to make all kind of beats, but fresh, with NO loops, i want to do it all myself. I do have riddum bcoz ive been playin the drums years, so im not a complete tard with no riddum :) i want to start producin bcoz i feel drums are boring me now. also i have a macbook pro i7 processor, and does sound sick, so will i really need to get that sound card you got?thanks.

[@--waffle-]

@sdjacobus is 'DOKTOR242' saying the pads are better trigger finger / pad kontrol? how do the pads all compare with each other??

[@DuDe1040]

what do you think its better akai mpd 18 or two of akai lpd8 plz response i need to order soon...ty in advance

[@Harmonyengine]

hey dude, i'm looking for a great midi controller with which to perform live. i create soundscape-esque ambient beat music as well as just straight hip-hop, have you used the 32 in this context? i'm really diggin' your tunes as well, big ups man! lack

[@holsdpuffnstuff]

Question. I notice when i use my Trigger finger and i have a chopped sample thats more than 16 chops. i can only use 16 chops period. You know how on like 25 key midi keyboards u can move the octaves to go higher and lower by just pressing octave buttons. Can u do that with the mpd32 so i can actually use more than 16 chops. Let me know. peace

[@tcw00]

what would you recommend, this or the korg PadKontrol?

[@idjunique]

Sweet! dooes it hook up to your pc with a USB? or how do you have it connected? and also does it have phantom power for the mic unputs?

[@UTSONUT]

thanks for the review man def.v.useful! i will use roland rd 700gx (digital piano + USB device) as my midi controller how would u rate the akai mpd 32 with mpk 49 with novation Remote 61SL with the M audio axiom axiom is cheapest but its pads are NOT velocity and pressure sensitive - they can be assigned as either or mpk i hear is a bitch to program novation is sick apparently with the automap feature any advice for me interms a good midi controller (with keys)

[@prospectnyc]

Will the MPD32 fit in a turntable case? Is it bigger or smaller than your turntable?

[@Delano876]

hey I currently have the mpd24 can I use it to perform live with my music or do I have to get the mpd32 due to the extra features on it ?

[@realgallis]

@cMaXeJIJIo can you hook up the mpd24 to a turn table without any software.

[@mdshipman1991]

i was looking in to the mpd 32 or the mpd 26 with the mpk mini and i cant decide which to go with because the 32 will cost about the same as the 24 and mini i want the mini to run with Schwarzenegor and little brother patches in ableton live but im not sure if the extra gear on the 32 is worth it because i can only purchase either or at this time can anyone help me out?

[@UTSONUT]

i last question for you man does this work/integrate well with Logic 8? thanks , i appreciate your advice

[@johncocktosensen]

Hey man, I'm trying to decide on a MPD32 to use with Live 8. Are you still having headaches? Would you recommend it? I've considered a mpc, but I use Live so much that I was hoping to hit two birds with one stone. thx

[@skaternoa26]

@mixxinmel well obviously its not levitating but it kinda looks like it.

[@poklar]

What is the song playing in the background?

[@Fraeg]

did you try the korg padkontrol? i am at a tossup btwn the two.

[@javi987]

CAN I UPLOAD SOUND TO THIS ITEM_

[@hupo]

Hey man can you tell me where you got that desk? Its exactly what I want.

[@idjunique]

What kind of mixing console is that next to your laptop?

[@QuestEyez]

Thanx, good info...

[@bensayswords]

adjustable sensitivity..?

[@netradioheyu]

How does it compare to mpc2kxl

[@Snukk91]

Where did you get the MPD from and how much???

[@han549]

can u use it withou a computer??

[@chico42O]

how much did it cost??and where??

[@monyetbesar]

Is that an Ikea Galant desk?

[@skaternoa26]

is that labtop levitating?

[@tcr333]

You don't really need a keyboard connected directly to the mpd becuase you can connect it directly to your pc/mac.

[@holsdpuffnstuff]

Damn.... i don't know whhhhhhhy they didnt do that with these trigger fingers. looks like im gunna have to go out and get me one of these mpd 32s. thanks for the info dude! peace!

[@Grendizer0ne]

wich soundcard do you use?

[@NotTheLarryDavid]

what's the song?

[@circuitslave]

Good deal. I'm lookin' to get one as well and would like to see one in action---that lame AKAI demo video doesn't do it justice.

[@YEE941]

Nice Review 5/5

[@firehandszarb]

dont understand why people want soft pads. real hand drums tend to have really hard playing surfaces (bongos are like slapping a sheet of glass, you need technique to avoid hurting yourself). triggerfinger pads are quite firm. how is the mpd for performing percussion parts?

[@djskizmarkey]

i got a pk,they are awesome,,

[@dylanyousob]

@DOKTOR242 and what makes them better then bud

[@User78813]

@sdjacobus No really. How?

[@hupo]

Thank you.

[@NotTheLarryDavid]

exactly, thanks :)

[@NewSocialNetwork]

@DOKTOR242 True. If you want Faders... MOTOFADE! Beringer has a cheap Masteringsuite

[@prospectnyc]

That's more stuff than I'll ever use. Sure looks awesome though.

[@cMaXeJIJIo]

@sdjacobus Yeah, exactly! That`s what midi controllers are for lol! I`m looking for programmable buttons+transport controls + drum pads. I`m into metal and stuff, basically I`m a one-man orchestra lol and I have to have separate controllers for bass and drums(and dedicated sequencer controls). For bass I`m using a keyboard and looking forward to purchasing a controller with drum pads. I mean, that`s what decides the level of "coolness" of a midi device-the number of programmable controllers! xD

[@AJlurksnyc]

that laptop is levitating...

[@kountouGR]

how is your last name ?

[@--waffle-]

@sdjacobus good review dude. im getting 1!!!

[@Case_0ne]

mpd is compatible with any software,mpc500 is not to easy to use for chopping

[@ubentu]

lol, I just skipped by clicking alternatively... I got midi stuff here, mix, try your own, and the end splash, it looks aight.

[@circuitslave]

Although I appreciate your review because this thing just came out, maybe you could have went in depth with more hands-on giving some examples, you know open up a live set and assign some drum sounds and use the knobs and buttons for example. Just a suggestion : )

[@ags911]

that looks like an m-audio (25 key)

[@jordano81]

you make the comment that they are the same pads as MPC1000.... this is not true, they are the same as MPC2000 and above!

[@xvfawlz]

cool hair bro

[@uptightkid]

Sounds great.....in theory. The pads on the midi controllers are pretty whack compared to real drum machines though. Synching with a DAW will still be hassle (just like it is with a real MPC).

[@BrodriKDaKid]

DGK ALL DAY

[@cMaXeJIJIo]

Don`t be fooled into thinking that this is a bad piece of equipment because the software for programming buttons blows. As with any decent MIDI device you can always program it directly. It takes a little patience to get a hold of all the MIDI messages, their types etc etc, but once you get it-it`s a piece of cake, basically. I have a keyboard and I don`t even use the software that came with it. It`s non-essential to the full functionality of a controller, so to speak.

[@IsNull0rEmpty]

@SwitchedProjex Skrillex does.. its lame

[@DynamicInterplay]

Excellent review for the most part, but your tone of voice makes it sound like you are about to fall asleep.

[@BillyBatsonMarvel]

Slammin! Background noise. =-)

[@itsfuckinavery]

oh yeah? well i'm getting 2

[@tinychamberz]

they CANT be the same pads as on the 1000...the 1000 got 3/4 pads...every mpd got 4/4 pads!

[@jonesboy35757]

You know you wrong for that one lol!

[@x4disaster]

LOL LABTOP