Modifying the Akai MPD to have much more responsive pads with a simple fix (pad sensitivity) MPK MPC

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/ dopamineoverload
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WARNING: Do this mod at your own risk! Take photos of the wire connections before you disconnect them. Be careful!
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Hot-rodding the MPD32 to make the pads respond a HELL of a lot better (similar to Korg PadKontrol which have, without question, the best-responding pads on a drum pad controller).
This video is for anyone who hates the response of their Akai MPD32 pads... but loves the MPD32 as a control surface. Now, I love both.
This mod can be done on the MPD18, MPD24, MPD32, and according to someone on the Ableton Live forums, also on the Akai MPK49 (and possibly the MPK61, MPK88, too?)
This mod works great, is easy to do... (it's a bit tedious and time-consuming... unscrewing, keeping the circuitboards from coming separated... they're basically attached at all times... just be careful)... and the response is unreal compared to the response when you first open the box.
Akai, FIX THIS DESIGN FLAW! It's the same issue with the newer MPC series! There are thousands of us out there who don't bang on our MPCs or MPDs like they're a real drumset! People like to tap lightly, and when we want to hit hard, we will.
Hope this helps some of you out there.. if I wind up buying an MPK61 in the future (which I may do), I will do the same mod and put up another video.
Good luck! And please don't hold me responsible if you screw up your MPD... I doubt you will, if you're careful.

[@applebutter4036]

So I realize this is 12 years old, but thanks man. Had a MPD18 sitting in the closet. Dusted it off, tried using it and instantly remembered why it ended up in the closet. Unusable. Found this video and gave it a try. Just night and day. The thing is actually useful now.

[@mnetiq]

Cool that you took the time to post this video. I just traded an MPD32 and when I started hitting the pads I thought they were defective. I was feeling ripped off and I was going to complain about. Now it works as I thought this thing should have done. I guess many people were so dissapointed when this thing was out back in its first days.

[@4iamu]

Finally found the time to sit down and perform this mod properly. I didn't want to use electrical tape, so I used some 1.5 - 2 mm neoprene one-side sticky tape that is used to keep things from sliding. This works great too and is fairly simple and quick to apply. Thanks so much for your advice and instructions on how to perform this mod. I was prepared to auction off this MPD 32, but now I will definitely keep her.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@corpsepaintmegatron]

Awesome, bought one a month or two ago and finally got round to playing around with it and have to agree with the pads. Can't wait to try this out, thanks!

[@justszpaq]

Just upgraded mine. Works great. Thanks buddy!

[@mosdef69]

wow thanks chris and rockhills soooooo much. This made the pads on my MPK49 actually useable now and I am so happy!

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@MrJixies]

Thank you for sharing this!!! This works like a dream! I always thought the pads were to unresponsive... I would never thought of this myself, so thanks again!!!

[@pitmeyers5228]

hey chris! thank you SOOOO much for your awesome tip - it took me only 30 minutes to do that taping on my mpd32 and it finally has the responsiveness i always expected!! thanks again! steve.

[@lenerd73]

this really helps me because im new to producing and i also have a padkontrol so i was trying to make the pads more sensative untill i saw this! I would have never thought of that! thanks

[@jhummelgaard9310]

Yeah thanks, just got a new mpd 226, surprised that no review mentioned this lack of sensitivity but with this trick I think it is still a good buy.

[@jheitman84]

I followed the steps with my MPD 32 and it works great....Thanks a million.

Did the mod today and works great. It was quite effortful task to do but well worth it! Thanks!

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@marsman6]

Just did the mod. Works like a charm. I highly recommened this mod to anyone who owns an mpd32. The hardest part is cutting and layering the electrical tape! thanks

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@Anthony210TX]

Update: I fixed the problem about 3 weeks ago. I am very pleased. Thanks for the tutorial bro!

[@ThePsyenzyme]

thanks chris awesome video ive just upgraded my mpd32 and now its 10000000% more responsive

[@mardijansen8717]

Great vid. Just finished.. and YES. Its not just a slight but MAJOR improvement. This is what i had in mind thinking of working on a drum computer.

[@DopamineOverload]

Glad you saw major improvement! Thankfully the newer MPDs all have improved pad sensitivity. Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@b.d.r.w.s.k]

thanks! the pads feel is so great now!

[@pumppuhaulikkomies]

i just modded MPD24... operation went perfectly. took me some time since i had 2 ragdolls jumping all over the mpd and playing with the screws. also my table lamp ate sh!t... ...lol. but honestly, this MPD is now like 5x better. seriously. thanks a lot 'chriscauldermusic'. you're the man! :)

[@execthegaming]

i'm so happy i found this video. can't wait to try it out on my mpk49. its drum pads were somewhat disappointing. hopefully this mod is the answer.

[@execthegaming]

this mod WAS the answer. It made my pads way more responsive. But that was 9 years ago, and since then, I've sold my mpk49 to a friend and bought an mpk249 which has MUCH better drum pads.

[@RegSkiNj]

this works so well. I modified my MPD32 a couple of weeks ago. I am thinking about opening it up to get extra sensitivity. I recommend this for anyone who owns a MPD32

[@MadjefMusic]

hey Chris, thanks for the support. glad to hear you chopping up some of my cd's. Just wanted to thank you for the help on the mod, it worked like a charm. madjef

[@squidskunk]

this is the only vid covering this mod....thanx fer posting it..!

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

Madjef - first off, I love your videos! Thanks for finding mine. You are the man. Secondly... if I owned a 49 or an MPK61, I would totally make a video about it. The good news is, where I initially posted news about this fix (on the Ableton Live forum: General section), several users have opened up their MPK49s and done the mod, and are extremely happy with it. I know it works. So give it a shot!

[@aejacobs101]

Thanks for the info. Have the same problem with the MPD 24.

[@tiffuhny]

This took some time but works like a beauty! Thanks!

[@bblaze11]

EXACTLY what i been lookin for... much appreciated!

[@beatmeater5225]

Old video but just fixed my mpk49 giving off ghost notes and found this. Definitely doing this. Super useful. Cheers, from the future :)

[@DopamineOverload]

Appreciate it. I know I've helped a lot of people with this. :) It does work pretty great. Good luck and be careful. Thanks!

[@beatmeater5225]

@@DopamineOverload Did it. It's much improved.

[@zwedanez]

Thanks for the tip. I was to chiken to even open the case but now my also works greate!

[@djalexrai]

You are my new hero man. For real. I bought one of these things specifically because it said it had MPC pads and it's been pretty much gathering dust ever since because it's easier to click beats into GURU than slam my aching fingers into the MPD. Works great now tho! :D

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DjTr3]

Thankyou very much! Me and my dad opened it up and did the tape. The pads are super sensitive now that they pretty much trigger just by simply touching the pad. Very Cool, useful video! Ya, i also recommend that you people remember how everything was connected since that was a problem for me, and a lot of Screws to deal with. Also, dont forget to take the Sliders off or the board wont come out!

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

That's one of the reasons I own a PK, Maschine, and two MPDs... haha. The MPDs features are great... the knobs, sliders, transport controls and the bank switching (plus the presets).. they're awesome as far as features go... oh, and I also own an MPKmini... I did the electrical tape mod with that today (it took a LONG time because I didn't want to block the LED light inside) but, it came out beautifully, as expected.

[@CrunkNationEnt]

Awesome VID! I'm gonna try this my MPK Mini! Thumbs up!

[@Dregarf]

I appreciate that last outburst to Akai - my sentiments exactly - you'd think with all their decades of experience and rich designer heritage - "Roger Linn" Drum Machine Creator that they'd have the best sensitivity pads in the industry. - nope - they suck ! Thanks for your Mod video. The best pad sensitivity of any drum machine in the world was the Linn 9000 - I lost my baby and I've been trying to get her sensitivity back ever since. Thanks. Maybe there's hope now.

[@DopamineOverload]

@Troglored Glad to be of service, man. Maybe Akai could throw me some dough.... I sure could use some extra right now.

[@thinwire]

I just wanna say thank you thank you thank you.. i saw your vid a while ago now and have finally got round to doing this mod today, and its soooooooo much better!! I bought the mpk49 just as it came out and instantly hated the pads (wasn't an expert on mpc pads but thought i could trust someone as established as Akai) How could they get this wrong?! Anyway... This has helped massively, and even the Sens/Vel settings respond better too. Ahhhh, now i can relax :)

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

Reason for living. I have loved them since 1986.

[@gamecat666]

just done on mpd32, works perfectly, thanks! Now to pop open my LPD8 and see if the same applies. (lpd8 doesnt even have a 'full level' option so thats even more tiring!)

[@kyledrums]

great tip. just got done doing this to my mpd sooooooooo much better

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@vmpasanen]

Great video. I think I'm gonna do the same thing to my MPD32.

[@Mundzilla]

Hey Man, Thanks for the sweet vid, got myself a MPK49 but I've been not happy with the pads & looking for a way to sort it. I'll be doing this for sure!

[@DopamineOverload]

Awesome. Yeah, they're not as good as the PadKontrol's out of the box, but it's nice having an all-in-one unit now. I use both. :) Glad to hear it worked great for you!

[@Glycenide]

You are a god! I did this exact recommended "upgrade' with the electrical tape method and response is great. Folks do not waste money in the kits as electrical tape works just fine.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thanks so much, glad you had some luck! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

I completely agree about all the tape. haha. That took forever. But it was worth it! So glad ALL you guys got it tweaked.... spread the word!

[@nathancoleman7921]

I looked every fricking where to find someone showing this. My Korg electribe 2 pads are fricking horribly stiff. Thanks for your time.

[@DopamineOverload]

Nathan Coleman no prob. Glad you found it helpful!

[@DopamineOverload]

Also, I recommend doing mods like this at your own risk... you'll void the warranty, no doubt. I know this works excellent with the Akai MPD series (especially the MKIs as the MK2 versions seemed to fix the sensitivity problem), but I can't guarantee how much it will improve an Electribe..... good luck (if you haven't done the mod yet!)

[@OneTwentyMN]

Is that a monome in the background? Dope! I got a 40h kit a few years ago. Big ups!

[@thinwire]

Thank you chriscauldermusic!!!!!! I bought an MPK49 just after they came out and thought i was going mad haven't not used these kinds of pads before. They feel awful! Akai what the hell are you doing?!?!!?!?!?!? You're customers shouldn't have to resort to opening your products up! Akai get ya act together.. you should employ this fella! He's got some good ideas

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@RegSkiNj]

Great video. Certainly thinking bout doing this myself.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@dkyx]

Looks good, I might attempt this on my MPK49.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

Oh, thanks! Just something dark and depressing I threw together for background music. Very simple. Thanks for digging it. :)

[@djcombo187]

Thanks man, dope mod!

[@DopamineOverload]

By the way, I own several of your loop libraries... including a couple Black Butta discs... great stuff man!

[@jaredwi1]

You rule! Thanks a lot for this great video!

[@DopamineOverload]

Excellent. A lot of people had luck with the 49, I'm sure the 61 is the same. :) Keep me posted!

[@DopamineOverload]

Hope you got that issue worked out... make sure the ribbon thing is connected, and make sure no wires or screws are missing... you might have just disconnected a ribbon or something ever so slightly... if you do, the LCD goes but if you re-connect tightly, it's a go. Best of luck.

[@DopamineOverload]

@MrJixies Anytime... thanks for watching!

[@g0tBlunt]

thanks for pointing this out, works like a charm :)

[@DopamineOverload]

Definitely stick with elec tape. It doesn't take that long. Oh, and I've found that 3 layers are best for the MPD18... 4 is usually the magic number for the 24 and 32.... I haven't put tape inside the 26, but I will try someday. I don't plan on buying an MPK any time soon... too damn expensive.

[@DopamineOverload]

I really prefer the feel of the PadKontrol in general... but as the person rudely pointed out below (and probably should have used better words to articulate his opinion), it doesn't really matter. What matters most is your ear, production skills, and having a great MC or singer.

[@noouch]

I also did this with the MPK mini, and have found that two layers of tape are enough. The feeling is much better than how it came from the factory. I do occasionally experience the pads "sticking" in the on position, which is a bit annoying.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@nachingal]

i was about to tell him same thing. they're awesome!

[@teldeebmel]

thanks for the vid man, i thought i was the only one with a busted mpd24!! this makes a lot of sense!!! but i got a question for ya...can i use any type of tape or just electrical tape? thanks a lot again...you made my day with this!

[@DopamineOverload]

Excellent advice. We should start a "tweaking pads" side business... buying MPD32s at cost, selling for the same retail price... people would flock to us for quality products.

[@DopamineOverload]

@N8Diver You're very welcome.

[@summ22]

@chriscauldermusic i've tried it with duct tape, it worked fine. 6 layers is good, 7 layers feels even better, but 1 or 2 pads may hang. the pads now trigger when i literally stroke them... great!

[@sertone777]

Nice vid man well done and well said ...Respect ....10

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

@fpfhoo For your needs, it sounds like Maschine would totally do the job. It's more expensive, and it's software-dependent (unlike an MPC)... but it's really powerful and it's so easy to chop samples. Watch some videos on how to use it... you'll be impressed. Native Instruments' website has a slew of videos showing the capabilities of Maschine. As far as a basic MIDI controller -- the Korg PadKontrol has the most responsive pads. It looks classy, very tweakable.

[@buckeyefan05]

Thanks for the tip man. I was wondering what solution was good enough to fix that problem.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

good to hear. :) you're welcome!

[@marsman6]

hmmm. Glad it wasn't just me who thought the pads were shit. I've had my mpd32 sitting in its box for the last 7 months thinking about selling it because of this issue. Might have to try this MOD out and see how it goes. Thanks for posting. Things like this make appreciate the internet! Might drop back and let everyone know how it goes. Peace

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@JuanFernandez-dg2bt]

You could also install the corks

[@DopamineOverload]

@fpfhoo Not sure if I fully understand what you mean. You can use Maschine in standalone or as a VST inside Logic. I just find Maschine's sample chopping totally intuitive for beatmaking/production... it's so friggin' easy. Mouseless workflow, really. Maschine's pads also are very responsive (as responsive as the PadKontrol's). Definitely watch some videos on it. :)

[@DopamineOverload]

@katmai539 hey man, just a simple loop and guitar note, pitched down... I chopped it up on my Korg PadKontrol and Ableton, and added a lot of reverb. Hope that helps!

[@hamsammich12]

WAKAI is right...I sent my MPK49 back in under warranty (not only did the pads suck, but they were damaged in shipping, and the 'broken' pads responded better than the others). When thes sent it back with the new pads...it was stiffer and less responsive than ever. I'm opening 'er up right now to fix this!!!

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

@imperialshalom Korg PadKontrol. It just works, the pads have perfect sensitivity. Good luck!

[@DopamineOverload]

Oddly yeah, the MPKmini does have decent pads... I still did the mod, though (today). Took a while... but worth it. Definitely do the tape mod on the MPD18. That is by far the easiest controller to disassemble and mod with. Go with three layers... that's the magic number for the MPD18. Four gives me ghost triggers and dead pads.

[@DopamineOverload]

If I had time, I would.... unfortunately I sold this one in the video to a friend. The second one I modified, I also sold on ebay recently. The PK is still the best response... but for all the extra stuff you get with the MPD32 (knobs, sliders, buttons and the pad banks) it comes really close.

[@BlackLookingGlass]

This is great! Could you please do a side by side comparison of the Padkontrol and this modified Mpd32?

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply! I have a video called Detailed review of PadKontrol MPD, etc. Search for it on my channel. It's from YEARS ago. Hope that helps. Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

Well, I've heard good things about the MPK61 which is a newer AKAI controller.... a lot of people say the pads are great right out of the box, which is good news. I don't know much about the MPD18... is that the newest one for around $99? I would say try it at a local store first before you buy it... better yet, if you're going to be spending $100 on a pad controller, buy a used PadKontrol on ebay... they can be had for around $120, even in great shape.

[@cMaXeJIJIo]

@chriscauldermusic No, I meant this as in putting somethin` like cork or something solid between the tape and the sensors-so it would not wear out as quickly as regular tape.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@Equalibeats]

@chriscauldermusic yes..it worked on the 24 too

[@chazzdee]

Dope video I'm gonna mod my 24 And the guy asking about when u hit a pad and the sample stops playing your getting that cuz that section of your drum controller is set to cut 1 by 1 turn that off and you should be good

[@TheMachify]

Men,I admire your dedication when decide to do this vid. i got two question that would be great if you can answer them, First, Do you know if this could be done in an MPD24? and second, what's the exactly thickness of the tape that you used? Thanks in advance

[@DopamineOverload]

I think it can work with the 24, 32, and certainly the MPD18, which I modified countless times. Standard electrical tape. Sorry for the late reply! Hope you've had some luck!

[@hustletv]

Great TIP. I will modify it a lil.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

@diego898 I'm sure it would... yep, that's what I did... 4 small squares of tape on top of each other. you got it..... good luck!

[@fawkthescene666]

@Kingaxel1 I have never dealt with AKAI but I would assume they check, in detail, if you may have taken the product apart - to make sure they arent wasting their own resources. Electric tape will leave a residue when peeled off, if its been there a while. Im pretty sure if they can tell you took it apart, the warranty will be considered void. And now days putting electric tape or cork on your mpc is so popular im sure the pads are the first place they check to see if its been tampered with.

[@DopamineOverload]

Yeah this would void the warranty. Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

@bakup83 Keep trying, I'm sure you'll get it... I remember sometimes the LCD wouldn't come on at all unless I reattached the USB cable a few times... give it a few seconds between connecting and disconnecting.... Double-check that everything's connected correctly... just don't break anything.... keep me posted!

[@TheFreshPeddler]

yeah i was just wondering if that velocity setting was controlling the software or if it was just in the mpd. ill probably get the mpd 24 pretty soon and if i cant fix that with the velocity curve within fl I will definitely do that. good lookin out, thanks for the tip

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

Actually it was a drum rudiment called the Single-Stroke Four, which is based on a triplet rhythm. I've been teaching drums for over 7 years, so I'd like to think when I said triplets, I didn't lie. Thanks for watchin.

[@fpfhoo]

@chriscauldermusic Well the MPD has a bunch of faders and knobs, leaving it more options as far as manipulating the sounds with filters, cutoff, delay, attack, release, ect. which seems like id be SUPER nice for performance* I just wouldn't want to be restricted concerning those types of things just for a easier edit in the lab** -- sidenote: Thanks actually replying. :)

[@DopamineOverload]

Welcome! Sorry for another late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

@thinwire You're welcome. Enjoy! :)

[@4ndr3wsm1th]

THANK YOU!

[@cMaXeJIJIo]

300 hundred? The goddamn thing costs 410 to 420 in my god-forsaken country lol I`m looking into buying one in a month or two. Yes, all those controllers are crucial, cuz I`m always looking to expand my sequencer controls onto an external MIDI device. Would you still recommend buying it? There, basically, is no better controller out of the box than this one? I`m all for modding and glad that I found ur vid-it should be in the top of utube cuz it actually solves issues people have. Great job!

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DJGRANTCARLISLE]

I just bought a MPD18 and i noticed this on that controller as well That is strange because i also own the LPD8 and The MPK mini and both those controllers have excellent pads but as for the MPD18 is concerned you are right the pads suck.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

@ucdortbes :) Glad you had success!

[@wimmbeats]

great video thanks!

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@rockhills]

Honestly, the most difficult part is preparing all the tape! Take the screws off the bottom, just the ones that have an indent, flip it over and carefully separate the top with a sort of up and towards the front of the keys movement. Then lay the top back carefully cause the ribbon cables are kind of tight. Do this on a flat surface with plenty of room. Remove 4 screws from the pad sensor thing and 4 from the small board next to it cause of a tight ribbon cable (next to the wheels.)

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@Kingaxel1]

@fawkthescene666 Hmm oh well, the manufacture warranty is only a year long. Thank you for your response.

[@DopamineOverload]

Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@DopamineOverload]

@logixish You're very welcome. :)

[@Redoubt9000]

Mmm still debating on either this or the padKONTROL... I've always liked the prospect of a light show with the korg... Makes me feel like I'm getting something done ^_^

[@DopamineOverload]

MPD218 is my 2022 recommendation. Thx! Sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@ElegyForTheMasses]

Sorry about my post, I wasn't aware of that term. I'm primarily a pianist, so my terminology is a tad different I suppose. Really helpful vid by the way, the pads on my MPK finally have use! :)

[@DopamineOverload]

Yay! Thanks so much for watching and sorry for the insanely late reply!

[@ElegyForTheMasses]

@@DopamineOverload Shockingly, my MPK still works after all these years since I first posted! I miss my MPC though :'(