REVIEW: Akai MPD218 vs PreSonus ATOM MIDI pad controllers

Hi! I'm going to compare the Akai Professional MPD218 and PreSonus ATOM in terms of pad sensitivity and ease of playability. For this video I used a drum rack in Ableton Live 10 Suite.
BUY the PreSonus ATOM: redir.love/70nbQ7Gx
BUY the Akai Professional MPD218: redir.love/6aGgqRE2
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Test 1: single note triggers
The PreSonus ATOM has very flat, sensitive triggers, but they still don't trigger 100% of the time.
The Akai MPD218 has very chunky, hard pads and with the same pressure, triggers less notes. Both controllers have nice rubberised pads that are pleasant to hit. The Akai MPD218 needs more attack to trigger, which makes it harder to play tight to the beat. I find the PreSonus ATOM triggers with less effort. PreSonus ATOM wins Test 1.
Test 2: triggering two pads very gently at once
The PreSonus ATOM wins by far over the Akai MPD218.
Test 3: fast double-finger triggers
The Akai MPD218 has one or two very sensitive pads, but I find inconsistencies between the pads. While the PreSonus ATOM doesn't trigger 100% of the time, it wins by far over Akai MPD218.
In summary: the PreSonus ATOM is my pick for the best entry-level MIDI pad controller that works with any DAW.
Read my full blog post, with high resolution images:
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[@TheQuestforGroove]

This comparison is exactly how I felt when testing the controllers side by side. Also 100% agree with the ranking in the blogpost. With the push 2 and mikro mk3 having even better pads. I would add that the big mk3 and the akai mpc live have even better pads than the mikro. Thanks for this. Not enough people test out pad controllers this way!

[@TheWongJanice]

The Quest for Groove nice, thanks for your informative comment, I subscribe to your channel and have watched your vids! Don’t forget to subscribe back ;)

[@TheQuestforGroove]

@@TheWongJanice Thanks! I subscribed to your channel at the same time I posted the comment 5 days ago :-) Looking forward to more great content!

[@damianvaladez8387]

i love you rob

[@aristotle_4532]

This is very strange from an engineering point of view. If I were building such a product with analog parts that did not have exactly the same response, I would create a station that compensates for that by finding the trigger points by a range of clicks, and automatically build a look up table to calibrate the velocity curve over a range all parts can achieve. This can be programmed into each units memory. The true velocity range would decrease, but at least the response would be the same in all keys. This is how analog parts are properly integrated. Calibration of each part on each assembled unit. This is also done in CCD and CMOS sensors in cameras. In these MPD AKAIs, the pads vary a lot from the factory, and they appear to not be calibrated. How are the MPC models? They may test uniformity and keep better parts for the 1000-2000 euro models or have a different supplier or manufacturing method for these. They may even calibrate. Everything is so low quality these days. This is a also a problem in keyboards. In the old days, we got a fatar 88 key piano action keyboards. They were not cheap but lasted a lifetime and had beautiful uniformity in their response. Just by hearing the keys acoustically, you could tell it's a top quality product. They didn't flex, bend, shift, make noises or have any other problem. Now, we have keyboards from 100 to 500 euro, but most of them are a joke in terms of quality. The acoustic test shows many problems out of the box, the response lacks uniformity so you can't really play softly, and they bend, shift, or start making weird noises. Piano players will probably destroy them in a few months. I wouldn't even put some of these products to market.

[@zentatonic]

You prefer the Mikro mk3 over the Atom?

[@roy4286]

THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR . WAS ABOUT TO BUY THE Akai MPD218 WHEN I SAW THIS IN THE RIGHT COLUMN ON KZbin. YOU SAVED ME ALLOT OF TIME MONEY AND FRUSTRATION.

[@TheWongJanice]

Happy to read this and to know I could help some people out there!

[@brodontdoit123]

Wow awesome i was about to buy the akai but not after this the ATOM looks way more responsive. THANK YOU!

[@TheWongJanice]

Glad I could help!

[@flipteezy]

every akai beatpad i've owned there's always been a different kind of pressure strike vs my maschine mk2. this presonus atom looks pretty cool though. thanks for showing this.

[@TheWongJanice]

you're welcome. Yeah every pad is different.. it's a bit about luck

[@jazzwah]

Thank you for this demonstration. I actually own an MPC One and was looking for a pad when I came across your video. I ordered the Presonus.

[@TheWongJanice]

You’re welcome, glad it was helpful!

[@MediaMusik777]

I use the mpd218 connected to my mpc one and it works great no double triggering . I had the personus I like it but it does not play well without their software the mpd works with everything . The reason it double taps btw is the pads need to be broken in and mpd218 works better with aftertouch off in some programs

[@justdope1963]

This is perfect. Thank you for such a flawless comparison video demonstrating exactly what matters, which is the pad response and sensitivity. I was considering looking at an mpd 218 i found used for cheap, but i'll pass. looks like it has the same issues as a broken down mpd 32 i used to have. Atom also has a lot of built in functionality, particularly for Studio One users, so it wins in almost every way.

[@TheWongJanice]

Hey Justin, thanks for your comment. I'm so glad that my video was helpful to other users out there and that people agree with me as well! All the best with your music.

[@brianjones3215]

very helpful thank you!

[@TheWongJanice]

You’re welcome Brian :)

[@ctatrains]

That is really helpful!

[@TheWongJanice]

I'm so glad! Thanks for letting me know

[@ArapBayraminOglu]

Are the transport controls, the knobs and the othet buttons working well in Live 10 next to the pads?? Hope someone can inform me.

[@olivergreaves9195]

Perfect, thank you!

[@TheWongJanice]

Glad you found it helpful, thanks Oliver

[@SpyderBlackOfficial]

Very good review 👍

[@CRCPESCA]

Great vid! Do you know if the atom is compatible with garageband for mac? Thanks!

[@paulwalsh6734]

i would say so. its basically just a midi controller. no idea about how easy the integration is.

[@kineticenergy9613]

Can you do a video finger drumming between the two

[@BOOMBAPXL]

Maybe adjusting the sensitivity of the pads may have helped the MPD??

[@TheJoyofFingerDrumming]

Hey, very useful video, thanks! I had an MPD218 and it was as bad as yours. Returned it and got an iRig Pads which is much better. Any idea how the Atom compares to the iRig? I am curious, thanks!

[@TheWongJanice]

The Joy of Finger Drumming thanks for your comment! I haven’t had a chance to try the iRig but I once tried some other iRig gear and wasn’t too impressed so that is why I didn’t give it a chance... let me know if you ever get to compare it with the Atom!

[@TheJoyofFingerDrumming]

@@TheWongJanice Thanks, I will!

[@karol9187]

good comparison!

[@TheWongJanice]

Glad you think so!

[@dbsirius]

I heard that the Akai have a problem of overtightening the screws on their midi pad controllers. I wonder if this is what causes this issue.

[@TheWongJanice]

It could be the reason but I'm not sure

[@Leo-eg8mq]

So sad seeing InMusic destroing good product lines one after another... Great that theres finally an alternative, good entry level pad controller!

[@vatolegato]

In your blog you said the maschine mikro has better pad sensitivity, but how much better? I have the maschine mk3, but am thinking about returning it and getting the atom.

[@vatolegato]

@@TheWongJanice I have the regular maschine mk3, not mikro. I've been using it for almost a month, but I dont know if I'm interested in keeping it as I'd rather use a regular daw rather than the maschine workflow. I think the pads are great on it, but if I can save a lot of money and get similar pads with the atom then I may do that.

[@vatolegato]

@@TheWongJanice Thanks for the advice. Do you have any videos of you playing a song on it?

[@dawoud8013]

The control is very very good in Studio ONE and mouse-less with the Atom that a just received ! and it's really great ! i have a good oportunity for buying a Mikro MK2... i keep the Atom of go to the MK2 MIKRO ...? in terms of fonctionality it's the same with the Atom ? and the Atom is more Mouse-less... i need advice ^^

[@TheWongJanice]

You have to decide for yourself! Just try both and see which one you like best :)

[@jivexero]

Blog post link is dead. But 100% agree. The Presonus atom is miles better. Not to mention that it 1. Has multiple colors besides just red. 2. When a pad is loaded with a sound the pad also lights up indicating that there is a sound actually there. (I'm not sure why the MPD line does not do this. Pads should always light up to indicate there is a sound on it.)

[@jivexero]

Also i t's smaller.

[@popo_perez]

Does the Atom work with any DAW? I'm asking because everywhere I find info about it the only DAW they mention is Studio One. Have you ever tried the Atom with apps like Koala Sampler?

[@allinonethegreat]

Yes it works with any DAW

[@popo_perez]

@@allinonethegreat thanks!

[@allinonethegreat]

Hector Perez it even works on BeatMaker 3 for the IPad.

[@popo_perez]

@@allinonethegreat Great! I bet it also may work with Koala Sampler :)

[@starttofinishpodcasting3721]

Can I program sound effects (ie clapping, scream, suspense sound effect) from my hard drive into the keypads on the Presonus Atom so that I can use them for my podcast?

[@TheWongJanice]

Yes, I am sure there is a way to do that, but I don't know the actual procedure. Good luck!

[@TheChameleon2008]

hmm, i think its just a midi controller. I dont know if you own a ipad or iphone but there is this amazing app called Koala Sampler and you can record and load audio files into 64 pads and then you can play with then or triggers them and use them for your podcast.

[@TheWongJanice]

@@TheChameleon2008 Thanks for adding your comment. Yes, that's right, there's no way to load sounds into the controller directly, you'll have to go through a DAW, so the Atom triggers the sounds from your hard drive in the DAW. I don't know how to get it into the podcast though. Maybe someone else knows.

[@ArapBayraminOglu]

So absolutely no ghost notes and inconsistent velocity on the Atom?! I am throwing away my mpd218 then and getting it. Sick and tired of tweaking modding it without a 100% solution.

[@TheWongJanice]

The Atom is definitely not perfect. It's just better than the MPD218!

[@roblopeese2901]

Atom encoders are very slow moving, not sure how they are on the Akai, but on the Atom it takes 3 or 4 full wrist turns to crank from 0 to 127. Very hard to use.

[@TheWongJanice]

Appreciate your feedback Roblo, thanks

[@ebproduction2501]

thank you

[@TheWongJanice]

cheers

[@vitalepitts]

I got an Akai APC key25 recently and now i just want a dedicated controller for finger drumming. I'm leaning towards the atom but I really don't need all of it's functionality, are there any super reliable but stripped down midi controllers with the 4x4 pad config? all i really want is note repeat as i like the functionality and workflow i already have

[@TheWongJanice]

PreSonus ATOM is pretty stripped down and reliable in my opinion!

[@vitalepitts]

@@TheWongJanice seems like the best option from my research so far but still hoping to find something even more elegant, I also see people saying that it isn't great for ableton. Others say that if you don't have it as your control surface it's fine but i'm always wary of spending money.

[@TheWongJanice]

@@vitalepitts Most retailers (at least where I live, in The Netherlands) have a really generous return policy, so if you have the money to make the purchase, you can always return it, usually within 14 days or a month depending on where you buy it. Good luck!

[@fattigmanskultur]

Can the presonus atom be used with ios?

[@TheWongJanice]

should be able to

[@rocklobstercat]

Does this work with Cubase? Can't seem to find any info on the internet.

[@TheWongJanice]

It should, I mean, Cubase can accept midi inputs right?

[@rocklobstercat]

Yes it can. Been looking at the Akai for a while but from what you're showing in the video is that the Atom would be better and more responsive for finger drumming?

[@donvittoriosierra]

what about a comparison against the launchpad x

[@TheWongJanice]

Great idea, thanks!

[@fedeeiconees]

Presonus is compatibility with cubase?

[@TheWongJanice]

It should be, but maybe you can look it up

[@syssaabarkan260]

tnx!!!!

[@TheWongJanice]

Glad to help!

[@syssaabarkan260]

@@TheWongJanice Glad to join your dance ...love

[@TheChameleon2008]

its a shame that so many people have problems with the 218 model. I still ordered one and it comes here in 2 days so fingers crossed that its one without problems otherwise ill send it right back. The reason why i love the 218 is because of the 3 banks so that i can use it in apps like koala sampler.

[@TheWongJanice]

Yeah it's a bit of luck, and if you tend to hit hard there is less of an issue, so all the best for the 218!

[@TheChameleon2008]

@@TheWongJanice i received mine and its perfect and have zero problems so im happy!!!

[@TheWongJanice]

@@TheChameleon2008 that's awesome, I'm happy for you!

[@beatraider4687]

👍

[@krischapa7736]

Please excuse my dumbxxs what is DAW

[@psyxakiasss]

Digital Audio Workstation (Ableton, Cubase, FLStudio etc)

[@TheWongJanice]

Thanks for replying to Kris! I was a bit slow to see the comments sorry!

[@ArapBayraminOglu]

There literally is not one simple, compact, affordable good responsive pad controller on the market. Not one! Maschine mikro mk3 has no/terrible ableton support, the Akai MPD218 has shit responsive pads, the ATOM is a freaking light bulb you can't turn off. How is this going on for so long?!!?! I purchased the Maschine Mikro MK3 recently solely for use within Ableton Live 10. It seems that there is zero support using it as a generic controller (without maschine 2 software) within Live 10. Unbelievable. Concerning the ATOM I understood that it's impossible to turn off the ridiculous lights on the ATOM (yes also in low dim setting) Is it possible to open up the ATOM get inside it and 'paint' each lightbulb with some sort of paint to dim it. Or even better remove a cable that turns off all the lights but keeps everything working????

[@TheWongJanice]

haha, yeah I know your struggles. I wanted the Maschine Mikro as well but it's just not good with Ableton... so I use Atom and I hope you can get over the colourful lights. To be honest I like them! I think during the day time with bright sunlight you can see the coloured lights less ;-)

[@Tommass79]

👍✌️

[@TheWongJanice]

🙌

[@mac1414]

I had several Akai controllers, every single one had these shitty insensitive pads. It's been a problem for Akai for the last 10 years or so, starting with their MK2 line. Akai simply does nothing to address the issue, so people mod their s**tty Akai pads by putting some electrical tape to tighten the pads, so they have more sensitivity. By doing that, they lose warranty too. You open Akai Mk2's and Mk3's and you look at the exact same stuff inside, basically the pad controller on the circuit board along with the pads themselves are the same gear than it was 10 years ago. No change in their design. It is frustrating that they do nothing to address user feedback. By now, Arturia has better pads, PreSonus has better pads and almost every other company has better pads, and they keep improving their pads, but not Akai. Akai is a shitty company that I gave up on.

[@TheWongJanice]

Thanks for this comment Mac, really helpful.

[@gimoon0125]

I shoulda watch this earlier 😢

[@TheWongJanice]

😥

[@metroommusic]

Perfect review!Cheers from Russia, much lov!

[@TheWongJanice]

Thank you so much for your comment. I would love to visit Russia one day!

[@louddude]

i have also mpk mini and i totally hate their pads

[@TheWongJanice]

Hahah I feel you

[@Pauluz_The_Web_Gnome]

What song is that? and btw, Crappy Akai, it skips a lot of notes! BAD PRODUCT! Shame on you AKAI!

[@TheWongJanice]

It's not a song. It's just me improvising to do the product review!

[@danielcrook7507]

@@TheWongJanice I thought it was a great song, but im on some pretty good drugs.

[@YungPlumber1]

Facts! The Mpd218 is a ripoff

[@TheWongJanice]

yep! Indeed

[@djlacoon6354]

? Musuc