The ultimate pad sensitivity test for finger drummers

[@TheQuestforGroove]

UPDATE Feb 2021: New video out with my current best buy recommendations: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4CVaHuVeNZqmK8 I also keep everything up to date in this blog post: questforgroove.com/gear-recommendations/

[@frankjaegr8604]

Thank you so much for your recommendation at the beginning without going 20+ minutes into it.. I'm looking for something with encoders/sliders.. Pads (I don't need keys) and especially Note Repeat or an Arpeggiator built in if possible. Looking for a DAW controller w/pads pretty much.. If it were class compliant that would be siiiick. Any leads?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

My guess would be that ableton push can do a lot of those things. Maschine mk3 in midi mode can also do a lot if you take the time to configure how your daw responds to midi cc messages. Also, there are a lot of iPad apps available that have digital faders and can remote control your daw. Also something to consider.

[@HardKillaz]

I looked through your videos for a dedicated video on Atom and did not find one, maybe I didn't look hard enough. If I'm right though, please make one as soon as is convenient to you. Your approach to reviewing a product is as good as me having the device itself and yes you already sold me on the Atom but the extra info wouldn't hurt

[@TheQuestforGroove]

There is no dedicated review! That must have been a misunderstanding. I just did a comparison between a bunch of devices. Will keep your request in mind though! Thnx.

[@HardKillaz]

@@TheQuestforGroove no thank you sir

[@feikeuphoff4309]

Finally someone on KZbin with honest reviews! Thank You!

[@menaregods]

Your honesty is much appreciated and much needed in today's world ❤😊

[@Bboyquin98]

Quarantine money about to make me a producer

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Aiight!

[@benhaim2098]

Man!! You’re the BEST on KZbin Now!

[@estebanmartinez1723]

I'm a drummer who wanted an alternative for playing drums without the actual drums. I bought my mpd218 some months ago following your advice. I'm not sure if I got one of the good or bad ones because I haven't played on another drumpad yet to compare, but I have to say that it was a great choice. First because of my low budget, considering that I live in Argentina and nowadays a 218 is worth more than 200 dolars here, so you can imagine how expensive can be one of the superior models that you mention, also knowing that the salaries are pretty low here in comparison to Europe. Second because I found it very simple and easy to use and configure because it has just the necessary, which makes it perfect for begginers. Now i'm trying to improve my technique so I can play live with some friends someday. I invite you to watch the two videos in my channel if you want to. For last, I must say that your videos helped me a lot to get started in this and improve as a finger drummer. Thank you, Robert!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey Esteban, that is so great to hear! It makes me very happy to know that my advice from a year ago did help people. I really like my mpd218 as well. And apparently you got lucky and found a good one which is indeed super great if you don't have a fortune yo spend! I hope akai improves their quality control so I can start recommending the 218 again.

[@EgoShredder]

My issue with my MPD16 and maybe other models in the range too (?), is using two fingers on one pad to simulate using two sticks for rolls etc. My MPD16 and also Yamaha RY30 tend to either not register both hits, or I get unwanted hits / double triggering when only one note was needed. So what I am saying is I need something that is predictable and does not need firmly hitting with your fingers.

[@themarshmellow410]

Currently waiting for my Maschine Mikro, so that was good to hear, thanks! looking forward to check more stuff out here

[@SoundslikeTunesTV]

Props from Germany! I wrote a similar Comparison a few Weeks ago on my German Blog with a nearly same Result! Now I am more secure about my conclusion about the Pad Controllers! In my Opinion you´re one of the most skilled Hardware Advisors and without knowing your POV I am really happy about this Video right here, right know! Thank U very much!!!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Awesome to hear we both got the same results!

[@VideosVonDennis]

Your videos are great and so honest. Subscribed because of that. I am guitarist and I am thinking about starting finger drumming... found your channel. Really honest videos, no marketing talk. Keep the stuff up!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Thanks Dennis! I'll be back soon with more content. Right now I'm finishing up my new free beginner course for the website. Release end of this week. Highly recommended if you're just starting out!

[@danieles6684]

Wow. I tried to get into finger drumming 8 years or so ago with the korg padkontrol (the black one). I assume I read a lot of reviews that it was good, but when I got it... it just wasn't very sensitive. I ended up putting it on the shelf and never used it. Your videos got me interested in finger drumming again, so I tried pulling it out this week. Indeed, it still sucks. I decided to bite the bullet and get your recommended mikro mk3. Lo and behold, I watched this right after buying, and I finally have an explanation for why the padkontrol didn't work well! Thanks for making these videos. Really looking forward to getting my mikro mk3 this week :)

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey that's great to hear! Hope you're going to have a blast playing and making music. If you stick with it, finger drumming can be a big plus to your music production and even improve the groove and flow of any other instruments or parts you're playing. At least that's what I found over the years.

[@justszpaq]

Some of great finger drummers are using korg padcontrol. It's about 20 year old midi controller. I think it was great for many years

[@Eugene.g]

Finally! Great review. Going to buy the Mikro mk3

[@shoeengine1161]

i just checked out a few other videos on this channel and this might be the BEST channel on youtube! SUBSCRIBED AND NOTIFICATIONS ON!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hahaha, thank you! You just made my day!!

[@sasharobbiati5124]

I am still struggling. I don't understand why non of these companies have created a super simple and good responding (maschine's pad response) compact (mpd218) pad controller? The demand is huge.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah it's insane... especially since akai started out with great mpd218s and slowly started to diminish the quality.

[@wowerman]

The reason is to sell as many bundled vst software and libraries only with more expensive products.Quite sad manipulation tactics those manufacturers do.They would not sell expensive devices if people would chose cheaper good controllers for 80 USD and got two drum libraries for another 80USD. 160 USD vs 500USD.I hope this makes it clear how they lower the quality of the gear.

[@twessels1234]

Innovators dilemma...ripe for disruption

[@fradenX]

I hit that sub button when you said, "Shit just got real." And I don't regret it.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Haha thanks man, welcome aboard!!!

[@fradenX]

@@TheQuestforGroove Read your blog post for the updated recommendations, too! They're so great and detailed. Thank YOU.

[@paulcamus8944]

Awesome! I was really looking forward to seeing your take on the Atom. While you certainly don't seem to be blown away by it, the size and price were already tempting and now I might just have to get it. I only have an MPKmini and the pads are deplorable. Thanks again!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah it's great for the money. Just not as good as another device that $100 more or two other devices that are a couple of $100's more. :-)

[@TheQuestforGroove]

It's exactly where it should be in terms of price/quality which is a great achievement.

[@mynamephwong5428]

this is the best review ever. i was really trying to decide between presonus and the mk3 mikro. i'm definitely going with the mikro now. i want great pads, and i like how it can work as a stand alone as well so that i could just set up little drum loops when trying to come up with ideas on the acoustic guitar before trying to turn it into a real project in my DAW

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah for the best pads I would go with the mikro! Both the atom and the mikro have this limitation in standalone mode where you cannot change the notes inside the device. So if you set up a drumkit you have to go the other way around and configure which pad triggers what sound inside the drum software. This is easy with addictive drums 2, but it can be harder with other drum software. That's the only downside. The pads are great! And honestly, for the price there is no alternative right now.

[@mynamephwong5428]

@@TheQuestforGroove hey thought I'd hit you up one more time just before I make my final decision. Do you know how the MK3 Mikro compares to the MK2? Even though it's newer and probably has a few features the MK2 doesn't have, I'm assuming the MK2 still has more features? The reason I ask is because the MK3 Mikro is $399 Canadian, but the MK2 is on clearance right now for $349. Perhaps you haven't tried that model and don't know, but I figured I'd ask since you seem to be very informed on drum machines. thanks in advance.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Good question, but unfortunately I never played a mikro mk2. What I know from users is that a mikro mk2 can be pretty good although never as good as a big maschine. The mikro mk3 is good but also not as good as a big maschine. So... yeah. My guess is that the mikro mk3 pad les are just the best budget pads available. Better than (mikro)mk2. That said, with the mikro mk2 you can still edit the notes in midi mode by using controller editor. This is not possible on the mikro mk3. You can still use it in midi mode but all configuring takes place inside the drum software because the controller has just one midi mode that is static.

[@IKI-KIKI]

Completely new to drum pads yet I feel very secure trusting your words. Thanks for some great reviews!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Welcome to the club! :-) let me know if you have questions.

[@IKI-KIKI]

The Quest for Groove Thanks man :) I seem to lean towards Maschine Mikro for purely cosmetic reasons (since I find the Atom kinda ugly). But what holds me back is that I’m not really interested in using the Maschine software. It’ll mostly make my projects more cumbersome. How big deal would you say that is, how easy is it to use directly in a DAW? Also, where are you at? Finland?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I'm in Amsterdam Netherlands. And I only use my controllers in midi mode inside a daw. I have a big maschine and never used the software Haha. The mikro can be used in midi mode but you cannot change the notes it sends out. Which means that in midi mode you need to combine it with software instruments that have midi learn functionality. I use addictive drums 2 for drumming and the midi learn function is excellent. So the mikro in midi mode plus addictive drums is a killer combo!

[@IKI-KIKI]

The Quest for Groove Wow My guess was way out then 👌 So in midi mode, you don’t even have to open the software?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Exactly. If you go to my website questforgroove.com and sign up for the free beginner course (seriously, no secret marketing trick here) you'll get info about what to buy and also a step by step setup guide for maschine mikro mk3 and addictive drums.

[@VoxJ]

This just saved me al lot of time and money! Thanks!

[@sasharobbiati5124]

I am still tweaking my MPD218. The size is perfect. I am experimenting with the screws. I have removed the ones in the middle. Also I have placed tape inside on top of the pad sensors. The response is good but still there is double trigerring.. I will try adding an extra layer of tape this time on the bottom of the pads..

[@valentaskackauskas626]

Now i know what i need 😊 😉 (maschine mk3). Thanks you very much!

[@jorgecds]

Let me share my own experience with the few devices I have owned. The pad controller with the best sensitivity I have ever had is the old MPD32 WITH the pad upgrade kit installed. It was amazing, I felt that I was in full control of my hit-hats (I love recording them h hats). Unfortunately I had to get rid of it because it was too big/chunky and the faders broke (accident). I replaced my MPD32 with 3 devices over the past 3 years... MPD218, Push2 and MPC Live. I had the chance to buy any of the Machine controllers at some point (when the MK3 got released) but I opted for the MPC Live. The MPD218 had good sensitivity but always double triggered samples or just did not detect some of my inputs, it felt inaccurate and I was sad. The looks, built, size... it is the dream pad controller and I still own it because it is great in a way... but the moment I got the Push it stopped being my main controller. Push2 felt waaay more sensitive and of course 64 pads. The problem with Push (and Ableton) is that it is also unreliable! This is a known "glitch" that they have not solved even after Live 10; everytime you go from a track that's got a simpler in slice mode to session view (in the Push) and then back to the track with the simpler... the sensitivity DOES NOT adjust. Sensitivity is just terrible, the worst ever... and the only way to fix that is by going back to classic mode and then back again to slice mode. It ruins my workflow in so many ways... terrible. Finally the MPC Live, which I chose over the Maschine because the pads felt very comfortable, fatter, and of course standalone, 6 hours battery... it is a dream. The pads are not as sensitive as the Maschine, that is kind of true... but it felt more satisfying to play.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Thank you so much for all this useful information!

[@ArapBayraminOglu]

Indeed. I sold the MPD32 because of the size. I got the MPD218 and the size is perfect but the double triggering is driving me mad. I've placed tape on the sensors and removed the center screws on the inside board. This has helped but still double triggering occurs. I keep on tweaking it but not with 100% reliable result. Whenever you loosen tighten the corner screws the boars seems to move around. This plays a big part in the bugy behaviour. they should create a new pro version with stable and sensitive pads, 16 levels and maybe transport controls. The demand is huge and it would sell as the number 1 generic padcontroller on the market.They are missing out!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

They absolutely should. I would gladly pay $200 for a well tuned mpd218

[@-OK-Fine-]

Just boughtba MPD218. Think I've been super lucky. Worked close to flawless aside from the odd ghost beat (picking up unwanted pad activation) loosened the screws on the circuit board by 8th of a turn and that has now completely stopped and even the velocity/sensitivity of the pads has improved. After watching all your videos I was excited but skeptical. Guess I found treasure on this hunt. Thanks for the info and have to say great technique on the pads you have there man.

[@Subzearo]

I agree, the sensitiivty on the MPD 226 are ridiculously low. They're uncomfortable to use.

[@SpyderBlackOfficial]

The presonus atom has good sensitivity & and pads are good quality.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yes!

[@DavidSmith-ne1zp]

Very informative video, as i begin the hunt for my first drum pad controller.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah right now my 'quick' recommendation summary is: - Maschine mikro mk3 - If you have clear plans for using more pads, then get a launchpad pro mk3 - Nektar aura is also a good choice but you have to configure it very precisely. Did another video about that. If you have less to spend: - Launchpad X - Presonus atom I have not heard of any controller never having any problems. A lot of people buy the mikro mk3 for example and on the qfg message boards there were a few unlucky people who had to send it back and get a working device back in return. Same for the atom or the launchpad x. I do think its rare that you g see t a bad unit, but keep that in mind and keep the receipt. All people who exchanged the unit got a good one in return.

[@shoeengine1161]

I just bought an alesis vi25 and it hasn't arrived yet. I ordered before finding this channel. I'd be interested to see how it tests.

[@DJDAMIAN72]

I'm also interested in that Alesis vi25 because it has 16 drum pads. I'm trying to decide between the following because 16 drum pads is a must for me... the Akai MPD226, Alesis vi25 and Novation Launchkey 25 (the regular 25-key not that "25-mini" toy).... but now this guy is saying the Akai MPD226 is not the greatest quality, damn I was thinking of getting it this week. :( Whatever 16 pad controller I get has to work great with my Ableton Live 10 software btw. I guess back to doing more research.

[@shoeengine1161]

@@DJDAMIAN72 ive heard the pads on the 226 arent great. i would definitely recommend the vi25's pads because I would bet they have to be more sensitive than the others. They are extremely sensitive pads. My only issue with the vi25 is it seems to have a unique algorithm that sometimes causes a double tap. im not sure if its something thats been fixed in the fireware update yet or not. but it should. i've wanted to reach out but alesis doesnt have social media.

[@DJDAMIAN72]

@@shoeengine1161... That double tap is usually an indication of low quality pads, unless it can be changed with sensitivity settings. You should make a video showcasing that Alesis controller, not many out there and when I check online music stores it's never on the best sellers... I did find one youtube video and the dude said he loved it but he said that those 24 small midi assignable buttons are really cheap and some stopped working so he did some weird modification where he cut a big whole where the buttons were to access the actual sensors below, he left that controller looking like an ugly frankenstein keyboard! Lol He did say the 25 semi-weighted keys & the 16 drum pads were very good, according to him, so who knows, not much seems to be known about this keyboard, I would think it would be really popular since it's one of the only two keyboard on the market I've ever seen with 25 keys and 16 pass, the Alesis vi25 & the Novation Launchkey 25, not that toy looking launch key mini but the regular 25-key, all those "mini" keyboards with mini keys for people with midget fingers look like trash toys to me! lol

[@shoeengine1161]

@@DJDAMIAN72 its an algorithm, not really necessarily an indicator of quality. its just a code setting. QFG has touched on it with other controllers.... usually these things get updated through firmware. I honestly cant imagine a keyboard controller with more sensitive 16 pads than the vi25 tbh... i would be very surprised. for now im trending toward using my maschine mk3 only as of late... partly because of the double tap thing on the vi25. i dont find the buttons to be cheap. i think the whole unit is pretty quality in my opinion. the weighted keys are what got my attention, the 16 pads caught my interest, and the price sold me.

[@DJDAMIAN72]

@@shoeengine1161 ... Yeah that Alesis iv25 does look very dope but it's weird no one ever talks about it on youtube, like the dude in this video is very informed & knows his shit but him too doesn't even mention it, maybe because it's more of a keyboard... but like you I would be very interested in him reviewing it. As of this week now I'm leaning towards the Novation Launchkey Pro, I don't know why I never really considered that one, till I saw this dude mention it and I remembered seeing it, I didn't know it was only $300, when I saw it in the past I thought it was as expensive as the push so I wasn't interested, plus I thought those small pads might suck, till I saw this dude say they were really good, then I checked other people's videos and they all said it was dope, so I think I'm going with the Novation Launchkey Pro! :)

[@mb2776]

Nice to hear that the padkontrol is nice and that the white version is the one to get cause i was gonna to buy one and didn't care what color to get

[@cameronthompson7575]

Love the vibes bro

[@emu55]

Korg Pad Kontrol is the best. I have the old white model but it’s still amazing in 2019

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah, it's pretty astonishing they could make that 10 years ago and somehow cannot do it anymore with the black pad kontrol.

[@maccagrabme]

Agreed its the best I've use, way better than the MPC touch, you can almost blow on it and get a sound out of it.

[@MichaelCozineSounds]

I currently own an ATOM and an MPD218 and I have to say there is definitely a trade off between the two devices. MPD218 I feel responds to a lighter touch, but doesn't have a great velocity curve. The ATOM on the other hand I have to hit a little bit harder but responds much better to my playing. I feel like both devices have a tragic flaw however. While the MPD218 has double triggering issues, my ATOM will often drop notes when playing 16th note patterns on one pad (aka snare / hi hat rolls). I have never had dropped notes on the MPD218 so I think one is only better than the other depending on what style of drumming you are trying to play with them. I personally find myself using the MPD218 more often.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Thanks for your two cents! My guess is that if you own a good mpd218 it can be better than the atom I guess. Problem is that you usually get a bad device nowadays . Did not know about the note repetition... I did check but since I have two pads for snares, kicks and hihats it usually only happens s when doing stuff on the Toms. Thanks again, always good to hear how these devices are doing across the world!

[@Juliano_DJOL]

Another thing people may wanna consider is the mpk249, I have one and I like the pads but if the settings are set up exactly like I use them it does a little ghost noting. But when I have it on... velocity sensitivity 9 Velocity curve exp 2 log 2 or linear for some things Vel Threshold 7-9 I didn't love the board, keys or pads at first (I come from triton le and mpc 1000 so little spoiled b4) but I have slowly fallen more and more in love with the mpk249. I played a few different mpd228 and 18s and the mpk24 and was like wow I thght my mpk249 felt cheap lol! I like maschine studio and mk3 pads better but not many other pads I wld take over mine now, especially on a keyboard although I also have a nektar impact lx25 and the pads are decent on it too but more like the mpd lineup (hard no play or squessh in the pads) but at the end of the day I cld play any and almost all pads if I had to lol Great learn mode, pad bank A-D, pads can change colors for on and off, then on of my fav that I didn't like too much at first is the 3 control banks (same midi ch when new) w 30 presets so u can leave the A bank as a universal and then change the controls for B and/or C comtrol bank on 30 different presets.

[@HammyHavoc]

MPK249 has one one the worst keybeds I have ever used.

[@Juliano_DJOL]

@Hammy Havoc lol I kinda like it, but def know what u mean, I have noticed mine and most that I've seen slump in the middle a little like a u. But you must not have played some of these other cheaper MIDI controllers cause I have 2 I won't name that are terrible like not even close how bad they are, they both have pads and are fairly close in size too.

[@Juliano_DJOL]

@Hammy Havoc the velocity scale is what causes the problems like I like the way the keys feel and play but if I change the velocity scale at all its like instantly unplayable, like wtf I changed it 1% and now I cld punch it and not get a sound.

[@donvittoriosierra]

Can you tell us more about what is wrong with the roli?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

The way it senses hits makes is less suitable to create two or more pressure points with one hand at the same time. The controller does not like that. As soon as you use two hands (which will always be a few milliseconds apart from one another) the sensor system knows what to do but if two pressure points are created at the exact same time (so hitting with one hand) it gets confused. Same goes for Linnstrument and Sensel Morph.

[@VarsityAthlete04]

Cool video! I bought the MK mikro, its not too expensivr but still has quality

[@lauris.marcenoks]

love the production and videos... you are great guy and true inspiration

[@DukeKox]

Very nice reviews of the different pads and good explanations for varying budgets & needs. Well, I've got the opportunity to get a cheap used Akai MPD 218 (older production line) and will try to be successful on my "treasure hunt". If I'm able to test before buying it, do you have any on-the-go, imitable methods & tips to check if the sensitivity and playability are okay (within the DAW)?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah well, the best thing to do is to make sure you somehow play a maschine (mikro) mk3 first. Then you can check if a beat that you were able to play on the mikro also works on the mpd218. Then it's a good one :-) If that's not possible just give each pad a few soft taps. Are all pads responding the same? That's a good sign. Do you need to give it a serious hit before a pad lights up? Thsts bad

[@2000jago]

I just recently bought the Akai MPSD218, so far I'm satisfied with it. Without experience with any other pad controller, how could I know if I have a "good" or a "bad" one?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Honestly, if you play it and it seems to respond well you have a good one. You will immediately know you have a bad one because one or more pads simply don't respond well to soft touches and you miss notes and stuff like that.

[@SefaDrums]

Thank you so much for this video! I just returned my MPD226. The sensitivity and responsiveness was pretty bad. I just received the Mikro MK3 and so far love how the pads respond. Now its just a matter of learning the Maschine software. Im not a fan of how it limits integration with your DAW. At least with the MPD I could plug it in and record midi notes into Logic while running MPC. It seems like such a hassle with Maschine. Thats a separate issue though. So far I’m very happy with the hardware and midi mode. Keep making great videos 🙌🏼

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey Sefa, Yes it is actually a concern of mine that when Native Instruments gets too much marketshare, they will abuse their power, ditch midi standalone mode altogether and start forcing everyone to use their software. Apple / Microsoft style. So let's hope that other companies step up their game and start producing kickass midi controllers :-)

[@SefaDrums]

@@TheQuestforGroove I agree! Hopefully they will see this video and realize they should be catering to all instead of just one platform. Quick question, while in midi mode on the Mikro MK3, is there a way to change the pad banks? With the MPD I just push bank to cycle through them, but I can't find any information on how to do this with Maschine in midi mode. Thanks for your help.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

It seems to not be there. The mikro just maps all pads and knobs to a set midi note and that's it. The big mk3 does have pad banks but they really toned down the midi support to the bare minimum with the mikro which is exactly why I'm a little scared they're gonna keep pushing the envelope towards abolishing midi in the future.

[@Jun-er8fu]

@@TheQuestforGroove I already experienced this... if you buy the Maschine without software, in some cases you can't enable midi standalone. If anyone buys a maschine second hand, they need to be really careful.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah that makes sense. I noticed I had to fire up maschine software (updated to latest version) one time before I could switch on midi mode so indeed, without the software you're screwed.

[@ivanvinogradov2040]

So true about MPD series. A month ago I've bought 218 and in about an hour I found that it's a rubbish device - because of bad pad sensitivity and double triggering. Looking for Maschine Mikro now...

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah so crazy to think I played Stewart Copeland on an mpd218 and it played and sounded great. These things are just not how they used to make them...

[@shoeengine1161]

check out some videos of people doing pad fixes on their mpd's. i just found out about this. basically its a requirement to upgrade the pads (they come with pad sensors too). but once you upgrade the pads on the mpd its supposed to be butter... one of the best feels. my pads are on the way.

[@oskarlarsson9808]

Hi! Do any of you know if there is any way to know if/when a 218 is bad or good (when looking for second hand devices, with no way to try them out)? Are there any "good" range of serial numbers or production years to look for?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Not that I know of. When ordering 5 units from the same store at the same time quality varied... so it seems like a gamble right now.

[@oskarlarsson9808]

OK. A true gamble then... I can get hold of one for $50, that is 2-3 years old. It's my first finger drumming pad, so I don't want to spend too much yet. I can always do an upgrade to something better later, if I want to advance.

[@Lobatschewsky]

I got an MPD 218 a month ago at the pawnshop for $60. I can just rest my fingers on the pads and send brain signals to my digits. The pads pick up the neural synapses. That’s pretty sensitive…

[@ralphsolo6483]

Thanks so much for the video dude!

[@peterjeyaraj2579]

Thank you so much for the great information..

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Make sure to check out my 2021 video as well! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4CVaHuVeNZqmK8

[@MediaMusik777]

What about the launch keys mk3 pads for finger drumming ? Also is the padlontrol still a good buy in 2020. ? Found one for 60

[@TheQuestforGroove]

The launchkey mini mk3 pads were pretty good! So yeah, if you want a small keyboard plus some pads I can recommend it. A white pad kontrol can also still be a great controller but it will depend on how worn out it is. If somebody has hit those pads a million times they will be less sensitive.

[@x.v3n0m.x]

Thanks for the great information. This gave me insight on which devices to start off with and to upgrade to. I love finger drumming and currently I use a mobile app called Drum Pads 24. As of now, I plan on getting the Akai mpd218 as a step-up beginning controller, but I’m also considering the Atom, since I’ve heard that a lot of 218s are inconsistent. Once I get better, I plan on finally getting the Big Maschine. Thank you so much for your time!

[@DaMaster1983]

i was at a shop today looking for the most sensitive finger drumming pads.. and i could not find a singer one.. that matches my desires.. But i can tell you that Alesis have keyboard with pads that actually the most sensitive that i ever felt.. and that what im looking for. some that will be like touching a phone screen AKAI mpd 218 and 226 disapointed me and also The ATOm.. i could not find a 16 pads finger drumming machine that will match

[@dennystreet2454]

I think atom is underrated in this video. I use it long time making my beats and it super responsive, specially when u r user of Studio One DAW❤

[@eliaszerano3510]

The main weakness of the NI devices are the Pots which wear out fast, first the have different resistance, then parameter jumps until total failure.

[@HazyJ28]

I actually just got the MPD218 two weeks ago along with an Akai Fire!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

If they work for you they work! Don't wanna spoil anybodys fun :-) Its always a surprise what you get with those cheaper akai devices though. Sometimes they're great and then .. they're not. I hope you were one of the lucky folks!

[@FB-mu8wu]

Love your video! Thanks so much. Can you share with me your mpc live pad settings please? Threshold, curve, sensitivity... Thanks!!!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Ok I'll check. What I can say from the top of my head: - curve linear - threshold and sensitivity as low as possible. If you set them both to 1, you'll get a lot of ghost triggering. So then set them to 2, then 3 until the ghost triggering stops. Then you have the perfect setting in my opinion :-)

[@FB-mu8wu]

@@TheQuestforGroove please! In my mpc live curves comes as options from A to D. Thanks for your response. I came from a Maschine Mk2 and I'm looking for setting Live as close to MK2 as possible

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I'll get back to you today.

[@simoncallender]

Top quality content as always.

[@chordaltapper]

Great-great job, as usual, man! I really appreciate this test on all those devices!!! I suggest you a new challenge... What about Akai MPC Studio? David Haynes changed for it after he worked 2 years on Maschine Mk2.... and the reason was just the pad sensitivity, he said! Is it only an "endorsement issue"?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I bought one when he talked about it years ago and the pads sucked... now they have the mpc studio black which supposedly has better pads so... yeah might need to check that out!

[@manulukusa378]

Excellent review, thanks a lot!!

[@nickrose265]

just ordered my white padKONTROL (used) but i cnt wait

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I hope it's as nice as mine and you're gonna have a blast!

[@nickrose265]

The Quest for Groove yeah I had a mpd8 that I didn’t expect much from but the pads need to be brutally slapped to get the slightest response, Korg has always had good velocity so I know it’ll be good

[@indradarni2232]

Once again thanks for this review of almost every possible pad device in the market. I don’t have usd600 to spend so mikro mk3 is my best choice. This will add to my existing s88 mk2, m32 and Audio 2. Omg I’m all with Native Instruments right now and I’m happy with every device they came out! Thanks for making my decision much easier. Mikro mk3 I’m cmng to get you later!

[@derien5433]

very good work, man! appreciate it!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Thanks!

[@bartmuz]

9:51 it happens with my MPD218 too....perhaps you have better one then me. Generaly I like MPD2018, but in my experience it is not perfect

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah, I have one great mpd218. A very good one that I love. All the other ones ive tried have issues :-)

[@bartmuz]

@@TheQuestforGroove so probably it depends on luck. I have MPD218 with issues and Korg nanoPAD2 without issues...MPD2018 is better sensivity in fact

[@alphamusic8797]

2 years and you are still liking comments you a legend 👏

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Haha, thanks! I'm also simply not so successful that the comment section is too overwhelming. :-)

[@ulrap1202]

I've been watching a bunch of reviews of these controllers. I can't believe how bad some of them are, especially the Akais. What is the point of having a pad to trigger a sound if it doesn't work consistently? You're better off just using a keyboard if the pads are that bad. Good to see that the Maschines and Pushes are quality gear. At least you can be confident that you can get something good for a little more money. Thanks for the great reviews, you're the man!

[@Ace0nPoint]

What about the pad action on the Ableton Push 2? really interested to know how it holds up from a veteran perspective. I've heard the actions not great, and you should have a dedicated drum pad for the actual drumming inputs, but its still really good for controlling sequencing, etc.

[@kairn3735]

Yes, please say us something about Push 2

[@Marrcello]

Great video! For me, in terms of pad feeling, the mpc live is my favourite 😉

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah I understand completely. I don't rule out the possibility that one day I'll change my mind. Its kinda like with guitars. You have a stratocaster, telecaster, les paul, all great guitars but they all have something different. Theres no real right or wrong there... just how you feel personally about them at a certain point in your career as an artist. The mpc live is very nice. Shows that akai can build good stuff and that they should deliver this quality to more of their devices. If the mpd series had mpc live pads... I would forget native instruments even existed :-)

[@Marrcello]

@@TheQuestforGroove true..

[@etaborya]

What do you think about Akai MPC One? Is Novation Circuit series good for fingerdrumming?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Well with the circuit you think you have for rows of pads, but you actually have two rows and then two rows for the sequencer. So you have less drum pads than you think. For me it was not very useful since I could not set up a 4x4 grid on the thing.

[@etaborya]

@@TheQuestforGroove thank you for answer. And thanks for your videos, great and very useful stuff! Honestly I don't have a plan to become greatest fingerdrummer, I am already rather known harmonica player, but I want to add some fingerdrumming to my show, but I don't want heavy stuff. I already have a lot of harmonicas, pedals, amps etc, with me so I don't want to have laptop (and I don't own working laptop right now). Usually we have real drummer, so I plan to trigger some 808 samples for some parts. I already own AKAI MPX8 and AKAI MPK mini play. Both are standalone but both are 2x4. However so much tutorials recommend 4x4 layout. I think it is also useful to fingerdrum for my overall timing. My fingerdrumming timing is so bad now comparing to my harmonica and guitar timing, so I sure if I overcome it will be useful for my harmonica playing too. Does it worth to become good on 2x4 layout before getting 4x4, is 2x8 ok to start? Or it is better to get 4x4 from the beginning?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I think 4x4 is the easiest way to get started honestly. It allows for quickly playing some basic beats. With 2x4 stuff gets a little complicated and in a way with the small pads on the 8x8 stuff gets complicated too. Using fingerdrumming to improve timing is absolutely a great thing! I recently made a video about how it improved my guitar playing :-)

[@StrosB4Hos]

I hated my 218, pads would get dirty/sticky easily, pads would double trigger, and the bottom row pads would rattle the device. Picked up a maschine mk3 and that thing is perfection, best pads since the legacy MPC pads, the solid grey pads on the old standalone machines were so soft from an era before studio equipment lit up like a Christmas tree. In my personal experience, any pads that come on keyboard controllers are usually terrible.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I agree with everything you're saying here:-)

[@SHR3DD3Rx]

Would you be able to speak on the Maschine Mikro Mk3’s integration with Ableton at all? I’m looking for a dedicated pad controller for finger drumming within Ableton, so the push 1 that I have can be focused on other tasks. It seems that the Maschine is a great option as far as playability, but from my reading has a difficult time working with other DAWs.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah, well you can switch maschine into midi standalone mode and then it can work pretty well with ableton. In midi modex every button, knob and pad becomes a midi note or midi control thing and since ableton has midi learn for basically all knobs and faders you should be able to create a nice setup and assign knobs on the maschine to things in ableton. Setting up the pads is probably the most annoying part but it can be done. A friend of mine recently set it up with addictive drums in ableton.

[@etaborya]

Can you recommend any standalone device for fingerdrumming?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Not for my style of playing at the moment. I tested devices like the Maschine + and also Novation Circuit, but they're really don't sound and feel like you're playing on a drumkit. As long as you're more oriented towards electronic sounds it's ok, but otherwise standalone is not really a thing.

[@ArapBayraminOglu]

How good is the Live 10 integration of the ATOM? Do all the features on the device work??

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I know the atom is basically built for Studio One, not for Ableton Live. But... Since it's a fully functional midi controller and ableton has midi learn for basically everything I assume you will be fine :-)

[@BuenoLaidley]

Since the bigger Maschine MK3 is the best controller, is it the best option for someone who is sort of new to finger drumming? I have use pad controllers in the past, but that was years ago and I don't remember how they feel to use. So I would basically have to relearn everything. Or is it better to get the Maschine Mikro MK3 instead? I use Ableton Live for everything. And I don't plan on using the Maschine software often (since Ableton already does everything Maschine can do). I also found out that the bigger Maschine can control Ableton transport, clips, scenes and some other things. So maybe that would be a good addition if the integration with that function is easy to setup and get working.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

If you can afford it, a big maschine will be a great purchase. Also, now that MPCstuff sells pad sensor sheets, you can easily "refresh" it once the pads wear out so it's become a better investment than before.

[@tonoormusic]

I unscrewed the screws on the back of my MPD218 a little bit. Now it doesn't re-trigger anymore.. seems to me that these devices sometimes get screwed to tight and this causes the retriggering

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah that's a thing. Screwing with the screws (punn intended) can help easing out some problems but I have had multiple mpd218s and I could never turn the crappiest one into the best one by messing with the screws. There are pretty big quality differences!

[@scribblygumsartist]

I just got an MPD 226 and I’ve found it to be slightly better than my MPD218. The 226 sensitivity control does not seem to do much though. I really love the feel of the MPD pads. Nice and chunky and there’s something nice about the black pad tops with led colours underneath. Still though strictly for sensitivity purposes neither is super sensitive, though I’ve found for my current heavy handed pad drumming the 226 sensitivity is acceptable. I’m sure as my style develops more refinement I will want a better performing pad though the jump in price to get similar pads on the Mpc live is quite a bit considering I really only want the pads and not the standalone-ish-ness. (Plus the live looks like a brick). I don’t need all the features of Maschine either. I think I’m going to wait and see what 2019 brings in terms of new pad controllers. Right now for equivalent of 300-ish Usd I have two sets of pads which I can practice the basics, one pad for each hand which is good value. Sure two atoms would cost the same but then it’s got those little pads. Here’s an idea Rob, Lots of people love their MPC style pads, sensitive or not. What would be awesome would be if you could get some of the pad tweaking gear from Mpcstuff and see if the thick pads and pad corx make a difference to the MPD218 or 226, or whether it destroys the feel and has strange side effects.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey Stuart, I think you're in a good place as far as gear goes right now if you look at where you are in your playing. I'll do an mpcstuff video at some point for sure although this would be more of a 'fun' video than a serious recommendation because as a matter of principle I don't want to make my official statement: "yeah finger drumming is fun and easy, just get this controller and then take it apart and basically build your own controller and then it works"! I think companies should just deliver quality products that don't need tweaking to get them to do one if the core things they're supposed to do. We'll talk about this on Sunday! :-)

[@scribblygumsartist]

@@TheQuestforGroove Awesome... Rob, yes I agree these devices should work reliably at a basic level as you say, but on the other hand the prospect of tweaking any instrument to make it your own can be lots of fun :) btw anyone else reading this I highly recommend you join Rob's Patreon. If you are into finger drumming or just starting out Rob is well worth supporting.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

@@scribblygumsartist True. There's this one part of all normal pad controller devices which is basically a sheet of conducting ink that is used to determine if a pad triggers and how much pressure is applied. That ink rubs off over time. I've been emailing with mpcstuff about the fact that they should start producing these ink sheets for the maschine mk3 series. I suspect the first maschine mk3 devices will start failing in 2019 because for example I must have hit my hihat pad a couple of million times by now :-)

[@manugalera7209]

I've just found this channel... Thanks a lot!

[@salvatorediguido4883]

Hi, i would also suggest as the cheapest option to find a Vestax Pad One, some store still have one as cheap as euro 29, it has very sensitive pads with velocity and aftertouch and it's also made of aluminium.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Wow, never heard of that!

[@MonsieurVersatile]

Is the white Korg better than the Maschine MK3 in terms of the pads' quality? Thanks for a VERY helpful video.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yes in my experience it is.

[@MonsieurVersatile]

@@TheQuestforGroove Wow, thanks for the instant response. So are all the white Korgs the old and better version as far as you know?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

That's always a bit of a gamble. I own one, I know other people like their white pad kontrols. And I played two black pad kontrols that were not as good as my white one. But I don't know what would happen if you compare a 1000 black ones with a 1000 white ones.

[@MonsieurVersatile]

@@TheQuestforGroove OK, thanks for your help.

[@pierrehansen7042]

Hello, thanks for that very informative video! Well done and very helpful. I am also on the hunt for a good piece of controller gear for finger and hand drumming. The first idea I had was to get a used Roland Handsonic HPD-10. Additionally to the midi capabilities it most probably has some very nice own sounds and probably very good pads. Do you have experience with a Roland Handsonic + Finger drumming? Thanks! Keep it up.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I have never played one but I have a good feeling about it. Looks like a sturdy, quality device! But yeah... if have to play one to be sure.

[@gabrielepuntin1893]

Great video, helped me a lot. I got and Akai MPD218 for Christmas as my first drum pad, after seeing all their marketing and good reviews from everyone, so I was very excited... only to find I literally had to smash the pads to get maximum velocity, and still apply in my opinion too much pressure to trigger them. So now I'm on the fence about buying an used PadKontrol and an used Maschine Mikro MK2, if you ever used the latter, which one of them would you recommend?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I think I would try to find a mikro mk3 to be honest. Maybe there are folks that are selling theirs already. Only important thing with a used maschine device is that you get the software licenses as well! You don't need the software when playing but you might need it to get everything activated and running.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Also, a mikro mk3 needs a firmware update before it can be used in midi mode!

[@gabrielepuntin1893]

The Quest for Groove thanks didn't know about the software being possibly needed for the setup of the Maschine, in fact I've seen really good offers for these devices where I live that probably don't include software for such a good price though. Will keep that in mind, thanks for pointing it out, and yeah at this point I'll try to find an used MK3 but that'd be a hard guess at least here in Italy haha. Thanks for the help and good work with the KZbin channel!

[@manne3d]

white Korg padkontrol had great sensitivity. Is the launchpad pro close to the sensitivity of the korg padkontrol? thx for the good info!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I'd say yes. It comes pretty close. My white pad kontrol is a little better (except for one pad in the lower left corner)

[@manne3d]

@@TheQuestforGroove Thanks! maybe i will get the launchpad pro some day if i can find it cheap used. I also saw u had a Boppad, nice to hear that the sensitivity on that one is good...how is the bounce (with sticks)...can we do rolls on the boppad?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah you can do rolls! It's not like a trampoline or anything though :-)

[@manne3d]

Good to know :D i will not attempt to jump on it then...haha

[@borislavppetrov]

Awesome video! Quick question for the finger drum king: Is one of the differences between the MK3 Mikro and the big MK3 that the big MK3 produced fewer double-triggers? I just bought an MK3 Mikro and am already wondering if I should upgrade to the big one because the Mikro double-triggers quite frequently as I play it. And to be clear, by “double-trigger” I mean: You hit a pad once and it erroneously registers two hits in quick succession.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yes this is something I noticed earlier. However, when I tested the mikro for the second time with upgraded firmware in midi mode somehow the problem seemed to be less. So if you don't have the latest firmware you can try installing that first and see if it helps. There might also just be a difference between midi mode and normal maschine mode. What I can tell you is that my big maschine never double triggers in midi mode. I have not used it with maschine software so no idea about that.

[@ruthmore739]

@@TheQuestforGroove Thanks!

[@MediaMusik777]

mines good and you have to loosen the bottom screws too plus the mpd218 is stiff until you beak it in with your style....1 erk i wish the repeat button was a toggle button

[@gabalbass]

Is it possible to use the Akai standalone for live gigs without using a computer? brings decent acoustic drum sounds? For now I am using an irig keys connected to the ipad, but apps with drum sounds are few and do not allow to configure in depth Thanks for your vídeos!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

For good acoustic drum emulation you still need software like addictive drums. The standalone mode is sample based so you can load acoustic drum samples in there but it'll miss stuff like different sounds for different velocities and round robin for multiple consecutive hits of the same velocity.

[@gabalbass]

The Quest for Groove Thanks! Then the iPad is not bad at all as a solution, maybe some day one of these companys allow to load VST libreries in the hardware

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah you're right. Theres a good chance that you can maybe even put an overlay on the ipad at some point with some nice feeling pads :-) seems to me that might be the future if they can make it fast and reliable enough.

[@Marrcello]

@@TheQuestforGroove with the mpc live you can actually put 4 layers on one pad and make them each respond to a different velocity.. so kind of like with a drumset plug in..i just found that out the other day.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

@@Marrcello ah that's good to know. I'm already planning on doing a sequel to this video because a lot of new stuff has come to light :-) will check that out... if you ever create a good multi layered kit that you can share I would greatly appreciate it. And otherwise I'll create one myself s ok me day in the future.

[@bigdoghat3827]

Nooooooo! Just bought a black Korg PadKontrol from Reverb, there were also a couple of white ones for sale but thought they were the same. How big is the difference between white and black versions, wondering now if I should just sell on the black one and get the white instead. Bear in mind, I have very basic finger drumming skills :)

[@TheQuestforGroove]

It differs a bit per device but my white pad kontrol was noticeably better except for one corner pad.

[@urfavoritehumanbean879]

Thank you very much for this video. I think I will jump the shark and get the Mikro Maschine 3*, skipping the "teenage rebel Akai phase"... I'm currently autodidact-ing myself towards proper musicianhood by playing piano and I've made some huge progress in songwriting thanks to it, hence why I want finger drumming to be my next venture, besides being really attracted. I am keeping an eye on Andreas' (XpressPads) courses and yours for when I'll get something on my hands. Anyways, my only controller with drumpads is the Korg nanoKey Studio I recently bought, but it's not impressing me at all. Pads are one chunky hard piece of gum, awkward sensitivity - I guess, as I turned velocity off pretty quickly - and triggering issues, etc... and of course there's just 8 pads as it's an all-in-one solution. Won't explain further but even if I know some of it is my DAW's fault, I'm not really into it at all regardless, not even for casual input which doesn't require a 4 by 4 setup. Full stop. *Unless they whip out a Mikro 4 this summer, lol, it's been almost 3 years. BTW, did the updates fix that note thing you mentioned? I'm a home composer/producer and not a live performer so that part barely triggered me at all, but still.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey thanks for sharing! The note stuff has been fixed with the mikro mk3 so I can recommend it as best value for money!

[@bboydreaded]

Ok so i have watched a few videos today and have learnt a bit from you about latency and how it effects my timing. thanks for that. I never thought to check. and god dam 10 to 15 milliseconds makes a difference.(you helped fix my groove) lol. So now I am wondering about something. I have a Machine MK2 and Machine Micro MK2. when i run them through my Traktor Z2 sound card/mixer i get 23 to 33 milliseconds of Latency. I have tested this on two different computers. if i use either computers built in sound card i can get it under 10 milliseconds....... Now seeing that The MK3 has a built in sound card compared to the Mikro MK3 is the latency better on the Mikro or is the MK3 built to work it all out. Im well aware that the MK3 sound card will sound better but really wondering about latency... Also when the MK3 is just running off USB power is there any more latency than when you plug it in. Im trying to get the best sounding, low latency and portable finger drumming set up possible.......... Thanks bro. keep up the good work.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey man! The maschine mk3 built in soundcard is actually pretty damn good. They provide special drivers that are optimized for real time audio. If you use it you have to set the buffer size as low as possible and try and plug it in directly via usb. So no usb hub if that's possible. That should get you a very nice latency of under 6ms. USB power does not have an effect at all on latency. The reason for not using a usb hub is that some hubs will create extra latency or even inconsistent latency where others work perfectly fine. Usually plugging in directly is a little more stable although on my computer I can use both options and they're both fine.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

One more thing: when using the mk3 as soundcard you need to plug in all your headphones and speakers in there. Not in the audio out of your computer otherwise it won't work. Also the maschine mk3 audio driver has to be selected in every piece of audio software you use. So for example in addictive drums 2 standalone you have to select asio driver and then select the maschine as the device for processing audio. If you select a windows direct sound driver you'll get latency again.

[@bboydreaded]

The Quest for Groove thank you soooo much brother. Perfect news. really grateful there is ppl to ask these tech questions. Thanks again

[@bboydreaded]

The Quest for Groove ohhhh. Yeah. I usually use native instruments plugins. But yeah. I’m going to start checking all theses things all the time from now on. I learnt to much and realise how much a difference 15 milliseconds can make to the finer parts of your groove. ;) thanks again

[@Paraclap]

Maschine mk3 pads are dope

[@nicolasnovella1451]

Hey, ur videos are great. Subscribed!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Thanks!

[@joaquinvildosola]

Hi Rob, great video, thanks for sharing! Question: if I plug in my kick pedal, would it be velocity sensitive with the Maschine Mk3? Cheers!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Thanks man! Honestly: I'm not sure. I bought a roland digital hihat foot pedal once which did not seem to so much when plugged in by itself. So first of all it needs to be a pedal that sends a clean midi signal to the maschine and not some roland language signal that needs to be decoded by roland hardware first. Secondly, my guess would be that the pedal, when implemented would function more like an on off switch and not a fully playable pad you can control with your foot. But all of these things are assumptions since I didn't check :-)

[@joaquinvildosola]

@@TheQuestforGroove Much appreciated, will post here if I find out more. Cheers

[@adamgreenhill110]

Akai quality control hasn't gone down - it's ALWAYS been bad! About 9 years ago, I got an MPD 18. It's so bad, you need drumsticks to play it. Even hard slamming isn't enough to trigger the pads properly.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Thanks for sharing! I had a glorious year in 2017 where I bought some great Akai mpd218s... so I back then believed akai was pretty great. :-)

[@adamgreenhill110]

@@TheQuestforGroove Yeah, QC is such a minefield! I might've been unlucky, I was too young to know. I've been using a Steinberg CMC PD, sensitivity is perfect (but it's tiny). I'll be getting a Mikro or an Atom soon, thanks for the in-depth reviews!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Also consider an ESI Xjam. Did a review about that recently.

[@allinonethegreat]

I’m fine with my Presonus Atom. Learning Studio One 4 and this at the same time.

[@TheSolutionsScoop-CSI]

Can you use the Atom with iPad apps? Thanks.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

You might be able to, but the atom is designer to be user with a regular computer. Its actually optimised for presonus studio one, but it can be used with all software. My guess would be that if you have an app on your ipad that can read incoming midi data you can hook up the atom via some sort of lightning port adapter and then you should be able to get results. It does not seem like the most straightforward way to use this thing though!

[@leorodo8951]

And another one: the problem you had with the MPC Touch, was in Midi mode triggering your usual Addictive Drum setup or were you running the MPC Software? Thanks!!!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

It was all addictive drums. So I tested the thing as a midi controller. With the touch you have to route it through mpc software and that was very annoying. It might be that using the mpc software only will fix the problem but I want to play 'real' kits, not just samples. So therefore the mpc touch will not work. Keep in mind that I'm just talking about pad sensitivity and my way of finger drumming. So there might be tons of producers out there who would still love the devices I dismiss. For beatmaking or something. It just does not work for playing the way I play. :-)

[@leorodo8951]

@@TheQuestforGroove Thank you! Soon joining your advanced online courses!

[@k3rkis]

After extensive use of maschine gen1, maschine mikro gen 1, akai mpc x and 2 different korg pad controls, I can most definitely say, that korg has no doubt best pads sensitivity and playability. Did try maschine gen 3 , but didn't find it much different from maschine gen 1 (in terms of pads sensitivity) The worst out of all i played was mpc x so far

[@brmbkl]

did you use a black one or a white one? the statement in the video got me a bit worried, because after using a white one with great satisfaction for years, I got a black one coming and this is the first time Ive heard that the black ones are actually different. for me, the pads on the padkontrol are actually better than the maschine mk2.

[@k3rkis]

@@brmbkl white

[@wondaamusic]

Great review! It was very helpful.

[@davidasher22]

Hey dragon! Is there a way to set up a choke for one of the crash cymbals without loosing a pad? Im using Addictive Drums with a full-sized Mk3. I Know there's some special options for these things in AD but not sure if maybe theres a way to map the choke to a CC button or something. I have the open HH mapped to a knob so I can set it looser and tighter depending.on the beat. I just can't sort out that cymbal choke.. thanks

[@TheQuestforGroove]

First of all I'm not Dragon! :-) But I do have an anwer, which is to assign the chokes to the buttons around the pads. That will work fine, since a choke does not have to be velocity sensitive. In midi mode, every button is a midi note, so you can assign them like any other pad.

[@davidasher22]

@@TheQuestforGroove oh man! I’m so sorry! Not sure how that happened. I guess I was in the comment section and thought it was one of his video. I apologize, but you guys are both great finger drummers so… I thought the same thing about using one iPod the regular MIdI cc buttons on the Maschine but it wouldn’t let me assign anything put pads while in Addictive Drummer. Do I need to d9 something in the controller editor first? Thank you so much! I actually use a hybrid pad layout where I do the bottom half symmetrical like you and the top half going left to right like Dragon. It lets me do the a combination of things I like. For instance double kick is way easier but tom fills are easier because they are left to right. Also I have a few more pads to use.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

May I ask why tom fills are easier going from left to right? Because you're used to it already or because of something else? For me it never really seems to matter what order they are but I would like to know it if there's a clear benefit. For the buttons: Click on the button, then go to 'assign" and assign it a note value instead of a cc value. Then it should be possible to link it to a choke.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

In controller editor!

[@davidasher22]

@@TheQuestforGroove Yes. I’ve played drums my whole life. The left to right thing feels more intuitive to me. When you spend years building that muscle memory it’s not easy to break. Lol. I can do it the other way but I have to really think about it to be precise with my rudiments and accents. I do a lot of metal though so the double kick wasn’t working out for me all on the left. I ended up putting my kicks on pads 1 and 4 and my hi hats on 5 and 8. The snares are on 2 and 6 with 6 being a rimshot. Then 4 toms left to right . (9,10,11,12) and hen 13 and 14 Are crashes and 15 and 16 are rude and bell. Oh.. and 7 is side stick and 3 is another closed HH. The other two hats are mapped to a knob so I can make them open or closed and anywhere in between.

[@ADHDev1234]

Maybe I'm crazy but I'm considering going for a treasure hunt for MPD 218. Do you think that there's some acceptance criteria like minimal velocity captured by an MPD to consider it good. I doubt I can buy 5 of those in a one go. But I can patiently order one by one.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

The best thing would be to order two and compare, send the worst one back, order another one and compare to the one you kept, and the worst of the two back and then repeat a few times. You'll end up.with the best :-)

[@ADHDev1234]

@@TheQuestforGroove that's a very smart "algorhythm" ;)

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Almost like AI :-)

[@VideosVonDennis]

So, can you use the Maschine Mikro MK3 without getting soaked into the Native Instrument software ecosystem, e.g. installing only drivers but no NI software and do midi learn in DAW? I really just need the hardware, drivers and want to handle everything else via DAW and VST's. No interest in installing additional NI software... will it run with bare drivers or doesn't it have slimline drivers?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

You will need to install maschine software and do the activation and all the firmware and software upgrades. After that the device works as a class compliant midi standalone device. So after that initial setup you can actually uninstall everything and use the maschine by itself.

[@VideosVonDennis]

@@TheQuestforGroove That was a quick reply :) And it sounds good! Thanks for helping!

[@sumyunguy4150]

Great overview! I have a question though. Can Maschine MK3 replicate the roll speed/volume that is achievable when using the Padkontrol's x/y pad? Do you know what I mean? The x/y pad on Padkontrol can create AMAZINGLY dynamic drum rolls. BUT you need to keep a finger on the x/y pad to modulate them! I want to buy an MK3 I just would like to replicate thus feature! Can you tell me?! Thanks a lot, it's a great series of vids you've done.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey, that type of roll is a pad kontrol exclusive im afraid. I don't miss it though. Love playing my machine. The pads respond better and give me an overall better sense of control.

[@benjaminmartin7702]

I need one that directly conects to the speakers.

[@jerodsmith6168]

have you tried any of the pads of the nector midi controllers

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I have a review and setup guide for the nektar aura somewhere on this channel!

[@burtcocain1986]

Last week I watched this video. I stopped it and decided to buy the Mikro. Dude, that thing is my favourite toy right now. Totally worth it.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Haha, so great to hear man! Have fun with it!

[@telengardo]

Great video, thanks for testing all of these. What were your settings on the MPC Live as far as sensitivity (or do you use the defaults)? You barely touched the Maschine mk3 and it triggers whereas with my MPC Live it takes a LOT of effort for a note to trigger. I ask since you thought the MPC Live was a close competitor to the mkiii as far as sensitivity. Coming from a padKontrol (black one), the MPC Live (and I've tried all kinds of different sensitivity/threshold settings) doesn't even come close.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

That's so strange. I set two settings to number 2. I think threshold and sensitivity. Problem is I cannot check because I borrowed the device and now I've returned it to its owner. When I set the sensitivity to the most sensitive (1) the pads would start triggering by themselves. So that didn't work, but I think if you gradually increase until that does not happen you should get very responsive pads.

[@telengardo]

@@TheQuestforGroove I experienced the same thing @ threshold of 1 (false triggering). Sensitivity says that 16 is "the most" so I've been setting it to that, threshold at 1. I had tried threshold at other values and (2, 3, etc) and it's not enough. I tried a low number of sensitivity and same behavior. I wonder if I have a defective unit?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah sounds like it because the mpc live was truly awesome when I played it.

[@asadshoro2088]

@@telengardo well how did that turn out? was your mpc live defective?

[@asadshoro2088]

@@TheQuestforGroove I own mpc live and maschine mk3 both. For some reason, mk3 is more sensitive to touch than Akai MPC live. is it the same according to you?

[@TDTota]

100% correct about the deterioration of MPD line. MPD32 was amazing. 226 was trash.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I played a nice mpd226 in 2017 but the one in the review is not the same whatsoever.

[@ChrisNova777]

what about the mpd24

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Haven't played that one. My guess is not spectacular. I tried so many akai devices by now. You gotta get into the more expensive controllers to get serious quality.

[@DaMaster1983]

Atom is not sensitive enough I checked it today..nor the MPD 218

[@jeffreyepsteinseggshapedpe143]

Hi there , loved the video. I am hoping to add a device like one of theese to my guitar setup, preferably connected to my loop pedal so I could loop some percussion , but have noticed alot of them need to run through a computer or DAW TO operate . Would you possibly have any advice about a pad like theese that would have the correct output jack to run directly into an amp / pedalboard ?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey! Good to see that Jeffrey Epsteins egg-shaped penis is looking for new hobbies :-) :-) If you want to bypass the computer completely you should look into the akai mpc one or akai mpc lice devices. You won't get the same realism in drumsounds but you can leave the laptop at home completely!

[@jeffreyepsteinseggshapedpe143]

@@TheQuestforGroove thanks very much for the info !

[@vitaliq435]

I wondering if it's still worth buying an old Korg padkontrol (white) ? We can find it for around 50€.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah in most cases it is. If someone played it a lot it might be worn out but ususally those white pad kontrols are very decent. Not ALL of them but most of them.

[@vitaliq435]

@@TheQuestforGroove Thanks for you reply ! After 2 years it's awesome ! Yeah they don't look so used. Unfortunately I bought mpd226 and I was very disappointed by the sensitivity (I didnt know your video yet)

[@vitaliq435]

​@@TheQuestforGroove little update: I've actually just seen your new video, maybe it worth the try before replacing the mpd226. What a good timing.

[@leorodo8951]

Great video again! Thank you very much! Here goes a quicky: Is there a way to change the pad bank in the Maschine Mikro MK3 by pressing only 1 button? (while playing)

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Looks like group + 2 is the only way. Theres no 1 button to do this. In midi mode you cannot switch pad banks at all by the way.