Thick fat pads from MPCstuff.com Install MPD18

A simple guide on how to install the thick fat pads from www.MPCstuff.com on my personal Akai MPD18 from your truly, DJ Curiosity. Also a comparison from the stock pads to the new pads. What a difference in response and play-ability.
You may notice some big clear feet and left over glue marks on the bottom of my MPD, these are my doing for different customizations and will not be on the bottom of yours.
Here is the direct link to their site to get your own pair.
www.mpcstuff.com/akmpcthfatpa....
Make sure to specify what model MPD/MPC you have so they send you the proper size corks. Not only do the corks add to the responsiveness of the corners but they make the pads super sensitive which was my only problem with the MPD out of the box.
For DJ Fresh - Scream follow this link:
itunes.apple.com/gb/album/scre...
For some of my actual productions check out my soundcloud at this link too!
/ curiosity
Also, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't open your trap! For more info:
Talk to your mother, as I will immediately delete any negative comments posted.
Thank you and have fun all.

[@DJCuriosity]

I have the nanopad1 and after trying my buddies MPD I was sold. Not only are the pads much more responsive and softer but the layout is perfect for Ableton's drum rack layout so that saved a lot of time. I still use my Nano but it's more for triggering cue points in Traktor. So yes, even with the factory pads, the MPD is superior in every way.

[@MehtabInc]

right when you brought the red pads into the video I was like "WOAAAH DAS BEAUTIFUL"

[@DJCuriosity]

Hard Plastic. I took mine apart before I plugged it in to see the quality of the pads and they are a great build. I wouldn't expect anything less from Akai though. Even everything inside my APC is solid. Still wrapped in Plastic though. We have been talking about an aluminium replacement top for the MPD for a while. I think it would look sweet powder coated and laser engraved.

[@DJCuriosity]

Yeah, definitively gives it a whole different look. I'm a big fan.

[@DJCuriosity]

Only reason I took red over black is for when I am on stage in a dark room it's really nice to be able to see where the pads are at a glance. When I use my Axiom 25 on stage I always have trouble seeing the grey transport controls. Maybe it's because I'm 6'6 and all booths are made for people that are 5"5. HA!

[@BeatsAndGuitars]

@DJCuriosity Thanks for heads up. I needed up buying the same pads for my MPD32 and I love them.

[@DJCuriosity]

I have the Machine mk1 and it is amazing for most things. I like having it with me when I am not at my house because you can use it for everything. The biggest issue I have with it replacing my MPD is that it runs in it's own maschine software inside Ableton or by itself. The sequencing is my biggest problem with it inside Ableton so i still use my MPD for that. Both are great but the MPD seems better right out of the box for production with other DAWs.

[@whiteshadow67]

Ok, thanks. I already use Cubase, which I'm happy with. I wanted a midi pad controller for drums, bass, fx etc. The Maschine appeals because of the dynamics of the pads but it is a big difference in price. Tricky decision, thanks for all the advice. Appreciated. :)

[@DJCuriosity]

So in short, if you are already confortable with Ableton or Logic or any other DAW, save the money and get the MPD. If you are still looking for a DAW to fit your needs, find a live demo or a buddy with a Maschine and give it a try. The pads of the Maschine are a bit better but really to me they just seem to make it easier to hit pads softer and I don't need that so the pads on the MPD do me just fine. The response is about the same on both, fast.

[@DJCuriosity]

No, I had no problems. They are just a lot more sensitive than before. I like my pads very stiff but I have noticed that they work better without the corx. Or with the Corx and with the stock pads.

[@DJCuriosity]

I have had a MPC 500 and 1000xl apart and they are easy also. MPCstuff.com has a video on youtube for MPC instructions. You are right though, very similar, just more cool stuff inside of yours.

[@Olivander12]

Very informative video. I own a MPC 500, but I hopefully suspect the procedure to be the identical.

[@DJCuriosity]

@bwidger After playing with them for a few weeks they have broken in a bit. Still extremely responsive buy at first I was having a small problem with individual pads triggering multiple pads next to them. After a week of playing around with it and beating on it pretty good it all got better. Now I have no problems minus lack of sleep, thanks a lot ableton.

[@Olivander12]

Ok, thats cool. I am quite anxious to know how they will improve the situation. I think the MPD stock pads are ok, but the MPc 500 has very stiff pads.

[@gumdrops27]

Those look amazazing

[@DJCuriosity]

I used to use Reason after not liking Fruity Loops, but once I got my hands on Ableton Live I will never go back to either. Sometimes I will get bored and try to think up something Ableton might not be able to do. I have yet to find anything not possible. I do use NI Battery for drums inside of Ableton though.

[@DJCuriosity]

I agree, the MPC's have a stiff pad but that is what I like. If you get these pads and install the Corx they will be very stiff. If you want a more squishy pad don't install the Corx and just put in the pads.

[@DJCuriosity]

The new pads do improve response by touch but I would double check your latency for the lag. Any lag I have ever experienced, time from your finger hitting the button to the time sound comes out, is caused by latency. I now use ASIO4All and have no lag what so ever. i would try this before you buy anything as it is a free download. It's just a different audio driver. Hope this helped!

[@whiteshadow67]

Thanks for the info.

[@DJCuriosity]

@Uprightest I had the problem right off but after kind of moving the pads around the make sure they were in the center of the squares everything was fine and has been since. I might pull the corx because I lose a lot of the velocity sensing with them. I think either corx or thick fat pads, but maybe not both.

[@hardlycreations]

man that looks great! i was thinking about getting white or black but the red matches the lights i dunno.

[@whiteshadow67]

Thanks for the feedback. :) I did a bit more research and I'm considering buying the NI Maschine Mk2 now. The dynamics on the pads are improved over the original. It's looking like a choice between the MPD and that atm. Don't suppose you've had a go on a NI Maschine before? Thanks again.

[@LURKING323]

Thanks for the vid :)

[@BlazingVictory]

hahaha i loved you ending! Sick beat

[@FITTinIT]

oh ok thanks i will try them ;)

[@whiteshadow67]

Thanks for the info. Can you use it in other Daw's though?

[@Tommykchristiansen]

@DJCuriosity Hi, great video. Do you still have the loss of velocity sensing on the pads? I just installed those pads, and have the same problem with loss of velocity, its full sense all the way it seems.

[@TommyRocket49]

You Think this will control Kong in Reason 5? Great Vid!!

[@CallOfBrawl]

Link to master piece at end of video pls

[@DJCuriosity]

@nizzobeats Thanks!

[@DJCuriosity]

You can use it in other DAWs but it opens like a VST inside of your DAW. So you have to sequence your patterns in the plug in and not in your DAWs sequencer which is kind of a pain. The pads are nice on the maschine but I will back the MPD all day for someone looking for an awesome controller with great pads. The Maschine is designed to be more of an all in one workstation like the MPC but with a laptop. If you already feel good inside Cubase or any other DAW I would say stick with the MPD.

[@Coastincolt]

Lucas Turney Ain't dat the truth!! Now 2018- even worse!

[@FITTinIT]

wat software do you use for your beats ?

[@DJCuriosity]

Step one: Grab hold. Step two: Close eyes and begin to pray. Step 3: Pull... gently.

[@Tommykchristiansen]

Ok, thanks,- I'll try it out without the corx I guess. :-)

[@whiteshadow67]

I was deciding what to get between this and a Korg Nanopad2 for recording drums. I went for the Nanopad2 but I think I made the wrong choice. The pads are really stiff on the nanopad2, so it stops you from playing fast routines as it ends up not responding on some hits. Is the Akai much better than the Nanopad2 after having the new pads fitted? Is the Akai MPD 18 the best choice to go for or are there any other good options that have really responsive pads for midi drum recording?

[@adri50q]

Did you have Full level turned off at the test run at the end?

[@zokeful]

how big of a diffrence does that make? I dont know whether to get mpd 32 or mpd 18 with fat pads

[@ChazRorie]

Is the case metal or hard plastic?

[@BeatsAndGuitars]

Are you still having a problem with these triggering other pads? I've heard that this is an issue....how are things going for you now? Thanks

[@EMAGA]

Heighth lol