Xjam pad controller for Finger Drumming?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

UPDATE AUGUST 2022 - 1: A new firmware seems to fix the adjacent pads problem mentioned in the video. I updated and tested and it looks like the problem is gone! 2: I did get 1 report of someone who bought an Xjam with (according to him) pads that did not respond well. As always with these new releases, it will take time to get a feel for how good quality control is and how big differences between individual devices are. Let me know in the comments if you bought one of these and how it responds! ►► My latest gear recommendations → questforgroove.com/gear-recommendations/

[@K7stan]

Thank you for the review. I'm new to this technology. Can you plug Roland hihat and kick controller into this module for triggering the open/close and kick samples? Also, can this trigger the sound from high end drum modules (EFNote, Mimic Pro, etc)? The desired use would be for live drumming.

[@robertsylvester3542]

Okay I got the x jam but I’m sooooo confused as I have never used a midi controller before. I downloaded bitwig and that x jam app which I didn’t even know about lol. But I’m trying to find a way to map the drums to the pads and I have spent hours trying to figure this out. I would be incredibly grateful if you could do a video on how to map through bitwig and how to save presets for future loading, or if you know of any better Daws than that. I was hoping to ez drummer because I know the sounds are amazing. But it’s insane expensive. Again please help :)

[@robertsylvester3542]

Also i subscribed:)

[@ambidex]

Just seeing this video, and finding this update in the comments from the original poster is so appreciated. Thank you for keeping your review relevant with updates like this. Subscribed!

[@towerrunner4675]

Finally an affordable pad controller with good sensitivity, and no nonsense. It's like an MPD218 in better quality. Thanks ESI!

[@m-chopbeats7526]

Like Geez...yea not too many of these....only if Akai made a newer mpd. But also check out Starrypad DPD-16 by Donner, another alternative... similar to this

[@towerrunner4675]

@@m-chopbeats7526 Thanks, that device is new to me. After all the drama with bad pads, I fixed them on MPD218 (see my comment on TQFQ's last video). The Ableton bonus also makes a difference. I wouldn't buy this again, but now I keep it.

[@astropajamaland]

I got an Xjam, set it up, and it's phenomenal, especially for the price. The pad sensitivity is perfect for expressing both soft and loud velocities with ease, and the Xjam software allows me to adjust headroom per pad, which is incredible. The problem I had with my Launchpad Pro mk3 is how freaking sensitive it is. I love how the mk3 picks up even the lightest tap, but there's no headroom whatsoever -- velocities max out at 127 with very little effort, sucking the humanity out of everything I play. Anyone else have this issue with the mk3? I wish it had headroom settings like the Xjam. I can set up the headroom on the Xjam at just the sweet spot to express soft and loud hits really naturally within single drum rolls and drum fills. The pads aren't quite as sensitive threshold-wise as those on my Launchpad Pro, but I'll trade that for the Xjam's more natural headroom any day of the week. Haven't been able to put the thing down for the past few days. The Xjam reminds me most of the padKONTROL, but quite smaller, which I don't mind. Easier to keep it on my desk, and still plenty playable. I really appreciate the review, lucky I came across this video and your channel!

[@DJPollux-bp8yq]

Thank you. You don’t find pads too small?

[@AvocadoRob]

Taking a minute to point out an excellent job keeping this updated as time passed. Not only did you pin an update but mentioned to check in the vid before you knew if there would be. Subbed!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Thank you! I hope to keep this stuff updated for as long as good finger drumming equipment is hard to find (or as long as I live) :-)

[@pommedapi3847]

What a nice guy and what a nice channel. Thank you for this review I am travelling as light as possible and you helped me a lot. Best !

[@jeyz1176]

I was torn between the Atom and the Launchpad X and this Xjam comes at just the right time. Thank you very much for this relevant review. 👍

[@Byronic19134]

Get the Atom it comes with the best software bundle as well.

[@richardpyo4426]

Got my hands on 3 xjams today, from my experience blind testing them and trying to figure out which one was which I can tell that there is definitely some quality control issues. The 2nd xjam was noticably better than the 1st and 3rd one during the blind testing. It's velocity sensing was much more consistent and accurate than the other 2 controllers. The adjacent pad problem doesn't seem to be an issue like the August 22 update stated, so that's good. The other two xjams were more prone to double triggering and lagging as well so if you do decide to order an xjam it's a random luck of the draw in terms of experience. I will be keeping the 2nd one and returning the other ones. The 2nd xjam is a very good controller and met my expectations! It's just that the 1st and 3rd xjams issues with responsiveness/accuracy make it okay for use but underwhelming when finger drumming with it. Definitely makes a difference when playing. Hope this helps!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

This is very useful information. Thank you! I think I have to buy and test two more units and definitely place some asterisks with the recommendation. Bummer... quality control should be front and center.

[@dmanh5144]

I really find your explanations to be so very helpful for me to understand the midi hardware that I have already purchased such as the Maschine Mikro MK3 and how it rates compared to others like the Presonus Atom, for example. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving your helpful opinions on all of this drum pad hardware.

[@EgoShredder]

My ideal pad controller for finger drumming would have two rows of eight pads, with room for two fingers side by side on each pad, that has no dead spots on the edges of the pad, medium soft rubber that springs back quickly, does not double trigger notes, and sensitive enough to be played with a light touch. It would have 5-pin DIN MIDI OUT but not a deal breaker as I can use a DOREMiDi USB convertor box.

[@towerrunner4675]

Yeah, that's why I keep those full size MPC pads. Two fingers on one pad is a useful technique.

[@demonicsweaters]

the threshold, dynamic curve and retrigger settings are really great!

[@Azkold]

Thanks for the video! Very glad made this review and very timely. If Xjam had a BLEmidi (like Xkey) I definitely had to buy it. Big omission from manufacturer IMHO. For now I will stick to my upgraded AKAI MPD 218 and connect it to CME Uhost BLEmidi transmitter (no hearable latency at all). I have Xkey Air and its my go to keyboard for playing on the road and parks. Absolutely love it!

[@effebidi9677]

Thanks for the review. I like the facts it has old style repeat note and pots, which is what is just missing in the best pad controllers , for instance Launchpads and machine mikro...And I really appreciate the shortcuts labeled for hardware usage. Could be an option nowadays as a purely drum pad controller.

[@LouisLuzuka]

This looks beautiful

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah it's a uniquely "premium" feeling pad controller.

[@jmichell1880]

I love this thing. Best recommendation.

[@JeffyG]

Wow! So similar to the Akai MPD218 from 2015, which I picked up used for $50. In a way it’s complimentary to Akai. The only other thing I would like to see are some transport controls - even just 2 buttons for Play/Stop and Record would be great.

[@musique4581]

As soon as I saw this being presented during NAMM I was hoping that you would do a review - so thank you that it happened so quickly 😂 In one of their Instagram posts ESI said that there is a 1/4" thread on the bottom of the device ( so you could fix it to a stand ). Can you confirm this? Thanks!

[@towerrunner4675]

The specs at Thomann shop say that there is a 3/8" mounting point.

[@sergio_tempo]

Waiting for you opinion about this device, thanks

[@bless6952]

You Will wait for a long time 😂😂😂

[@JoshElliottMusic]

Thanks for the run down on this! Looks pretty good. As for finger drumming on an iPad set up. We’re definitely there. With a decent interface and an M1 iPad there is no noticeable latency. In fact my MacBook with Ableton has more latency than my iPad set up. Motu interfaces work really well and the RME Babyface Pro FS is excellent.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Very Nice! My guess is if plugins are compatible with Logic they should run on an iPad. So then you can finally do everything on a tablet.

[@JoshElliottMusic]

@@TheQuestforGroove I’m a multi instrumentalist live looping artist who uses some finger drumming in my set. I use a live looping app called Loopy pro which has some similarities to Ableton, but it is even better for live looping. You can host a wide variety of different drum or sample apps inside of Loopy Pro and map a midi controller to play those samples no latency problems whatsoever.

[@phosphore7991]

Hi, This device coupled with a DR rhytm 880 would be great ;) I have finally found one for 140 euros in excellent shape! its very good for finger drumming everywhere. The unit have 4 buttons for quick custom setups 500 patterns (good and variety) groove fonction like ghost note percentage ; many kits in all styles Midi in/out and good basses guitar sounds! It's not better than the 2box module but it's very good and works great oh and you can plug the guitar too... found one for less than 180 and you 'll be happy ;)

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey thanks for the update! I might check it out in the near future. If you ever record a demo of yourself playing I would also love to see / hear it.

[@sinefabula]

Hi Rob! I love your thorough and detailed explanations and attention to the small but important details, like how configurable the device is, how responsive the pads are closer to the edges etc. - stuff you won't find anywhere basically :) I have a quick question about Maschine Mikro - in one video you said that you couldn't change MIDI notes which pads send out on a Mikro - is that problem still there or was it fixed in some software update?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey thanks for your kind words! The maschine mikro problem has been solved years ago! I think I put that in a pinned comment beneath the video. Anyways, you don't have to worry about that anymore. The mikro mk3 is great.

[@sinefabula]

@@TheQuestforGroove thanks Rob! Haha great to know that was fixed, I just got interested in pad controllers so only watched a couple of videos so far, didn't notice that pin though.

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

KORG PAD KONTROL is still the champion :-)

[@DavidMeslin]

I love my white pad kontrol, but I do wish it had pressure/aftertouch. And a couple more knobs or faders…

[@ElMehdiBOUMAZA]

i did not like the MPD218 and one thing i did dislike most is the size that's why i stopped caring about pad drumming and used the keyboard , but this is interesting as it is smaller

[@SHTMusik]

Very useful info here. As a singer-songwriter I program drums for my demos. So what is the least you can spend for a decent controller and are pads really that much better than keys? Is there a video on this subject on this channel?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

$150 for this device is sort of the minimum. Sometimes you can find a good akai mpd218 for $100 but that also depends on luck. The pads vs keys thing is a difficult one to answer. It's probably a bit personal. For me playing on pads felt better from the start. I sometimes played drums on the piano but the key travel and all of that did not seem to mimic the feel of drumming. With pads it's the same as drumming on your lap, or a table etc. and the movement comes mostly from the wrist, not the fingers.

[@m-chopbeats7526]

Hey brother...hope all is well. Every time I hear about a new pad controller I always wonder if you tested them out lol. Donner DPD-16 starrypad. Smaller form factor but probably works better than those defective Akai units. The one in this video I'm just hearing about now...*UPDATE* I actually saw these a few years back...I think they were on display during one of those NAMM shows ..but little marketing

[@romandegtiarev]

Hey, can I ask for an advice? I don't know if you still read comments on this video, but it's worth a shot asking: I bought xjam as my first finger drumming device and I love it! Very sensitive, tweakable, good size for my fingers and great size overall. But I quickly found out that for me 4x4 is not enough, as I want to play acoustic jazz-style sounds (with addictive drums 2). The next best thing would be one of the launchpads, but I'm afraid that the pro version is a little bit too expensive for me. So, my question is: is Launchpad X would be a good alternative to xjam? Would it be a downgrade in quality? Thank you very much in advance!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah the Launchpad X is a good controller! It has some differences between the units. So there is a chance you get a bad one. Best wat to operate is to order 3 and return 2. If that's not possible, just order one, test it out, see if each pad responds well and does not false trigger. If you're not happy, return it, get another one. Etc.

[@romandegtiarev]

@@TheQuestforGroove Cool! Thank you very much, Robert! I got my xjam from Thomann, so I can send it back and buy Launchpad x. And, if I'm not mistaken, my local shop also had at least one unit in stock, so I'll visit them.

[@machiavelli4428]

Donner Starrypad looks nice too

[@umangwav]

Great video! Wanted to know if it's feasible for live looping multiple tracks while drumming or do you have any other recommendations?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

This thing does not do any sequencing. So you'd need another device or another piece of software that does that. This would just be for tapping in the notes. Nektar Aura (Nowadays called Aruba) has some onboard sequencing.

[@9Lumberjack6]

I'm a fan of versatility and would like to use the pad controller as a shortcut controller for other programs (Vegas, drawing programs etc.). Is this only possible with the Xjam or is it also possible with the Maschine Mikro Mk3 and Presonus Atom? Unfortunately, I can't find much about this on the Internet. What I find cool about Maschine Mikro is that you can also integrate the NI software as a VST in FL Studio, for example. Thanks for the video and your work. You definitely have my subscription!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

You can use Atom and Maschine as regular midi controllers. Somehow you cannot change the notes of the pads on the Atom though... In Maschine you can do this with Controller Editor software.

[@9Lumberjack6]

@@TheQuestforGroove Thank you very much for your quick reply! I will start practicing with the Donner device now and switch to the machine mic after a while. I think the maschine Mikro really brilliant. :D

[@bitterdose]

Hi and thanks for the content, Rob! Do you happen to know if the pad LEDs on the Maschine Mikro mk3 can be turned off entirely or dimmed? I'm looking to buy either a mk3 or Xjam and I've noticed that LED pads (like the Launchpad X, for example) are annoyingly bright for me even on their lowest dim setting.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yes they can be dimmed!

[@jeyz1176]

Hola ! The new AKAI LPD8 MK2 is coming soon !! They've upgraded the pads to the ones on the MPC X ...

[@TheQuestforGroove]

What I can say already is that with Akai, even if I bought one of these and it's good, with akai you never know for sure. Maybe all of the units are good, but maybe just some. It's hard. The quality control has been too unreliable for years now.

[@jeyz1176]

@@TheQuestforGroove Yes, that's exactly what you say in the video on the MPC Studio II, buying AKAI is a bit like playing the lottery 😅

[@deeoosee]

Is there any sort of foot pedal out there to incorporate into pads like the Akai MPD? I want to finger drum but it just seems so much more fun to make these pads more like a real drum set with foot pedals.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I've tried foot pedals before. Some thing from Roland that I tried to use for opening and closing the hi hat but it turned out to be more of a hassle than I thought, so I kinda gave up on it. It's also easier to teach (which I do) without a pedal. That would take another camera angle :-D So... I honestly don't really know much about this. I can imagine it's nice if you already know drums to also have a pedal.

[@sailordave5292]

Ditto, I've wondered about connecting pedals for hi hats and or kick : )

[@stefangudmund]

Thanks!

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Thank you!

[@robertsylvester3542]

I originally used an SR 16 Alesis when I did my drum tracks back in the day on my first demo. But I play hardcore and metal. You think that the X jam would work for that style as well ?? Thinking of getting one as it sounds like it would be a good fit.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah I think so!

[@robertsylvester3542]

Thanks man wife got me one for early Christmas present! Your video definitely helped me decide thank you

[@DJPollux-bp8yq]

I bought one to give it a try. Pads are pretty decent, however they are way too small for me. Returning...

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah I can imagine they will not work for everyone. For my main rig I'm still using the Maschine mk3 with nice big pads as well.

[@grahammcgugan6538]

Mine arrived today. Have had an initial few hours and not overly impressed. Pad sensitivity on this unit isn't that great, even dialled to max through app. Note repeat switches on and off at random in settings and won't sync external. Rotaries are sluggish/jerky. 🙄

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Damn... could this be another quality control disaster where the unit I got is not representative of what others are getting? Wouldn't be the first time... Had similar experiences with first the mpd218 and then the Launchpad X and sometimes I get a message from someone who got a faulty Maschine mikro mk3. That's rare though. I hope it stays rare with this unit and that you simply got very unlucky this one time. I did not test the rotary knobs, but the pads were very nice and responsive in my unit. So maybe at this point it would be a good idea to return the unit and see if a replacement does a better job?

[@Toycamaniac]

@@TheQuestforGroove Also for my xjam the sensitivity was terrible at the beginning, especially on pad number 8. But after a few hours of heavy finger drumming the sensitivity improved a lot. The bottom row of pads always seems to be slightly more sensitive than the others, but in the end I'm happy with it. I confirm that the knobs work jerkily.

[@Byronic19134]

A link to a place to buy this controller would be like super, well expected.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

So here in Europe it's now available at Thomann: www.thomann.de/nl/esi_xjam.htm but you might have to wait a little bit for it to spread across the world. Make sure you also search for Artesia Pro and not just ESI. On Thomann the controller appeared this week, so it should be pretty normal that you cannot find much right now... this will change over time.

[@mdptg1990]

Does this controller have a 16 level function? So for example, I tap on a pad and then click the 16 levels button so now the sample in that pad is spread out into 16 different velocities, from highest to low. The Push 2, any MPC & Maschine has this feature I believe

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I don't think it has that functionality. You cannot really do any sample organizing inside the device. It's just a controller. It could technically control software that has functionality like you describe but it does not have dedicated buttons or its own software to do this.

[@mdptg1990]

@@TheQuestforGroove that’s good to know, thank you. I think if it had that function it’d be the perfect pad controller for me since I only use 10% of the Push 2’s capabilities and it takes up way to much space on my desk

[@m-chopbeats7526]

Bro...check out synido tempo pad...small form factor but full size pads, similar look to mpd218

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey it does not seem to be available in my region :-(

[@pinkbuddha_samplepackreviews]

ahh beautiful

[@tomwawer5714]

Thanks for great Content! What do you think about djtech midi fighter 3D

[@TheQuestforGroove]

The midi fighters don't have velocity sensing. So it doesnt matter if you hit the pads hard or soft, the midi velocity value will be the same. They look like a lot of fun to play with though!

[@tomwawer5714]

@@TheQuestforGroove thanks a lot!!

[@djzazk]

Not regarding this xjam pad but, what do you think about the launchpad pro (not the mk3) is it good enough for finger drumming?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I personally don't like the old pro that much. Pads are less responsive and the device is hard to set up with custom pad layouts. The Launchpad X and Pro mk3 are step up imho.

[@Santi-pm9hq]

What do you think about the Korg NanoPad2 and Akai LPD 8 for the budget?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I'd save up a little longer and go for the Xjam because it is more than twice as good. Those LPD and Nanopad pads are so insensitive that they're not very playable. If you're just tapping out some simple stuff once in a while they will be fine, but not for drumming.

[@Santi-pm9hq]

@@TheQuestforGroove Thanks for the answer!

[@damioncampbell7481]

Do you recommend this as a buy for a portable set up instead of the maschine micro mk3 for .a budget set up?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yeah if you want something small and portable this is a good one BUT please make sure you can return it if the pads do not respond well. I've had some comments of people being very happy but also some people who had issues.

[@capitaldharma]

Great channel. I tried to sign up for your course on your website but never got an email for registration.

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Hey Kipp, usually that means a typo in the email address, like gmailk.com or something. Maybe you could try once more and if that fails let me know at [e-mail] and I will set up an account for you with the email address you provide.

[@capitaldharma]

@@TheQuestforGroove Thanks Rob! I realized it landed in my junk folder.

[@Hugosanches594]

Hello, if i have to choose between ableton push and maschine mk3 And i already have Ableton suite 11 Launchpad pro mk2 Native instrument complete collection Native instrument komplete kontrol mk1 piano What would be more reduntant to purchase and what would be more convenient and add more features to my setup?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Ab ableton push 2 will be a nice addition to your setup if you think you can make use of the 8x8 pads. If you think you'll just be drumming some simple stuff and 4x4 is more than enough I would still go for a Maschine mk3 and use it in MIDI mode to control your drum kits. The bigger pads are nice.

[@Hugosanches594]

@@TheQuestforGroove if the main difference is the quantity of pads, i can use the launchpad when i need more, right? I was more interested to know the feature that one have that the other doesn’t

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I only care about how the pads respond to soft touches and dynamics. I personally like the Maschine mk3 pads a little bit more than the Push 2 in that regard. But it's not a big difference.

[@mdptg1990]

@@TheQuestforGroove Can you use the Maschine Mikro easily with Ableton Drum Rack?

[@tommyiwanow8289]

How does the pad sensitivity compare to the Novation Launchpad X? Is it an upgrade in that aspect?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Xjam will probably respond a little better.

[@roberts784]

im a little confused on how to use this, what do i need to download? I downloaded bitwig and i cant get cubasis for some reason is something supposed to happen when you hook it up to a computer aka laptop?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

You can use it in many ways. I unfortunately don't have a guide on how to set this up right now. It basically is the same thing as connecting a midi keyboard, but instead of keys you have pads. Maybe a video like this will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ6apmptft-rnbssi=hVtbvhkO3LblKp-W

[@MassacreVegan]

Between this and the Mikro MK2, which would you suggest?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Never played the mk2. only mk3, so I guess I would recommend a device I actually tested, which is in this case the Xjam.

[@lextron-audio]

Can the knob settings be changed? So I can do a full filter sweep in a smaller knob twist

[@TheQuestforGroove]

The knobs seem to go from 0 to 127 and you cannot make them start or stop somewhere else to make the range smaller.

[@lextron-audio]

@@TheQuestforGroove the knobs on my xjam perform terribly. Inconsistent performance. Unusable for me. I hope a future update can fix it and its not the actual encoders

[@TheQuestforGroove]

@@lextron-audio Ah I just care about the pads and the knobs sometimes open a hi hat but not much else. For that they seemt o work fine. I hope they will fix your issue too!

[@lextron-audio]

@@TheQuestforGroove but I am loving the pads. The form factor is just perfect for me:)

[@gabsauvage]

Wich pads are better, those or the NI MK3 ones ?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

If I could choose I'd go for my Mk3 over this. Also because of the size of the pads, but I also am used to the exact way they respond.

[@JoshElliottMusic]

How is the pad sensitivity between the Xjam and the Atom?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Xjam is more sensitive for sure!

[@JoshElliottMusic]

@@TheQuestforGroove Thanks for the reply!

[@Fecho33]

hi, is it possible to map the pads to CC and to change the value?

[@TheQuestforGroove]

Yes that's possible! I just checked for you.

[@Fecho33]

Thanks my friend love your channel

[@sapphireblue6]

I just want to use it for sampling

[@TheQuestforGroove]

I'm not really the guy to give advice about that, since it's not what I do. I wouldn't be surprised if one of those Roland Sampler machines is way better than this thing. But... I really wouldn't know.

[@DanielNunez-ur9dm]

Anybody using this with koala sampler?

[@azarlengo781]

Just received the xjam. I plan to use it with Koala. I’ll let you know how it goes