TheMPD218byAkai Professionalis a MIDI-over-USB pad controller which brings the feel of classic MPC beat-making to producers, programmers, musicians and DJs, in a lightweight and compact package.
Sixteen ultra-sensitive Thick Fat backlit MPC pads are used to trigger drum hits and other samples in your software or external MIDI sound module, and are pressure- and velocity-sensitive, for a responsive feel and intuitive playing. You can switch between three pad banks to control up to 48 samples.
The MPD218 features 3 banks of 6 assignable 360° potentiometers which send continuous controller messages to the software for up to 18 parameters. The controller incorporates some of the MPC's most popular functions such as a Note-Repeat button and Full-Level mode.
The unit is bus-powered and class-compliant with Mac and Windows, and is iOS-compatible via Apple's Camera Connection kit (available separately). It comes with a comprehensive software bundle which includes Ableton Live Lite, Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Sonivox Big Bang Cinematic Percussion & Big Bang Universal Drums, and Software Preset Editor.
Key features
16 x ultra-sensitive Thick Fat backlit MPC pads
Switch between three pad banks to control up to 48 samples
6 x assignable 360° potentiometers send continuous controller messages to your software or external MIDI device
Control-Bank button to select one of three banks of potentiometers and control up to 18 parameters
Program-Select button to recall pre-mapped layout of pads
Note-Repeat button to retrigger pad at a rate based on the current tempo and time-division settings
Full-Level mode causes pads to always play at a maximum velocity no matter how hard or soft you hit them
16 configurable presets
iOS-compatible with Apple’s Camera Connection kit (sold separately)
MIDI information is sent over plug-and-play USB interface for use with Mac or Windows
USB powered, no AC adapter required
Kensington lock slot to secure unit to a table or surface
Included software: Ableton Live Lite, Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Sonivox Big Bang Cinematic Percussion & Big Bang Universal Drums, and Software Preset Editor
Specifications
Pads
16 x velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads, red-backlit 3 x banks accessible via Pad Bank button
Controls
6 x 360° assignable potentiometers 3 x banks accessible via Control Bank button
Connections
USB port Kensington lock
System Requirements
Mac:
1.25 GHz G4/G5 or faster (Intel Mac recommended)
1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)
Mac OS X 10.4.11 (10.5 or later recommended)
Windows:
1.5 GHz Pentium 4 Celeron-compatible CPU or faster (multicore CPU recommended)
1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)
Windows 8, 7, Vista, or XP
Windows-compatible sound card (ASIO driver support recommended, QuickTime recommended)