External Pad Controller for MPC Key 37

Looking for suggestions for an external pad controller for MPC Key 37.

I bought a Key 37, getting tomorrow, new to all this, been watching videos online from Dragon Finger Drums, would like to have a smaller practice pad that I can still plug into the Key 37, if desired, but also be able to plug into my iPhone using the drum kits on Garage Band to practice acoustic drums.

I heard the Akai MPC Studio and the NI Maschine Mikro Mk3 have more sensitive, higher quality pads than the Akai MPD 218.

Any opinions on these, or any other options, for my purposes?

Needs…
- Works with Key 37
- Works with Garage Band on iPhone
- Small form factor
- High quality, sensitive pads

Thanks

I’ve been thinking of doing the same and have looked at the ESI Xjam since I find the Key 37’s built in pads to be extremely stiff and unresponsive.

video

It isn’t small, but the Synido TempoPAD C16 has great-feeling pads. I also like that it has a built-in battery and works standalone, and you can configure all the settings directly on the unit. It also has Bluetooth, which makes it convenient to use with an iPhone.

I was thinking about grabbing one of these, until I saw this review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7R4Ifv ... vyY-&t=100

He seems to be the only one complaining about this latency, is this something you've come across at all?

Elijah wrote:It isn’t small, but the Synido TempoPAD C16 has great-feeling pads. I also like that it has a built-in battery and works standalone, and you can configure all the settings directly on the unit. It also has Bluetooth, which makes it convenient to use with an iPhone.

MPC-Tutor wrote:I was thinking about grabbing one of these, until I saw this review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7R4Ifv ... vyY-&t=100

He seems to be the only one complaining about this latency, is this something you've come across at all?

Elijah wrote:It isn’t small, but the Synido TempoPAD C16 has great-feeling pads. I also like that it has a built-in battery and works standalone, and you can configure all the settings directly on the unit. It also has Bluetooth, which makes it convenient to use with an iPhone.

I tested the latency under the same conditions as in that video by setting Ableton’s buffer to 64 samples (3.5 ms) and connecting the TempoPad via USB. I measured around 13 ms, which is actually faster than the response I get from my MPC One in standalone mode, and that matches how it feels in use. It definitely doesn’t feel anywhere near 30 ms.