MPD18 Question

I'm thinking about buying an mpd 18 for my sp-404 sx (ass a drum trigger), so I was googling mpd 18 and found a review by some guy who said:

My one complaint with the MPD18 is that the pads are not very sensitive. Most of my taps will have a velocity of around 50 or 60, which is very quiet considering that the maximum MIDI velocity is 127 and that I’m not being gentle.

is that shit true? maybe they fixed it or something? I really hope so!

oh side note... I dont think the mpd 18 has a midi output port. (only usb) is that a problem?

pads are fine, but no midi out, just USB.


will not work with sp404

Ahh ****, I totally forgot that ;(
any alternatives?

Check out Korg Padkontrol. Midi In/Out and the pads feel really nice.

doctah wizard wrote:Ahh ****, I totally forgot that ;(
any alternatives?

the MPD 16 is older... but pretty much the same as the 18... however it is cheaper, probably made better quality (it is rugged IMO) and has MIDI out.. it is fast and easy to set up (change midi notes etc)

I like it for when I need a quick thing to plug in and use for an extra set of pads.

ok it works on windows xp via USB too... and not vista (drivers from xp dont work either) but who cares because it works on any computer via midi out.

yeah i might get an mpc 16
what about the 18 tho i just read about it on akaipro.com and it seems you can connect it to a sampler too:

The MPD18 sends MIDI information over its plug-and-play USB interface so you can use it with your Mac or PC without installing any drivers. The USB connection even powers the MPD18 so the included USB cable is all you need for portable production. The MPD18 can control nearly any MIDI software, as well as MIDI hardware, such as synths, sound modules, samplers, sequencers, drum machines, and more.

source: http://www.akaipro.com/mpd18
What i'd need is just one of those midi cables it seems:

doctah wizard wrote:The MPD18 sends MIDI information over its plug-and-play USB interface so you can use it with your Mac or PC without installing any drivers. The USB connection even powers the MPD18 so the included USB cable is all you need for portable production.

According to that description the midi cable you have pictured will not work.

Hmh makes sense :/
then why did those faggots write it works with samplers >_>

not sure if this is the case with mpd, but with trigger finger if you wanted to use the analog midi port instead of usb you had to purchase dc power supply from radio shack. because analog midi would not work while usb was plugged in to power up the unit.

doctah wizard wrote:Hmh makes sense :/
then why did those faggots write it works with samplers >_>

because they can sort of.. you use it to control software... that then goes midi out to the hardware? that is my best guess..

mr_debauch wrote:

doctah wizard wrote:Hmh makes sense :/
then why did those faggots write it works with samplers >_>

because they can sort of.. you use it to control software... that then goes midi out to the hardware? that is my best guess..

i dont quite understand what you are saying?

doctah wizard wrote:Hmh makes sense :/
then why did those faggots write it works with samplers >_>

Because it does, it just may not be directly. You may have to have the sampler and controller both connected to a computer. OR be using a sampler that accepts MIDI data via USB.

Maybe look into other types of controllers. I have an Axiom 25 which also has pads. It doenst feel exactly like my 1k, but it works when I need it.

Yeah I'll look into other stuff, what about a mpd 26?

doctah wizard wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:

doctah wizard wrote:Hmh makes sense :/
then why did those faggots write it works with samplers >_>

because they can sort of.. you use it to control software... that then goes midi out to the hardware? that is my best guess..

i dont quite understand what you are saying?

well lets say you got that firewire (or usb) sound card interface or what ever... so the midi out on that goes to the sampler. well when you got your mpd 18 plugged in, you can have that set to the midi out. that is what I meant. kinda like the DAW is controlling the sampler and the mpd is controlling the daw. (like pound said)


as for what ever other mpd you are looking at, check the pics for a midi output port.