MPC sensitivity vs MPD sensitivty

Hey guys, i recently bought an mpd 18 as i was on a budget and the sensitivty/ response of the pads was absolute rubbish and impossible to work with.. i even got a sensitivity upgrade for it which only caused problems of hitting one pad would play 2, some would do nothing etc. now im assuming that when you look into spending bigger $$ and look at mpc's that this wouldnt be a problem as the 'you get what you pay for' saying is usually quite accurate but i just wanted to know if anyone on here has tried both and could give me some feedback on the differences sensitivity wise?

cheers!

hey, while I know what you are talking about when you mention the issue with the mpd pads... may I just suggest this before moving on to another product:

When playing the pads (even using the sensitivity kit you installed.. I am assuming pad corx or something of that nature) ... when hitting the pads lift your finger off them right away... dont push down and leave pressure on the pads.. let your fingers bounce off right away. Sometimes this is something that causes people to do the double triggering even on the MPC.

Get used to the way the pads function.. adapt to it and practice various ways of hitting the pads.. hard, soft, pushing quickly... etc.. also try and make your fingers hit right in the center of the pads... avoid the corners.


I never understood how come the mpd series dont work as well as the mpc series pads. Some people around here try and say that it's because the mpd is not an mpc.. they try also to mention the price difference.... however opening the mpd or mpc up you will see the rubber pads as well as the sensor sheets are the same... but none the less, they dont function identically for some reason.

I personally believe what some of the theories like the guys from mpc stuff (who manufacture aftermarket pads) say... they say it's a design flaw where the baffle the pads sit on is much lower in the body of the mpd units, and the top shell sits much higher... in relation to the way mpcs are designed.

I do a lot of finger drummin on my 2000 that I can't come close to doin on my MPD32. I've tried every setting on the MPD to get it to respond like my MP but nothing worked. The feel is way different and much better on my 2000.

mr_debauch wrote:
Get used to the way the pads function.. adapt to it and practice various ways of hitting the pads.. hard, soft, pushing quickly... etc.. also try and make your fingers hit right in the center of the pads... avoid the corners.

Cheers for the comments. I did try various ways, the most effective one would be to already have my finger on the pad (lightly) then press it which was ok when doing slow stuff with very little technicality otherwise i really found it unusable. So you guys would say handsdown that the mpc pads are superior to the mpd? I just dont want to fork out $500-$600 on an MPC and have the same problem as i did with the mpd :/

anotherproducer wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:
Get used to the way the pads function.. adapt to it and practice various ways of hitting the pads.. hard, soft, pushing quickly... etc.. also try and make your fingers hit right in the center of the pads... avoid the corners.

Cheers for the comments. I did try various ways, the most effective one would be to already have my finger on the pad (lightly) then press it which was ok when doing slow stuff with very little technicality otherwise i really found it unusable. So you guys would say handsdown that the mpc pads are superior to the mpd? I just dont want to fork out $500-$600 on an MPC and have the same problem as i did with the mpd :/

I would say that.. but not the 500 or 1000 (you can tell by looks that the pads are different on those)

however, if you can... test one out at your local music store or try out somebody's machine who yo know.

i think debauch was right on point, my mpd 18 seems to trigger fine without the pad korx, but maybe its cause i dont do alot of super finger drumming.

i also have a mpc 2500 with aftermarket black pads (i dont know if the pad korx are installed or not) and while they feel better, the mpd 18 pads are certainly usable.

but i use the full level function alot when arranging my samples with my mpd and mpc alike, so i dont really have the problems that some of you have without using the full level button so much.

they sell fat pads, and regular mpc style pads at mpcstuff.com for 45 dollars, the fat ones also come with pad corx, so maybe if you got another brand, or DIY thing installed now, those could help you out.

I moved from mpd 26 to mpc 2500 and yes - mpd got shitty pads.
They aren't as responsible as mpcs have and they've got worst feeling, mainly because they aren't much above casing.You can try to buy pad corx from mpc stuff com or go to any shop with tools like hammers and look for sth similar - you will find it.

Allow the sensei to break it down.

MPC 500 pads = G.A.R.B.A.G.E
they're not soft or comfortable to use (this might just be my preference) even on full level theyre a bit touch and go after only a year. However i did develop more accuracy (like dude said about hitting them in the middle) and stronger fingers lol.

MPD 18 pads = decent but had to have it on full level
They were ok on full level but I sold it quite quickly as id rather use a keyboard than have no velocity on my pads, the person i sold this to said she opened it up and modded it (not sure how) and it works fine now.

MPD 26 = Much better than the 16 but still a little unresponsive on Logic, was fine on Reason though.

MPD 24 = exactly the same as the 26 lol.

MPC 2000XL = a dream, soft pads very responsive have never had a single problem with them.

Conclusion = you probably wasted your time reading this... unless you wanted knowledge from someone whos used a variety of akai pad gear.

i got a mpc2000 and the pads are great
unlike the mpd24 wich got more thinner (and less sensitive) pads
but try to place your mpd on a solid surface and then try to hit the pads like mr_debauch says.
i think the mpd pads are not bad but i use full leve almost every time
(i don't have corks or pieces of tape under the mpc/mpd pads)
try adjust pads sensitivity
(i've never done this)

I have the Fat Pads with the corx in a MPD32, it's a brand new machine with them. NO double trigger issues thankfully.