Best Akai Product for Drum Controller?

Hello, this is my first post here. I have played an MPC5000 at Guitar Center and it was amazing (the feel of the pads was just beautiful). Unfortunately, I lack the funds (or application) for such an advanced and powerful instrument. I tend to write music in Logic Pro and I am a big fan of VSTs and Sample Libraries. I'd like a Pad Controller for use in recording MIDI Drum beats. I have heard people recommend the TriggerFinger, the PadKontrol, but everyone says Akai beats them all as far as pad quality goes.

The question is, which one do I get for my minimal needs? I just want the least expensive route to hopefully something that feels as good as the MPC5000's pads!

(Incase it wasn't clear, I will only be using this in the studio and will not need to load samples or anything, it will simply be to trigger my VST Drum plugin instruments)

Actually.... Those both look very enticing...

Are the Pads on the MPD32 the same as the MPC series?
What about the Pads on the keyboard controller?

Well, if you ask me, this sounds like the replay of a very old tune. But on the other hand, I think the mpc series makes for a better controller amongst their current crop of products.

Not only do you have a controller already, it's also packed with nifty features and options that only it can offer and/or do.

There's this popular o.s. called jj. If you have this on lets say a 1k or 2500, plus the addition of multiple midi in & outs, you can def do some things with stuff like external synths & vsti's.

Luv the pads on the mpd as well.

hey does anyone know if the mpd16's pads are ok? I heard they are crappy, but never tried or campared them to the others.

Yes, I'd be interested to know how the MPD16 stacks up to the MPD32..

Well I just bought a brand new MPD16 off someone who wanted to sell it. it is in mint condition and doesn't even have finger grease on the pads.. virtually new.

The pads are good, and pretty much the same as the 4000.

Tomorrow most likely I will hook it up to my old computer upstairs with windows xp pro, because it wont work on my laptop with vista or my desktop with vista.

I dont think akai should still have these in stores if they wont work on the most common OS in the world.

Here is the problem I get with the damn thing trying to get it functioning on vista:

in reason 4.0 I go into the options and go to the page relating to controllers. I click scan for controller, and my computer crashes and I am sitting in front of a "blue screen"

in ableton live 7 I launch the application and as it is loading up and my computer crashes before it loads the application and I am sitting in front of a "blue screen"

shitty.

I haven't lost hope, because I have yet to try it's midi out and see how it performs on an interface.

Vista is most likely not the most common OS in the world. I have nothing to back that up... and that probably doesn't make you feel better... and it doesn't excuse Akai... hmm...

lexicon wrote:Vista is most likely not the most common OS in the world. I have nothing to back that up... and that probably doesn't make you feel better... and it doesn't excuse Akai... hmm...

Well it is close to being the most common on personal computers (not servers) since all laptops besides macs come with it, and most desktops too, I dont think most stores even let you choose xp instead anymore.

Let's get this thread back on topic- Are the pads on the MPD32 and MPD16 the same? and what about the pads on the MPK?

hduncan wrote:Let's get this thread back on topic- Are the pads on the MPD32 and MPD16 the same? and what about the pads on the MPK?

From what I've read in these forums, the response of the MPD32's pads are much better than the MPD16.
The MPK49 has the same feel as the MPC500 or the MPC1000's new pad design. Due to the rectangular shape of these pads, they have a harder feel to them and will take more time to break in and soften up.
In my opinion, your money would be better spent on the MPD32.