Akai MPD232 Controller reviewAkai's original MPD16 launched back 2002. Fast forward to 2015 and right here comes the MPD2 that is new range.
mpd232 review
Here we are going to be focusing on the new MPD232 with a brief appearance at the smaller MPD226 and 218 models. Whilst the outgoing MPD32 looked utilitarian, the MPD232 looks much more inviting. The larger, flatter case is created from smooth black and red plastic and surrounding the display (which is used mainly for assigning MIDI data/CCs to the 72 assignable controls), the case morphs into shiny black colored perspex (unfortunately the same fingerprint and scratch-inviting type located on the recent Advance controllers and on Roland's JD-XA synth).
mpd232 review
This plastic can also be very reflective and shiny which some might find distracting, although in normal lighting conditions it shouldn't be problem, especially as the panel writing is clear.
Build-wise things are generally speaking solid. The endless rotary dials feel sturdy, the sliders feel tough with little wobble (and they produce smooth MIDI production), plus the yellow backlit buttons click reassuringly.
One concern is the slider tops can off be pulled and during vigorous slider sessions this might be problematic for some. In addition, none of the slider/pad/button/rotary values appear with in the display when pressed/ moved which is a shame – hopefully this can be addressed in an OS update.
Connection-wise, the MPD232's USB port allows the unit to be buss-powered from your personal computer (and there's MIDI in/out over USB too). In addition, the 232 and 226 could be powered via an optional 6v mains energy adaptor (ie they work standalone), though I feel this will have been contained in the £190 price – there is also absolutely nothing to clamp the wire set up so tread carefully!
There are additionally two further concerns. Firstly, due to the slimline situation, the MIDI in/out ports (used for sending MIDI to and MIDI gear, as well as the USB port) are on breakout cables. This means more cables to remember for gigs, plus mini jack connections are way less sturdy – this is a disadvantage over the outgoing models with their standard DIN MIDI connections.
The second concern is that the new MPD2s have no footswitch or expression pedal jacks so, if you like to sustain sounds on certain pads or add expression via pedals, you're out of luck!
Pad layout Although the outgoing MPD32 had a more familiar MPC-style design, the 232 has the pads to your lower left and transport to the far upper left side with all the current tweakable/assignable dials, sliders and buttons (eight dials, eight buttons, eight sliders) towards the right. Used this works ok, though we much choose having transport controls on the right as a whole and placed closer to the front side.
On the 232 you can inadvertently trigger the pads when reaching over to the transport, particularly when you are sitting down using it on a desktop. ( Note that the transport is used for starting/stopping hardware that is external machines or your DAW).
The new pressure/velocity sensitive MPC-style dense pads feel exemplary and durable and they're some of the nicest I've used. They respond well to a light touch and their response could be customised to taste into the menus.
It is also great that the pads are illuminated which pays to both on and off stage – this permits one to keep an eye on everything nicely and they may also be set to any of 16 colours for both on and off modes. Also keep in mind that the pads can be set to control note on/off, program changes and bank changes too.
Above the pads will be the standard Akai Pad Bank buttons (there are four pad banks here) and you also'll additionally find note that is MPC-style, plus 16 Level and Full Level buttons. There is additionally a Tap Tempo button which flashes to denote the inner or external MIDI-synchronised tempo. Time divisions for step sequencing as well as the note perform function are set by the right Time Div switch as well as the eight buttons below the dials, plus there's MPC swing too.
Action sequencer Commensurate with recent trends, there's a decent 32 step x 64 track sequencer onboard which adds a welcome brand new dimension to the MPD range ( it can be MIDI-synchronised and utilized to manage software instruments and/or outside MIDI instruments).
To record, hit Seq Rec (Real-time) or Seq On (Step), discover the pad you intend to record, hit the pad, include steps via the pads in real time (or utilizing the 16 step buttons at the right that is bottom, choose the next track to record (using any pad or the screen) and perform! Downsides here are editing is basic, there is no pattern chaining/song mode and no solution to assign onboard sequences to pads like an MPC, you can trigger sequences/clips that are external the pads when utilizing the 232 with Ableton (Live Lite is included).
Finally, there are three Control Banking institutions. These allow direct front panel access to 72 real-time parameters, so you have a lot of power for bringing performances to life. If you do not want to use the screen for starting your custom controller presets, there's a nicely intuitive and elegant USB pc software editor included for assigning parameters to the 232's controllers (and for sequencing too).
Additionally presets for a number of DAWs included, though like other current Akai products it isn't quite plug-and-play as you'll need certainly to earn some controller that is manual within your chosen DAW ( it was fairly painless setting up the 232 with Logic X's 'smart' controls).
mpd232 review
Here we are going to be focusing on the new MPD232 with a brief appearance at the smaller MPD226 and 218 models. Whilst the outgoing MPD32 looked utilitarian, the MPD232 looks much more inviting. The larger, flatter case is created from smooth black and red plastic and surrounding the display (which is used mainly for assigning MIDI data/CCs to the 72 assignable controls), the case morphs into shiny black colored perspex (unfortunately the same fingerprint and scratch-inviting type located on the recent Advance controllers and on Roland's JD-XA synth).
mpd232 review
This plastic can also be very reflective and shiny which some might find distracting, although in normal lighting conditions it shouldn't be problem, especially as the panel writing is clear.
Build-wise things are generally speaking solid. The endless rotary dials feel sturdy, the sliders feel tough with little wobble (and they produce smooth MIDI production), plus the yellow backlit buttons click reassuringly.
One concern is the slider tops can off be pulled and during vigorous slider sessions this might be problematic for some. In addition, none of the slider/pad/button/rotary values appear with in the display when pressed/ moved which is a shame – hopefully this can be addressed in an OS update.
Connection-wise, the MPD232's USB port allows the unit to be buss-powered from your personal computer (and there's MIDI in/out over USB too). In addition, the 232 and 226 could be powered via an optional 6v mains energy adaptor (ie they work standalone), though I feel this will have been contained in the £190 price – there is also absolutely nothing to clamp the wire set up so tread carefully!
There are additionally two further concerns. Firstly, due to the slimline situation, the MIDI in/out ports (used for sending MIDI to and MIDI gear, as well as the USB port) are on breakout cables. This means more cables to remember for gigs, plus mini jack connections are way less sturdy – this is a disadvantage over the outgoing models with their standard DIN MIDI connections.
The second concern is that the new MPD2s have no footswitch or expression pedal jacks so, if you like to sustain sounds on certain pads or add expression via pedals, you're out of luck!
Pad layout Although the outgoing MPD32 had a more familiar MPC-style design, the 232 has the pads to your lower left and transport to the far upper left side with all the current tweakable/assignable dials, sliders and buttons (eight dials, eight buttons, eight sliders) towards the right. Used this works ok, though we much choose having transport controls on the right as a whole and placed closer to the front side.
On the 232 you can inadvertently trigger the pads when reaching over to the transport, particularly when you are sitting down using it on a desktop. ( Note that the transport is used for starting/stopping hardware that is external machines or your DAW).
The new pressure/velocity sensitive MPC-style dense pads feel exemplary and durable and they're some of the nicest I've used. They respond well to a light touch and their response could be customised to taste into the menus.
It is also great that the pads are illuminated which pays to both on and off stage – this permits one to keep an eye on everything nicely and they may also be set to any of 16 colours for both on and off modes. Also keep in mind that the pads can be set to control note on/off, program changes and bank changes too.
Above the pads will be the standard Akai Pad Bank buttons (there are four pad banks here) and you also'll additionally find note that is MPC-style, plus 16 Level and Full Level buttons. There is additionally a Tap Tempo button which flashes to denote the inner or external MIDI-synchronised tempo. Time divisions for step sequencing as well as the note perform function are set by the right Time Div switch as well as the eight buttons below the dials, plus there's MPC swing too.
Action sequencer Commensurate with recent trends, there's a decent 32 step x 64 track sequencer onboard which adds a welcome brand new dimension to the MPD range ( it can be MIDI-synchronised and utilized to manage software instruments and/or outside MIDI instruments).
To record, hit Seq Rec (Real-time) or Seq On (Step), discover the pad you intend to record, hit the pad, include steps via the pads in real time (or utilizing the 16 step buttons at the right that is bottom, choose the next track to record (using any pad or the screen) and perform! Downsides here are editing is basic, there is no pattern chaining/song mode and no solution to assign onboard sequences to pads like an MPC, you can trigger sequences/clips that are external the pads when utilizing the 232 with Ableton (Live Lite is included).
Finally, there are three Control Banking institutions. These allow direct front panel access to 72 real-time parameters, so you have a lot of power for bringing performances to life. If you do not want to use the screen for starting your custom controller presets, there's a nicely intuitive and elegant USB pc software editor included for assigning parameters to the 232's controllers (and for sequencing too).
Additionally presets for a number of DAWs included, though like other current Akai products it isn't quite plug-and-play as you'll need certainly to earn some controller that is manual within your chosen DAW ( it was fairly painless setting up the 232 with Logic X's 'smart' controls).