Akai MPX8

The Akai MPX8 is an ultra-portable pad controller that features 8 velocity and pressure sensitive pads that can trigger samples from an SD or SDHC card or from other instruments via MIDI.

[BandH]

+Tiny Bird Productions    Thanks for the correction. We have made an annotation to reflect the fact that these are balanced TRS 1/4” outputs. The original manual for the MPX8 states that the connections are TS, or unbalanced, but Akai has since updated its specs to note that the connections are indeed balanced.

[RelentlessCreation]

I subscribed because of the amazing improv playing at the beginning

[Deep-Sea-Dream]

What he doesn't really mention is that this unit can only store 8 samples at a time and depending on the size of the sample it does take a few seconds to load in a new sample. Also I had trouble getting larger samples to stay in time/tune with the simpler one shot stuff so for instance if you want to fire off a sampled guitar riff it isn't going to blend in with your beat. Also you cannot have multiple kits stacked and ready to load with a twirl of the knob...You can have them but you'll have to look for them then load them. Making this unit only fit as a simple drummer.

[BandH]

Yes - Use the included 1/8"-to-MIDI cable to connect the MIDI input to the MIDI Out of an external
MIDI device. This is useful if you want to use an external MIDI device to trigger samples assigned
to MPX8's pads. Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: askbh{at}bandh{dot}com. Mark S.

[BandH]

The pads on the MPX8 SD are velocity-sensitive and pressure-sensitive, which makes them very responsive and intuitive to play. Note: The pads' pressure sensitivity does not affect sample playback. "Pressure information" is
only sent out the MIDI Out as polyphonic aftertouch messages when MPX8 is used as a MIDI
controller. Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: askbh{at}bandh{dot}com. Mark

[kurtlindner]

Rob, you always do great, well informed, unbiased reviews. Nice job -always.

[TheSlyKangaroo]

Thanks for the review, I'm thinking about buying one now!

[Human-Failure]

i try one of this few years back and my experience was NOT good at all... basically adding the files to the card for the device to read (i remember weird formats, names, and how big files would be?) was hard and the pads were not so responsive... but i love the fact that is really small and basic to shoot saplers live. There is a new version with 16 pads but i dunno.. looks a bit big
whats the experience for you?? should i give a second try?

[oddomaticmusic]

Is it able to select through 8 samples, as in.. Our band has a 15 song set, and we have a diff sample for each song. would we need to switch sd cards, or can we cycle thru the set and trigger them individually? I'm looking for something to replace the laptop onstage, but it looks like I'd need one to power the MPX8. any other suggestions if this isn't the answer?

[lisaviktorya]

The trigger modes don’t seem to be working on mine — holding a pad doesn’t loop the sample. Is this a common new user error?

[betees]

It's just a controller, not real sampler? Am i able to create tracks and record some live pasterns with playback of existing ones without computer?

[OctoSideStorytellers]

Hi, thank you for this clear and straightforward information. We'd like to know: is there a limitation in terms of mins/secs to the length of samples you can assign to a pad and then play? I.e. would it be possible to assign a drum track for a whole song that lasts, say, 4-5 minutes so you can set it playing with just one touch?
TY in advance!

[riffmaster]

Could I use a midi keyboard to trigger more than 8 sounds or is it only 8 sounds at once ?? Thanks

[timleghorn]

Can the prerecorded samples (in the SD Card) be triggered externally (say by a BOSS ES-8) via midi?

[PhilJakes]

could one of those pads be triggered with a foot switch???

[njgmovies]

How can I put different instruments behind each button to record with as a MIDI controller in for example FL Studio?

[tintisha]

A great job... thanks for posting. I appreciate that you have actually tried it before creating the video ...and not created an 'out of the box' ..'oh ..I haven't tried that yet' kind of video. Is there a limit to the duration of a single sample? (I've had a lot of fun with a Tenori-on ...but samples that can be stored are limited) Thanks!

[bxcellent_]

Could this be hooked up to my Akai XR20 drum machine for beat production use?

[je]

how to record music with it?
and do you need to connect it with a computer to play music?

[rjpineda]

hey everyone. :) this is a great product!! just wanted to ask, is this recommended for a live band set up? could it produce a separate click track, other than the L and R out for front of house? please let me know, many thanks!