AKAI MPD 218 Full Review

Access the link below for the full-length, in-depth AKAI MPD218 review and test which goes far beyond what’s covered in this video:

This is the last and conclusive video I made about the AKAI MPD 218. After two weeks of in-depth testing and hours of playing I am convinced that the MPD 218 is without equal.

There are three things that make it stand out amongst the other pad controllers that are currently available on the market:

1) Its great pad section
2) Its huge software package
3) Its low price

While this is a high-level wrap-up video of the AKAI MPD 218, I have shot a few more videos with tests, reviews and finger drumming demos on the AKAI MPD 218. So, if you like to watch more please see this playlist in which I placed them all in a logical order:

If you want to share your own views of and experience with the AKAI MPD218, please use the YouTube comments section below. Please also use the comments section for any questions regarding this video.

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Learn Finger Drumming with the XpressPads Technique!

Experience Rhythm In A Completely New Way!

[richardwilliams]

How does the Akai MPD218 compare to the Akai MPC Element?

[ovonisamja]

Have you had a chance to use the MPC Element? If so, how would you compare them, and how would you compare it to that iRig thing from IK Multimedia? Does it ever miss a trigger when you hit it? Does it double trigger sometimes? What about cross talk between the pads?

[XpressPads]

Trayo Ibry Besten Dank! Es wird noch eine ganze Menge mehr kommen! ;)

[DMANDIOGUARDI]

Why are my pads not syncing with the software. pad 1 shows as pad 5 and some don't show up in the MPC software

[datdat]

I am trying to use my MPD218 with iMPC Pro, but it is not trigger the corresponding pads. When I hit a pad, a different sound on iMPC pro pad (on the screen) sounds. What am I not doing correctly?

[cubezedd]

whats that for an keyboard Controller (white) behind the pads?

[davidmurray]

If I down load programme and mpd218 to a pc. Then buy a new pc later do I keep software or do I have to debut to put on new

[guinessdrinker_azc]

how do you map the faders to FL Studio ???

[MrParadiseHotDog]

Can you please tell me the name of that white midi keyboard that is tucked away in the video? Thank you!

[chasehouse]

Great review. Do you have a video of how to set up the Akai 218 from the beginning? I just purchased one and I'm a little overwhelmed. I've never done anything like this and I'm not sure how to set up the device on anything. Logic, MPC essentials, ect...

[axon]

how big is it inches
or
is there a stand i could get for it that you could link me (needs to be amazon)

[anjovimusic]

had sensitivity problems with the one i got, so hopefully the amazon replacement will rectify it. It's weird, I got both sensitivity problems (were it double triggers and places where it is insensitive) sounds like I just got a bad apple.

[geitenkwark]

Question: I just bought the MPD218 and noticed that the left row of pads isn't as responsive as the other pads. Not a huge difference but I can play extremely subtle things in the middle of the machine and as soon as I move to the left I have to be a bit more blunt. Can somebody help me out here and tell me if the thing I'm dexcribing is a design flaw that every mpd218 has or if I just got a shitty one and I should trade it in.

As i said, its not a huge difference but for subtle pad drumming it matters to me.

[samkamalesh]

Hi very useful review, kindly help me that can we connect Akai Mpd 218 with Roland SPD sx via USB MIDI PORT

[adisabey]

can anyone help me with this issue. I'm trying to hook my son's mpd218 to an iMac is that possible

[momentevery]

Thank you for the great review! Could you do a review about MPD 226 or 232?

[samerolabi]

Hallo

Erstmal echt tolles Video!

Ich habe eine Frage unzwar ich wollte mir das Gerät bei Amazon bestellen und da steht nichts von der Software oder den Plugins die dabei sein sollten.

Abgesehen davon wollte ich das Gerät zum Drums einspielen in fl Studio 11 benutzen.

Ist es dafür geeignet?
Lg

[sasproductions]

hi i don't know much about these devices, i got my keyboards and audio interface and mic. my keyboards don't have pads. i use logic pro x. would this MPD218 be good for me with logic and do i get new instrument sounds with it? im thinking of buying the MDP218 or this other one called MPD24 which is a higher price than the MPD218. whats the difference? i see theres some up and down switches on it where as the MPD218 doesn't. i also want to do grime instrumentals.

[lilywegelius]

Thank you for great videos🙏🏼. Is there any pad controller out there with pedal input for kick or hitat? I feel it more realistic to stomp with the foot when playing the kick rather than pressing a pad 😊

[gisnor]

Hi Andreas,
Any chance you could do a video about the MPD218 with an iphone?
I'm looking to get a portable pad controller for my 2hr train commutes.
Have to keep my xpresspads training up :)