Akai MPD218 - Review after 4 years + feature overview (note repeat, scales and more)

In this video I'll review my trusty Akai MPD218 MIDI controller I've been using for the past 4 years. I'll also make a brief overwiew of its features like note repeat, scales and more.

#wodzubeats #musicproduction #reaperdaw

🔌 Plugins I'm using w/ affiliate links:
- Cockos ReaPlugs (Reaper's stock plugins)
- ReaSamplomatic5000 (my main sampler)
- Xfer Serum Wavetable Synth
- Native Instruments Massive Synth
- Sonivox Orchestral Companion Brass
- Sonivox Orchestral Companion Strings
- Sonivox Orchestral Companion Woodwinds
- iZotope Vocal Doubler
- iZotope Vinyl
- Variety of Sound epicVerb
- Waves Tune LT
- Neural DSP Fortin Nameless Suite Amp Sim
- Neural DSP Archetype: Plini Amp Sim
- Neural DSP Archetype: Nolly Amp Sim
- TSE B.O.D. Bass Distortion Sim

🎛️ Studio gear I'm using:
- M-Audio Profire 2626 audio interface (studio interface)
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 3 audio interface (travel interface)
- Akai MPD218 (mpd 218) midi controller (travel pads)
- Nektar Impact LX25+ midi controller (travel keys)
- Casio Privia PX-100 (main MIDI controller)
- Presonus Faderport v2 production controller
- Adam A3X studio monitors
- Resident Audio M8 studio monitors
- Yamaha NS-M125 passive speakers
- Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO 250ohm open headphones
- Audio Technica M30x closed headphones
- Yamaha MG 10/2 mixing console
- Unitra Fonica GS461 vinyl player
- VOX Valvetronix VT20+ electric guitar amplifier
- MXL 770 condenser microphone
- MXL 2006 condenser microphone

⌚ Timestamps:

[dtfluker]

Dope>>> My MPD been sitting on a shelf for years but now Im making a playlist on how to use it for scales and I found this video

[AttamanKing]

Is good be grateful bro, cool! Nice review, this tool is on my list for the next year, or the keyboard, gotta learn how to play keys

[Crowbar]

I LOVE my 218!! I had issues with notes sounding twice if I pressed hard...then I set two layers of Yoga Mat material under it and that problem went away.
These devices are absolutely amazing. I also use mine to activate tons of Reaper shortcuts ;)

[walkingriver]

Grabbed one of these secondhand from eBay after watching this review!

[handclapsapp]

The note repeat feature honestly seems really helpful!
Great video!

[Wirswaf]

Very nice Video!! Thanks for the good Tips!!!

[kendallsmith]

Quick question on the scale insert function, maybe i missed it, can you set a different scale config from each pad (and in the akai app I saw you select one or multiple pad banks)? For example, I would want to use each pad to set different scales for keys/melody on one bank, drums on another bank, and use the other banks to perform things like scene/clip launching in Ableton session view.

[TBD.]

Bravo👍
Merry Christmas 🎄and a Happy New Year
God bless

[ErinIsBlueBlue]

Well deserved tribute ! Well done and thank you for all the MPD218 owners !

[MarcinRajski-]

The only issue with MPK218 is that it's easy to accidentally double-tap any pad :(

Cześć. Pytanie: to urządzenie nie zawiera żadnych próbek, right? Musi być podłączone przez MIDI do PC/Tabletu. Jest w zestawie jakiś program do nagrywania czy to golutki kontroler i trzeba sobie jakiś soft dokupić? Pozdrawiam

[fawzialnazer]

can this control amp plugins like neural dsp, stl tones? likecontrol switching pedals on/off, adjusting knobs...? thanks!!

[RolandDeschain]

I bought one and I don't have the slightest clue how to program drums from Steven Slate through Reaper.

Can anyone help!

[meynardoboringot]

Hi does MPD218 have 16 levels multi velocity feature similar to MPC’s 16 levels feature?

[KurruptedDataYouT]

I've always liked the OG MPD pads vs the 2xx series. The newer ones have some QC issues.

[leoopokat]

mpc studio mk2 is
mpd218 with features
I love mine studio mk2
gr8 buy

[threezysworld]

I think I'd like it. I used to use older MPD's but I hated the chasis. It was like a big dumb hollow box with pads on it. I want something more solid.

[ianmoon]

cześć, chciałbym cię zapytać: chciałbym użyć 218 jako soundboard w trakcie koncertu live, czy można wrzucić do 218 własne ścieżki / sample typu wav czy mp3 które później będą wyzwalane padem. rzecz w tym, że chciałbym wyzwalać ścieżki live ktore będą trwały np kilka minut a inne tylko kilka sekund - po naciśnięciu jednego pada, tylko pozostaje jeszcze sprawa jak je "zgasić", czy można przez naciśnięcie pada taką ścieżkę także wyciszyć, czy trzeba je jednak zrobić na określony czas. poza tym - jak je tam wrzucić? czy z poziomu garage band moge je tam w jakiś prosty sposob umieścić.

[MrJoeygregory]

I am looking very forward to getting back into making beats it was a hobby back in the day and this is a great budget way for me to get started I also learned that the buttons are touch-sensitive like the other high-end synthesizers and music production kids on the high end of course that is the high-end because it akai no matter the cost I enjoy playing at freestyle I can't wait to get my music studio set back up again I still have some equipment somewhere in the attic I have an OG Roland tr-808 synth I had a little beat making Harvey going before my daughter was born and then I pretty much had to put it all up because I was scared that it would get destroyed messed up or broken by my daughter accidentally or something would happen so I put it all up for safekeeping and unfortunately I had the OG big dog Akai MPC 2000 and didn't really know a lot about making music and was learning pretty much by the same way you handle senior citizen a smartphone after you take their clamshell LOL by touching and learning but I'm looking forward to get back into it I was getting pretty good at it and the tr-808 sense synthesizer to me has some of the nastiest dirtiest drum hip hop any type of bass kids kits and now with technology like this and the apps and the computers and technology is not like it used to be half they use big bulky desktops I can use this in my super thin notebook Chromebook Samsung to use on-the-go with any music program I want thank you for the great review I've been watching a lot of them everybody has different styles and different ways and uses of using theirs and I'm still getting back into the swing of it but this looks like a good first budget starter way to get back into the game to make sure that my head is straight before I pull the trigger and buy all expensive professional s*** and lose interest or can't enjoy it I'm not going to lie back in the day I used to love smoking Blunts and sit in there by myself making beats even if nobody heard them I remember one day just on the NPC I made like a half an hour house mix playing it like a real drum tapping and Lupe and then sew on sampling the one I come across these on Amazon I couldn't believe the prices this is 100 and they have plenty more is there any other that you recommend buy a kayak that is a good beat maker under $200 that maybe better than this or is this the best bang for your buck under 200 or any other brands that would be like this on your box ready to laid play the Beats down your input is appreciated if possible if not I understand thank you thumbs-up and great review

[mariomingione]

can this be used as and extra pad fx to a dj controller example DDJ-1000? I want to use it as a remix station. thank you in advance.