Should I wait on MPD24 or get the PadKontrol?

diglife · Post by **diglife** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:41 pm

I have been researching the big "3" MPD24, Padkontrol and Trigger Finger. I decided i was going to get the mpd24 but now everyone is sold out! Is the PadKontrol just as good you think? Does it seem as "sturdy" as the MPD24 Looks? I don't want to buy a toy. I want something sturdy and well built. What do you guys think? How well does the X-Y pad work with ableton? THanks

jb61264 · Post by **jb61264** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:43 pm

I debated between the MDP24 and PadKontrol also and went with the MPD24. I have an XY pad on my X-Station that works great in Ableton (I'm sure the PadKontrol does also). When I evaluated the two, I like the MPD24 pads better...some on the forum will say they like the PadKontrols better...bottom line is that if you don't like the sensitivity of the pads, you can calibrate them to your liking (at least I konw you can on the MPD24, not sure about the PadKontrol).

I went with MPD24 because I figure Akai knows what they're doing when it comes to making pads...they just felt better to me too...and I wanted to have the extra knobs and sliders.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:56 pm

The MPD24 can't be calibrated to be as good as the PadKontrol. It just can't, the triggering on the PK is too good.

But yes, if you want sturdy build instead of excellent triggering, go for the MPD24, or even the trigger finger, which has a large metal plate in the base to facilitate mounting on stands.

Novel · Post by **Novel** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:37 pm

What about the cheaper version of the Roland Handsonic? It's more expensive than an MPD 24 or PK but I always liked the pads on the big daddy Handsonic.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:07 pm

That's a whole new battlefield - the HPD10s are great! Like, REALLY great. I have two of them, and I love them to bits! It's a really physical instrument.

diglife · Post by **diglife** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:41 pm

Would you guys say the PadKontrol feels solid though? I don't want something that is "light" and "plastic" feeling. Anyone know who might have the AKAI in stock??? I'm torn because the PadKontrol seems solid too.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:46 pm

That's what I am saying though - out of the two, the MPD definitely feels better - and the PadkOntrol *is* plasticy. It's still the best trigger device, so there's going to be a bit of a compromise there.

NorthernMonkey · Post by **NorthernMonkey** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:10 pm

The pink lights got me.

jb61264 · Post by **jb61264** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:16 pm

Machinate wrote:The MPD24 can't be calibrated to be as good as the PadKontrol. It just can't, the triggering on the PK is too good.

But yes, if you want sturdy build instead of excellent triggering, go for the MPD24, or even the trigger finger, which has a large metal plate in the base to facilitate mounting on stands.

? I don't know that I agree with you on this...you can calibrate both the velocity and the reponse curve on the MPD24 so I don't see how you couldn't.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:47 pm

yes, you can calibrate them, but you can't make force sensing resistors more sensitive by adjusting the software - the triggering MECHANISMS on the PadKontrol are just ... better! Plain and simple.

The smallest detected trigger on the PadKontrol won't get anywhere NEAR detected on either the MPD24 or the trigger finger.

jb61264 · Post by **jb61264** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:58 pm

Machinate wrote:yes, you can calibrate them, but you can't make force sensing resistors more sensitive by adjusting the software - the triggering MECHANISMS on the PadKontrol are just ... better! Plain and simple.

The smallest detected trigger on the PadKontrol won't get anywhere NEAR detected on either the MPD24 or the trigger finger.

hmm...cool...do you know how "different" they are response-wise?...I mean is it an order of magnitude or minimal?

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:15 pm

For me the difference was a deal-breaker

See if you can find the official video demo of the PadKontrol. Then you'll see pad drumming that simply isn't possible on any akai product. All these subtle rolls and ghost notes just can't be done on the MPD or trigger finger. I've tested them thoroughly, and in the end I picked the PK for this reason. Now, if you factor in the other controllers and "sturdiness" then the choice may be different, but I went straight for the best triggering.

southernsteppa · Post by **southernsteppa** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:58 pm

I have to agree with Machinate. I gave all three a try and the response of the PK was a winner for me. I use the PK for performance, so the ability to change velocity so effectively as well as the sweet little X/Y pad has kept me very happy with my decision.

We even stock the MPDs where I work, but I chose to buy the PK from our competition - that's how confident I am in the PK. Having said that - diglife, you're welcome to pop in and see us in Sydney - i'll happily sell you a MPD24!

tylenol · Post by **tylenol** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:43 am

jb61264 wrote:I have an XY pad on my X-Station that works great in Ableton (I'm sure the PadKontrol does also).

Actually the padkontrol xy pad is a bit infuriating in that it always transmits a release value that you don't seem to be able to turn off (please tell me how if I'm wrong!) For the built-in roll/flam functions this is fine, but it limits you a bit when controlling other parameters. This is the padkontrol, not ableton, of course.

NorthernMonkey · Post by **NorthernMonkey** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:49 am

tylenol wrote:
jb61264 wrote:I have an XY pad on my X-Station that works great in Ableton (I'm sure the PadKontrol does also).
Actually the padkontrol xy pad is a bit infuriating in that it always transmits a release value that you don't seem to be able to turn off (please tell me how if I'm wrong!) For the built-in roll/flam functions this is fine, but it limits you a bit when controlling other parameters. This is the padkontrol, not ableton, of course.

Use the 'hold' button.