Ok, so why pads (MPC / Maschine / padKONTROL) over Keys?

[condra]

Lots of people use keyboards very effectively for drums..

I play better, looser drums on keyboard.

[Sibanger]

I prefer pads to keys for finger-drumming because of the action.

Although that said, I'll take a keyboard with good action over crappy pads (MPK, Trigger Finger, etc.) any day of the week.

So, MPK, Trigger Finger are crappy pads ? Which are the good pads? MPD ?

[agent314]

PadKontrol and Maschine are both awesome. Haven't tried any MPDs, but I've heard mixed things. Some people love them, other people can't stand 'em.

I have an MPK49, and I used to think the pads were good, but as I tried to do more with them, I realized how limited their playability was. You have to basically hammer down on them with way more force than is comfortable for quick, precise playing.

My PadKontrol though, is a delight to play. So responsive.

[Sibanger]

^^ Thanks agent314

I have never had pads before, ( I wouldn't call the poor excuse for pads on my Novation SL37, Pads ) and was looking at getting some soon.

I also feel that the touchAble pads don't quite cut the mustard. Bit of a lag.

[Mixikyr]

Deleted post.

[The Carpet Cleaner]

Before I bought maschine, I never tried pads.
I'm a correct piano player, not that's great...
And same as you, I never understood what's the big deal about pads.

Well, so then I got maschine 1 year ago...
Nowadays, I prefer to use pads.
It's just more direct. You have 16 big pads, just have more fun with it, you can hit hard on it, the touch of the pads actually feels good, it's rewarding to play instruments(VSTs) with it.

Also, something like maschine or MPC, have their own worldfow with it, so you just concentrate on the unit. It's like an instrument.

I still use keyboard for more melodic parts, with combination of chords that use more than 3 notes at a time.
You should try it !

[Hermanus]

not over but with

Addition for drum fun instead of a replacement device for keyboard

just my view

[Mixikyr]

Deleted post.

[channelite]

I really like the pad kontrol too, it has the most sensitive pads which others have said. It also has a nifty XY pad plus two knobs. Though I'm not using it anymore since I have a smaller desk and only have room for one controller. I'm happy using my Axiom 25 to play drum parts. A keyboard can play more sounds quicker compared to a 16 pad grid and changing scenes.

[abl385]

Interesting thread. I never understood why one would use the pads over the keys either. And this sounds just right:

The main reason why I picked up an MPD for percussion was fear that I would damage my keyboard.

As for the MPKs, their pads are so crap.. Hope that the MPDs are much more sensitive.. If anyone could share their experiences, that'd be nice.

[eddiex]

PADS! its all about feel. i have mpd 18, when i play it,its like, i actually feel i'm playing a percussion instrument and not just triggering samples.
for me playing drums on a keyboard just feels awkward.....like it's not supposed to be, or something.
*edit* i have edited 3 times just to try to fit in this post that i own a mpd18..which is pretty cheap and pretty awesome for the price!! i have never had an issue with sensitivity. i love it..it was one of my best recent purchases(especially since i found it 2nd hand for like 60 bucks.)

[rbmonosylabik]

Interesting thread. I never understood why one would use the pads over the keys either. And this sounds just right:

The main reason why I picked up an MPD for percussion was fear that I would damage my keyboard.

As for the MPKs, their pads are so crap.. Hope that the MPDs are much more sensitive.. If anyone could share their experiences, that'd be nice.

I got one, did the pads sensitivity mod (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZViS288WH4) using duct tape and a layer of electrical tape. I didn't find them to be that bad before, but after the mod I got better bounce and stiffness off the pads, which makes them a bit easier to play.

[jestermgee]

I've got the mpd32 and I decided on it because of the big pads and auto mapping. It's great tho the pads arent real sensitive. It's built to be smashed with an internal metal chassi and tough design. For my sit down playing I wanted to be able to just tap my fingers to play so I got some mods for the pads which was a simple upgrade and now it's super sensitive and just how I want it.

I also have the nanopad from korg and for the cash they are pretty good.

It's a personal thing. I used a keyboard for ages and that worked just fine but I couldn't really play out jams as easy as hammering pads. Also, I assign the Mpd to the drum rack only so I can easily arm the drum rack and a synth and jump between keyboard and mpd on the fly without having to arm different tracks. Great for jumping in on q mix to add a few hits while playing synths... But I do love controlling shit tho.