Ableton Forum

louZ wrote:

rikhyray wrote:

Lightyear wrote: besides the Akai units quality varies by price too. The mpc1000 pads are nowhere near as sensitive as the 2000 or 4000's, so what does that say for the mpd16?

That is exactly what I said, I was thinking why not to get a sampler along with the pad for little more. Then found out from Akai ( at the Music Messe) that MPC 1000 uses pads with less sensors, MPD has exactly the pads of MPC 4000, so that explains the price, you get what you pay for. I buy pads because I need pads, if I need knobs and faders I buy knobs and fadersbox. OK I have MicroKontrol it has it all but... what are the pads worth ?

Haven't you wondered how reliable that Akai statement really was?
After all, M-Audio was releasing Trigger Finger at Messe. I would A/B the MPC4000 and the MPD-16 before I believed it.

Open them up and see for yourself... That statement is on the true side.
The MPC1000 pads are lower quality and Akai even went as far as using single pads connected up to a grid for cheap replacement when they bust, all the older MPC's and the MPD use higher quality pads that are all hardwired together and have better sensors, and they last forever.

The only shitty thing about the MPD16 is usb which starts lagging when the CPU usage gets high on your computer. When using the midi out, its flawless. And anyone who complains about the pad responsiveness just hasnt RTFM

Just to note, I'm not an Akai fanboy, just stating facts here. I'm really keen to check out the Trigger Finger but haven't had a chance around here.

Sales Dude McBoob wrote:The M-Audio unit has a 5/8" thread on the bottom of it so you could screw it onto a mic stand- a really cool feature.

thats a damn cool feature. and i'm surprised to see such a damn cool yet simplistic feature from m-audio.

Most gigs i play are clubs or venues that would have a spare mic stand, so thats an extra bonus. I may have to pick one of these up this summer.

In my review of the trigger finger which i tested out recently with a salesperson from a local shop. Ive noticed pads have to be hit dead center. This means anyone who uses this will have to be as accurate as possible when there playing around with this controller. The pads are not sensitive enough around the edges compared to other products. M-audio didnt win me over with the lack of sensitivity.

12micsn1 wrote:In my review of the trigger finger which i tested out recently with a salesperson from a local shop. Ive noticed pads have to be hit dead center. This means anyone who uses this will have to be as accurate as possible when there playing around with this controller. The pads are not sensitive enough around the edges compared to other products. M-audio didnt win me over with the lack of sensitivity.

i've heared MPD is the same.

i've heard"

try them both in person and make your mind up that way. Everyone will tell you different things all the time so its best to test both of them thoroughly and see what you like better.

If it needs to be ordered for you to test it, make sure you can return it if you aren't happy with the product.

can't disagree on that.

louZ wrote:

12micsn1 wrote:In my review of the trigger finger which i tested out recently with a salesperson from a local shop. Ive noticed pads have to be hit dead center. This means anyone who uses this will have to be as accurate as possible when there playing around with this controller. The pads are not sensitive enough around the edges compared to other products. M-audio didnt win me over with the lack of sensitivity.

i've heared MPD is the same.

MPD is similar (I own one), but not as bad. I played with a trigger finger the last few times I went to my fav music store, and I find that they are a little less sensitive in the corners than the Akai - but not exceptionally slow.

I am considering buying a Trigger Finger and then A/Bing the two, and selling the reject on ebay. I currently have problems with my Akai when recording midi clips - sometimes it will play the drum, but not record anything. VERY strange, I don't understand why. If I play with my ReMote 25 it records EVERYTHING, but not with the Akai. I just don't get it.

So, my decision will be based on whether the Trigger Finger records properly. If so, then I'm sold. Period.

Seems to be playing pretty dang gooood so far, only thing is, still no reply and activation from M-Audio so I still can't download the free but proprietary Enigma editor :(I've discovered how to basically edit programs but they don't seem to survive program changes/power downs yet) If you're planning on buying an M-Audio product that uses Enigma I'd start the register-to-download process now. Why this is such a laborious process for a proprietary low-level piece of software I can't imagine

muthafunka i had the same problem... found that my isp was bouncing the reply from m-audio with the Enigma editor software. used a different isp for my account and got the software within minutes...

hey if any one gets the enigma software to work with the trigger finger, let me know... i have beat my head on the wall trying to assign to the sliders nobs using this software rightly called "ENIGMA". manual is not very helpful as this software is for many of m-audios products...

trigger finger works flawless with impulse.

good luck!

b

I dont know why any other company besides Akai or M-audio hasnt taken up the call to produce a great midi pad controller. Im hoping Roland will see the opportunity to step into this part of the market an produce something. Since they already produce the MV-8000 as a all in one studio. The pads on that thing are just as good as the MPC-4000.

well you could maybe grab a used roland handsonic, hpd7 i think? thats a pretty wild controller, or there are a few yam's or even casios pad boxes with midi that are dirt cheap but they have to be played with sticks.