Ableton Forum

aqua_tek wrote:Thanks! i've been doing some research and from most of what I've read, it seems that the padkontrol is a little flimsy? All reviews and pad controller shootouts seem to favor the MPD series. I still feel the 32 may be overkill...

Maybe the MPD24 is the best compromise between the MPD32 and the PK.

I might also consider the NanoPad... but I have to be honest, I don't think it looks very durable eithr... plus I have a little bit of OCD. I wouldn't feel right not having a 4 x 4 matrix


Thanks again! I'll be mulling it over in the next couple of days.

no way aqua the mpd32 is what they should have made in the first place on the akai side, i'd get the both the pk and the mpd32 cause it's all about what it provokes in you and they feel pretty different, it's kind of like which guitar would you grab for this song might not be the one you need for the next song, the mpd32 is def not overkill, you might be somewhere and not want to pull out he apc i mean there might be a sign at the venue that says no flying saucers and the mpd32 might be just the thing to rock that spot, or you could be in a coffee shop and pull out the padkontrol to intricately craft the most delicious brush strokes or some supersubtle rhodes meanderings and you wouldn't want the mpd or the apc for that. Really having all three of them is not overkill

the mpd24 is poopoo and don't believe whatever you've read about the pk being not built well, when you first grab one it's alot lighter than other controllers you've held so it might give that impression but that's part of what makes it so playable it is the most playable controller with pads in the entire universe and it can take a beating. it's really the only sculpting drumpad controller.

I agree with the starving student....some good food for your thought.

Interesting. Thanks for the thoughts on the MPD's and PK. My pad needs will be simple. I don't think the lack of note repeat will be a deal breaker for me.

Interesting comments on the PK. So it's deceptively solid, it seems? I have to admit, I AM drawn to the fact that the PK has visual feedback for pad hits.

Guess it's back to debating between the MPD32 and the PK... the PK might win over, due to price. We'll see. Have a few more days to mull it over.


You're all very helpful. Thanks!


EDIT:
One quick question about the Note Repeat, Roll, and Flam buttons on the MPD32 and PK...

So, do these actually register into Live as multiple midi notes (as they do in the MPC's) or is it an "internal arpeggiator" (for lack of a better description) within the controllers more geared towards performance, that just shows up as a single held note? Hope my question makes sense.

padkontrol > mpd

^^ Fair enough, though a little vague... Can you tell me about the Roll/Flam thing?

aqua_tek wrote: One quick question about the Note Repeat, Roll, and Flam buttons on the MPD32 and PK...

So, do these actually register into Live as multiple midi notes (as they do in the MPC's) or is it an "internal arpeggiator" (for lack of a better description) within the controllers more geared towards performance, that just shows up as a single held note? Hope my question makes sense.

aqua_tek wrote:^^ Fair enough, though a little vague... Can you tell me about the Roll/Flam thing?

aqua_tek wrote: One quick question about the Note Repeat, Roll, and Flam buttons on the MPD32 and PK...

So, do these actually register into Live as multiple midi notes (as they do in the MPC's) or is it an "internal arpeggiator" (for lack of a better description) within the controllers more geared towards performance, that just shows up as a single held note? Hope my question makes sense.

Multiple midi notes. Not just one in regards to the padkontrol.

Having owned and used both - the padkontrol is the only one I still have. The pads are way more responsive and better on the padkontrol than the mpd's.

+1 for the pK, it´s light, portable and solid.
I also want a small, downsized studio,
so my pK and the APC will be a fine combo.

The weight of the MPD32 is about 5kg!!!
+ Laptop + APC + AI...

The PadKontrol is MUCH more responsive than the MPD. You can really just tap away without it feeling forced. It's really fun and addictive to use. The MPD is just BLAH for cooking beats. Glad I sold mine.

To be fair, the only time I played with the MPD was in a Guitar Center and only for a brief time. Also, it was all jacked up and the computer they had it hooked up to was running something other than Live so I was a little lost. But to me, it just looked really bulky and the pads didn't seem as responsive. Although, it does have faders and knobs, so of course it's bigger...

The PK pads are extremely sensitive & yes, it is just really fun to use. I'd recommend it.

contakt321 wrote:
I just bid on a Juno today

Couldn't help myself. I am telling myself I am just going to make multi-samples and sell it (by telling I mean lying)

Haha if it gets you to buy it then suuuuure you will sell it .

I actually think that multisample approach really defeats the purpose. The best thing about my juno is instead of automating some bs I run a midi arpegio into it and then I mess about with the filters and everything live... record 16 bars and move on.

Then you can even automate filters over it but the slight nuances in the sound (which from a juno often arent so slight) make your song unique.

The Juno, especially when operating in unison mode (secret trick by the way if you hold down both polyphony buttons at once) the sound morphs around like mad and sounds just raw as hell.

I <3 my juno

I use my mpd but not really for beats more for live shows and using the pads to launch shit and the faders to mix.

CHARLIE! wrote:

contakt321 wrote:
I just bid on a Juno today

Couldn't help myself. I am telling myself I am just going to make multi-samples and sell it (by telling I mean lying)

Haha if it gets you to buy it then suuuuure you will sell it .

I actually think that multisample approach really defeats the purpose. The best thing about my juno is instead of automating some bs I run a midi arpegio into it and then I mess about with the filters and everything live... record 16 bars and move on.

Then you can even automate filters over it but the slight nuances in the sound (which from a juno often arent so slight) make your song unique.

The Juno, especially when operating in unison mode (secret trick by the way if you hold down both polyphony buttons at once) the sound morphs around like mad and sounds just raw as hell.

I <3 my juno

I was trying to get an Alpha Juno 2 but I lost by $10. Jerks!

Went with the PadKontrol. Should be arriving sometime next week. yay!

condra wrote:

hey condra,

where did u get that skin?? hook a brother up!!