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I have tried several MIDI-controllers over the years. Not none of them I really liked, mainly because they were made out of cheap plastic, with bad keys and cheap pots.
So I am still using my old StudioLogic/Fatar SL161pro. The only issue it has is that it is sending continues modulation wheel data over MIDI. Really strange, but not such an issue although it puts some overhead in the MIDI signal as well as recorded MIDI data in Reason, Ableton Live or Nuendo for example.
To make a long story short: a controller without a keyboard might be all I need. Something with pads for playing grooves plus a few pots and faders for performing some filter sweeps or mix tricks in real-time. Voila: the Akai MPD24!
I heard that the previous model, the Akai MPD16, was not a good controller mainly because, although the pads looked like those of the MPC series, they were not good (bad feel, weird velocity response and bad MIDI-over-USB timing). Weird, right? I mean: a controller with MPC pads would be a killer combination. So I couldn’t believe it myself that Akai made such a terrible mistake with the Akai MPD16. But I do think they did. And that’s probably they have created a new controller.
Hopefully the Akai MPD24 is a different story. I do hope so! If not: Akai… check your users please!
What I want? I want the Akai MPD24 to have real MPC pads, a MIDI input (for my Fatar), extremely fast MIDI true-put on USB and ReMote (Propellerheads fantastic controller standard which I am sure will be implemented in sequencers of other brands as well soon) available for Reason 3.
10/07/2006 @ 8:12 am
What I wanna know is…since its now mid-July and the MPD24 is supposed to launch in a few weeks…when will we ever get to see any real images of the thing!? For months now all Akai or anyone else online has is this same render/artwork…has anyone seen actual photographs of this unit? Maybe from NAMM or another trade show? Anyone?
10/07/2006 @ 8:48 am
Yes, haven’t heard any more news about it lately. Maybe this is a modern trick: create a 3d image and find out what the users are really expecting for quality. If Akai is reading this blog, it might help :)
14/07/2006 @ 6:33 am
http://www2.sae.edu/de/messeblog/
http://www.interface.nl/s2/div_files/MMesse-06/Musikmesse06.html
14/07/2006 @ 8:39 am
Thank you Akai!
Nice shot of the actual device can be found here indeed:
http://www2.sae.edu/de/messeblog/?p=104
How are the pads?
18/07/2006 @ 8:14 pm
Akai have also now updated their product page with new images:
http://www.akaipro.com/prodMPD24.php
Personally I’m glad to see that the backlit LCD now appears to be blue rather
than green as in the earlier render. In any event, it looks fantastic. I hope it lives up to its promise, as I’ve been holding off a possible purchase of an M-Audio Trigger Finger in anticipation of this unit.
05/11/2006 @ 2:46 am
Hi, I’ve posted a review of my MPD24 with lots of photos, if anyones interested in taking a close look at the final product? Its a great controller!
05/11/2006 @ 9:37 am
Cool review. Thanks!
18/11/2006 @ 5:30 am
Nice review Matt. At last the MPD24 is shipping the UK!!! The wait is over! ;)
06/12/2006 @ 12:06 am
It’s shipping in Germany, too. Last week my MPD24 arrived.
06/12/2006 @ 12:17 pm
I’ve read your review: interesting! Thanks Knoppaz.