By Elianne Halbersberg

The MPD18 is the newest addition to Akai Professional’s pad controllers. As the smallest model in MPD line, the MPD18 is portable, lightweight, easily integrated and remarkably durable.

Don’t be fooled by its dimensions, though. This is a rugged little machine that’s as versatile in the hands of a seasoned pro as it is user-friendly for someone new to the game. Onstage, in the studio or on the road, the MPD18 is a valuable addition to any producer, DJ, programmer or musician’s gear arsenal. It features 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive genuine MPC pads, and accessibility to three different banks of sounds from the pads for a total of 48 sounds at once. Like the MPC series, the MPD18 allows users to control software parameters in real time via an assignable Q-Link fader and an assignable Q-Link button. 

Glen Darcey, Product Manager, Akai Professional, spoke to Planet Ill about the MPD18.

Planet Ill: For readers who are just beginning to explore production, let’s explain what a controller is and what it does.

Glen Darcey: Controllers, in general, are devices that allow hands-on control for computer software applications that you can’t get by using just the mouse and typewriter keyboard.

We make a series of controllers that address different markets. The MPD series are pad controllers. They are designed for the musician who wants to make drum beats and play percussion parts. Our MPK line are keyboard controllers. They have a standard piano-style keyboard, drum pads, knobs and sliders. We also make our EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) controllers that are designed for the sax, clarinet, flute and even trumpet player.

Planet Ill: What are the main features of the MPD18? 

GD: The MPD18 is a pad controller that uses our famous MPC pads. It was designed as a lower-cost version of our MPD24 and MPD32 pad controllers. It features the same pads that our higher-level controllers and even the high-end MPC’s have. It also has features that were borrowed from the MPC line. The features include Note Repeat and 16 Levels. Note Repeat allows for the user to play 8th, 16th, 32^nd and other notes automatically. 16 Levels will allow you play a single pad across all the pads with each pad having a slightly louder volume than the next. Both of these functions are core components of hip-hop production. 

Planet Ill: How many prototypes were there in order to develop a quality controller that is compact and portable yet contains so many features?

GD: We typically go through three stages in all our product development. It starts with a handmade sample, moves on to an OTS, or off tool sample, and then into the pre-production stage. It gives us opportunities to change and modify things as we go through the development process.

Planet Ill: How does the MPD18 compare to other Akai controllers, for example, the flagship MPC line?

GD: All of our pad controllers use the same exact pads and sensors that the MPC line have. We have products at different price structures based on chassis design and feature sets. All of our product line is built to a high quality standard. Our products tend to cost a bit more than our competitors, but it’s because we build with a higher quality. 

Planet Ill: Who is the target audience for the MPD18?

GF: The MPD18 is geared toward the first-time users up to seasoned professionals. There are people who may not need all the sliders and direct editing capability that our MPD24 and MPD32 have. For a player who just wants to add pads to their current setup, the MPD18 is the best price/performance pad controller on the market.

Planet Ill: For those just starting out with controllers, a bit about the advantages of MIDI over USB, which is a key component in the Akai line.

GD: Using class-compliant MIDI over USB allows customers to take any of our products, plug them into their computer and use them. We don’t require any drivers to be loaded, which is a big help when the computer companies upgrade their operating systems. It provides the best compatibility possible with the least headache. 

Planet Ill: How user-friendly are the interface and controls on the MPD18?

GD: The MPD18 is extremely easy to use. Many users will never need to read the manual. We include an editor software to use with the MPD18 for the more advanced user who wants to create custom note mapping, but there are multiple preset maps that will work with 95 percent of the uses that people have.

Planet Ill: Is it compatible with all Akai products?

GD: It is compatible with all known music software on both PC and Mac. Other than our editors, Akai does not make software that is product specific.

Planet Ill: As the smallest Akai controller, how much does the MPD18 weigh and what are its dimensions?

GD: It is 10 x 8 x 1.65″ (255 x 205 x 42 mm) and weighs 1.76 pounds. We actually make a smaller pad controller, the LPD8. It has eight backlit pads, eight knobs and is designed to be small enough to fit in a laptop backpack.

Planet Ill: With so many controllers on the market, and certainly so many to choose from in the Akai line, why should our readers opt for the MPD18?

GD: It’s all about the customer’s price and performance requirements. If all the user wants are professional quality pads in a portable package, the MPD18 is the choice. Musicians looking for more presets, knobs, faders and standard MIDI outputs should step up to the MPD24 or MPD32. If they need pads and a piano-style controller, then they should look to our MPK line.

Planet Ill: As always, the price point is amazing. How does Akai release so many products and always keep them affordable, particularly—as the saying goes—“in this economy”?

GD: “In this economy” is tough. It’s been hard on all music manufacturers. We manage our manufacturing and look to buy in bulk when we can. Since we use our MPC pads in so many products, we are able to get the costs down much lower than others could. That’s why all the people who have tried to copy us in pad controllers tend to fail. They don’t have the feel or quality that we can produce.

At the same time, we don’t cut corners to the point where the product is no longer a “musical instrument.” All of our engineering, product development, sales and marketing departments are filled with musicians who have a passion for the gear we make and use them professionally. We use the products we build, and we demand as much from them as anyone else.

Learn more about the Akai MPD18, and all of Akai’s products, at www.akaipro.com.

Elianne Halbersberg is a freelance writer whose work has also appeared in Mix, Premier Guitar, Electronic Musician, Audio Media, Ink 19 and many other magazines and websites.

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