Akai Professional MPD226 pad Controller
Class-compliant USB Pad Controller with 16 Multicolor Backlit MPC Pads, 4 Faders, 4 Knobs, 4 Buttons, Transport Controls, MIDI I/O, Bundled Software, and Reason Lite License.
Control HQ for Your Music Rig
Part pad controller, part control surface, and completely ready to rock, Akai's MPD226 lets you set up your music-creation to fit the way you like to work. It starts off with the same 16 MPC pads that have inspired Sweetwater music producers to recommend Akai gear for decades, and it only goes uphill from there. RGB backlighting behind those pads makes it easy to color code your layout, which is especially handy when you're switching between four banks of pad assignments. On the other side of the MPD226, there are four sliders, each with an assignable button and encoder. You can use these to set up track controls, ADSR envelopes, EQs, and much more. Top it off with classic MPC Note Repeat, dedicated transport controls, and a killer software package, and the MPD226 is a creative goldmine.
From your studio DAW to your live rig
One of the things that sets the MPD226 apart from similar pad controllers is the fact that it offers you hardware MIDI outputs, rather than just MIDI over USB. Now, the MIDI-over-USB is nothing to complain about - in fact, because it's completely class compliant, you'll never have to worry about installing special software or drivers to connect the MPD226 to your favorite software or iOS apps. However, many of us here at Sweetwater have frequently been on the lookout for a simple pad controller that works with other MIDI hardware, which is why we're such fans of the MPD226. Whether you perform with a tabletop full of modules or simply want to add a set of pads and some extra hands-on controls to your keyboard, you'll find the MPD226 to be an excellent addition to your live rig.
Includes a free license of Reason Lite (Mac/Windows)
An included copy of Reason Lite gives you even to more to love about your Akai Professional controller. This DAW is industry famous among live performers and electronic musicians for its streamlined workflow and studio-grade recording and mixing tools. Reason Lite includes nine premium instruments (synths, samplers, and drum machines) and 11 effects (reverb, delay, EQ, and distortion), along with virtual amps from Softube and 2GB of included loops and samples to help your fledgling creative ideas take flight. And with plug-and-play support for your controller, making music with Reason Lite has never been simpler. Simply create an account (or log in) and register your product at http://www.akaipro.com/register to receive your free Reason Lite license.
Features
- 16 Thick Fat RGB illuminated velocity and pressure sensitive MPC pads
- 64 assignable pads accessible via 4 banks
- 4 assignable faders, 4 assignable Q-Link knobs, 4 assignable Q-Link buttons
- 36 assignable controls accessible via 3 banks
- Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, 16 Level, Full Level and Tap Tempo
- 30 presets total, with configurations for most popular DAWs
- iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
- MIDI In and Out jacks for controlling external gear
- Dedicated Transport controls
- Includes Ableton Live Lite, Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Sonivox Big Bang Cinematic Percussion and Big Bang Universal Drums
Specification
- Pads: 16 x RGB Illuminated Velocity and Pressure-sensitive MPC Pads
- Encoders/Pots: 4 x Assignable Q-Link Knobs
- Faders: 4 x Assignable Faders
- MIDI I/O:In/Out/USB
- USB: Yes
- Hardware Requirements - Mac: 1.25 GHz G4/G5 or faster (Intel Mac recommended); 1GB RAM (2GB recommended)
- Hardware Requirements - PC: 1.5 GHz Pentium 4 Celeron-compatible CPU or faster (multicore CPU recommended); 1 GB RAM (2GB recommended)
- OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.5 or later
- OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 or later
