Akai Professional MPD26Item ID: MPD26USB Pad Controller with 16 Pads, Six Knobs, Six Faders, Dedicated Transport Controls, and MPC Groove Technology 
Worth the Wait!
Akai Professional has informed us that this item has an unusually long shipping delay. Be assured we'll get it as fast or faster than anyone else.
Place your order now, and we'll ship it the very same day we receive it from Akai Professional, or call your Sales Engineer, who can give you the most up to date details and possibly offer you alternatives that would ship sooner.
 Get More Value From Sweetwater
From Our Research Team:Real MPC Feel and Control for Your Virtual InstrumentsFor generations of hip hop and electronic music artists, the Akai Professional MPC line has been one of the essential cornerstones of groove production. Now, Akai Professional brings the technologies that made the MPC a vital music production sampler to their hardware controllers. The MPD26 merges classic MPC functions including Note Repeat, Swing, 16 Level sensitivity, and Full Level sensitivity with modern Q-Link knobs and faders as well as an easy-to-read backlit screen. With the MPD26, you get 16 real MPC pads, plus dedicated transport controls that transmit MMC and MIDI to your DAW and sequencing software. And since it offers MIDI-over-USB and traditional 5-pin DIN MIDI, you can take control of both hardware and software with the MPD26.Access four different sounds from each of the MPD's genuine MPC pads, for a total of 64 options right at your fingertips. The MPD26 also features assignable Q-Link controllers, which enable you to control nearly any of your software's parameters in real time. Six assignable Q-Link faders and knobs, allowing you to spend less time with the mouse and more time making music. The MPD26 also gives you a dedicated set of transport controls for instant access to the most commonly used DAW or sequencing-software controls. The MPD26 goes beyond the functions of a typical MIDI controller. While it sports 16 velocity-sensitive genuine MPC pads, it incorporates far more MPC series technology. Note Repeat is a one of the capabilities that has made the MPC indispensable for hip hop and electronic musicians. It enables the MPD26 to automatically play and hold a rhythm pattern, such as 16th notes on a hi-hat, with a single pad press, making beat programming fast and accurate. The MPD26 also features MPC Swing. MPC Swing is sometimes referred to as "the heart and soul of hip hop" because it turns perfectly aligned sequences into human-feeling time alignments. The MPD26 even allows you to specify exactly the degree and timing of swing you want to apply to its swing, for the perfect feel. The MPD26 sends MIDI information over its plug-and-play USB interface so you can use it with your Mac or PC without installing any drivers. The USB connection even powers the MPD26 so the included USB cable is all you need. The MPD26 also has traditional 5-pin DIN MIDI input and output jacks so you can use it with MIDI hardware, including synths and sound modules. The MPD26 comes with Ableton Live Lite and an editor/librarian program so you can start creating right out of the box. Akai Professional MPD26 USB Pad Controller Features at a Glance:
For real MPC control over your virtual instruments, get the Akai Professional MPD26 USB pad controller!
MPD26 Image GalleryCan We Help?Sweetwater's friendly and knowledgeable Sales Engineers are regarded as the most experienced and educated professionals in the music industry, with extensive music backgrounds and intense training on the latest products and technologies. As your personal contact here at Sweetwater, they are available to provide personalized advice any time you need it.Call toll-free (800) 222-4700 or E-mail us Recommended Accessories
Cheryll, Lott, TX Reviewsbased on 4 reviewsVery Solid
by Rob Parker from Murfreesboro, TN
A great machine - definitely offers the old-school MPC feel without the high price of the high-end MPC units. Lots of fun to play my drum samples with this as opposed to keys, though I've become a pre... read more [+]tty good "keyboard drummer." It works right out of the box, well built, beautiful display, but it misses half a star because of something that someone prior to me mentioned. The dynamic sensitivity seems to make playing softly more difficult. Usually I have the "full level" button on, but with drums, it's nice to have total dynamics. On the other hand, it's just a controller - you can get as picky as you want with dynamics in your DAW. If this were an all-in-one machine, however, the dynamics issue would be much greater. Just try messing with velocity curves and you should find something comfortable. close [-]
January 14, 2013 Music Background: Producer/Engineer @ Triton Studios, Musician Good fit with Novation UltraNova and Nocturn
by Cale McCollough from Eugene, OR
So far, I like it! Its built like a tank and looks good next to an APC40 (they are the same color). I have an UltraNova and really needed a control surface with a transport for my mobile setup. The pa... read more [+]ds are a lot softer then prior models. The stock pads need to be modded to increase the sensitivity. Just google "how to mod akai mpd" on the internet and watch some of the videos or read the directions.. all you have to do is put some thick cloth tap, some rubber, or foam on the underside of the pads to get them closer to the sensor.May 13, 2012 Music Background: Music technlogy engineer, audio engineer, producer, controllerist, beat junky, As for the choice between this controller and the MPD32, it depends if you have enough desk space and/or how much you need the extra 2 sliders, 2 encoders, and 8 buttons. Its $130 more. The buttons make loud clicking noises. I have a Novation Nocturn that I absolutely adore. That's $100 and has the extra controls, soft rubber buttons(better for recording), an HUI mixer, LED rings around the encoders, and AutoMap. I would recommend that personally. The MPD32 is too big for me... desk space is at a premium in my studio. If you like analog drum machines, Arturia just released the Spark VDM software that you don't need the controller for and its only $99. The way that this controller is setup, it will work good with that software because the encoders are in groups of three and you have 4 banks which means you can control all 16 sets of 3 encoders with two templates. Works especially good in combination with the Nocturn. As for the choice between this and Maschine. I don't like the Maschine that much honestly. I have one and it just slowed me down, which is why I bought this. Maschine a good idea but there are a lot of frustrating things about about the hardware and software. I haven't tried the Akai MPC studio yet but I would pick that over the Maschine based on the controller layout. Overall, you can't go wrong with this for the price. If you don't upgrade the pads its not so good but its super cheap/free to upgrade them so I wouldn't let that scare you off. close [-] GREAT CONTROLLER-Dont Listen To Spiteful Reviews
by A-One from California
Despite all the negativity that people said about this controller I got it anyway. Its pretty awesome. I also understand why people complain about the pads sensitivity yeah it can be better of course ... read more [+]but just get some pad corx from mpcstuff.com and your good to go. but as far as saying they're crap that's not true. its a great controller. The features it has are similar to an MPC but if Ur tight on money this will surely suffice to an MPC for the money. close [-]
January 5, 2012 Music Background: Producer, Hobbyist Great Product if you have strong fingers.
by Jim from Eustis, FL USA
I bought this in haste when the padKontrol I wanted was out of stock. I hooked it up and used it with Sonar 8.5. The pads work but they do seem stiff and hit was hard to get a velocity under 45. So... read more [+] you had to bang it to get sound which was fine, but it was hard to play soft. I did get the controls to work over the USB with Sonar, but things went a little south when trying over the MIDI. Might have worked, but I decided to send it back and wait for the padKontrol. I didn't need the controls since I have keyboard controller, so the Pads were the important part and weren't something I wanted to use. You mileage may vary, and there are places on youtube and such with a fix to make the pads more sensitive, I just didn't want to bother. close [-]
October 12, 2010 Music Background: Student/Hobbyist musician and producer. Also popular
Akai Professional MPD26
Buy Today, MakeSweetwater's Flexible Payment Plan is a convenient, interest-free way to buy gear now and stretch your purchase across three budget-friendly payments. Simply choose the "3 Easy Payments" option in your cart, and we'll divide your purchase amount into three convenient payments, billed to your current MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express card. There is a $10 processing fee for using this service, and your billing address must be in the United States to be eligible. It's just another way we make shopping at Sweetwater easy and convenient!Get your Akai Professional MPD26 now and spread out the payments!This program is subject to credit approval. We will pull a copy of your credit report to approve your application. |
|
Sweetwater Sound Inc.
Toll Free (800) 222-4700 Phone & Retail Store Hours: © 2013 Sweetwater Sound Inc. All rights reserved. Please read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Links | Press Releases |
