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Drums & Percussion > Percussion Controllers > Akai Professional MPD26

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Akai Professional MPD26

Item ID: MPD26

USB Pad Controller with 16 Pads, Six Knobs, Six Faders, Dedicated Transport Controls, and MPC Groove Technology

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From Our Research Team:

Real MPC Feel and Control for Your Virtual Instruments

For 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:
  • Access 64 samples on 16 pressure and velocity-sensitive MPC pads with four banks each
  • MPC technologies include Note Repeat, Swing, 16 Level, Full Level, and Tap Tempo
  • Control virtually any 12 software parameters on assignable Q-Link knobs and faders
  • Dedicated transport controls transmit MMC and MIDI to DAW and sequencing applications
  • MIDI output over USB and traditional DIN MIDI I/O for controlling software and hardware
  • Backlit, easy-to-read screen makes playing even in dimly lit environmets easy
  • USB bus powered, class compliant plug and play with one USB cable
  • Includes Ableton Live Lite and Editor Librarian software

For real MPC control over your virtual instruments, get the Akai Professional MPD26 USB pad controller!

MPD26 Image Gallery

Specification Detail
Number of Keys 0
Aftertouch No
Number of Performance Pads 16
Number of Encoders/Pots 7
Number of Sliders/Faders 6
Dedicated Transport Control Yes
Other Controllers No Other Controllers
System Requirements Mac 1.25 GHz G4/G5 or faster (Intel Mac recommended), 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended), Mac OS X 10.4.11 (10.5 or later recommended)
System Requirements PC 1.5 GHz Pentium 4 or Celeron compatible CPU or faster, 1 GB RAM, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP, Windows compatible soun
Pedal Inputs No Pedal Inputs
MIDI I/O In, Out and USB
USB Yes
Height 2.76"
Width 11.38"
Depth 12.36"
Weight 4.85 lbs.
Power Supply Bus Powered, AC Adapter Optional
Manufacturer Part Number MPD26

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Reviews

based on 3 reviews

Good fit with Novation UltraNova and Nocturn

by Cale McCollough from Eugene, OR
May 13, 2012
Music Background: Music technlogy engineer, audio engineer, producer, controllerist, beat junky,
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.

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
January 5, 2012
Music Background: Producer, Hobbyist
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 [-]

Great Product if you have strong fingers.

by Jim from Eustis, FL USA
October 12, 2010
Music Background: Student/Hobbyist musician and producer.
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 [-]

Also popular

See Also: Drum Samplers , Akai Professional , Akai Professional Percussion Controllers , Akai Professional Other Control Surfaces

Akai Professional MPD26

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