Akai Professional LPD8 mk2 Mini 8-pad USB Controller Reviews
A space-efficient and easy-to-use control pad for your samples, effects, drumbeats, and all your creative ideas is imperative — enter the LPD8 mk2 Mini USB Controller from Akai! This controller makes it fun, easy, and straightforward to record your sampled projects right into your DAW via simple USB connection. And for the price, it really can’t be beat! Beatmakers around Sweetwater love the eight ultra-responsive and velocity-sensitive RGB-backlit MPC pads, just like the customizable ones available via Akai’s flagship models. Rotary controls supply the freedom you need for adjusting your MIDI, CC sends, and plug-in parameters. The full-size USB port connects right to your laptop or desktop workstation, making it a breeze to access and interact with the thousands of beat samples from the included software bundles! Finally, the LPD8 mk2's thin, compact chassis is also perfectly portable, helping you get the grooves going wherever and whenever you need to.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Easy to use, well-built, perfect price
A really useful piece of gear. I use it in my stage keyboard setup with Apple Main Stage. Right out of the box, I was able to quickly and easily map the LPD8's knobs and pads to control parameters in third-party virtual instruments [I use Arturia V Collection (V3 Piano, EPs, Clavs, etc), IK Hammond and Leslie, Modartt's PianoTeq] and a Waves EQ and Limiter.
The unit has a reassuringly solid feel. Rubber feet make it easy to keep the unit in place. Knobs and pads have a solid feel. It is easy to dial in the setting you want without any drift.
The price is just right.
This little controller saved my butt!
I just got a Numark NS4FX controller and it had very limited FX capabilities and would not allow me to access all my Serato FX expansion packs that I was using before. This little controller sits nicely on my desk taking up very minimal space and through super easy MIDI mapping in Serato DJ Pro, I now have easy access to all my FX again. I also have a few pads and knobs left over for whatever else I want to be able to quickly adjust.
So much potential
I bought this controller because I wanted two things that my current midi controller did not have which were pads and knobs. This, I thought at the time, was a perfect solution as it had those two things and it was very affordable. Unfortunately I have some major issues with this piece of equipment. The pads are not sensitive enough. Whenever I am using the pads I end up having to play at max velocity just to get them to respond. My other issue with this is the software, as it is just so unintuitive to use. Lastly, it seems like a hassle every time I plug the hardware into my PC. It always takes a couple tries and a restart in order for it to work, and it derails my workflow.
Pads are just not responsive enough
I've used several older Akai products with pads and have always enjoyed the responsiveness. Having been a huge fan of the original LPD8, I thought the mkii would be a good addition. However, the responsiveness of the pads is not very good. I feel that I have to hit the pads much harder than the velocity response would indicate. On the LPD8 mki, you the velocity floor is much lower. On the mkii, it seems that it's actually quite easy to have softer notes not trigger the pad at all. For something designed to be lightweight and easy to take on the go, it feels out of place to have to hit it so hard to get it to respond. I returned it and will keep using the mki.
