Akai Professional MPD218 Feature-Packed Highly Playable Pad Controller with Utility Case Package

Building on the success of the original, the feature-packed MPD2 Series gives you amazing creative musical ammo with Thick Fat backlit MPC pads, improved controls and new bundled software. The MPD2 Series is a product of over six years of detailed customer research and user feedback. Akai Professional asked what you wanted and listened closely. They took what the professionals wanted and turned it into the most capable and user-friendly line of pad controllers Akai Professional has developed to date. First, Akai stepped up their game by adding new, ultra sensitive Thick Fat MPC pads, creating an amazingly responsive user experience. The MPD218 also has an expanded control set of six knobs in three banks versus one control on the previous MPD18 model. This will enable you to maximize your sound and give you increased control over effects. MIDI information is sent over its plug-and-play USB interface for use on Mac or PC, eliminating the need to install any drivers. The USB connection powers the MPD218 so the included USB cable is all you need. Along with the improved functionality, Akai has added iOS compatibility using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately) and included over $400 of free software. Titles include: Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Big Bang Drums and Big Bang Cinema from Sonivox, Ableton Live Lite, and Software Preset. The aforementioned Software Preset Editor allows you to enjoy intuitive control editing right from the front panel of the MPD218.

The MPD2 Series marks an important evolution of the pad controller. Many years of research and customer feedback has led directly to some of the most capable pad controllers Akai has ever developed. These MPDs are the perfect bridge between your creativity and your computer-based studio. Akai is pleased to announce that the critically acclaimed MPC Software 2.0 upgrade is now available to purchase for your MPD, greatly enhancing the capability and functionality from the included MPC Essentials. MPC Software 2.0 is a cutting-edge production suite combining 128-track sequencing capability, real-time time stretching, clip-launch functionality, advanced MIDI editing capability, VST compatibility in controller mode, operation as a standalone application on Mac & PC, advanced sampling & audio editing/recording functionality, seamless DAW integration, a redesigned GUI, Ableton Link Compatibility and much more. Whether you're seeking freedom from computer based music production, or searching for the perfect controller for DAW-centric creative exploration, MPC Software 2.0 grants the ultimate in adaptive creative versatility.

Akai Professional MPD218 Feature-Packed Highly Playable Pad Controller Features:

• 16 Thick Fat backlit MPC pads.
• 48 assignable pads accessible via 3 banks.
• 18 assignable 360-dgree potentiometers accessible via 3 banks.
• MPC Note Repeat and Full Level.
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately.)
• 16 configurable presets.
• USB powered, no AC adapter required.
• Includes Ableton Live Lite, Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Sonivox Big Bang Cinematic Percussion and Big Bang Universal Drums.