Akai MPD32 USB/Midi MPC Pad Controller

by Akai

Product Features

• MIDI synced note-repeat with MPC swing
• 16 full-sized, genuine MPC pads with velocity and pressure-sensitive response
• Assignable switches, sliders and endless knobs for a total of 72 controllers
• 2 assignable Foot Switch inputs with 1 assignable Foot Pedal controller input
• 30 user-definable Presets for various DAW and software applications

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 15 x 11.8 x 3.9 inches ; 6.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0016LVAOC
• Item model number: MPD32
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,229 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #56 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > MIDI Controllers

Product Description

The MPD32 is Akai Professional's ultimate velocity-sensitive pad controller for musicians and DJs. Modeled after the industry-standard MPC series, the MPD32 delivers the most expressive software beat control available. Sixteen velocity and pressure-sensitive genuine MPC pads provide the industry's finest feel and expression. Four selectable pad banks for a total of 64 playable pads, eight assignable faders, eight assignable switches and eight assignable, 360� knobs for transmitting MIDI Control Change data, all combine for unprecedented creative freedom. Three selectable control banks extend the number of available faders, buttons and knobs to 24 each. Two assignable footswitch inputs and an expression pedal input takes the total assignable controller count to 75 – the most by far in any pad controller. The MPD32 also features transport controls for interfacing with DAW/sequencing applications. The MPD32 is a fully programmable controller and multi-functional control surface that fits perfectly within any production or performance environment.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MPC for Your PC, April 3, 2008

By 

B. Yang (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

After I upgraded to a laptop with Windows Vista, I was on the hunt for a new MIDI controller. I was using an Akai MPD16 but after several failed installs on my Vista laptop, I found out that Akai decided not to make a Vista driver for my antiquated hardware. At first, I was a bit angry that my equipment that I've been using for a long time with Windows XP no longer worked. But then the prospect of getting new gear calmed me down.

All I really wanted was a pad controller with MPC style pads and a "note repeat" function. I researched several pad controllers: M-Audio Trigger Finger, Akai MPD24, and Korg padKONTROL. I also gave Akai's new MIDI keyboard, the MPK49, serious consideration since it has 12 MPC style pads. After much debate, and plenty of time spent watching demos of each product on YouTube, I finally placed a pre-order for an Akai MPD32.

It arrived a couple months later and it was plenty worth the wait and money. The first thing I noticed is that the MPD32 is large, much larger than my previous MPD. Its footprint is a bit bigger than my 15.4" laptop. The next thing I noticed is that it's built solid. All of the knobs, faders and pads feel great. These pads are the same pads that are used on the MPC2500. The only criticism I have for the pads would be with the sensors. Akai uses a round sensor under the pad so not all of pad surface is usable, unlike the Korg padKontrol which uses a square sensor for its pads. But this is not a deal breaker for me.

The MPD32 comes with presets for many popular music production programs (e.g. Live, Reason, FL Studio, Cubase, etc.) Personally, I use Reason 4.0 and Live 7. The presets for Reason work perfectly. The 8 knobs and faders are easily assignable to manipulate filters and effects within Reason.

For me, the MPD32 is perfect. If you're in need of a MIDI controller with MPC pads for your DAW, look no further.

Products Referenced:

Akai MPD16 USB/MIDI Pad Controller
M-Audio Trigger Finger Drum Pad Control Surface
Akai MPD24 USB/MIDI Pad Controller
Korg PADCONTROL KORG USB DRUM PAD CONTROLLER
Akai MPK49 Keyboard Controller
Akai MPC2500 Music Production Center

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for hip-hop producers without the MPC price Tag., April 7, 2011

By 

Dj Windz One (San Diego, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Akai MPD32 USB/Midi MPC Pad Controller (Electronics)

I bought this some time ago, and it's safe to say this is a REQUIREMENT to have in a studio that deals with hip-hop/R&B. Set-Up was a breeze for Reason 5, and made the jump into recording that much easier. Stable as hell, but there is a shortcoming of this piece is the pads. There is a "pocket" of space between the pad and the sensor, thus you'd have to hit the thing hard to get any response outta them. Just look up the mod for em (I purchased a kit from mpcstuff.com) and it made a WORLD of different.

Knobs felt good, the sliders are a different story. I'm eventually going to replace em, but why fix what's already working, right?

For obvious reasons, no one is going to be able to afford an MPC (1000, 2000, 2000XL, 2500, 5000, etc, etc, etc.), but if you have the right tools, everything works out in the end. This would be my "go to" control for producing.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MPC for Your PC, October 1, 2008

By 

B. Yang (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

After I upgraded to a laptop with Windows Vista, I was on the hunt for a new MIDI controller. I was using an Akai MPD16 but after several failed installs on my Vista laptop, I found out that Akai decided not to make a Vista driver for my antiquated hardware. At first, I was a bit angry that my equipment that I've been using for a long time with Windows XP no longer worked. But then the prospect of getting new gear calmed me down.

All I really wanted was a pad controller with MPC style pads and a "note repeat" function. I researched several pad controllers: M-Audio Trigger Finger, Akai MPD24, and Korg padKONTROL. I also gave Akai's new MIDI keyboard, the MPK49, serious consideration since it has 12 MPC style pads. After much debate, and plenty of time spent watching demos of each product on YouTube, I finally placed a pre-order for an Akai MPD32.

It arrived a couple months later and it was plenty worth the wait and money. The first thing I noticed is that the MPD32 is large, much larger than my previous MPD. Its footprint is a bit bigger than my 15.4" laptop. The next thing I noticed is that it's built solid. All of the knobs, faders and pads feel great. These pads are the same pads that are used on the MPC2500. The only criticism I have for the pads would be with the sensors. Akai uses a round sensor under the pad so not all of pad surface is usable, unlike the Korg padKontrol which uses a square sensor for its pads. But this is not a deal breaker for me.

The MPD32 comes with presets for many popular music production programs (e.g. Live, Reason, FL Studio, Cubase, etc.) Personally, I use Reason 4.0 and Live 7. The presets for Reason work perfectly. The 8 knobs and faders are easily assignable to manipulate filters and effects within Reason.

For me, the MPD32 is perfect. If you're in need of a MIDI controller with MPC pads for your DAW, look no further.

Products Referenced:

Akai MPD16 USB/MIDI Pad Controller
M-Audio Trigger Finger Drum Pad Control Surface
Akai MPD24 USB/MIDI Pad Controller
Korg PADCONTROL KORG USB DRUM PAD CONTROLLER
Akai MPK49 Keyboard Controller
Akai MPC2500 Music Production Center