Control HQ for your music equipment

Partial pad controller, partial control surface and completely rock ready, the Akai Professional MPD226 lets you configure your music creation to suit the way you like to work. It starts with the same 16 MPC pads that have inspired many music producers to recommend Akai Professional gear for decades, and it only goes up from there. The RGB backlighting behind these pads makes it easy to color-code your layout, which is especially useful when switching between four banks of pad assignments. On the other side of the MPD226 are four sliders, each with an assignable knob and encoder. You can use them to configure track controls, ADSR envelopes, EQs and much more. Top it off with classic MPC Note Repeat, dedicated transport controls and a killer software package, and the MPD226 is a creative gold mine.

From your studio DAW to your live rig

One of the things that sets the MPD226 apart from similar pad controllers is that it offers hardware MIDI outputs, rather than just MIDI over USB. Now MIDI-over-USB is nothing to complain about — in fact, because it's fully class compliant, you'll never have to worry about installing special software or drivers to connect the MPD226 to your favorite software or iOS apps. . However, many of us are often looking for a simple pad controller that works with other MIDI hardware, which is why we're such fans of the MPD226. Whether you play with a desk full of modules or simply want to add a set of pads and some extra handy controls to your keyboard, you'll find the MPD226 to be a great addition to your live rig.

Characteristics

• A pad controller and control surface combination perfect for live and studio use;
• Thick and fat MPC pads include RGB LED backlighting for multicolored visual feedback;
• 4 pad banks provide a total of 64 pad controls;
• 4 sliders include assignable Q-Link knobs and knobs for extra hands-on control;
• 3 independent control banks for the control surface section provide 36 parameter controls;
• Equipped with classic MPC functions such as Note Repeat and Full Level;
• Instantly jump between 30 presets covering the most popular DAWs;
• Send class-compliant MIDI via USB or via 1/8-inch MIDI I/O ports. for hardware integration;
• Integrated simple transport section for DAW playback and recording control
• The software package includes free titles from Ableton, Akai Professional and Sonivox.

Specifications

• Type: pad controller;
• Pads: 16 x RGB-lit, pressure-sensitive Velocity MPC Pads;
• Velocity sensitive: yes;
• Encoders/Faders: 4 x assignable Q-Link knobs;
• Faders: 4 x assignable faders;
• MIDI I/O: in/out;
• USB: Yes, 1 x USB Type B;
• Programs: Ableton Live Lite, Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Sonivox Big Bang Cinematic Percussion and Big Bang Universal Drums;
• Hardware requirements (Mac): 1.25GHz G4/G5 or faster (Intel Mac recommended); 1GB RAM (2GB recommended);
• Hardware requirements (PC): Pentium 4 Celeron compatible CPU 1.5GHz or faster (multicore CPU recommended); 1GB RAM (2GB recommended);
• System requirements (Mac): OS X 10.7 or later;
• System requirements (PC): Windows 7 SP1 or later;
• Power source: MP6 6V DC 1000mA power supply (not included);
• Dimensions: 33.3 x 25.4 x 4.8cm;
• Weight: 1.3kg.