I bought an MPD 24 especially for beat making, since I make sample based beats, and I needed a good MIDI controler. I didn't have much money for MPC, and heard on some forum that MPD is great for sample based beats in any program (Reason, FL, Cubase, you name it).
First thing I checked is the key features...
- MIDI controller for production and performance
- MPC pads: bank of 16, velocity and pressure-sensitive
- Four selectable pad banks for a total of 64 sounds accessible from the pads
- Six assignable Q-Link faders and eight assignable Q-Link 360° knobs
- Dedicated transport controls
- Backlit, easy-to-read display
- MIDI-over-USB or MIDI operation
- USB powered or powered via optional AC adapter
- MPC 16-Level and Full Level features
- Comes with custom version of FXpansion BFD Lite and Editor Librarian software
So, it is made to look like MPC, and it has some features of it, except it is a MIDI controler, which means you have to connect it to computer and you have to have some software for sound banks. You cant import any sounds in MPD. Next thing you have is assignable faders and knobs which can be used to assign anything you want, so you can edit your sounds while playing. Pads are pressure sensitive, and are pretty sensitive, you don't have to smash your MPD in order to get your sound, and you can easily make less velocity sounds. One thing I noticed is that it has a small delay on sounds, small lag. But I came across the review on one of the forums that it is because of sound drivers. If you install Asio sound drivers, it goes smooth, but there is a chance to get your computer to freeze if you run it on slower computers. Another thing I noticed is when I play it, and sometimes I have to press one pad fast for like 3 or 4 times, it doesn't register all. It is not in all cases, only sometimesIn general, this is really good MIDI controler, I think that it can do a lot for beginers. The price is acceptable and it can do the work.
