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Akai Pro LPD8: Overview

Akai Pro LPD8: Overview

Akai Professional

Description

The Akai Professional LPD8 Laptop Pad Controller is a USB-MIDI controller for musicians, producers, DJs, and other music creators. The controller measures less than 13" across and weighs less than a pound so it fits easily into your laptop case, backpack, or messenger bag for extreme portability.

The LPD8 is based on Akai Professional's MPC line of iconic music production stations. Producers who love the feel of the Akai Professional MPC and want to work with the software on their computer find that the LPD8 gives their laptop the controls they prefer to a mouse and keyboard.

The Akai Professional LPD8 has 8 orange light-up pads that are velocity-sensitive for programming rhythmic or melodic parts. The pads can also send program-change information to software. Additionally, the LPD8 pad controller has 8 Q-Link knobs you assign to virtually any parameters in the software for hands-on control.

The Akai Professional LPD8 Laptop Pad Controller is plug-and-play compatible with Mac and PC computers requiring no software driver installation or wall power for operation. The LPD8 controller also has 4 memory banks for programming and recalling settings appropriate to the music software programs you own.
Akai Professional LPD8 Laptop Pad Controller
Akai Professional LPD8 Laptop Pad Controller
Akai Professional LPD8 Laptop Pad Controller

Features

  • USB-MIDI controller works with virtually all audio software
  • Eight backlit, velocity-sensitive drum pads can send note or program changes
  • Eight Q-Link knobs for controlling virtually any parameters in software
  • Plug-and-play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation
  • Small enough to fit in a backpack or laptop bag and ultralight
  • Four programmable memory banks
  • Comes with editor software for Mac and PC
  • USB bus powered ” no additional power cable needed

Specs

  • Dimensions: 3.2"H x 11.9"W 1"D
  • Weight: 0.7 lb.

Reviews

4.05

19 Reviews

75%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

My opinion of this product

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Akai LPD8

The Akai LPD8 is a cool controller to say the least. I bought this because I didn't have any sort of drum pads. It's cheap, though it doesn't feel cheap. 8 drum pads and 8 knobs. The pads feel solid. Similar to their other products I have tried. The knobs are nice, although a bit small. But it is ment for laptops, so I guess that's alright. Overall I think it's great. I even found a way to get LED feedback on the pads, which looks cool.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Get what you pay for?

So let's keep in mind this is supposed to be a "cheap" midi trigger (even though there's a similar pad controller from korg that's $10 cheaper. We'll get to that soon). so I picked this little guy up from GC thinking that I'd be able to use this with superior drummer and reason on my computer. It's plug and play so it worked with all the software with minimal setup. But when I tested it out with reason there was serious lag, and couldn't compensate with any of the settings. With superior drummer there wasn't any lag but the pads were pretty unresponsive so I had to set up superior to have basically no dynamic range. Also the knobs didn't map out very well with any of the controls in reason, so there's that. So if you need a cheap mpc maybe try the minikorg that has 16 pads instead of 8 and only one parameter control... Or if you don't need anything to control parameters just get the akai lpk25 (which i've had for a long time and is much cheaper than both mpc's) and does a much better job for triggering midi (drums and synth). Save yo'self some moneys either way.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing3
  2. Back-Up1
  3. Concerts1
Cons
  1. Pads are good but more sensitivity would help.1
  2. Poor Quality1
Describe Yourself
  1. Professional Musician3
  2. Novice1
Pros
  1. Easy To Use4
  2. Functional4
  3. Good Quality3
  4. Improves Sound1
  5. Adds more control1

Reviewed by 19 customers

  • Yes

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byButterflop K

    fromAz.

    Compact and cheap. Works great.

  • great product

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byshug

    fromMI

    I like it

  • nice stuff

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    bymaria

    fromundisclosed

    this is helping me a lot and it's very cheap

  • Bad pads, good price

    3

    Verified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byRobert

    fromundisclosed

    For the price, I guess it's ok. The pads are more like buttons covered by pads, so it's hard to get a natural response because you're pressing so hard. However, the plug and play ability in Ableton (and probably most DAW's) was great and for that and the price, I give this 3 stars.

  • My opinion of this product

    4

    submitted9 years ago

    byStress

    fromDetroit Mi

    I use this product in all of my projects with no problems at all. Feels very sturdy with a decent amount of weight, so you don't have to worry about it moving with use. Despite its small size it gets the job done just like any other controllers. Overall a very worthy purchase.

  • Never again

    2

    submitted9 years ago

    byanthony951

    frominland empire,ca

    The usb port broke really easily. I also had an akai LPK25 which is the keyboard version of this and the usb port broke without even touching it! Apparently you can't leave it plugged in or it will break. waste of money

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byChris

    fromNewtown Connecticut

    Is this thing supposed to come with a usb cable?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    Yes it does.