Loopy Pro: Create music, your way.

What is Loopy Pro? — Loopy Pro is a powerful, flexible, and intuitive live looper, sampler, clip launcher and DAW for iPhone and iPad. At its core, it allows you to record and layer sounds in real-time to create complex musical arrangements. But it doesn’t stop there—Loopy Pro offers advanced tools to customize your workflow, build dynamic performance setups, and create a seamless connection between instruments, effects, and external gear.

Use it for live looping, sequencing, arranging, mixing, and much more. Whether you're a live performer, a producer, or just experimenting with sound, Loopy Pro helps you take control of your creative process.

Download on the App Store

Loopy Pro is your all-in-one musical toolkit. Try it for free today.

Beatmaker 3 with Akai MPD 218, etc.

SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax
in General App Discussion

Can a hardware pad controller (Akai MPD 218, 226, Maschine, etc.) be used with Beatmaker 3?

Is there any real advantage to it?

Thanks..

Yes, I do know the camera connection kit (which I have) is required....

«1

Comments

  • YZJustDatGuyYZJustDatGuy

    Yes to the Akai products. Maschine doesn’t work with iOS at all. I use my novation launchkey mini with BM3 all the time. I’ve assigned the macro knobs and buttons to functions inside of BM3. I’ve also used the MPD 32. I guess the real advantage is not having to touch the screen as much

  • TrueyorkyTrueyorky

    Yes it can, I have the MPD232. It’s so cool playing BM3 with real pads and mapping the controllers :)

  • KorakiosKorakios
    edited September 2018

    Keep in mind that you can assign midi only to the macros since BM3 doesn’t (currently) have a true midi learn . (edit: I was wrong !)
    Plus assigning many parameters to a macro (currently) crashes BM3.

  • TrueyorkyTrueyorky
    edited September 2018

    @Korakios said:
    Keep in mind that you can assign midi only to the macros since BM3 doesn’t (currently) have a true midi learn .
    Plus assigning many parameters to a macro (currently) crashes BM3.

    Not correct, I also have mine mapped to the pads, bank select, transport controls record etc.,

  • StrizbizStrizbiz

    I’d say the real advantage is that you’re using mpc pads, their pads have always been great

  • KorakiosKorakios
    edited September 2018

    @Trueyorky said:

    @Korakios said:
    Keep in mind that you can assign midi only to the macros since BM3 doesn’t (currently) have a true midi learn .
    Plus assigning many parameters to a macro (currently) crashes BM3.

    Not correct, I also have mine mapped to the pads, bank select, transport controls record etc.,

    Yes thanks for clarifying , I meant mainly for all other parameters ,mainly knobs for pitch , volume ,filter etc :)
    Edit :once again wrong

  • TrueyorkyTrueyorky

    @Korakios :)

  • TurntablistTurntablist

    @Korakios said:

    @Trueyorky said:

    @Korakios said:
    Keep in mind that you can assign midi only to the macros since BM3 doesn’t (currently) have a true midi learn .
    Plus assigning many parameters to a macro (currently) crashes BM3.

    Not correct, I also have mine mapped to the pads, bank select, transport controls record etc.,

    Yes thanks for clarifying , I meant mainly for all other parameters ,mainly knobs for pitch , volume ,filter etc :)

    That isn't correct either, most of the controls in the sampler like pitch/volume/filter etc have their own MIDI setting, no need to use macros for those, double tap a dial, click on modulate, then MIDI, then Control Change (CC) THEN CHOOSE A cc or press learn.

  • ToMessToMess

    @YZJustDatGuy said:
    Yes to the Akai products. Maschine doesn’t work with iOS at all. I use my novation launchkey mini with BM3 all the time. I’ve assigned the macro knobs and buttons to functions inside of BM3. I’ve also used the MPD 32. I guess the real advantage is not having to touch the screen as much

    Maschine does work, can be mapped and is one of the most suited controllers in terms on button/knob layout(id rather use it with mb3 than maschine software). However it needs to be hooked on a computer with midi routed to ipad. If you have a computer/ipad setup, this wouldnt be a dealbreaker

  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    Thank you all for the comments!

    I've been busking all day....

    I think a controller might be good for me since I could then see what I'm doing on the iPad, and apparently the tactile feel is good. I don't like finger drumming on a keyboard so much, since I'm a pianist.

    I also see that there is the $100 AKAI MPD 218 and the $200 MPD 226. Are the extra controllers worth the extra money? And, the 226 looks pretty big. I may want to busk with this thing. Are the pads on the two units the same size? Hard to tell online...

    I also see that IK Multimedia has a competing unit for $150... Does anybody have an opinion on that one?

    Thanks......

    • Jeff
  • TrueyorkyTrueyorky

    @Skyscrapersax said:
    Thank you all for the comments!

    I've been busking all day....

    I think a controller might be good for me since I could then see what I'm doing on the iPad, and apparently the tactile feel is good. I don't like finger drumming on a keyboard so much, since I'm a pianist.

    I also see that there is the $100 AKAI MPD 218 and the $200 MPD 226. Are the extra controllers worth the extra money? And, the 226 looks pretty big. I may want to busk with this thing. Are the pads on the two units the same size? Hard to tell online...

    I also see that IK Multimedia has a competing unit for $150... Does anybody have an opinion on that one?

    Thanks......

    • Jeff

    I got the BIG one - MPD232 as I wanted to max the controllers but definitely wouldn’t fancy busking with that one. I haven’t tried the IK version.

    Good luck.

  • KorakiosKorakios

    @Turntablist said:

    @Korakios said:

    @Trueyorky said:

    @Korakios said:
    Keep in mind that you can assign midi only to the macros since BM3 doesn’t (currently) have a true midi learn .
    Plus assigning many parameters to a macro (currently) crashes BM3.

    Not correct, I also have mine mapped to the pads, bank select, transport controls record etc.,

    Yes thanks for clarifying , I meant mainly for all other parameters ,mainly knobs for pitch , volume ,filter etc :)

    That isn't correct either, most of the controls in the sampler like pitch/volume/filter etc have their own MIDI setting, no need to use macros for those, double tap a dial, click on modulate, then MIDI, then Control Change (CC) THEN CHOOSE A cc or press learn.

    I am stupid :tongue: Will whip my self ....

  • KorakiosKorakios

    On the topic ,I found the pads of 218 hard . The thickness (they are fat) had nothing to do with responsiveness.
    The lpd8 seems more fair .
    Also the 218 have endless rotaries which for some people are not good

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    edited September 2018
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    That Roli Lightpad does look interesting for controller. I played around with their keyboard at Sam Ash and it was way cool.

    I'm just looking for something to finger drum on with this unit. Also, having an external unit would allow me to see what I'm doing as to the timeline, etc. I'm trying to use different drum patterns for different sections of songs (like A-A-B-A songform, etc.). I'm a Jazz musician, so the songs are often complex.

    Why do you state that a controller would interfere?

    Thanks...

  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    @Korakios said:
    On the topic ,I found the pads of 218 hard . The thickness (they are fat) had nothing to do with responsiveness.
    The lpd8 seems more fair .
    Also the 218 have endless rotaries which for some people are not good

    Yeah, endless rotaries are not great.

    I've also heard from several sources that quality control is an issue with AKAI these days.

    there are TWO Lpd8s - and one is bluetooth (and cheaper by thirty bucks). I may get that one - small and battery / bluetooth for busking, but only 8 pads.

    Is 8 pads a real problem?

    Thanks....

  • universeuniverse

    @mAxjUlien said:
    Apple Pencil, Quneo and Korg nanoKEY studio are my fav ext controllers for BM3 in that order. Bummed Roli Lightpad M doesn’t yet. Soon. Then, it will most likely be my fav ext pad controller. However, now that I’m very familiar with the true genius of BM3...external midi controllers actually handicap workflow.

    Hey don’t you find that using the pencil slows down work flow as you are constantly putting it down and picking it up ?

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • KorakiosKorakios

    @Skyscrapersax said:
    Is 8 pads a real problem?

    Thanks....

    It depends , the more the better ;)
    But if you are not into finger drumming 8 pads are enough :)

  • YZJustDatGuyYZJustDatGuy

    @Skyscrapersax said:
    That Roli Lightpad does look interesting for controller. I played around with their keyboard at Sam Ash and it was way cool.

    I'm just looking for something to finger drum on with this unit. Also, having an external unit would allow me to see what I'm doing as to the timeline, etc. I'm trying to use different drum patterns for different sections of songs (like A-A-B-A songform, etc.). I'm a Jazz musician, so the songs are often complex.

    Why do you state that a controller would interfere?

    Thanks...

    I don't think the Roli Lightpad works with BM3. I could be wrong
    Another good option could be the Novation Launchpad Mini. It has 64 pads instead of 16 and a few more buttons. I'd say if you're going for portability, Launchpad Mini and MPD218 are two of the best options.

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    edited September 2018
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • MulticellularMulticellular

    Mpd 218 pads hard? Ya, that may be true. I may be a bit heavy handed. I found the default perfect. Find my intuitive velocity scaling is spot on and predictable with it. Yes, it all works as it should with iOS, Beatmaker, etc. Youll just reassign the notes to correspond to pads and should be good to go with BM3. The laptop/desktop app is quite easy to use. Only thing I had to read in the manual was how it had 16 presets. For me, 1 is enough with the 3 banks or pads and ccs per.

  • CRAKROXCRAKROX

    @YZJustDatGuy said:

    Launchpad Mini and MPD218 are two of the best options.

    Have/Do you use the Launchpad Mini with BM3 ? I’ve been looking at picking one up and trying this out but have been slightly hesitant having never used one before.

  • YZJustDatGuyYZJustDatGuy

    @CRAKROX said:

    @YZJustDatGuy said:

    Launchpad Mini and MPD218 are two of the best options.

    Have/Do you use the Launchpad Mini with BM3 ? I’ve been looking at picking one up and trying this out but have been slightly hesitant having never used one before.

    I only have the launchkey mini but I’ve been eyeing the launchpad mini as well

  • handedhanded
    edited September 2018

    I have the MPD218. It works perfectly with BM3 default settings. The pads stopped feeling hard once I started actually triggering sounds with them - no offence, but I think they feel great. They’re the same thick pads as in the MPC Live. The LPD8’s are of a different type - I don’t like them.

    The main advantages of the MPD218 over the 226 and 232: small, compact design, red accents, default settings work great. Cons: USB midi only, less encoders and faders (through you get three banks of pads and three banks of encoders per preset, 16 presets available). With the bigger ones you also get DIN midi, more colours (if you’re into that) and you can edit the sensitivity, threshold, etc. of the pads, plus the biggest one has some basic seq

    I’m also just a sucker for economical design, and the little one does the trick. It’s hooked up to an ICA4+ so I can play DIN midi-connected external gear through that (hello Nord Drums!)

  • thesoundtestroomthesoundtestroom

    Here is a video tutorial I made on how to set up and use the Akai MPD218 with BM3

  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax
    edited September 2018

    @handed said:
    I have the MPD218. It works perfectly with BM3 default settings. The pads stopped feeling hard once I started actually triggering sounds with them - no offence, but I think they feel great. They’re the same thick pads as in the MPC Live. The LPD8’s are of a different type - I don’t like them.

    The main advantages of the MPD218 over the 226 and 232: small, compact design, red accents, default settings work great. Cons: USB midi only, less encoders and faders (through you get three banks of pads and three banks of encoders per preset, 16 presets available). With the bigger ones you also get DIN midi, more colours (if you’re into that) and you can edit the sensitivity, threshold, etc. of the pads, plus the biggest one has some basic seq

    I’m also just a sucker for economical design, and the little one does the trick. It’s hooked up to an ICA4+ so I can play DIN midi-connected external gear through that (hello Nord Drums!)

    1. So you can't edit the sensitivity, threshold, etc. of the pads on the 218?
    2. I looked at 218 and 226 at Guitar Center yesterday. On 218, I can hold it in palms and thumb drum. I have to turn the 226 on its side to do that (I have really large hands as I'm six foot six).
    3. There are transport controls on the 226. Would I be able to use these to start / stop Abelton? That would make it easier to punch in to start recording on piano, sax, etc. That might be the sole reason to get the 226 over the 218....
    4. What would one use the sliders for? Fade in / out drumming parts? As in make a conga come and go, like on Drum Jam? That would be cool, rather than just the same old repeat...
    5. My reason for getting a pad controller is for finger drumming, which I don't like on keyboard (as I'm a pianist in addition to a saxist).
    6. If LPD8 pad's are different that's dispositive. Thanks...
    7. What's an ICA4+?

    Thanks....

    • Jeff
  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    @mAxjUlien said:
    please don’t misunderstand @Skyscrapersax (nice name btw I used to play alto/soprano)...I wasn’t making a declaration that midi is bad for Bm3 at all.

    I was speaking solely to my own workflow while making an assumption about Intua’s design priority. I think they intended BM3 to be the best controller for itself and baked in several features to that effect....but that’s just an assumption. they also obviously accounted for legacy midi workflow...however clumsily.lol Apparently they are working on optimizing midi handling and what nots. There are several issues there.

    Hope we see MpE at some point too. I’m back on desktop more frequently these days because I fell in love with my Roli-ware and find myself needing to express in this new way.

    iPad (touch) is set up perfect for this but so far...the pickings and implementation on iOS is in its infancy

    Back to your point...I was having a blast with QuNeo and NanoKEY. I also had a MpD 226 which was also great but too big for my bag which meant it had to go.

    1. Thanks, I'm 6'6".... Tenor, mainly...
    2. MIDI sucks for wind synth. AKAI EWI 100 / 2000 (not MIDI, analog only!) is the way to go for serious playing, like Mike Brecker / Bob Mintzer.
    3. MIDI + / - aside, is it not easier workflow to have a separate controller to see what you're doing?
    4. There is a Rolli keyboard in my future....
    5. How does the Keith McMillian QuNeo compare to the AKAI MPD 218 or 226?
    6. Thanks...
    • Jeff
  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    @Korakios said:

    @Skyscrapersax said:
    Is 8 pads a real problem?

    Thanks....

    It depends , the more the better ;)
    But if you are not into finger drumming 8 pads are enough :)

    1. I am getting one of these mainly for finger drumming....
Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2025