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.

2»

Comments

  • KorakiosKorakios
    edited September 2018

    The LPD8 pads are inferior .
    I found the 218 pads ok , but I was expecting much much more due to the fatness and reading reviews /watching videos . Can’t squeeze them so for me they are hard .
    Edit: Hardness or softness has to do with the feel . For velocity they trigger fine ;)
    Best pads for example I’ve ever tried were from Korg padKontrol

  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    @mAxjUlien said:

    @universe said:

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

    Not at all. Have a few different workflows for using Pencil. Primarily use it for fine editing in Piano Roll. I think BM3 piano roll is underrated but it’s busy and tiny...grabbing notes with pencil, drawing automation, etc easier with pencil.

    I use fingers and the velocity trigger pads screen to the left of the drum pads to get parity and natural sounding drums adjusting the quant resolution to emulate natural swing depending on sound/part. It’s amazing.

    Once I really dialed in to how brilliant @mathieugarcia and his team designed BM3 for touch I realized using external midi is almost like smacking them in the face.lol. Really the joke was on me.

    iPad is future. External midi is remenance of being from a time before how we will do things in the future.lol.

    1. Which pencil do you have? The Apple pencil?
    2. Isn't an external pad controller better / more musical for finger drumming that a hard iPad screen?
    3. Isn't having a separate controller better for start / stop and seeing what you're doing?
    4. Thanks...

  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

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

    1. I'm watching it now; thanks!
    2. I see you have USB dongle; are you using camera connection kit? Can one not simply plug lightning / USB into the 218?
  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    @Korakios said:
    The LPD8 pads are inferior .
    I found the 218 pads ok , but I was expecting much much more due to the fatness and reading reviews /watching videos . Can’t squeeze them so for me they are hard .
    Edit: Hardness or softness has to do with the feel . For velocity they trigger fine ;)
    Best pads for example I’ve ever tried were from Korg padKontrol

    1. There's a lot of review to that effect on Guitar Center's site.
    2. How about the Maschine Mikro's pads?
  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    OK, now I'm also looking at the Maschine Mikro ($300). I think the Akai MPD 218 is OUT, as it does not offer pad sensitivity tweaking, and I'm a Jazz cat and need subtlety.

    Any thoughts about the Machine Mikro versus the Akai MPD 226?

    Pads, especially...

    Thanks.

  • KorakiosKorakios
    edited September 2018

    @Skyscrapersax said:

    @Korakios said:
    The LPD8 pads are inferior .
    I found the 218 pads ok , but I was expecting much much more due to the fatness and reading reviews /watching videos . Can’t squeeze them so for me they are hard .
    Edit: Hardness or softness has to do with the feel . For velocity they trigger fine ;)
    Best pads for example I’ve ever tried were from Korg padKontrol

    1. There's a lot of review to that effect on Guitar Center's site.
    2. How about the Maschine Mikro's pads?

    Unfortunately I haven’t played with micro :(
    But it’s all very subjective. For example I loved the pads of the old mpd 18 , they felt more elastic (but not so accurate as the new ones) . On the web many people say that they were hard .... so I gave up searching and buy second hand controllers. If I don’t like them I sell them ;)

    For sure you will need a camera conection kit and you may want buying the usb3 version that can charge the iPad :)

    Edit : as for the lack of adjusting the velocity curve you can always set the sensitivity on the app you use or route to a midi utility and adjust it there ;)

  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    @Korakios said:

    @Skyscrapersax said:

    @Korakios said:
    The LPD8 pads are inferior .
    I found the 218 pads ok , but I was expecting much much more due to the fatness and reading reviews /watching videos . Can’t squeeze them so for me they are hard .
    Edit: Hardness or softness has to do with the feel . For velocity they trigger fine ;)
    Best pads for example I’ve ever tried were from Korg padKontrol

    1. There's a lot of review to that effect on Guitar Center's site.
    2. How about the Maschine Mikro's pads?

    Unfortunately I haven’t played with micro :(
    But it’s all very subjective. For example I loved the pads of the old mpd 18 , they felt more elastic (but not so accurate as the new ones) . On the web many people say that they were hard .... so I gave up searching and buy second hand controllers. If I don’t like them I sell them ;)

    For sure you will need a camera conection kit and you may want buying the usb3 version that can charge the iPad :)

    Edit : as for the lack of adjusting the velocity curve you can always set the sensitivity on the app you use or route to a midi utility and adjust it there ;)

    1. I have that camera connection kit. I'd just rather not HAVE to use it! Second hand is fine until they break. There's lots of moving parts on these puppies. I actually just took my brand new Yamaha MOXf 6 in for repair - a total dud right out of the box, but I didn't return it to zZounds in time for an exchange. Total PITA - 15 days to bench and another 15 to replace the LCD screen, which didn't work at all.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    edited September 2018
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax
    edited September 2018

    @mAxjUlien said:

    @Skyscrapersax said:
    1. Which pencil do you have? The Apple pencil?
    2. Isn't an external pad controller better / more musical for finger drumming that a hard iPad screen?
    3. Isn't having a separate controller better for start / stop and seeing what you're doing?
    4. Thanks...

    1. Apple
    2. Yes and no. My drum workflow with BM3 isn’t as intense as playing all parts like i did when I was younger. Prefer to use built in Trigger and Vel bar, adjusting quant res per sound. When I do finger, I use Quneo with Bm3. Can map all macros, transport, light show is cool, etc.
    3. Still have to tap play same as on the screen so no not really with my workflow. But in terms of using a controller, yes...I prefer Quneo to MPD218 because it is smaller, lighter, more controls including transport. Using controllers with no transport is a level of inefficiency we just don’t have to except anymore.
    4. No prob. Good questions.
    1. How do the QuNeo pads compare with the Akai MDP 218?
    2. Do you have any experience / opinion with the NI Maschine Mikro?
    3. The Akai MPD 226, the QuNeo and the Mikro are my three "in the runnings" for purchase now.
    4. Thanks again....
    • Jeff

    EDIT: Research now shows that the Maschine Mikro does not work with iPad. Am I wrong on this?

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

    @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 my workflow.

    1. OK, now its down to the QuNeo versus the Akai MDP 226. Any thoughts on comparisons of these two devices for iPad? (the Maschine Mikro apparently does not work with iPad, so it's out of the running, even though I also use Abelton...).
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • handedhanded
    edited September 2018

    @Skyscrapersax said:

    @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
    1. Yes, you can’t edit threshold/sensitivity on the 218.
    2. I love its compact size, the others feel a bit too big for my liking.
    3. If you want to use transport controls, that’s another plus for the big guys. I use the 218 with iOS only. For Ableton, I use Push 2 - totally worth if it you’re in Ableton land!
    4. Yep, good question. Probably default to track volume for mixing in Ableton, but if course you can map it however you want. Your example sounds fun.
    5. All the MPD2xx’s are good for this. And Push if you’re in Ableton land and can justify the expense.
    6. Yep. Knowing the pads were the same as the MPC Live for finger drumming was a big part of what sold me on the 218.
    7. iConnectivity Audio 4+ sound interface. It can do a whole bunch of iOS-friendly stuff. I mentioned it because it has DIN midi ins/outs, and it also has a port to plug in USB midi devices (or a hub if you want to connect more than one) - that means you can use the MPD218 to play a device connected the interface via old-school din midi. I have a Nord Drum 2, and it’s great fun to play with this controller. You don’t even need to have an iPad or PC connected for it to work. Super useful. It has its quirks but it’s a powerful unit. You can hook up two devices at the same time (iOS or Mac/PC). I should note that I’ve had to replace iConnectivity’s properietary lightning cables with normal USB + CCK3 in order for them to function properly - something about Apple changing the power standards.

    Love finger drumming. :)

  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    @handed said:

    @Skyscrapersax said:

    @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
    1. Yes, you can’t edit threshold/sensitivity on the 218.
    2. I love its compact size, the others feel a bit too big for my liking.
    3. If you want to use transport controls, that’s another plus for the big guys. I use the 218 with iOS only. For Ableton, I use Push 2 - totally worth if it you’re in Ableton land!
    4. Yep, good question. Probably default to track volume for mixing in Ableton, but if course you can map it however you want. Your example sounds fun.
    5. All the MPD2xx’s are good for this. And Push if you’re in Ableton land and can justify the expense.
    6. Yep. Knowing the pads were the same as the MPC Live for finger drumming was a big part of what sold me on the 218.
    7. iConnectivity Audio 4+ sound interface. It can do a whole bunch of iOS-friendly stuff. I mentioned it because it has DIN midi ins/outs, and it also has a port to plug in USB midi devices (or a hub if you want to connect more than one) - that means you can use the MPD218 to play a device connected the interface via old-school din midi. I have a Nord Drum 2, and it’s great fun to play with this controller. You don’t even need to have an iPad or PC connected for it to work. Super useful. It has its quirks but it’s a powerful unit. You can hook up two devices at the same time (iOS or Mac/PC). I should note that I’ve had to replace iConnectivity’s properietary lightning cables with normal USB + CCK3 in order for them to function properly - something about Apple changing the power standards.

    Love finger drumming. :)

    1. I'm thinking the sensitivity / threshold issue may turn the tables towards the 226, although I second your view on liking a compact size (I can play it with one hand or two thumbs, as I have big hands). Since I play Jazz, I think I need that adjustability. THAT pushes (pun intended...) towards the KM QuNeo, although it's a little funky for my taste, and I've gotten no opinion on the pads sensitivity / threshold / playability yet.
    2. No PUSH yet. Too much bread, and I'm looking to spend about five grand on an alto saxophone soon, so I can only drop so much on the electronics!
    • Jeff
  • SkyscrapersaxSkyscrapersax

    @mAxjUlien said:

    @Skyscrapersax said:

    @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 my workflow.

    1. OK, now its down to the QuNeo versus the Akai MDP 226. Any thoughts on comparisons of these two devices for iPad? (the Maschine Mikro apparently does not work with iPad, so it's out of the running, even though I also use Abelton...).

    Really can’t go wrong. 226 better economically and I like the pads but it doesn’t travel well...Quneo better all around to me. It’s very portable which was why I got it. roughly same size as 9.7 inch iPad, much lighter, indestructible, more expressive than any non-MPE controller, more assignable controls.

    1. QuNeo pads versus 218 / 226 pads - any opinion? Are QuNeo's adjustable for sensitivity / threshold?

    Thanks,

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

    @mAxjUlien said:
    Quneo pads, sliders and rotaries can be adjusted for sensitivity, pressure, light color, etc. Check YouTube for what’s possible. Way too much to list. I’ve had it for years and still haven’t scratched the surface of what it can do.

    1. I've been watching the moo tube videos... Lots of cool stuff. There's one percussionist (Amy, I think)) that does really cool stuff with it. I'm probably going to get QuNeo. I can always return it if it doesn't work for me. It's outside the box, and I'm a Jazz musician (and we're WAY outside the box...).
    2. I finally bought Beatmaker 3! I will have to get the Ludwig kit for the type of music that I do (they should add Sonar drums; they're the best). It crashed the first time I used it and got stuck in a note... Then it was OK after that.
    3. I don't understand how to use other apps IAA or AB with it, though. I did load Drumperfect Pro into BM3, and BM3 assigned DPP to a pad, but it didn't do anything. I'd like to be able to trigger those kits with BM3. Is this possible?
    4. Thanks...
    • Jeff
  • SlimbeauxSlimbeaux

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

    And it was Awesome too. Cool Beans!

Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2025