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Looking for pad controller recommendations
Hi all,
I’m getting stale programming beats on a grid and want to try finger drumming.
The only discussions I can find on here about hardware pad controllers are a couple of years old now.
What are you all using? I’m looking for a typical 4x4 grid. Ideally I’d like to be able to use the iPad for any settings (or just the device itself). USB-C bus powered would be nice but not essential.
Thanks
Comments
You could also try Xequence AU Pads first btw for a very well designed touchscreen option, though sure, hardware will be nice
Ah, I’d not thought of that! I can be kinda heavy handed though so I wouldn’t fancy it as a long term solution but to get the feel and for when I’m mobile it looks ideal. Thanks
Nice one, the keys app is also very good tho I wish they were both mpe
I use a Presonus Atom SQ for drum pads, but that’s for my Mac. My setup is sort of fixed at the moment and to take it apart to try it with my iPad would be quite a chore, especially considering I’m not sure it’s what you would want anyway.
It is USB powered by my Mac and while it has a strange layout, I really like the pads and find them fine for drumming and as keys - I am no whizz finger drummer though!
I’ve got a Novation Launchpad Pro coming later today, so will let you know how that works out with my limited finger drumming skills
Almost forgot. I have an SP404 mk2 also, but mostly use that as an audio interface / fx unit now. The pads on that are ok once you get the sensitivity settings right, but I don’t like them as much as my Atom.
The general internet consensus seems to be that the pads on MPC Live, MPC Live 2 and Machine mk3 are all really top notch for those that like to finger drum. They are all pricey though compared to Launchpads and Atoms.
I have a presonus atom and like it very much. I also picked up an mvave Bluetooth 4x4 pad for use on the go, and I find it to be excellent and highly usable. I use both of these with the ipad.
Thanks for the insights. The MPCs are far more than I want to pay - they’ve always appealed if I wanted to go DAWless but I’m kinda set in my ways and comfortable in Cubasis or Logic. The Akai MPD218 is what I was looking at but a couple of earlier reviews on here aren’t favourable.
An SP404 is a direction I hadn’t considered, we’re hoping to gig at some point and a standalone sampler may be useful. Food for thought, thanks.
The Atom (not the SQ) looks very much what I’m looking for. Transport buttons on the unit is a plus. I need to investigate to see what level of settings can be accessed without PC/Mac but otherwise this looks ideal.
This one is very inexpensive:
M-VAVE SK-16 SMC-PAD
My Launchpad Pro mk3 arrived today, but it was quite late and I only had chance to play with it for ten minutes on my Mac. Will try it on my iPad tomorrow and let you know what my initial impressions are.
The standard Atom and the M Vave are probably options you want to look into further, as both can be had for quite cheap prices. Im pretty sure they will work fine as pads, but some of their features may be specific to certain DAWs and could be tempremental with some ios apps.
This is the best starter 4x4 available for the price. Pads are a little stiff, need more Thunk to get into groove, but after a day or two, zero iseue
I used the Bluetooth exclusively (but works hardwired too) and it was my go-to until i got a Launchpad [edit X, not pro, derp]
Avoid the SMC-Pad Pocket tho. Launchpad size buttons with worse sensitivity of its big brother lol
Might be useful after futzing with velocity curves, but not worth then trouble with better options available
@Fruitbat1919 - I’ll be interested in your views on
the Launchpad, I’ve had Novation synths and my controller keyboard is an old Novation that I’ve had about 20 years. It’s a company I like.
@PapaBPoppin and @jamietopol - thanks for the insights about the m-vave. It’s worth considering on price alone.
I can’t believe the Akai 218 is as bad as I’ve read. I know it’s the budget model but you’d think they’d know what they were doing.
For the price, the Launchpad Pro is a really nice piece of kit. I really like it! Ive not had hands on experience of pads on high end gear, but the LPP feels quite sturdy and the pads feel just right out of the box for myself.
I often use Studio One with the Atom SQ and Faderport mk2 for making beats. I find the Launchpad really comfortable for making beats and synth lines when Im sat on my sofa (which is what I bought it for). I can see me using it with my iPad as well though.
The good thing about Novation for Mac users is that they tend to throw quite a bit of free software at you. Over the last couple of years, ive had a Circuit Rhythm, a Launchkey mk4 and now the Launchpad Pro mk3 and they all are very decent for the prices. While the Launchkey mk4 feels a little less in build quality than the other two, it came with software that would have cost more than the device cost!
My initial impressions of the Launchpad Pro after using with my iPad Air:
The Air can run the LPP mk3 connected direct, but not enough juice through a non powered hub. With only one USBC port that means I cant also connect via cable to headphones or speakers.
The LPP mk3 works great with the iPad. Using AUM, I was able to sequence a drum app and 3 synths, while playing a 4th via the pads.
Using the Components software has been problematic for myself. Its hit and miss on my Samsung tablet via the web. Ive never managed to get it to work on my iPad and even the download version on the Mac sometimes fails to see a connected device. Ive heard some others have issues with it and some dont. Its not a thing us will use often though, unless you want to be making lots of your own templates for different synths.
The pads just are not as good as my Atom SQ pads in my opinion. Everyone has their own opinion though.
Ive just seen that the Akai APC64 can be had for cheap now. Some like it wh8le some dont. Its a bit bigger though.
I can definetly see the larger pads of some other devices being better for finger drumming. I think however that the fact that my SP404mk2 gives the iPad audio in and outs, midi in and outs, pads and a fun (all be it complex button combos at times) sampler all via one USBC cable, that would probably be the device I would go for....O I did originally when I only had my iPad! The SP has quite the learning curve, but its a lot of fun and bang for buck.
If new iPads still came with a headphone out as well as USBC, then I would use my LPP with it all the time. Does the iPad Pros have enough juice from its USBC to power devices through a hub? I use two hubs on my studio Macbook Air and it runs my Atom SQ and Launchkey mk4 without issues.
Thanks for the report @Fruitbat1919, it covers a lot of ground not only for the Launchpad but for the SP-404. In fact, the 404 seems more and more like an ideal companion device to the iPad.
I think you’ve turned me against the Launchpad as grief with software isn’t welcome. I don’t think I’ll be launching clips with it, just playing samples so the Atom or similar is probably more suited, with a SP-404 mkII further down the line.
Again, thanks for your time
If you ever use Ableton with a Mac though, the LPP is really great! So good in fact that ive had to rearrange my fixed studio set up to incorporate one....will have to get another for my sofa now!