SP-FORUMS

Hi,
I need your opinion .
I plan getting an akai mpd 218 , but I can get a used Arturia Beatstep (not the pro).
I don't care about the sequencer , I like that it has 16 encoders but I wonder about the pads. Are they good?
Compared to sp606/505 ,padKontrol ,trigger finger pro, lpd8/mpd18 how they feel?

don't know, but every review says the pads are ok.

it's bigger than i thought.


I've had the Akai MPD16, Akai MPD18, Korg microKontrol, Korg padKontrol, CMC-PD Pad controller, Boss SP-505 and Roland SP-606.


the CMC-PD feels the best to me. best response, best on my fingers. of course it's tiny as fuck, i wish they made it bigger. i use it to give m 505 sequences velocity and to change banks.

i let a friend use it, he thought the pads sucked and thought they where too "mushy".

he loves the 606 pads though, i think they're o.k. but no-where near as good as my pd's.

said all that to say this, i think pads a really a personal preference, it really depends on how big you hands are, if you have skinny fingers or not.

if you have big hands you'll want a a big controller with firm pads, if your hands a small you'll want something "mushier".


hope this helps.

Thanks for the feedback

Small hands/fingers ,but high reflex/speed!
I want the pad to be triggered with light force ,but must be thick.
In trigger finger pro and lpd8 , I felt I am hitting plastic when striking hard.

Searching the net ,couldn't find anything specifically for beatstep's pads.I believe they use it mostly for sequencing and not beat making.