Features:

  • 13-inch, slim-line ultra-portable pad controller with 8 backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads for triggering samples, loops, controlling virtual instruments and more
  • 8 MPC Q-Link knobs for seamless mapping to DAW parameters, virtual instruments and effect parameters for hands-on control and expressive performances
  • 4 programmable memory banks provide instant recall of mappings for DAWs, virtual instruments, effects and more
  • Lightweight, ultra-portable design stows easily in a laptop bag for production capability everywhere
  • USB-powered and plug-and-play setup for Mac and PC
  • Works with all popular applications including GarageBand, Logic, Sonar, Cubase, Ableton Live, ProTools, Reason, Fruity Loops, Digital Performer, and more
Great Drum Controller

I picked this up with a midi keyboard controller and it's a perfect compliment to it. While you could easily use your keyboard to program drums, it's not nearly as much fun and as easy as it is on the LPD8. The only thing I would like to see improved on this is the instructions. The programming software for the LPD8 presets is anything but intuitive for a new user. A little time and patience and you'll be able to figure it out, or if you don't care you can just ignore it for awhile. The LPD8 does work out of the box without messing with the presets. The other thing I don't quite understand is why the top row of knobs on the right, control the bottom row of pads on the left by default. (And top pads controlled by bottom knobs) Again, not a huge deal and it's something you can change in the presets once you figure that out. Out of the box I've used this with Ableton Live, Superior Drummer and BFD. I can already tell I'm going to eventually want to figure the presets out clearly as I want the knobs to alter different settings than they do by default. The way the pads light up when you hit them not only lets you know if you didn't hit it hard enough (it won't light up) but it's also fun to see. It's kind of hard to explain how small this really is so I suggest you take a look at YouTube videos to get an idea. It's extremely light and portable. The one downside to that is it doesn't cover much space on the surface it's sitting on, so if it's not rather smooth, you're going to get some wobble when you use it.

Love this little thing!

I'm learning Ableton Live and I wasn't sure how much I would use it, so I wanted the cheapest controller I could find. This little thing is great! I read other reviews that said it wasn't very sensitive, but I didn't find that to be the case. You do have to make sure you turn the sensitivity in Ableton to your desired level though. For an amateur just getting started, I've been very happy with it. The light up pads feel good and responsive. It's lightweight, but it doesn't feel cheap. If you're just looking for something to plunk down beat ideas with your laptop on the go, this thing is perfect. If you're looking to control large DJ sets though, this may be a bit limiting and a bigger controller might be in order.

Plug and play, for the most part!

All you have to do is figure out how to set it up! In the software that it comes with you can change the notes by using the up and down arrows. It is that easy. I play like metal and it is great for taping a beat out. When I first set it up I lost like 4 hours of my life!

Not only for musicians....

Nice but I didn't like how it was packaged. Not very sensitive, even with one layer mod, i used regular blue masking tape for the mod, i didn't want to make it too sensitive, but even with the one layer mod needs some heavy pressing. With the sensitive mod, also I put a lot of hot silicone over the mini sub port to make sure it won't fall off from the chip base (it was an experiment, don't know if its going to work) Using the default mapping in ableton, 8 pads are not enough to trigger the vast majority of drums, probably you will have to assign only your favorite beats to the 8 pads. The knobs feel just good, I found more pleasent these ones over the ones that comes with the novation launchkey. Also you can use it with Adobe Lightroom to change photo parameters, it can help to improve your workflow on editing. It's a good gift for an event photographer. This is why it deserves five stars.

A TRULY GREAT ULTRA-COMPACT USB CONTROLLER

I've been using usb controllers with Ableton Live for years now and have been through several of them - The Akai LPD8 is my favorite of the micro controllers. Previous to the Akai i was using a Korg Nano Kontrol and previous to that a 1st generation X-Session and while both are good units, they feel cramped in comparison to the LPD8. The beauty of the LPD8 is that despite being very, Very small and lightwight, it doesn't feel Toy-like (which, at least for live performance use, the Korg Nano Kontrol did). The pads are fantastic: solid and feel great to play on. I initially wrote off the fact that the pad edges illuminate when hit as gimmicky but, depending on what you assign the pads to (ie: parameters other than triggering percussion samples), it is very useful to see the illumination in a club or otherwise dark / chaotic venue. The lighting on contact helps you feel connected to this little unit. The knobs are far enough apart so that you can use them with two hands at a time (something not as possible on some of the other micro controllers). When I travel I slip this little unit in a case with my laptop and I'm good to go. Several gigs with it so far and nothing but positive experience: this is a great compact controller.

Love this unit. Perfect solution for my desk and DAW production.

This is my third attempt in finding a midi controller solution for my needs. If you read my previous review on the Nektar GX61 you will have an idea. If not, the story is much like Goldy Lox and the Three Bears. Porridge is to hot, too cold, bed is too whatever, just not the right fit. The Akai LPD8 coupled with the NEKTAR GX 61 is perfect for me. Really Happy about this. Let me say that this Akai unit feels solid. Small is good here. The knobs feel nice, pads feel good. Fits perfectly with the Nektar controller I just purchase. I am choosing to play with this without the editor. I did download the editor after playing with the unit within Cubase. It worked well as it learned the controls I want to manipulate. After downloading the Akai Librarian softare and made changes in my device menu, the Akai unit and Nektar were not responding. I didn't want to waste hours figuring out why, so I deleted the Libririan software. Works good for now as I want to delve more in CC's ,program changes, assignments and banks. The quality for the price point is quite satisfactory. I am content with how both units operate and I still have room on my desk while now back to a 61 key baby. I'm ticked pink. Thank you Akai, Nektar and Amazon. Amazon, you are what we studied in business, a major category KILLER. I'm okay with that as long as you carry my food items one day and air my cooking show! Thanks!

Great but I just have bad luck

I purchased this to make it easier to control modulations and other different controls in my DAW and it did that perfectly. My only thing is I recently purchased a Windows 8 Pro update in January compared to my previous Windows 7 OS. Apparently it doesnt keep the same drivers and settings. So, maybe the reason I get an error - unidentified external error - in FL Studio is a driver incompatibility. Also I do question the sensitivity of the pads otherwise please do buy this. Buy this if you need an affordable way to further increase your production values. If anybody has similar Windows 8 FL Studio errors please contact me - bassturntup@live.com P.S. I've tested this at my friends house, and it does work perfectly just the pads arent the best in the world

Love it.

Love this thing :) Pads feel good and are robust, controls are easy to work with. Holding up well after almost a year - very satisfied and have turned two friends on to these already.

Great Device, My Favorite

Great device. Very well built, feels very sturdy when played. The pads are better than I expected and having the CC knobs is very useful. After using this for several months I am adding to my review. I never expected this when I bought it but this is my favorite controller bar none. It is the most responsive and has the widest, usable dynamic range of any of my controllers (I also have a Quneo, an MPD18 and an Axiom Keyboard with pads on it). I have modified it (simple)as per kits available on eBay and I will never part with it unless they make a 16 pad version with the same pad design. I wish it had more pads and such but when I am going to play a part that needs to be expressive this is my go to guy! This is the best controller Akai makes incl;uding the high end stuff.

Nice Pads ‘n Pots

This MIDI controller was just what I needed for a great price. I am using it USB wired with a Mac for drums in Mainstage, as well as wirelessly with various music apps on an iPad. Wireless works great with no discernible latency. Pads have just the right touch for my taste, and the unit is built solid with no wobble or creaking. The manual incorrectly states to pair using pad 8, when it’s actually Pad 4. Just be aware of that minor trip-up, and you’ll love this little controller.

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