Akai Pro MPD18 Compact Pad Controller Now Shipping

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Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces that the MPD18 portable pad controller is now shipping to retailers. Akai Pro will exhibit the MPD18 at the 2010 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, booth 6400, January 14-17. The MPD18 is the smallest device in Akai Professional's line of MPD pad controllers. DJs, programmers, producers and other musicians will find this MIDI-over-USB controller to be perfect for triggering samples, controlling software, and for use in a variety of other applications. Its small footprint makes the MPD18 easy to integrate into any setup for stage performance, studio production or musical creation on the go. The heart of the MPD18 is its bank of 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive genuine MPC pads, an Akai Professional exclusive. Users can access three different banks of sounds from the pads for a total of 48 sounds at once. The MPD18 also borrows the MPC series' assignable Q-Link controllers, enabling users to control nearly any parameters in their software in real time on an assignable Q-Link fader. Users will find the MPD18 to be convenient, sending MIDI information over its plug-and-play USB interface for use with Mac or PC without installing any drivers. The USB connection also powers the MPD18 so musicians can use the controller with no power supply. The MPD18 can control nearly any MIDI software, as well as MIDI hardware, such as synths, sound modules, samplers, sequencers, drum machines, and more. "The MPD18 gives you the iconic control feel of the MPC in a compact footprint that's easy to fit in any setup," said Adam Cohen, Director of Business Development, Akai Professional. The MPD18 is available from musical instrument and professional audio retailers. It has a U.S. retail price of $199.00 and an estimated street price of $99.00.