Akai Shipping MPD15 USB/MIDI Pad Unit

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Expanding on the legacy of the MPC series, Akai Professional introduces the MPD16 USB/MIDI Pad unit. The MPD16 is a self-contained unit which connects via USB and/or MIDI to computers and sound engines, such as the new Akai Z4 and Z8 samplers which include drum program set-ups, as well as the standard keyboard-assigned programming.

The functionality of the MPD16 is designed with simplicity in mind. The days of programming drum sequences via a keyboard are gone forever. 16 MPC-spec pressure-and-velocity sensitive drum pads generate Note-On with velocity when tapped. In Full-Level mode, the MPD16 produces data with velocity value of 127, regardless of the velocity of the pad tapped, and in 16-Level mode, it allows you to generate the note velocity in 16 steps with 16 pads. The active pad (note number) is the last pad played just before the 16-Level key was pressed. The Bank key switches between banks 1 and 2, allowing access to two separate banks of sounds. The Active key enables the fader which outputs MIDI control changes. The various parameter settings, such as MIDI Note Assign, MIDI Channel, MIDI Control Change, etc., can be assigned from the computer via USB. MPD16 set-up is facilitated with the MPD16 Utility and PC/MAC driver software CDROM. The MPD16 is self-powered when connected via USB; an optional AC adapter is required for MIDI connections.

For more information, visit their web site at www.akaipro.com.