The Akai MPD218 is an USB MIDI controller with a 4x4 MPC pad-matrix and 6 assignable potentiometers that each provide 3 banks. So the total count of accessable hardware elements is 48 MPC pads as well as 18 free assignable 360° potentiometers. The pads have red colored backlight and are excellent playable with good touch- and velocity-sensitivity. The only port of the Akai MPD218 is an USB that functions as data transfer and power supply. The USB port is class compliant so the MPD218 can be used with iOS devices as well as with Windows and Mac OSX devcies equally.

The Akai MPD218 is a versatile and stylish USB MIDI controller featuring 16 red light-UP MPC pads with three banks. This USB/MIDI controller is iOS compatible and comes complete with Ableton Live Lite plus other powerful music creation software, making it ideal for budding producers.

The feature-packed MPD2 Series offers an amazing level of creative musical ammo with Thick Fat backlit MPC pads, improved controls and new bundled software. The MPD218 is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller ideal for producers, programmers, musicians and DJs alike. An intuitive blend of MPC controls and technologies mesh with easy USB connectivity to bring the feel of classic beat making into the world of computer music production.

The MPD218 also has an expanded control set of six knobs in three banks versus one control on the previous MPD18 model. This will enable you to maximise your sound and give you increased control over effects. MIDI information is sent over its plug-and-play USB interface for use on Mac or PC; therefore there is no need to install any drivers. The USB connection powers the MPD218 so the included USB cable is all you need.

Akai have added iOS compatibility using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately) and included a ton of free software including Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Big Bang Drums and Big Bang Cinema from Sonivox, Ableton Live Lite, and Software Preset Editor.

Akai MPD218 overview:

• 16 touch- and velocity-sensitive MPC pads with 3 banks
• 6 assignable 360° potentiometers with 3 banks
• MPC Note Repeat and Full Level
• Total count of 16 presets with configurations for commonly used DAWs
• USB buspowered
• iOS compatible via Camera Connection Kit (not included)
• Includes Ableton Live Lite, Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Sonivox Big Bang Cinematic Percussion and Big Bang Universal Drum