---
product_id: 47947833
title: "Akai Professional MPD218 - USB MIDI Pad Controller and Drum Machine with MPC Pads, Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat and Full Level Buttons, Production Software"
brand: "akai professional"
price: "€ 132.36"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 12
category: "Akai Professional"
url: https://www.desertcart.ie/products/47947833-akai-professional-mpd218-usb-midi-pad-controller-and-drum-machine
store_origin: IE
region: Ireland
---

# USB powered + iOS compatible 16 thick MPC pads + 48 total pads 18 assignable 360° knobs Akai Professional MPD218 - USB MIDI Pad Controller and Drum Machine with MPC Pads, Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat and Full Level Buttons, Production Software

**Brand:** akai professional
**Price:** € 132.36
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎶 Unlock your beat-making genius — anytime, anywhere!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Akai Professional MPD218 - USB MIDI Pad Controller and Drum Machine with MPC Pads, Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat and Full Level Buttons, Production Software by akai professional
- **How much does it cost?** € 132.36 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ie](https://www.desertcart.ie/products/47947833-akai-professional-mpd218-usb-midi-pad-controller-and-drum-machine)

## Best For

- akai professional enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted akai professional brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Expandable Pad Power:** Access 48 assignable pads across 3 banks for limitless creative expression.
- • **Ultimate Beat Control:** 18 fully assignable knobs let you tweak every sound parameter with precision.
- • **Plug & Play Portability:** Lightweight USB-powered design means pro-level production anywhere, anytime.
- • **Pro-Grade Software Bundle:** Includes Ableton Live Lite, MPC Beats, and more — everything to jumpstart your studio.
- • **Expressive Performance Tools:** MPC note repeat and full level buttons deliver dynamic, hands-on beat making.

## Overview

The Akai Professional MPD218 is a compact, USB-powered MIDI pad controller featuring 16 thick MPC pads and 18 assignable 360-degree knobs. Designed for both beginners and pros, it offers expandable pad banks totaling 48 assignable pads, MPC note repeat, and full level controls for expressive performances. Compatible with Windows, Mac, and iOS devices, it comes bundled with industry-standard software like Ableton Live Lite and MPC Beats, making it a complete portable production powerhouse.

## Description

Akai Professional MPD218 - USB MIDI Pad Controller and Drum Machine with MPC Pads, Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat and Full Level Buttons, Production Software: desertcart.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ

Review: Great pad to learn - Good sensitivity with velocity so it can 'sense' how hard you are hitting the pads, amazing actually for this price range. Very light weight so good for portability, easy to set up, literally plug and play if you have your DAW open (at least it was for me with Ableton) just the right size for beginners and great to learn on. It's pretty good quality for what it is and you could easily incorporate this into a professional set up, there's nothing wrong with it really.
Review: Incredible value! - It's a shame so many have had bad experiences with this, judging from the reviews. Right out of the box, it synced up to my preferred DAW (Mixcraft 8) with no manual mapping required. I inserted an instrument track, picked a drum kit and I was recording a beat in seconds, (and that was before I'd even installed any of the Akai software). From there I can manually map clips to the pads, and different parameters to the dials etc. The pads are reasonably responsive. Light touches don't register so well, so they do need a fairly firm contact, but once you make the right contact, they are very responsive to fills and rolls. It just takes a bit of getting used to. I have an Akai keyboard controller, and it feels very flimsy, like a toy. I was sort of expecting very light build quality from this too considering the price, but it's solid. The dials feel very good, and all of the pads are very robust. The software bundle that comes with this is crazy too. I already have Ableton but for those who don't, the Ableton Live Lite is a great package. The MPC Essentials and Big Bang Drums are great pieces of kit, and Reason Lite is also a great DAW. So all in you get two high quality DAWs, and a whole host of sounds to use (both within Ableton Lite, Reason Lite and the Big Bang Drums system), plus the unit itself, all for £70. You won't get better value than that. If you're looking for a starter kit to get working with pads, this is literally everything you need (besides a computer, obviously) at a great price. And if you get one, buy brand new, so you can register the device and be eligible for the software bundle. It's a decent device on its own, but to get all that software included in the price, it's a steal! If it's 2nd hand, someone else will have registered the serial number and you won't be able to get all the kit that comes with it.

## Features

- Beat Production, Anywhere - Ultra-portable, feature-packed and USB powered pad controller with 16 thick fat MPC pads for triggering drums, melodic samples, effects and more
- Expandable Banks - Easily accessible dedicated controls for three pad banks provides a total of 48 assignable pads
- Assignable Control - 18 fully assignable 360-Degree potentiometers accessible via three banks for controlling DAW, virtual effect and virtual instrument parameters
- Feature Packed - MPC note repeat and full level controls for immersive expressive performances
- Comprehensive Software Suite Included - Ableton Live Lite, Drum Synth 500 by AIR Music Tech
- The MPC Production Experience - Includes MPC Beats Software complete with the finest features and essential production tools from the Akai Professional MPC Series
- iOS Connectivity Covered - Control your iOS apps and open up a world of pad control capability using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B0116X17JW |
| Best Sellers Rank | 1,706 in Musical Instruments & DJ ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments & DJ ) 16 in MIDI Controller |
| Colour | Black |
| Compatible Devices | Computer (Windows, Mac), iOS Devices (iPad, iPhone) |
| Connector | USB |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (6,334) |
| Date First Available | 8 July 2015 |
| Hardware Interface | USB |
| Hardware Platform | PC/Mac, iOS |
| Instrument Key | Any |
| Item Weight | 907 g |
| Item model number | MPD218 |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Musical Style | Electronic |
| Number of Keyboard Keys | 22 |
| Product Dimensions | 25.4 x 20.32 x 5.08 cm; 907.18 g |
| Proficiency Level | Beginner |
| Scale Length | inches |
| Size | Einheitsgröße |
| Supported Software | Ableton Live, MPC Beats |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Akai Professional
- **Connectivity technology:** USB
- **Model name:** MPD218
- **Number of keys:** 22
- **Special feature:** MPC pads, USB powered, full level, note repeat, production software included

## Images

![Akai Professional MPD218 - USB MIDI Pad Controller and Drum Machine with MPC Pads, Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat and Full Level Buttons, Production Software - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81IsX6D+FiS.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Is this easy to set up with Logic Pro?**
A: Hello,Thank you for your question. Yes it should be very easy to setup and use with Logic Pro. Many thanks,Akai Professional

**Q: Could I plug this straight into an amp or PA to make drum beats during live performances?**
A: Hello, Akai Professional Support here. The MPD218 is only a MIDI controller so you would need a computer/laptop etc if you wanted to perform with it live. If you have any further queries, please contact us at amzsupport@inmusicbrands.com or by calling 01252 896040, we're happy to help. 

Thanks,
Ross - Akai Professional Support.

**Q: Does it have pressure sensetive pads?**
A: Hello, AKAI support here! Yes, MPD232 features 16 RGB illuminated velocity and pressure-sensitive MPC pads.
In case you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to email us at amzsupport@inmusicbrands.com.

**Q: does it have to be connected to a computer to work?**
A: HelloYes this will need to be plugged into a computer for it to work Kind RegardsAVC

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great pad to learn
*by W***N on 3 December 2025*

Good sensitivity with velocity so it can 'sense' how hard you are hitting the pads, amazing actually for this price range. Very light weight so good for portability, easy to set up, literally plug and play if you have your DAW open (at least it was for me with Ableton) just the right size for beginners and great to learn on. It's pretty good quality for what it is and you could easily incorporate this into a professional set up, there's nothing wrong with it really.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Incredible value!
*by V***E on 21 August 2018*

It's a shame so many have had bad experiences with this, judging from the reviews. Right out of the box, it synced up to my preferred DAW (Mixcraft 8) with no manual mapping required. I inserted an instrument track, picked a drum kit and I was recording a beat in seconds, (and that was before I'd even installed any of the Akai software). From there I can manually map clips to the pads, and different parameters to the dials etc. The pads are reasonably responsive. Light touches don't register so well, so they do need a fairly firm contact, but once you make the right contact, they are very responsive to fills and rolls. It just takes a bit of getting used to. I have an Akai keyboard controller, and it feels very flimsy, like a toy. I was sort of expecting very light build quality from this too considering the price, but it's solid. The dials feel very good, and all of the pads are very robust. The software bundle that comes with this is crazy too. I already have Ableton but for those who don't, the Ableton Live Lite is a great package. The MPC Essentials and Big Bang Drums are great pieces of kit, and Reason Lite is also a great DAW. So all in you get two high quality DAWs, and a whole host of sounds to use (both within Ableton Lite, Reason Lite and the Big Bang Drums system), plus the unit itself, all for £70. You won't get better value than that. If you're looking for a starter kit to get working with pads, this is literally everything you need (besides a computer, obviously) at a great price. And if you get one, buy brand new, so you can register the device and be eligible for the software bundle. It's a decent device on its own, but to get all that software included in the price, it's a steal! If it's 2nd hand, someone else will have registered the serial number and you won't be able to get all the kit that comes with it.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Solidly built, great knobs and good pads
*by J***S on 10 September 2024*

Was surprised at the build quality for the price, shocked to see others saying it's flimsy and cheap, it feels very good for the price in my opinion. The knobs feel very smooth and premium and respond nicely in the DAW. The pads at first felt a bit stiff, but after a couple of days I got used to them. They feel fairly nice, and are decently responsive, but you can't tap it like a touch screen, you need to hit a bit harder for it to register. No double-triggers or anything like that on my unit. The only problems I've notcied are that the buttons (full level, note repeat etc.) aren't the best feeling. They for some reason are uneven, you can press them lightly from the top half, but have to push really hard for the bottom half, which is a bit weird feeling and can make it difficult for timed-based stuff like trying to use the note-repeat function, since the button isn't as responsive depending on where your finger is on it. I wouldn't preferred rubber buttons like on the mpk mini controller. Luckily I don't plan on using these buttons too much, so it's not a big issue for me. Another issue is that the pads are a dust magnet, any dust or dead skin off your fingers will stick to them a lot. Not a huge problem, though, mainly a cosmetic one. Despite the problems, I still think it's worth 4 stars. It exceeded my expectations. I was a little worried after seeing some bad reviews about it, and some people getting bad units, but mine seems good.

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*Product available on Desertcart Ireland*
*Store origin: IE*
*Last updated: 2026-02-22*