Akai Introduces New MPD2 Drum Pad Controllers

Introducing the Akai MPD2 Drum Pad Controllers Published on Jul 6, 2015 AkaiProVideo

"AKAI PROFESSIONAL ROCKS ELECTRONIC MUSIC MARKET WITH STUNNING NEW MPD SERIES MIDI PAD CONTROLLERS

Feature-packed units give artists unprecedented creative musical firepower with Thick Fat backlit MPC Pads, multiple controls and included software

Cumberland, RI USA (July 7, 2015) —Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of keyboards, mixers and production equipment for performers and recording artists, today announced the introduction of their new MPD Series of pad controllers. These new controllers are a product of over six years of detailed customer research and user feedback. The result is the most capable and user-friendly line of pad controllers Akai Professional has developed to date.   

All models feature new, ultra sensitive Thick Fat MPC pads creating an amazingly responsive user interaction. They also have an expanded control set to maximize the sounds and effects available to the user, iOS compatibility using the Camera Connection Kit and over $400 of free software (Big Bang Drums and Big Bang Cinema from Sonivox, Ableton Live Lite, and Software Preset Editor). 

Building on the success of Akai Pro’s previous MPD18, MPD26 and MPD32, these new pad controllers introduce greatly enhanced control capability to support the artist’s creative efforts:

- The MPD218 has red light-up MPC pads and a greatly expanded control set of 6 knobs in 3 banks vs. one control on the previous MPD18 model. 

- The MPD226 has an expanded control set of 4 knobs, 4 faders, 4 buttons in 3 banks for 36 total controls vs. 12 controls on the MPD26

- The MPD232 boasts an all-new 64-channel 32-step performance sequencer, which the MPD32 did not have.

In addition users enjoy intuitive control editing right from the front panel on the MPD226 and MPD232, and all three models can be programmed via the included easy-to-use Preset Editor, so musicians of any level can enhance their performance right away. This is one of the many things that distinguish the Akai Professional MPD218, 226 and 232 from everything else.

A recap of the new MPD Series features:

MPD218
• 16 Thick Fat backlit MPC Pads with Velocity and Aftertouch
• 48 assignable pads accessible via 3 banks
• 18 assignable 360-degree potentiometers accessible via 3 banks
• MPC Note Repeat and Full Level
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• 16 configurable presets
• Includes Ableton Live Lite
• USB powered, no AC adapter required

MPD226
• 16 Thick Fat RGB illuminated velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC Pads
• 64 assignable pads accessible via 4 banks
• 4 assignable faders, 4 assignable Q-Link knobs, 4 assignable Q-Link buttons
• 36 assignable controls accessible via 3 banks
• Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, 16 Level, Full Level and Tap Tempo
• 30 presets total, with configurations for most popular DAWs
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• MIDI In and Out jacks for controlling external gear
• Dedicated Transport controls
• Includes Ableton Live Lite

MPD232
• 64-part, 32-step sequencer to control pad events
• 16 Thick Fat RGB illuminated velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC Pads
• 64 assignable pads accessible via 4 banks
• 8 assignable Q-Link faders, 8 assignable Q-Link knobs, 8 assignable Q-Link buttons
• 72 assignable controls accessible via 3 banks
• Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, 16 Level, Full Level and Tap Tempo
• Dedicated transport controls
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• 30 presets total, with configurations for most popular DAWs
• Works with virtually any MIDI software or MIDI hardware
• MIDI In and Out jacks for controlling external gear
• Includes Ableton Live Lite

“The MPD218/226/232 family marks an important evolution in our pad controller series. Six years of research and customer feedback has led directly to some of the most capable pad controllers we’ve ever developed,” said Dan Gill, Product Manager for Akai Professional. “Our goal was to create controllers that respond quickly and intuitively to the player’s input, to make their playing experience the best it can be. We’re very excited about these new units.”

The Akai Professional MPD Series will be available in Summer 2015 at Akai Professional dealers and online directly from Akai Professional.

U.S. retail pricing is $199 for the MPD218, $299 for the MPD226 and $399 for the MPD232.

For more information, visit akaipro.com."

Monthly Modular: Beat making with the Tiptop Audio Trigger Riot

Published on Jul 7, 2015 Future Music Magazine

"Let’s make a funky Acid breakbeat with a complex ever-changing hi-hat pattern above it using Tiptop Audio's Trigger Riot. See more in Future Music issue 291: http://bit.ly/FMU291"

Vintage Simmons Drums SDS 7 Modules

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

Some pics of the internal circuit boards for three Simmons Drums SDS 7 modules. Note the button faces light up in the pics further below.


SNARE via this auction

TOM via this auction

BASS DRUM via this auction

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Vintage Simmons SDS V Analog Drum Synth

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Rare and vintage Simmons SDS V electronic analog drum synth. Includes 1x bass, 1x snare, 3x toms and the rare 1x hi hat modules. made in england."

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Rare Ensoniq Fizmo Rack Transwave Synthesizer for Sale

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Up for sale is a super rare transwave synthesizer, the last of Ensoniq. The infamous Fizmo. If you are looking you know how rare this is. There might be 50 rack versions in the world, if lucky. The keyboard version is also extremely rare, but not anywhere near as seldom as the rack version.

The sound synthesis is quite unique and it is capable of producing abstract alien frequencies not dreamt of by man or woman yet.

It is near mint condition and has almost no rack rash either.

There is no problem with the PSU. It has not been changed, but the one included works with it - and it has been for a long time. It is 220 Volt adapter..."

Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 + Poly Sequencer SN 0326

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via this auction

"Prophet 5 Rev 3
Great condition, has 120 patches. Serviced about 2 months ago with new bushings. Keys have been redone but as you can see one is just slightly raised..."

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EMU SP12

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via this auction

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Sequential Prophet 6 Preset Demos by Matthias

Sequential Prophet 6 Part 1 - all presets Published on Jul 7, 2015 Matthias played

Sequential Prophet 6 Part 2 - all presets


"I just had the chance to play the Sequential Prophet 6 and I must say I am very surprised. The signal that you hear here is 100% out of the Prophet 6. I had my Canon Legria mini X with me so the only way to record was to go thru the headphone out from the Prophet 6 into the Legria in. But listen for yourself.

Enjoy these two part videos where I tryed to catch as many presets from the factory settings that were possible. I think I got 98% ;)"

Sidtracker 64 meets Volca Sample and Volca Bass and Microbrute

Published on Jul 7, 2015 Shimanski Beats

iTunes: SidTracker64 - Daniel Larsson

"New jam with Volca Sample, Volca Bass and Microbrute, this time together with Sidtracker 64, a new Ipad app that emulates the famous SID chip from Commodore 64.
Only internal sequencers used. Midi clock signal from Korg Electribe ER1 goes into Midi thru-box to sync Microbrute, Volca Bass and Sidtracker (via I-rig2), Volca Sample synched from Bass. Some FX (rev/del) on Microbrute, Volca Bass and SID.

I played the SID lead sound live on the Ipad touch screen because the only Midi in is used for sync. If only I had a second Midi!"

Ottobit Settings/Soundclips with Terry

Published on Jul 7, 2015 Meris

Note the Ottobit is not eurorack but rather a 500 series lunchbox module.

"July Ottobit Settings Month!! :)
Terry shows you several Ottobit settings using an analog drum machine (MFB-522). Watch as the Ottobit is used to create sounds reminiscent of 8 and 16 bit games.

Learn how to create:

8 Bit Splat + Cymbal Bomb
De-rezzed High Hat
Crunch Drums

Official Meris Site: http://www.meris.us"