Pads & knobs
The LPD8 features 8 backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads which have a good build quality and a good feeling. They are not precise as from higher priced pad controllers but for the asking price, they are good enough to make music on the go. Unfortunately has the knobs on the right side not the best and high-quality feeling like on other more expensive MIDI devices but for a budget controller with this price tag, they are good and usable.
Performance features
Compared to the old version, the interface of the LPD-8 wireless changed a lot and received complete new buttons.Starting with the “select” button that works here as a shift function for accessing additional features on the right. By pressing on the “select” button and at the same on one of the pads, you activate one of the additional functions. Next to the “select” button, you have a A&B function that allows musicians to switch to a second page of 8 pads. In total, you have 8 real pads but 16 virtual pads which can be mapped to any software. Than you have a new press feature that can be reached with the “full level” button. When this is activated, the pads send their messages at the maximum velocity of 127, regardless of how much force you use to press them.
Excellent new feature for beat oriented musicians is the new note repeat function which can be also found on the new button layout. An additional Nr. Config button gives you the possibility to change very quick the timing of the new note repeat feature. All available time divisions are printed above each pad. Not to forget, a free editor for PC and Mac is available that gives you even more way to config your controller.
Review
The AKAI LPD8 wireless pad controller was now several weeks in the test. It was used, for example for the amazing Beatmaker 3 app where the mapping works seamless. Especially, I used during the test this new pad controller on the go, like in the park or on my terrace as mobile pad controller.
In summary, the AKAI Pro LPD8 Wireless, priced at 69 Euros, is a nice, practical and well-engineered MIDI pad controller for the road. Through the MIDI over bluetooth function, you can even record instruments without cables and leave annoying cables at home. It’s a nice modern feature but not perfect due of the little problem which I mention before. The device fits easily into every backpack and is therefore a perfect outside and vacation companion. With the new Note repeat feature, the AKAI developer added a great feature to a budget pad controller that really raise the utilise of this device.
Is the 20 € surcharge of the old LPD8 to the wireless version justified?
In my opinion, even more than for the new LPK25 Keyboard. For 20€ more, you receive a better build quality, a better USB port connection, note repeat function and a new technology with bluetooth over midi support. The LPD8 wireless is a perfect blu
Check out here my short video review
Available here: AKAI LPD8 Wireless
Available here: AKAI LPD 8
What a shame this controller never received a decent Mac editor and official presets from Akai. I have one and I think it’s a really solid piece of gear whose lack of Mac software support leaves it fairly useless, unfortunately. I’d be happy to ignore this if Akai had released even one single preset, or better yet a package (Ableton, Logic, some iOS ones). But they didn’t, and I don’t believe they will as they seem to be in the pathological habit of developing, marketing, and selling cool-seeming gear – then rapidly abandoning it immediately following release. None of their software seems to make it to v1.0.5.
Korg seems to be a much more reliable partner on this front, and I wish my LPD8 Wireless would undergo overnight alchemy and turn into a NanoKey Studio. If anyone reading this is considering the LPD8 – don’t; it’s cheap but practically useless on OSX.
If anyone reading this HAS some LPD8 Wireless presets or an OSX editor & settings that they would like to share or sell, I’m attaching my email address to this comment and could really use either of the above. I know I could develop said presets myself, but I’ve tried and it was hard and I wasn’t immediately successful so obviously I quit.