---
product_id: 17666737
title: "MPD218 - USB MIDI Controller with 16 MPC Drum Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat and Full Level Buttons and Production Software"
brand: "akai professional"
price: "$402.40"
currency: USD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Akai Professional"
url: https://www.desertcart.ec/products/17666737-mpd218-usb-midi-controller-with-16-mpc-drum-pads-6
store_origin: EC
region: Ecuador
---

# USB-powered + iOS compatible 3 pad banks = 48 assignable pads 16 velocity-sensitive MPC pads MPD218 - USB MIDI Controller with 16 MPC Drum Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat and Full Level Buttons and Production Software

**Brand:** akai professional
**Price:** $402.40
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🔥 Beat like a pro, anywhere you go 🎶

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** MPD218 - USB MIDI Controller with 16 MPC Drum Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat and Full Level Buttons and Production Software by akai professional
- **How much does it cost?** $402.40 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ec](https://www.desertcart.ec/products/17666737-mpd218-usb-midi-controller-with-16-mpc-drum-pads-6)

## 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

- • **Plug & Play Anywhere:** Compact, USB-powered design with iOS compatibility means pro-grade beat making on the go.
- • **Hyper-Responsive MPC Pads:** 16 thick, velocity-sensitive pads deliver every nuance of your beat with precision and feel.
- • **Expandable Creative Control:** Switch seamlessly between 3 pad banks for a total of 48 fully assignable triggers—unleash limitless creativity.
- • **Expressive Performance Tools:** Integrated note repeat and full level buttons let you craft dynamic, polished rhythms effortlessly.
- • **Pro-Grade Software Suite Included:** Jumpstart your production with Ableton Live Lite, Drum Synth 500, and MPC Beats—studio-quality tools at your fingertips.

## Overview

The Akai Professional MPD218 is a compact, USB-powered MIDI controller featuring 16 velocity-sensitive MPC drum pads, 6 assignable knobs, and 3 pad banks for a total of 48 assignable triggers. Designed for producers, DJs, and musicians, it offers expressive performance controls like note repeat and full level buttons, plus a comprehensive software bundle including Ableton Live Lite and MPC Beats. Compatible with PC, Mac, and iOS, it delivers portable, professional-grade beat production wherever creativity strikes.

## Description

Beat Production - Anywhere Akai Professional’s MPD218 is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller perfect for producers, programmers, musicians and DJs alike. Its intuitive blend of MPC controls and technologies mesh with seamless USB connectivity to bring the feel of classic beat making into the world of computer music production. At the heart of MPD218 are 16 ultra-sensitive, hyper-playable Thick Fat MPC pads, ideal for triggering drums, one-shots, melodic samples, basslines and more; with 3 pad banks available and a pressure- and velocity-sensitive specification, expand MPD218’s performance capability to 48 fully-assignable, ultra-reactive triggers that capture every subtlety and nuance of your performance.

Review: In the right hands, this is a great MIDI controler! - I'll start off by saying that I'm a performing musician (woodwind and brass instruments) as well as a composer and arranger who works with music notation software. I bought this hoping it would help me in writing percussion parts. I have returned it. Having said that, however, I am very impressed with what it can do and recommend it for people who work mainly with Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software. As a MIDI controller it has amazing capabilities and can work to control other MIDI devices such as synthesizers, modules, lighting and much much more. All of which make it a great tool for performers who work mainly in the rock/pop/rap/hip-hop/ska fields. It's compact, it responds nicely. The sensitivity of the pads can be adjusted only on a global scale, so either all the pads are very sensitive or not very sensitive according to how it's adjusted. I didn't use it enough to see how accurate the reviews which mention accidental double-strikes or accidentally triggering pads which aren't the ones being struck are, but I can imagine that if the sensitivity is set so that very little pressure is needed it would be possible to get responses from pads which aren't the ones being struck. The user should (as with all musical gear) spend a lot of time practicing with this device before trying to perform live with it. The price is a lot lower than many other drum pads so this is ideal for people just beginning to investigate the use of this sort of device. The sounds which come with it and the software that can be installed with it will be great for some but they left me less than impressed. But that didn't bother me and shouldn't bother anybody else because most people who will be using this will have their own preferred sound libraries to be working with. What this is NOT -- this is NOT a replacement for an electronic drum set. This is NOT an inexpensive device for learning to play the drums. What this IS -- it is a MIDI controller with which a person can create beats, with which a person can control other devices.
Review: Great equipment but confusing to use - God this thing is so confusing and the program that it comes with isn't any easier. It ain't beginner friendly unless you got alot of time on your hands not suitable for fast sample style beats. Great machine non the less for the experience professional.

## 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 |
| Additional Features | Backlit Drum Pad, Compact, Portable, Programmable, Touch Sensitive Pad |
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,217 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #6 in Computer Recording MIDI Controllers |
| Brand | Akai Professional |
| Brand Name | Akai Professional |
| Color | Red LED Pads |
| Compatible Devices | Akai Professional’s MPD218 is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller perfect for producers, programmers, musicians and DJs alike. |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Connector Type | USB |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Control Type | Pad Controller |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 6,994 Reviews |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00694318016930 |
| Hardware Interface | USB |
| Hardware Platform | PC/Mac/iOS |
| Human Interface Input | Buttons |
| Included Components | MPD218^USB Cable^Software Download Cards^User Guide^Safety & Warranty Manual |
| Instrument | Multiple Instruments |
| Instrument Key | Any |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 8"D x 18"W x 2"H |
| Item Height | 2 inches |
| Item Type Name | AKAI Professional MPD218 - USB MIDI Controller with 16 MPC Drum Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat & Full Level Buttons and Production Software |
| Item Weight | 2 Pounds |
| Manufacturer | inMusic Brands Inc. |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Model Name | MPD218 |
| Model Number | MPD218 |
| Number of Keys | 22 |
| Platform | Windows, iOS |
| Product Dimensions | 8"D x 18"W x 2"H |
| Product Style | Pad Controller Only |
| Size | Standard |
| Special Feature | Backlit Drum Pad, Compact, Portable, Programmable, Touch Sensitive Pad |
| Supported Software | Ableton Live |
| Total USB Ports | 1 |
| UPC | 694318016930 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Warranty Description | 1 year from the date of purchase. |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Akai Professional
- **Number of Keys:** 22
- **Connectivity Technology:** USB
- **Special Feature:** Backlit Drum Pad, Compact, Portable, Programmable, Touch Sensitive Pad
- **Model Name:** MPD218

## Images

![MPD218 - USB MIDI Controller with 16 MPC Drum Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs, Note Repeat and Full Level Buttons and Production Software - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81IsX6D+FiS.jpg)

## Available Options

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

## Questions & Answers

**Q: can you change the sensitivity on the pads?**
A: you can change the velosity in a DAW

**Q: I want to use this for live music samples and sound effects during my Podcast.  Is this possible with this board?**
A: Hi, Akai Pro support here! Yes, MPD218 is suitable for this purpose! The supplied software (MPC Beats) will allow you to drag and drop your chosen samples with ease!

**Q: I think i know the answer to this, but is there a 5 pin midi adapter?  i don't want to use a computer.  i want to use outboard gear.**
A: Hi, Akai Pro support here! Thanks for your question. Our MPD218 will only send MIDI via USB. With this said, our MPD226 will allow you to send MIDI via the 1/8" MIDI output; x2 1/8" to 5-pin MIDI adapters are supplied with our MPD226. I hope this helps and If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us directly - amzsupport@inmusicbrands.com 
Thanks, Krishan

**Q: can i use it to be vj?**
A: Hi, Akai Pro support here! The MPD218 can trigger virtually any sound and is compatible with any software that supports MIDI input. If your software allows the input of MIDI data from an external controller, this will be compatible.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ In the right hands, this is a great MIDI controler!
*by D***Y on November 6, 2024*

I'll start off by saying that I'm a performing musician (woodwind and brass instruments) as well as a composer and arranger who works with music notation software. I bought this hoping it would help me in writing percussion parts. I have returned it. Having said that, however, I am very impressed with what it can do and recommend it for people who work mainly with Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software. As a MIDI controller it has amazing capabilities and can work to control other MIDI devices such as synthesizers, modules, lighting and much much more. All of which make it a great tool for performers who work mainly in the rock/pop/rap/hip-hop/ska fields. It's compact, it responds nicely. The sensitivity of the pads can be adjusted only on a global scale, so either all the pads are very sensitive or not very sensitive according to how it's adjusted. I didn't use it enough to see how accurate the reviews which mention accidental double-strikes or accidentally triggering pads which aren't the ones being struck are, but I can imagine that if the sensitivity is set so that very little pressure is needed it would be possible to get responses from pads which aren't the ones being struck. The user should (as with all musical gear) spend a lot of time practicing with this device before trying to perform live with it. The price is a lot lower than many other drum pads so this is ideal for people just beginning to investigate the use of this sort of device. The sounds which come with it and the software that can be installed with it will be great for some but they left me less than impressed. But that didn't bother me and shouldn't bother anybody else because most people who will be using this will have their own preferred sound libraries to be working with. What this is NOT -- this is NOT a replacement for an electronic drum set. This is NOT an inexpensive device for learning to play the drums. What this IS -- it is a MIDI controller with which a person can create beats, with which a person can control other devices.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great equipment but confusing to use
*by L***S on January 7, 2026*

God this thing is so confusing and the program that it comes with isn't any easier. It ain't beginner friendly unless you got alot of time on your hands not suitable for fast sample style beats. Great machine non the less for the experience professional.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great device
*by T***P on January 6, 2026*

I have upgraded from the MPK Mini mk3. Wow... what an evolution. I'm using them in conjunction now

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*Product available on Desertcart Ecuador*
*Store origin: EC*
*Last updated: 2026-02-02*