Top Five MIDI Pad Controllers right now
MIDI Pad Controllers can add a lot to one’s music production, but how does one choose the right one?
Here are our top five choices, for various reasons.
Choosing the perfect MIDI Pad controller to suit you can be a tough one, there are so many options out there and knowing what your exact needs are can be the first step to making the right decision.
Are you looking for something to program drum beats?
Do you consider yourself a finger-drummer of sorts? You should definitely opt for a MIDI Pad Controller with larger pads, and preferably with velocity sensitivity.
Or are you looking for something to compliment a live performance, giving you the ability to trigger clips, chords and sequences as opposed to live instrumentation, then a clip-based system is definitely the way to go.
Ableton Push 2
What is it:
The Ableton Push 2 is probably the most popular MIDI Pad Controller on the market. For Ableton users, it’s pretty much the pinnacle of hands-on control for the DAW, offering everything you need to produce and perform music. The down-side is that you’re pretty much tied to using the controller with Ableton Live, so for users of other DAWs – you’ll probably want to skip this one.
Best feature(s):
- High-resolution screen for parameter display
- Lots of dedicated controls for popular functions
Price:
The current retail price is USD $899 (Around R15k excl. duties)
More info
Native Instruments Maschine MK3
What is it:
The Maschine is another hardware unit that is designed for use with a specific piece of software.
The cool idea here is that the software comes as a standalone or VST/AU plugin, allowing you to use it in a variety of different DAWs. There are also various MIDI modes to use with other plugins and hardware.
Best feature(s):
- Large velocity-sensitive pads, designed for finger-drumming
- The Maschine also features a high-resolution screen for various patch and parameter info
Price:
The current retail price is USD $649 (Around R11k excl. duties).
More info
Akai Fire
What is it:
The Akai Fire is FL Studio’s answer to the Ableton Push system, the pads work in a slightly different way – as does FL Studio compared to Ableton, although much like the Push – it’s designed to be an intuitive hands-on control for the software allowing you to step away from the box.
The pads themselves are designed more for step-sequencer style input so they’re a little smaller than other controllers, however, you can use them to launch clips and for finger-drumming.
Best feature(s):
- The Akai Fire is super compact and affordable
- Allows for daisy-chaining several units for larger hands-on step-sequencing matrix
Price:
The current retail price is USD $199 (Around R3350 excl. duties)
More info
Novation Launchpad Pro MK3
What is it:
This is my personal favourite on the list, it’s not tied to a specific software (although it works intuitively in Ableton using the built-in “Live” mode), it’s built like a tank and it’s incredibly customizable.
The MK3 version introduced some more dedicated controls alongside a new built-in sequencer. Another interesting feature about the Launchpad Pro – you can power it with an optional PSU, for controlling hardware synths or any other MIDI gear – away from the PC.
Best feature(s):
- Hugely customizable works with most DAWs
- Built-in Sequencer
- Comes with a variety of USB-A, USB-C and MIDI cables and adapters
Price:
The current retail price is USD $439 (Around R7350 excl. duties)
More info
PreSonus ATOM
What is it:
compact, portable and rugged MIDI Pad controllers, with large LED-backlit velocity and pressure-sensitive pads. It’s designed for Studio One so most of the transport and other controls are dedicated to that software, however, it will work in most other MIDI-compatible DAWs.
I like how they’ve done away with a lot of the frills and focused on the basic, most important features.
Best feature(s):
- Compact, rugged and affordable
- Large pads for finger-drumming
Price:
The current retail price is USD $199 (Around R3350 excl. duties)
More info
The software is another decider…
Of course, for some of these options – the software is a deciding factor.
For those who don’t use Ableton, then getting a Push is probably not the greatest plan – however, it is one of the few ways you can get that level of hardware integration with a clip-based DAW.
When looking at MIDI Pad Controllers consider what is most likely to give you the best value for your money spent and you should be fine.
