Akai ProfessionalMPC Studio MIDI Controller Beat Maker with 16 Velocity Sensitive RGB Pads, Full MPC 2 Software, assignable Touch Strip & LCD Display

5 stars for the midi controller the only problem that i had was the software activation code was missing from the registration page at the end i got it but it took me to contact akai costumer service to get it

Bought for my son (age 16) for Christmas, and he had it up and running on his PC (Window 10) in very little time. He's really enjoyed working on it in the few days since, probably for a couple of hours per day. As the product description mentions, the software allows you access to a number of "starter" music and beats samples until you start bringing in your own.Very solidly built, all the pads, buttons and dials have a nice "equipment-grade" feel and not at all like you find on a toy (which it isn't). The software that you download once it's registered to very much full featured, yet not so dense that someone experienced with other creative software (like any of the Adobe suite for example) wouldn't be able to start using relatively quickly. That said, this is not something I'd buy if one was a complete beginner or not already fairly tech-savvy.Obviously, it'll take a little time to get used to how it all works, but in my mind that's a good thing; anything one could master in an afternoon will soon show its limitations. This looks like it could be used for some very sophisticated music and beat making; probably it'd be good for creating sound effects too. For the really motivated, this product could definitely be part of a professional setup and in that light the cost seems especially reasonable.

Perfect for just chopping up or making beats, software works well and is user friendly, very sturdy and a perfect starter producer gift

Dont get discouraged by the 1 star reviews.If you know very well that this is a midi controller for a software which required you to learn the software then you will be happy with this.The pads are better than on the MPC One. They are bigger and from experience more sensitive too.The best part of it, only need one usb cable and its so light and small I can just grab it and put it on my lap. You can even play it with one hand holding it.Some of the controls are even better than the more expensive models. The sample start/end and then the zoom buttons are amazing.And the touch strip is something that Akai will probably add to the expensive models in newer versions. Its too good. You can have a performance fx without having to go to the fx menu like on the hardware. Which means you can do things like track mutes and cue next sequence while having the strip fx available.The midi out is also a plus. I basically control my Sp404 with it.

When you combine this with a competent MacBook or pc , you have a full fledged MPC.

Got this for the pads but it went back: the pads are too stiff to the point of not registering light taps.

Does everything that I expected, except having the capability to function with other DAWs the same way it works with the MPC 2 and MPC Beats software.

As long as you understand that you need to use the MPC Beats software, this is the closest thing you can get to a stand alone MPC. Well worth it for a controller.