#lpd8

Initial Setup

It is small, light and made on a budget, no surprise there. However, the pads are of a great quality in touch and feel and most of all, they are standard size. This means that you wont be mashing your drums or samples and mixing it all up. The pads are also velocity sensitive and can be used for effective finger drumming. The knobs on the other hand, are small and plasticky yet they have a tight enough feel to them! In addition to the pads and knobs, there are four other smaller buttons, which are to do with changing the programs on the Akai (we will discuss this further in the article).

The device comes with a long enough USB cable and a CD which has the software which allows you to change and program the pad with your choice of MIDI notation. This is a solid albiet standard feature but pleasantly surprising to have on a budget device. Especially that the LPD8 boasts 4 programs with 2 layers of MIDI notations. Simply put, this means ALOT of control choice out of a very small device. Just to make it clear, the software on the CD simply allows you to program the LPD8 independantly, you will still have to map it to your software of choice (Production or DJ).

Which brings me to the first real con of this purchase, it comes without any production software. Now, I didn't go in expecting any software for such a low price but also because I bought this for another purpose; DJ backup and on the go use. Those of you out to get this as your first production device, be aware of this. It would have been nice to see a 'Lite' or intro version of something like Ableton with the device but this makes it clear, the target market in mind is producers looking for an addition or a small desktop or on the go production device. Having said that, all you have to do is plug this into your computer and start-up the software you use, get mapping the AKAI LPD8 or find maps online before you start using it.

Use for DJs

Let's concentrate on why this device is actually useful for DJs. Mainly this should attract DJs, who are looking for 1. a backup device and 2. an extension to your set up. The LPD8 has 4 programs accesible using the the bottom row of pads, after pressing the red 'PROGRAM' button (NOT the 'PROG CHG' as this is for use with the AKAI software to assign the MIDI notes to each pad and knob). Each of these programs is capable of having 2 layers of controls on the pads, making them effectively 16 pads. Think of the 'CC' and 'PAD' buttons as modifier/shift switchers. On the other hand, the knobs can only have one value each per 'PROGRAM'. Therefore, each of the 4 programs can have 16 pads and 8 knobs.

That's fantastic! It truly is. Going by my own experience, having mapped this to Traktor Pro 2.11; the time it takes to map, is worth it. The 4 Program settings I have are for the following uses:

1. Loop and hot cue controls with filters and gain. This is great as an addition to a set up, where you don't have performance pads. The knobs could be mapped to effects for instance, to take advantage of the software effects One possible use is using this as an extension to your setup with CDJs and a house mixer.

2. A sampler pad! Here the knobs actually control the volumes and filters on Traktor's Remix Decks! This is a great program and can give you basic control to the Remix Decks for samples or basic remixing without having to shell out money for expensive Traktor hardware.

3. Extended browsing control. Think about how many times as a DJ, you're frustrated when you have to move your hand from the controller's browser knob to perform more search functions with your mouse and keyboard? Now, the LPD8 can't replace the keyboard but it can definitely give you more control! I have page jumping, favourite playlist jumping, adding to preparation playlist and load all programmed. Its fantastic. Once again, a valuable addition to your current hardware setup. In this program, the knobs perform other useful functions like waveform zooming, for instance. This program has another trick up its sleeve, the LEDs are mapped to show you PFL output levels.

4. This program is a standalone controller, with basic transport functions, quick looping, pitch bend, volume and equalizers. Between porgram 3 and 4, I can use the LPD8 as a full Traktor controller for 'on-the-go' DJ'ing or preparation.

In real use, it does take time to get used to if you are using all 4 programs, i.e. trying to use this as a (almost) full controller for Traktor. However, I hardly use more than 2 programs at a time, sometimes 3. Therefore, as an extension to a current hardware set-up, it wins! For DJ'ing on-the-go, it is very good in terms of basic mixing and brilliant to make mixtapes whilst travelling. Time is valuable and this helps a lot of things get done in those times you previously thought were useless as a DJ for example, in the train! Endless possibilities. Lastly, it is important to remember, the LPD8 can be as good as you map it to be. For example, in program 1 I have mapped on knob to change loop size and one pad to activate loop on hold. With 'slip mode' turned on, this combination of knob and pad can create perfect loop rolls!

Conclusion