Producer Rack

Checked September 2026

Akai Professional

Akai Professional MPD218 review

MIDI controllers

A MIDI-over-USB pad controller with 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC pads and 6 assignable knobs. Best for beatmaking and drum programming on a budget. Price not published on the developer's site.

Akai Professional MPD218 by Akai Professional

Key features

  • 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive backlit pads (3 banks)
  • 6 assignable 360-degree knobs (3 banks)
  • 6 control buttons
  • Class-compliant, driverless USB-MIDI
  • iOS compatible via Apple Camera Connection Kit

Pros

  • Plug-and-play, no drivers required on Mac or PC.
  • Includes MPC Beats, DrumSynth Multi, Xpand!2, and Ableton Live Lite.

Cons

  • No keys; pad/knob controller only.
  • No MSRP published on the official product page; iOS requires a separately sold Camera Connection Kit.

Akai Professional MPD218 alternatives

  • Akai Professional

    Akai Professional MPK Mini IV

    $99once

    Compact 25-key USB-C MIDI controller with pitch/mod wheels, 8 pads, and 5-pin DIN MIDI output.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported+ iOS

  • M-Audio

    M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 MK3

    PAID

    An ultra-portable 32 mini-key USB MIDI keyboard controller for Mac and PC.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported+ iOS

  • Arturia

    Arturia MiniLab 3

    $149once

    A 25-key universal MIDI controller with pads, faders, encoders, and a bundled software suite.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
All Akai Professional MPD218 alternatives

Compared

Sources: www.akaipro.com, support.akaipro.com