--- title: "Akai Professional MPD218 USB MIDI Pad Controller" url: "https://mid1.com/product/akai-professional-mpd218-usb-midi-pad-controller-b0116x17jw" asin: "B0116X17JW" brand: "Akai Professional" category: "pad-controllers" price: "$119" price_checked: "2026-09-14" site: "mid1 (mid1.com)" --- # Akai Professional MPD218 USB MIDI Pad Controller Akai Professional MPD218 USB MIDI Pad Controller The Akai Professional MPD218 USB MIDI Pad Controller was $119 when we checked it on 2026-09-14. It has not moved from that price across 4 checks since 2026-08-18. ## Overview 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. ## Why we picked it Best for: Producers who want big MPC-style pads for finger drumming and sampling without spending much. 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC pads across three banks give 48 assignable triggers for drums, one-shots and CC control. **What we like** - 16 pads across three banks give 48 assignable triggers total - USB-powered with no separate power adapter to carry - Includes Ableton Live Lite and MPC Beats software in the box - Top-voted pick in its category by a wide margin **Watch outs** - Pads are smaller and stiffer than pricier MPC-style controllers - No display and no 5-pin MIDI output for hardware gear - Mostly plastic construction with no metal shell ## Specifications - Connectivity Technology: USB - Compatible Devices: Akai Professional’s MPD218 is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller perfect for producers, progra - Item Dimensions D x W x H: 8"D x 18"W x 2"H - Size: MPD218 - Item Weight: 2 pounds - Brand Name: Akai Professional - Model Name: MPD218 ## Price history (tracked by mid1) - Current: $119 (checked 2026-09-14) - Lowest we have recorded: $119 on 2026-08-18 - Highest we have recorded: $119 on 2026-08-18 - Our own weekly checks: 4 over 27 days, from 2026-08-18 to 2026-09-14 - Median of our checks: $119 ## Common questions ### Is the Akai Professional MPD218 USB MIDI Pad Controller worth it? 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC pads across three banks give 48 assignable triggers for drums, one-shots and CC control. Its Amazon listing shows 4.4 out of 5 stars across 5,859 ratings, which is the retailer's figure and not our verdict. ### How much does the Akai Professional MPD218 USB MIDI Pad Controller cost? The Akai Professional MPD218 USB MIDI Pad Controller was $119 when we checked it on 2026-09-14. Prices change often, so the live retailer link carries the current number. ### Is now a good time to buy the Akai Professional MPD218 USB MIDI Pad Controller? We have checked the Akai Professional MPD218 USB MIDI Pad Controller 4 times since 2026-08-18 and the price has not moved from $119. Our record shows no drop and no rise. Retailer rating (from the Amazon listing, not our score): 4.4 out of 5 across 5,859 reviews. --- Disclosure: mid1 may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to the buyer. Commissions never change our picks. Source: https://mid1.com/product/akai-professional-mpd218-usb-midi-pad-controller-b0116x17jw