SOUND ON SOUND

[Scouser]

I have been looking in to getting a drum controller and wondered if anyone had experience of the above units.

From what I can ascertain the MPD218 pads are inconsistent and it can be tricky to find a good one. Would be interested to know if that is something that can be confirmed by any users here.

Moving on to the Mikro Mk3 it seems like this may be the better option, as they seem to have more consistent pads, when it comes to sensitivity.

Any thoughts from users of either device would be very useful.

[Humble Bee]

I got rid of the MPD218 when I got tired of the low and inconsistent sensitivity. I now use the Maschine Micro mk3 and it’s much better. Excellent in fact. Very expressive.

Another contender is the Nektar Aura which I got to play around with recently. Very tweekable maybe a bit complicated but potentially very expressive.

I hold on to my Maschine for now. Since a few updates one can map the midi freely. I already had the NI software since I have a M32 so I picked up the Maschine for €100 used. A bargain indeed...

[RobinC]

I’ve owned both and had inconsistencies on both. In the case of the MPD218 I opened it up and moved the sensor sheet around and that gave me a much more consistent playing surface, it took several attempts. I gave up on the mikro, in part because I have a full maschine mk3 which was working ok.

If I had to choose out of the pair you’re looking at I’d go with the mikro based on the responsiveness of the pads.

[Scouser]

Also interested to know what libraries you used with these controllers ?

I will be looking for some nice acoustic kits, brushes etc

[RobinC]

I use Addictive Drums 2

[Humble Bee]

Ezdrummer here. The Nashville kit is a fav for a nice acoustic kit with sticks and brushes.

[Dr Huge Longjohns]

I got a Presonus Atom recently, exclusively for drums, mostly to drive AD. AM totally delighted with it and only £100.