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Akai Professional MPD32 MIDI/USB Software Control Surface

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Akai Professional MPD32 MIDI/USB Software Control Surface

^# 28

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$139.43 to $295.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.0 (49)

2 Critic Reviews

8 Reviews

Find out who is using Akai MPD32

47 wishlisted

133 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

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5.0 (2)

$139.43 4 available Used

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Average Price: $217

Standard/Professional

$99

$300+

Price Tier

In the MIDI Pad Controllers category, Akai Professional MPD32 MIDI/USB Software Control Surface is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Elevate your music production game with the Akai Professional MPD32 MIDI/USB Software Control Surface. A popular choice among DJs, producers, and programmers, this control surface is inspired by the technology from Akai's industry-leading MPC series. It features 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive MPC pads, offering you four unique sound banks per pad. That's a whopping 64 sounds at your fingertips! Furthermore, it's equipped with eight assignable pots, faders, and buttons, all customizable to any parameter in your DAW. With three banks per control, you have up to 72 possible parameter controls, ensuring a highly personalized and efficient workflow. Plus, it's packed with features like note repeat, swing, tap tempo, and total MIDI capability.

Key Features:

16 velocity and pressure-sensitive MPC pads
Four distinct sound banks per pad, totaling 64 sounds
Eight assignable pots, faders, and buttons
Three banks per control for a total of 72 possible parameter controls
Features like note repeat, swing, tap tempo
Total MIDI capability

Product specs

Brand	Akai
Model	MPD32
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Pad MIDI Controllers
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, USB MIDI
Number of Pads	16 Pads

FAQs

How does the Akai Professional MPD32 connect to a computer?: The Akai Professional MPD32 connects to a computer via USB, providing a straightforward setup with no need for additional drivers as it is class-compliant. It also features MIDI input and output for expanded connectivity with other MIDI devices.
Are the pads on the Akai MPD32 velocity-sensitive?: Yes, the Akai MPD32 features 16 velocity-sensitive pads, which respond to the intensity of your touch, allowing for expressive and dynamic performance.
Can the Akai MPD32 be used with any DAW software?: The Akai MPD32 is compatible with most DAW software, including Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Logic Pro, thanks to its MIDI-over-USB functionality, making it a versatile addition to any setup.
What are the standout features of the Akai MPD32?: The Akai MPD32 offers features such as 16 velocity-sensitive pads, assignable faders, and transport controls, providing a tactile interface for music production and live performance.
Does the Akai MPD32 require an external power supply?: The Akai MPD32 is USB-powered, eliminating the need for an external power supply when connected to a computer, making it convenient for portable setups.

Videos

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Akai Pro MPD32: Overview

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Akai MPD32

JRRShop

AKAI MPD32 from NAMM

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Akai MPD32 MIDI/USB software controller - www.whybuynew.co.uk

whybuynewonline

Akai MPD32 Midi USB Software Controller Surface - DJkit.com

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Reviews

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PROS

Works well with Ableton for tweaking effects in live sets
Upgradable pads improve the experience significantly
Durable, heavy build quality doesn’t feel cheap
Easy integration with DAWs like FL Studio
Flexible control with customizable sensitivity and presets
Faders and knobs offer precise control
Proven choice among professional artists

CONS

Stock pads are mediocre, may require upgrades
Knobs can feel tight and not smooth
Overall feel may seem cheap and plasticky to some
Larger than expected, might be a con for compact setups

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai Professional MPD32 MIDI/USB Software Control Surface.

Setup and maintenance

0 0

Users mention that setting faders to Absolute MIDI CC type causes issues in syncing track volumes, suggesting experimentation with Relative options for smoother operation.
Source

Software and compatibility

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Users recommend using the Sitala sampler for loading custom samples, which integrates well with the MPD32 for creating beats in Reaper.
Source
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Users highlight how the MPD32 integrates seamlessly with Propellerhead Reason, enhancing workflow for recording and live instrumentation.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The MPD32's faders and knobs can be mapped for actions in Reaper, such as controlling track volumes and EQ settings, but this requires setting up "Actions".
Source
0 0

The MPD32 is praised for its separate drum pads, which are more responsive than those on the MPK-88, making it ideal for intricate drum patterns in genres like drum & bass.
Source

Use cases and applications

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The MPD32's multiple Pad Banks can be configured for different musical scales, allowing for quick melody creation alongside drum programming.
Source
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Some users find the MPD32 essential for non-4/4 drum patterns, citing its efficiency in creating complex rhythms compared to using a mouse.
Source

Comparisons

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Despite the MPK-88 including drum pads, users prefer the MPD32 for its superior pad responsiveness, indicating a potential advantage for dedicated drum programming.
Source

Critic Reviews

Akai MPD32 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Akai Professional MPD32 is a powerful MIDI/USB controller that excels in both studio and live performance settings. It offers an intuitive layout with MPC-style pads, rotary knobs, and faders, making it a versatile tool for DAW control and MIDI programming. The unit is easy to set up and edit, with a wide range of parameter assignments, which are perfect for creative control. However, it lacks a power supply in the box, which is a minor downside. Overall, the MPD32 is a flexible, user-friendly device that would be a valuable addition to any music producer's setup.

positive

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freelancesoundlabs.com

Full Review

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 49 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

finhiphop

578

over 7 years ago

really nice controller

I got this to use it with Ableton how I saw artists like Baths and Shigeto using it in their live sets, (pretty much just tweaking effects on a few tracks of stems.) and it works great. I've heard the stock pads are pretty mediocre, but I bought mine off a friend who upgraded them with fat pads from mpcstuff.com.

fawbak

718

over 10 years ago

pads

I have owned 4 different akai controllers before finally settling with novation products instead. The mpd24, mpd26, mpd32, and akai mpk mini. I am not a fan of the pads. They are pretty thin but you can buy replacement ones from mpcstuff.com that are thicker. the knobs when mapped aren't as smooth as i'd like and they're kind of tight when turning. it just feels kind of cheap and plasticy, but that's just my opinion on this product. Plenty of people love them. I just think there are better alternatives for the price tag.

richard_tran

over 10 years ago

Very Good For What Its For

It's a lot bigger than i thought it would be when i got it out of the box. it's made of some sturdy plastic and i kind of like how its heavy, so it doesn't feel cheap at all. Getting it to work with my DAW (FL Studio) was no problem. I Originally used the drum pads on my M-Audio Axiom Air 61 key, but those had a lot of buffering issues with Fl studio. So The MPD 32 made a great alternative. The feel of the Faders and knobs are exactly what i wanted. The flexibility controlling the sensitivity, different presets and different banks for the pads, faders and sliders became really handy.

_rocks_1

281

almost 11 years ago

Awesome!

When i first bought this the set up took some time, but the drum pad turned out to be worth it. It really helps being creative and getting new ideas for drums. The little nobs and everything can also help with organization when working on a project.

juniorprimate

290

over 10 years ago

Aight...

The general build is nice but the pads are okay - not mind blowing like I expected. I'm still on the hunt for the best midi drum controller option. I have been told the mpk249 is nice.