Akai MPD26

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:31 pm

Has anyone used the Akai MPD 26 as a live midi controller? And if so how well did it work?
Would you recommend it? Easily configurable?

Dave Brown [admin] · Post by **Dave Brown [admin]** » Fri Dec 18, 2015 1:00 pm

I haven't personally used one, but from the manual it looks ideal for controlling DMXIS. (Unlike some cheaper controllers, it is fully configurable)

Chaff67 · Post by **Chaff67** » Thu Dec 24, 2015 12:47 am

I've used the MPD 18 for a couple years and it worked great. However after adding fixtures I outgrew it. I recently purchased the MPD 32 and it has opened up a lot of room to grow my system. Yes it is great for controlling DMXIS and is easily configurable. My only complaint is that I couldn't train the tap tempo to change the tempo on DMXIS.

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 6:39 pm

Well I have a Akai MPD26 seems pretty cool.
Still have to figure out how to assign a pad to a preset. I can assign individual faders in DMXis to a pad , but I cannot get a pad assigned to a preset.
My FCB1010 does this really well, hit stomp 1, preset 1, jump to stomp 8, goes to the 8th preset.
I need this table top controller to do the same what am I missing?

Chaff67, how was yours configured or were you using it through another program?

Chaff67 · Post by **Chaff67** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 8:10 pm

I programmed each of the pads to correspond to the midi value of presets. I don't remember if it's channel 15 or 16, I think it's 15. Then the note values would match up to the preset number. To keep it easy I named each preset with the pad number followed by a description (i.e. 05A Purple Front Slow Fade).

*** You need to program the MIDI values of the controller with the software that comes with the controller ***

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 8:16 pm

Chaff67 wrote:I programmed each of the pads to correspond to the midi value of presets. I don't remember if it's channel 15 or 16, I think it's 15. Then the note values would match up to the preset number. To keep it easy I named each preset with the pad number followed by a description (i.e. 05A Purple Front Slow Fade).

*** You need to program the MIDI values of the controller with the software that comes with the controller ***

Cool, how the heck did you know what the note values per preset were in DMXis?

And are you the same Chaff67 from over at Harmony?

Chaff67 · Post by **Chaff67** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 8:27 pm

The 1st preset will be note value=0, 2nd note value=1, etc.
I leave the 1st preset blank so the 2nd (note value=1) matches up with button #1 on the controller. It keeps it easier for me.

And yes, same Chaff67. I was just on Harmony last week, but had not been around for quite some time on the forums before that. Good memory!

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 8:52 pm

Chaff67 wrote:The 1st preset will be note value=0, 2nd note value=1, etc.
I leave the 1st preset blank so the 2nd (note value=1) matches up with button #1 on the controller. It keeps it easier for me.

And yes, same Chaff67. I was just on Harmony last week, but had not been around for quite some time on the forums before that. Good memory!

Very good. I'll give that a shot.

Yeah I still in there occasionally too , there's some good guys over there with lots of excellent knowledge to share .
But since they changed the way the forum works it's difficult to navigate.

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 3:08 am

Chaff67 wrote:The 1st preset will be note value=0, 2nd note value=1, etc.
I leave the 1st preset blank so the 2nd (note value=1) matches up with button #1 on the controller. It keeps it easier for me.

And yes, same Chaff67. I was just on Harmony last week, but had not been around for quite some time on the forums before that. Good memory!

That doesn't work for me in this case for some reason. I know my don't controller is probably set up that way .
I'm sure I'm missing something obvious.

Dave Brown [admin] · Post by **Dave Brown [admin]** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:43 am

One other thing - make sure the pads are transmitting a fixed velocity of 127.

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 5:52 pm

Thanks for jumping in Dave.
Yes pm the program it's showing a full on signal sent.
Is there a lowest note that dmxis will recognize? I can actually get it to change three of the presets but as far as any of the others , it won't do anything.
I've tried it two ways being concerned that there may be a communication issue. USB and through the actual midi port into my Roland UM1 that I use for my FCB .
So I'm kinda stuck right now.
Make sure I understand here. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Dmxis sees preset changes on channel 16 correct. Bank changes on channel 15 . Dmxis sees preset changes as a. Note on signal. And it starts at the lowest note correct.

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 2:30 am

Got it. The editor for it was not saving what I put in so I went back and did it by hand on the unit itself and it works perfectly thank you for your help Guys !)

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Thu Feb 04, 2016 7:04 pm

BigJD wrote:Got it. The editor for it was not saving what I put in so I went back and did it by hand on the unit itself and it works perfectly thank you for your help Guys !)

So this weekend I get to try out the Akai by lighting up Powerman 5000 and KneeHigh Fox and some local support.
Looking forward to quick access to the presets we create.
Should be a good show. I'll try for some pictures to post.
Thanks for all your help.

Chaff67 · Post by **Chaff67** » Thu Feb 04, 2016 9:48 pm

That's awesome! let us know how the it goes.

BTW I don't know if this will help you but one of the things I did when programming was set up one bank of presets with fully programmed scenes. Then in another bank I set up with masked presets. With the masked presets I can build scenes as a song progresses. i.e. just change front lights, or movers, change colors or gobos in movers etc.

JRUDER · Post by **JRUDER** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:01 pm

ditto on using masks, really helps a lot.
Also, I have a couple banks setup strictly to run in a hands off mode, IE auto run.
Most of my banks have the first program be a blackout but not on those.

I am using both a akai LPD8 and a Korg nanopad2 at the same time.
I like being able to assign the speed control to a knob on the akai along with bank control.
I then use the nanopad to switch programs.

Works pretty well.

Helped me a TON when I figured out to use note values (0,1,2) vs trying to use C1, C#1 etc.

Joe

Chaff67 · Post by **Chaff67** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 9:56 pm

JRUDER wrote:ditto on using masks, really helps a lot.
Also, I have a couple banks setup strictly to run in a hands off mode, IE auto run.
Most of my banks have the first program be a blackout but not on those.

Joe

That's a great idea! Now I can have time to go refill my drink!

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 8:23 pm

For the life of me I can't figure out how to upload photos here.

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:45 am

: 1.jpg (237.42 KiB) Viewed 16025 times

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:46 am

: 2.jpg (180.16 KiB) Viewed 16025 times

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:47 am

: 4.jpg (191.99 KiB) Viewed 16025 times

BigJD · Post by **BigJD** » Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:50 am

Just a few from the Powerman 5000 show last Friday.
What a blast.
Drowning Pool next week.
With the Akai I'm able to do quick preset changes a lot easier now.
Thank you for all your help!!

Chaff67 · Post by **Chaff67** » Wed Feb 10, 2016 8:12 pm

The pics look amazing! Congrats on a great show!

Show Buddy & DMXIS Forums

Akai MPD26

Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26

Re: Akai MPD26