Akai Announces PD16 USB/MIDI Pad Control Surface

(Click for a close-up)

Expanding on the legacy of the MPC series, Akai introduced the PD16 USB/MIDI Pad Control Surface. The PD16 is a self-contained unit which connects via USB and/or MIDI to computers and sound engines which include drum program set-ups as well as the standard keyboard-assigned programming.

16 MPC-spec pressure-and-velocity sensitive drum pads generate Note-On velocity when tapped. In Full-Level mode, the PD16 produces data with velocity value of 127, regardless of the velocity of the pad tapped and in 16-Level mode it allows you to generate the note velocity in 16 steps with 16 pads. The active pad (note number) is the last banks of sounds. The Active key enables the fader which outputs MIDI control changes. The various parameter settings, such as MIDI Note Assign, MIDI Channel, MIDI Control Change, etc. can be assigned from the computer via USB.

PD16 set-up is facillitated with the PD16 Utility and PC/MAC driver software CDROM. The PD16 can be powered via computer USB or the included AC adapter.

MSRP: 349. The PD16 is expected to ship in April.