Beat Making Interface for Hands & Fingers

[drewphishesp]

Akai has great mpc machines, both standalone, and ones for use with the computer. I prefer the vintage models but to each their own. there is also native instruments maschine which is exactly what you want and has software and can program the pads. Then there is the route of an akai mpd pad or other midi pad that you can use with a program like logic or ableton to make drum racks or sample pads.

 

[And I]

I'd look into an Artiphon Orba.

I have one of these. It's TONS of fun, but it doesn't quantize, doesn't tell you when the count-off is ending and the recording is beginning, and will only do 8-bar loops in 4/4 time. It can be difficult to get something decent and on-rhythm.

I have an M-Audio Trigger Finger USB midi device for tapping out beats. I have used Native Instruments Battery and Addictive Drums vst plugins with my DAW to get drum sounds happening.

 

[DirkP]

Akai has great mpc machines, both standalone, and ones for use with the computer. I prefer the vintage models but to each their own. there is also native instruments maschine which is exactly what you want and has software and can program the pads. Then there is the route of an akai mpd pad or other midi pad that you can use with a program like logic or ableton to make drum racks or sample pads.

Yes, the Akai MPCs are great. The pads are great. If you can afford it, try a MPC One or Live.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

@ugly_bassplayer
Now that's not fair he's actually a great drummer to start with!

 

[RyanKinBK]

My $.02---by which I mean, the advice "present me" would like to give to "past me" from 6 months ago:

- Pad controllers are definitely a different---and, for some better---way to play beat and electronic drums. For me, the playability/physicality of pad controllers is more comfortable than a keyboard.

- Unless you have a very good reason to go niche or complicated in your setup, don't.

- Start with something basic that has good resale value (or, better yet, buy from somewhere with a decent return policy, so you can try something out to see if it's going to work for you before you're stuck with it). The NI Maschine stuff is amazing, but it's easy to get lost in the weeds configuring and programming stuff rather than just playing beats. That said, it seems like an excellent platform to grow into if you want to make beats and aren't already committed to the MPC workflow.

- In my experience, the budget Akai stuff is very inconsistent in terms of quality control. Unless you're springing for an MPC (which I don't think is a good idea for someone who's new to all this---see above), it's probably best to avoid Akai.

- If you're looking for a VST for realistic drums, Addictive Drums is an excellent option and pairs well with a decent MIDI pad controller.

- For developing your technique, other than Melodics, check out Quest for Groove.

 

[lynnchpin]

When you say 'all day long' I wonder if you are wanting something portable?

If not, I like the quality of the pads on the Akai MPD218 MIDI for pads only. Their larger keyboard are good too e.g. Akai MPK225, the mini ones are...eh...fine for mini.

For portable, iPads have some pretty solid options, though you can make a case for how bad Apple is about breaking things with updates, so I would shy away for more in-depth projects without backing up to desktop. Unfortunately, Android suffers from some fundamental issues in how flexible it is for it to be a platform.

Tell me more of what you want and I have more thoughts. I use this kinda thing a lot for sketching stuff out mobile and recording to desktop too.

Yesh, ALL DAY LONG. What sucks about it, is that most of that time is when I'm at work, and it really isn't any place for this kind of stuff so I resort to mouthing a beat on my voice notes and then follow up when I get home.

 

[lynnchpin]

My $.02---by which I mean, the advice "present me" would like to give to "past me" from 6 months ago:

- Pad controllers are definitely a different---and, for some better---way to play beat and electronic drums. For me, the playability/physicality of pad controllers is more comfortable than a keyboard.

- Unless you have a very good reason to go niche or complicated in your setup, don't.

- Start with something basic that has good resale value (or, better yet, buy from somewhere with a decent return policy, so you can try something out to see if it's going to work for you before you're stuck with it). The NI Maschine stuff is amazing, but it's easy to get lost in the weeds configuring and programming stuff rather than just playing beats. That said, it seems like an excellent platform to grow into if you want to make beats and aren't already committed to the MPC workflow.

- In my experience, the budget Akai stuff is very inconsistent in terms of quality control. Unless you're springing for an MPC (which I don't think is a good idea for someone who's new to all this---see above), it's probably best to avoid Akai.

- If you're looking for a VST for realistic drums, Addictive Drums is an excellent option and pairs well with a decent MIDI pad controller.

- For developing your technique, other than Melodics, check out Quest for Groove.

Yeah, I'm not really looking to get entirely entrenched in this realm, but I just might as a result of getting into it. The idea of realistic drums is appealing for the sake of recording quality, ultimately I want to entirely flesh out songs with respect to guitar, bass, drums, and vocals and I have the ability to do all...but I'm not going to buy a drum set as much as I want to, I already have too much invested in my bass gear alone.

 

[drewphishesp]

akai and maschine have great apps for ipad if thats something you have around

 

[lynnchpin]

akai and maschine have great apps for ipad if thats something you have around

I don't really work well with touchscreens in this type of application. It's already a challenge to adapt to a 4 x 4 grid of 1" squares, but I think I can work with those with the range of dynamics and sensitivity afforded by a physical pad that you can actually feel. We'll see, I'm gonna try out a Maschine Mikro MkII and work through everything Robert Mathijs has to offer on Quest for Groove