Top 10 Best Drum Pad Midi Controller

Last Update:

Our team studied on 42729 reviews available online for Drum Pad Midi Controller, chose the finest ones and prepared Drum Pad Midi Controller Reviews for you. It was very difficult to shortlist the ideal Drum Pad Midi Controller from thousands of products online. However, We tried to make sure that you get only the Best Drum Pad Midi Controller from our suggestions. Check our listings-:

Best Drum Pad Midi Controller
Disclaimer: As An Amazon Associate I Earn From Qualifying Purchases.

Comparison Chart for Best Drum Pad Midi Controller

We’ve scanned 42729 reviews for you. If you are looking for the Drum Pad Midi Controller than this review article may help you.

NoProductScoreAction
1Alesis VI49 - 49 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with9.8Check Prize On Amazon
2AKAI Professional MPD218 - USB MIDI Controller with 16 MPC Drum Pads9.6Check Prize On Amazon
3PreSonus ATOM Production & Performance Midi Pad Controller with Studio One Artist and Ableton Live Lite Recording Software9.6Check Prize On Amazon
4Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII – 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Drum Pads9.4Check Prize On Amazon
5AKAI Professional Fire (Controller Only) – USB MIDI Controller for FL Studio with 64 pad RGB Clip / Drum Pad Matrix9.2Check Prize On Amazon
6AKAI Professional LPD8 - USB MIDI Controller with 8 Velocity-Sensitive Drum Pads for Laptops (Mac & PC)9Check Prize On Amazon
7Donner DMK 25 MIDI Keyboard Controller Music Mini Key With 8 Backlit Drum Pads8.8Check Prize On Amazon
8AKAI Professional MPK Mini Play – USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With a Built in Speaker8.8Check Prize On Amazon
9AKAI PROFESSIONAL MPK Mini MK3 - 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Backlit Drum Pads8.6Check Prize On Amazon
10Native Instruments Maschine Mk3 Drum Controller8.2Check Prize On Amazon

Table Of Content:

1. Alesis VI49 – 49 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with

  • MIDI Keyboard with 49 full-sized, square-front, semi-weighted keys with after touch.
  • Manipulate plugins and virtual instruments with hands-on controls.
  • 16 velocity-sensitive trigger pads with illuminated RGB feedback for beat production and clip launching.
  • 36 assignable buttons and 12 assignable knobs interface with your music software.
  • Production software included: Ableton Live Lite and Xpand!2 by AIR Music Tech (downloads).

2. AKAI Professional MPD218 – USB MIDI Controller with 16 MPC Drum Pads

  • Beat Production, Anywhere – Ultra-portable, feature-packed and USB powered pad controller with 16 thick fat MPC pads for triggering drums, melodic samples, effects and more.
  • Expandable Banks – Easily accessible dedicated controls for three pad banks provides a total of 48 assignable pads.
  • Assignable Control – 18 fully assignable 360-Degree potentiometers accessible via three banks for controlling DAW, virtual effect and virtual instrument parameters.
  • Feature Packed – MPC note repeat and full level controls for immersive expressive performances
  • Comprehensive Software Suite Included – Ableton Live Lite, Drum Synth 500 by AIR Music Tech
  • The MPC Production Experience – Includes MPC Beats Software complete with the finest features and essential production tools from the Akai Professional MPC Series.
  • IOS Connectivity Covered – Control your iOS apps and open up a world of pad control capability using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately).

3. PreSonus ATOM Production & Performance Midi Pad Controller with Studio One Artist and Ableton Live Lite Recording Software

  • Tight integration with included Studio One Artist and Ableton Live (live 10 Lite included) music production software gets your mind off the screen and back on the beat.
  • Produce, play virtual instruments, and trigger samples and loops with unsurpassed expressiveness and flexibility.
  • Trigger loops and effects and play virtual instruments with 16 full-size velocity- and pressure-sensitive, RGB LED pads (and 8 assignable pad banks).
  • Comes with over $1000 of computer recording software plug-ins – Studio Magic Plug-In Suite.
  • Selectable pad velocity curves and pressure thresholds customize the pads’ response for maximum expression.
  • Equipped with 20 assignable buttons and 4 endless rotary encoders.
  • MIDI “keyboard” mode, Note Repeat mode, and Full Velocity mode (application dependent).
  • Includes MVP Loops content custom-curated for ATOM.
  • Compatible with most music production and performance software via USB.
  • Set looping points, navigate the timeline, zoom in/out on the timeline or events, and edit/quantize MIDI events.

4. Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII – 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Drum Pads

  • Compact keyboard controller easily fits backpack and studio production desk (12.4″ long, 1.6 lbs)
  • Powered by USB connection to computer, with free virtual-instrument download packages
  • Crammed full of all the features you need to play and edit musical ideas
  • 25-synth-action mini-keys, 8 velocity-sensitive rubber drum pads with two banks, and eight assignable control knobs.
  • Dedicated buttons for Note Repeat, Full Level, and Octave Up and Down
  • 1400 Sounds and Everything You Need For Pro Production: Production software package for Mac and PC included: Akai Pro MPC Essentials, SONiVOX Wobble, and Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech (downloads).

5. AKAI Professional Fire (Controller Only) – USB MIDI Controller for FL Studio with 64 pad RGB Clip / Drum Pad Matrix

  • FL Studio Music Production Essential- Dedicated USB MIDI hardware controller for the FL Studio DAW platform with seamless plug-and-play connectivity.
  • Workflow Revolution – 64 velocity-sensitive RGB Pads for creation of patterns in the step sequencer and recording notes / synth parts on a pad-based MIDI keyboard controller in Performance mode.
  • Beat Production Simplified – Transform Fire into a beat maker essential with a MPC Style 16-pad layout in Drum Mode.
  • Maximum Tweak-Ability – 4 banks of assignable Touch-Capacitive MIDI knobs / encoders for controlling Mixer, Channel and custom User-Assignable mappings.
  • Improved Navigation – Instantly navigate the Channel Rack, Browser, Tool Bar and Playlist windows; dedicated controls to browse audio and project files with clear feedback from the OLED display.

6. AKAI Professional LPD8 – USB MIDI Controller with 8 Velocity-Sensitive Drum Pads for Laptops (Mac & PC)

  • 13-inch, slim-line ultra-portable pad controller with 8 backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads for triggering samples, loops, controlling virtual instruments and more.
  • 8 MPC Q-Link knobs for seamless mapping to DAW parameters, virtual instruments and effect parameters for hands-on control and expressive performances.
  • 4 programmable memory banks provide instant recall of mappings for DAWs, virtual instruments, effects and more.
  • Lightweight, ultra-portable design stows easily in a laptop bag for production capability everywhere
  • USB-powered and plug-and-play setup for Mac and PC
  • Works with all popular applications including GarageBand, Logic, Sonar, Cubase, Ableton Live, ProTools, Reason, Fruity Loops, Digital Performer, and more.

7. Donner DMK 25 MIDI Keyboard Controller Music Mini Key With 8 Backlit Drum Pads

  • Ultra-thin design and portability】USB powered MIDI controller with 25 mini MIDI keyboard velocity-sensitive keys for beat maker, studio production, virtual synthesizer control.
  • AIR-Touch: Touch Bar】Octave Up and Down Touch Bar let you access the full MIDI keyboard range and Pitch and modulation deliver expressive, creative control.
  • Synth-action keys】Premium MIDI controller with 25 expressive synth-action keys.
  • TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION】Works with all music production equipment.
  • 4 Program Presets】Four programmable memory banks for instant recall of personal control preferences.

8. AKAI Professional MPK Mini Play – USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With a Built in Speaker

  • Standalone Piano Style Keyboard – Portable mini keyboard and USB MIDI controller with 25 velocity-sensitive synthesizer action keys, pitch/mod joystick control, plus 128 sounds and 10 drum kits.
  • Play Anywhere – Built in speaker, 1/8-inch headphone output and battery powered specification (3 x AA batteries – not included) for performing and producing on the go.
  • Beat Maker Essential – 2 banks of 8 ultra-responsive backlit MIDI drum pads with Note Repeat and Full Level functions for drum machine style performance and music production.
  • Tweak, Customize – 2 banks of 4 knobs (8 total) to tweak internal sounds or software parameters; In standalone mode control chorus, reverb, filter, EQ and envelope controls.
  • The MPC Production Experience – Includes MPC Beats Software complete with the finest features and essential production tools from the Akai Professional MPC Series.
  • Pro Software Suite – Includes ProTools First, Akai Pro MPC Beats, AIR Music Tech Hybrid 3 and SONiVOX Wobble (downloads).

9. AKAI PROFESSIONAL MPK Mini MK3 – 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Backlit Drum Pads

  • Music Production and Beat Maker Essential – USB powered MIDI controller with 25 mini MIDI keyboard velocity-sensitive keys for studio production, virtual synthesizer control and beat production.
  • Total Control of your Production – Innovative 4-way thumbstick for dynamic pitch and modulation control, plus a built-in arpeggiator with adjustable resolution, range and modes.
  • The MPC Experience – 8 backlit velocity-sensitive MPC-style MIDI beat pads with Note Repeat and Full Level for programming drums, triggering samples and controlling virtual synthesizer / DAW controls.
  • Complete Command of your Virtual Instruments and FX – 8 360-degree knobs assign to all your music studio plugins for mixing, tweaking synth controls and more.
  • 1500 plus Sounds and Everything You Need for Pro Production – Complete Music Production Starter Kit including MPC Beats, 6 Virtual Instruments and 2GB of sound content.

10. Native Instruments Maschine Mk3 Drum Controller

  • Integrated hardware/software system includes sampler, arranger, mixer, FX, and more
  • Includes 25 GB KOMPLETE 11 SELECT library featuring 25 pro-quality studio and creative FX
  • Pro-grade, 96 kHz / 24-bit audio interface with 2 x 1/4” TRS line outputs, 2 x 1/4” TRS line inputs, 1/4” dynamic mic input, stereo headphone output, 1 x MIDI In, 1 x MIDI out; 1 x Footswitch.
  • Touch sensitive knobs for parameter tweaking.
  • Smart Strip for strumming notes, pitch bending sounds, performing with FX, and more.

Drum Pad Midi Controller Buying Guide


Does the thought of finding a great Drum Pad Midi Controller stress you out? Has your mind been juggling between choices when it comes to buying Drum Pad Midi Controller in general, specifically regarding which model to choose?
If that’s the case, know that you’re not alone. Many people find it tough to buy the perfect Drum Pad Midi Controller for themselves. We understand the stress associated with the buying process!
Since you’re here, you are obviously curious about Drum Pad Midi Controller Reviews. You’ve been bombarded with information, so you need to find a reputable source with credible options before you make any decisions on which product would be best for your needs.
There are many sources that’ll provide you with that information- buying guides or ratings websites, word-of-mouth testimonials from friends or family members, online forums where users share their personal experiences, product reviews specifically found all over the internet and YouTube channels. Only thorough research will ensure that you get the right product.
But that’s not always easy, right? That's why we've taken time to compile a list of the best Drum Pad Midi Controller in today's market, on your behalf, so that there will be no more worries for you.
How did we come up with the list, you ask? How did we create this buying guide?
  • First, our algorithms collected as much information available about these products from trusted sources.
  • We employed both Artificial Intelligence and large data volume to validate all collected information.
  • Then our AI ranked them on their quality-to-price ratio using industry-standard criteria that let us pick the best Drum Pad Midi Controller currently on the market!
The products aren’t chosen randomly. We consider several criteria before assembling a list. Some of the criteria are discussed below-
  1. Brand Value: What happens when you go for a not-so-reputable brand just because the price seems cheap? Well, the chance of getting a short-lasting product goes higher. That’s because the renowned brands have a reputation to maintain, others don’t.
Top Drum Pad Midi Controller brands try to offer some unique features that make them stand out in the crowd. Thus hopefully, you’ll find one ideal product or another in our list.
  1. Features: You don’t need heaps of features, but useful ones. We look at the features that matter and choose the top Drum Pad Midi Controller based on that.
  2. Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products of higher specifications, but with the right balance.
  3. Customer Ratings: The hundreds of customers using the Drum Pad Midi Controller before you won’t say wrong, would they? Better ratings mean better service experienced by a good number of people.
  4. Customer Reviews: Like ratings, customer reviews give you actual and trustworthy information, coming from real-world consumers about the Drum Pad Midi Controller they used.
  5. Seller Rank: Now, this is interesting! You don’t just need a good Drum Pad Midi Controller, you need a product that is trendy and growing in sales. It serves two objectives. Firstly, the growing number of users indicates the product is good. Secondly, the manufacturers will hopefully provide better quality and after-sales service because of that growing number.
  6. Value For The Money: They say you get what you pay for. Cheap isn’t always good. But that doesn’t mean splashing tons of money on a flashy but underserving product is good either. We try to measure how much value for the money you can get from your Drum Pad Midi Controller before putting them on the list.
  7. Durability: Durability and reliability go hand to hand. A robust and durable Drum Pad Midi Controller will serve you for months and years to come.
  8. Availability: Products come and go, new products take the place of the old ones. Probably some new features were added, some necessary modifications were done. What’s the point of using a supposedly good Drum Pad Midi Controller if that’s no longer continued by the manufacturer? We try to feature products that are up-to-date and sold by at least one reliable seller, if not several.
  9. Negative Ratings: Yes, we take that into consideration too! When we pick the top rated Drum Pad Midi Controller on the market, the products that got mostly negative ratings get filtered and discarded.

These are the criteria we have chosen our Drum Pad Midi Controller on. Does our process stop there? Heck, no! The most important thing that you should know about us is, we're always updating our website to provide timely and relevant information.
Since reader satisfaction is our utmost priority, we have a final layer of filtration. And that is you, the reader! If you find any Drum Pad Midi Controller featured here Incorrect, irrelevant, not up to the mark, or simply outdated, please let us know. Your feedback is always welcome and we’ll try to promptly correct our list as per your reasonable suggestion.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top