# ESI XJAM or Maschine mikro mk3 **URL:** \ **Category:** Finger Drumming Gear / Software / Setup\ **Created:** [January 7, 2025, 12:18pm UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/esi-xjam-or-maschine-mikro-mk3/1629 "2025-01-07T12:18:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecb155/32.png) [@Asger](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/Asger)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 12:18pm UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/esi-xjam-or-maschine-mikro-mk3/1629/1 "2025-01-07T12:18:15Z")
I’m quite torn between these two units. I like the small form factor of the XJAM. While the cheaper price is nice, it’s not my main priority. Pad sensitivity is however - I would like to be able to play a broad range of velocities and perform accurate ghost notes. So if you have experience with both; does the Mikro Mk3 have significantly better pads or is it mostly a matter of bigger vs smaller pads? In that case I think small pads would be ok, unless anyone has other experiences. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![Robert\_Mathijs](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/questforgroove.discourse.group/robert_mathijs/32/335_2.png) [@Robert\_Mathijs](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/Robert_Mathijs)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/esi-xjam-or-maschine-mikro-mk3/1629/2 "2025-01-07T15:59:29Z")
In my experience the difference is mostly size. Sensitivity is fine in both. Please keep in mind that I’ve tested 4 Maschine micro units and 2 jam units so it is in no way an extensive testing with statistical significance. But that’s all someone like me can do so yeah… try it out, I think there’s a big chance the xjam does what you want it to do! ---
**Author:** ![Asger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecb155/32.png) [@Asger](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/Asger)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 10:46am UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/esi-xjam-or-maschine-mikro-mk3/1629/3 "2025-01-08T10:46:03Z")
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Robert! - and of course not, but your input is appreciated anyways 🙂 I might end up ordering both to compare… ---
**Author:** ![FabsThefab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@FabsThefab](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/FabsThefab)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/esi-xjam-or-maschine-mikro-mk3/1629/4 "2025-01-23T23:17:17Z")
Hey Asger! Did you end up ordering both? That’s what I should’ve done ---
**Author:** ![Asger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecb155/32.png) [@Asger](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/Asger)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 11:06am UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/esi-xjam-or-maschine-mikro-mk3/1629/5 "2025-01-24T11:06:46Z")
Hey Fabs No, actually I went with the Maschine, so never tried the XJAM. I played with the pads on my Arturia midi keyboard - which are very lacking in sensitivity by the way - and decided bigger pads would nice when playing fills with two fingers on one pad. I’m very satisfied so far! - the size of the Maschine doesn’t bother me at all, it’s not that big, the pads are great and the price different wasn’t that big since NI had a sale. Did you buy one and regret the purchase?🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FabsThefab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@FabsThefab](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/FabsThefab)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/esi-xjam-or-maschine-mikro-mk3/1629/6 "2025-01-24T16:12:08Z")
I got the XJam! I feel like the pads could be a bit more sensitive but I’m a newbie and I have nothing to compare them against, so I really can’t tell. It’s all good. Robert said it’s great and he would know. I’m glad you’re happy with your purchase! ---
**Author:** ![Robert\_Mathijs](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/questforgroove.discourse.group/robert_mathijs/32/335_2.png) [@Robert\_Mathijs](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/Robert_Mathijs)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/esi-xjam-or-maschine-mikro-mk3/1629/7 "2025-01-24T20:05:37Z")
They should respond to soft touches! You might want to play around in the editor which might improve things. If not, it might be a bad unit.