Hi @ivanclarke! So I ended up trying both pads, but went with a used Maschine mikro from a reputable guy. I found it easier to play because the pads are a little lower to the controller and more responsive in my opinion! But that being said, the mpd226 is still a great device - I would’ve been happy keeping it as well I’m sure.
In terms of connecting the mikro, I installed the Maschine software and controller editor off the Maschine website - once controller editor is on your computer it’s super easy to use it exactly like the MPD226 (plug n play) in your DAW. I had to set up my addictive drums maps within the plugin in pro tools, but that was about all the setup it needed.
Happy to answer any other questions you have, and hope this helps!
Hi @lizzo, Thank you for responding, I am so confused about what to buy. As it happens I can’t get the MPD226 until at least the end of July from my usual supplier. There is no stock. There are positive and negative reviews for both devices everywhere you look which makes it really difficult to choose. I have seen another chap that does lessons, swear by the MPD218 and seems to use them exclusively and effectively. So to see completely contrasting reviews is confusing. The thing is, I really want to get started so I might have to bite the bullet and get what is available right now which is the Machine Micro Mk3. What do you think, a better choice given the circumstances?
I can tell you I’m happy with mine, but it depends on budget and how soon you want to get going, etc!
I should just let you know that when I looked at buying mine new and testing it first, they said using the software would make it not eligible for refund. Just something to ask the specific store you’re going with to be sure!
But quite honestly, I love the mikro - I’m finger drumming along to my original songs and I find it heaps of fun with great results. Huge improvement to trying to create grooves on my midi keyboard.
Hope that helps! Again, don’t think you can go wrong in either direction
I think there is an element of pot luck with controllers. I’ve got 2 MPD218s. I’ve replaced the pads on both of them with Fatpads. Both have behaved differently in terms of sensitivity. I have opened them both up and played around with the positioning of the sensor sheet and this seems to make a difference.
I took delivery of a Maschine Mikro MK3 this week. It’s going back. A couple of the pads on the right hand side are not as sensitive as some of the other. Pad 7 which is normally a snare pad in Robs layout is widely inconsistent and often fails to trigger at all when played in conjunction with either pad 3 or Pad 11. I know this is different from many peoples experience with a Maschine Mikro and I’m not writing the device off - I suspect that the sensor sheet has moved slightly whilst in transit. But I don’t want to invalidate a warranty but opening it up.
I think its probably an issue with a lot of controllers that there can be a massive fall off in performance unless the sensor sheets and pads are properly aligned. I don’t think historically that pad manufacturers have really viewed their devices as performance instruments as relatively few people finger drum. Hopefully this will start to change as interest in this area grows and we’ll start seeing an improvement in the manufacturing processes.
@Robin, I think you may have something there in Manufacturers not seeing the devices as performance products. When you consider the additional ‘controlling’ functions, particularly on the more expensive models, they are probably produced more for inputting a variety of sounds into a DAW.
This is doing my tiny brain in though now, the Machine Micro is at the top of my budget if not stretching it a little. Actually, once I have learnt to be a little competent in finger drumming (able to play in with a degree of accuracy into my DAW), that is exactly what I will be using for. So some additional functions may or may not be of benefit, depending on the project in hand at the time.
Thanks for the input on this, every little helps. My order will be going in next week. Just waiting for the retailer to re-open after lock down so that I can speak with them. They are quite knowledgeable and helpful.
I am starting today… July 17th 2020… I have the PUsh 2 and Ableton Live and i do not know if I need to buy NI maschine MK3, NI Maschine mikro ( much cheaper, half price) or Novation Launchpad pro… Is Push2 good enough?..What do you guys think?. Can I start with Push2?.. Anyone else is using Push2 ?
It depends on the goal, I find ableton push buttons too small for fingerdrumming, but there’s a bunch of videos where people do amazing things with Push, my options will be Akai MPD218 or Mikro MK3 in a low budget controller.
This is just a personal opinion, at the end of the day you just want to have fun and feel confortable with your toys
Thanks … akai is very cheap… But MK3 micro give you acces to all NI maschine software with more possibilities… I think i will try with Push2 to start and then try Maschine Mikro.
Hi @andreu, I have also seen many videos using the Push 2 for finger drumming. As its an expensive bit of kit, and if it were me, I would think carefully before laying out loads of money on another controller when the Push is designed for Ableton. However, it is likely the buttons might be small for finger drumming and in that instance I might look at the Akai 218 too (cost). I originally was looking at an Akai and was steered towards the Maschine Mikro Mk3, as you have said, there is functionality and lots of software that goes with it. However, I have ended up a little disappointed in some ways because the Mikro only fully functions with the Maschine software. Once you turn on Midi Mode, the only part that really works are the Pads so you may as well have the Akai 218 if that is what you are trying to achieve. Even today, I have been trying to build Drum Racks in Ableton that play the sounds from Maschine 2 software and so far I haven’t been able to change the layout of the sounds in a Maschine Kit to the Q4G format. No matter what I do, it plays the sounds in the same order they are in Maschine and if I try to change that in Maschine it ends up playing two sounds at a time. I have found a good work around though, picking out the samples and dropping them directly onto a Drum Rack, then you can arrange them but you are not using the Maschine software then.
I think before you spend any money, I would be inclined to look at one of the 64 pad layouts for Q4G and setup a Drum Rack in Ableton to see if you can work with it. Bare in mind that an Akai 218 would be the standard 16. On a Push, that usually sits in the bottom left corner I believe.
Avery good producer from Spain told me Maschine drums are much better than Ableton drums… So mikro Maschine it can only be good for finger drumming but also as a controller to sequence normal drums in maschine software… But akai 28 is very cheap… I migth try taht also… Thank you… What does Q4G means ?.
HI @andreu, they could be right to some degree, but there are loads of really good drums if you want to spend money. Just as a point to note, the same applies but not to the same degree with the Maschine Mk3 at $600 as I mentioned for the Mikro Mk3. The Maschine Mk3 does have its on Audio Interface. so you wouldn’t necessarily have to load up Ableton to practice but there still is the issue of organizing the Rack for finger drumming in the Quest4 Groove (Q4G) format. However, there are some ideas on the Drum Rack Post on how to achieve this with VST instruments or non Ableton instruments, Rob has posted a video about Maschine Mk3.
If you want NI drums, you probably just need to purchase Battery 4 which is around $190. There is something like 140 drum kits in it and I think that they could be configurable. A lot of money if not though! If you go for the Akai 218 or the 226, that comes with some Sonivox drums and they are supposed to be quite good too. Rob usually recommends Addictive Drums 2, that’s about $150 I think or Superior Drummer 3 which is a little cheaper.
I’m an Ableton user and for finger drumming I have made a Template (or project) that now has 7 different drum kits on it. They all sound slightly different, but they can be changed to fit whatever is needed for the drumming lessons in Rob’s courses. I have one that I made from One Shots, another using a FREE VST called MT Power Drummer, a Funk kit from NI Komplete and runs from Komplete via a Drum Rack in Ableton, a POP kit and Studio Kit using the Samples from Maschine 2 and two kits from the Ableton Packs - Session Drum Studio and Drum Booth.
I hope this helps for options and choices, I have found a lot of this myself and I find more every day. The lessons are fun, you’ll enjoy those when you get going.
Thanks a lot IVAn for sharing such great information… Very useful.
Is there any webioste, youtube or somewhere where I can follow you and listen to your finger drumming?-
I woud really love to be in contact with you-
Hi Andreu, (@andreu) I do have a number of places / sites / channels setup but its early days and there is very little and nothing on some of them but you are welcome to follow as there are plans to develop them. I have a number of projects in mind and being developed, but you should know that I am not an expert finger drummer. I have only started this a few weeks ago, currently working through Robs Grooving and Improving module. However, there is a section here to show your progress but the demo’s that I have seen so far are a lot better than I am currently. When I have something to show, I will post it. Here are few places that I exist: -
Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/ivan-clarke-325858689 there are couple of public tracks on their, but they were both created for specific reasons and not really my best work (they were more demo’s for my Niece who is learning to product music, I have been supporting her).
My Public Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/1st4reeds if anything is to be marketed or promoted, this is one of the first places that you would here about it.
YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCipLo1suVIh3Z2jWRKmodOQ?view_as=subscriber this current channel has been setup ready for support videos for Clarinet and Sax teaching, but I am now looking at other channels for sound and music production too. Sorry currently nothing to see at the moment, but will be in the near future.
Glad the information was useful to you, it will hopefully save you a lot of time researching this stuff and potentially save you some money too.
Wow thank you, it looks like I am going to have to pull my finger out and put something viewable on their. I have to say that I have been a bit camera shy, with age and lack of attention to health, I don’t now have the looks that I used to have. Also with lock-down, I have had 4-5 months of hair growth which doesn’t help the looks either. First job, get the hair sorted and tidy myself up I think.
You have some gear setup in your studio, impressive. I have just returned the favor and subscribed to your YouTube channel too.
Thanks @Gee, that is very true they don’t listen to my looks. A lot of work in progress at the moment, but it’ll all work hand in hand with building my YouTube presence and re-designing the website to make it Google happy. Then I guess a lot of music production and videos, so by then, the smartening up should be well on the way. Thanks for the positive thoughts, much appreciated.
I’m so happy I’m basically a supermodel and do not have to deal with these types of problems
No in all seriousness. Have you seen for example Rick Beato’s channel? Or “Answers with joe” ?
If you have good content the looks / age won’t get in the way.
I do think its a little easier to get subscribers if youre extremely hot but those are basically the wrong type of subscriber since they dont really care about the content. My guess is that will backfire over time as well when they dont watch the vids all the way through.
I had spotted @Robert_Mathijs how much of a supermodel you are, quite jealous really. Good old google didn’t like my current site, tried to swap out for an old defunked site on AdSense. That backfired a little, they have disable my AdSense account. Lots of web design and building in progress at the moment to try to meet their policies and rules, hoorah!! The finger drumming is coming along nicely though, my timing when recording has improved so quickly and I’m only working on the Grooving module at the moment. I can’t image how good I’ll get when I have gone through a couple modules. The Mikro seems to be working fine too, I think I might have been a bit lucky and not had to buy a few to get a good one.
Hi Ralf–I am a total newbie. After 40 years playing in the Pittsburgh Symphony, I am recently retired. And while my main gig was to play the English horn, I’ve always played jazz piano on the side. Now I have Logic Pro X on my Apple computer and I’ve been doing some old standards and some Brasilian music (my first job was principal oboe in Rio de Janeiro) just for fun. I’m starting to get the hang of things but I’ve been using Band in a Box for drummers and I’d rather do it myself.
I saw Rob’s YouTube video about Launchpad X and I bought one but I am truly clueless about how to set it up with Logic in the pattern that he suggested. I would appreciate your help on this.
Good old google didn’t like my current site, tried to swap out for an old defunked site on AdSense. That backfired a little, they have disable my AdSense account. Lots of web design and building in progress at the moment to try to meet their policies and rules, hoorah!! The finger drumming is coming along nicely though, my timing when recording has improved so quickly and I’m only working on the Grooving module at the moment. I can’t image how good I’ll get when I have gone through a couple modules. The Mikro seems to be working fine too, I think I might have been a bit lucky and not had to buy a few to get a good one. 
