Akai ProfessionalMPC Studio MIDI Controller Beat Maker with 16 Velocity Sensitive RGB Pads, Full MPC 2 Software, assignable Touch Strip & LCD Display

5 stars for the midi controller the only problem that i had was the software activation code was missing from the registration page at the end i got it but it took me to contact akai costumer service to get it

Bought for my son (age 16) for Christmas, and he had it up and running on his PC (Window 10) in very little time. He's really enjoyed working on it in the few days since, probably for a couple of hours per day. As the product description mentions, the software allows you access to a number of "starter" music and beats samples until you start bringing in your own.Very solidly built, all the pads, buttons and dials have a nice "equipment-grade" feel and not at all like you find on a toy (which it isn't). The software that you download once it's registered to very much full featured, yet not so dense that someone experienced with other creative software (like any of the Adobe suite for example) wouldn't be able to start using relatively quickly. That said, this is not something I'd buy if one was a complete beginner or not already fairly tech-savvy.Obviously, it'll take a little time to get used to how it all works, but in my mind that's a good thing; anything one could master in an afternoon will soon show its limitations. This looks like it could be used for some very sophisticated music and beat making; probably it'd be good for creating sound effects too. For the really motivated, this product could definitely be part of a professional setup and in that light the cost seems especially reasonable.

Perfect for just chopping up or making beats, software works well and is user friendly, very sturdy and a perfect starter producer gift

Dont get discouraged by the 1 star reviews.If you know very well that this is a midi controller for a software which required you to learn the software then you will be happy with this.The pads are better than on the MPC One. They are bigger and from experience more sensitive too.The best part of it, only need one usb cable and its so light and small I can just grab it and put it on my lap. You can even play it with one hand holding it.Some of the controls are even better than the more expensive models. The sample start/end and then the zoom buttons are amazing.And the touch strip is something that Akai will probably add to the expensive models in newer versions. Its too good. You can have a performance fx without having to go to the fx menu like on the hardware. Which means you can do things like track mutes and cue next sequence while having the strip fx available.The midi out is also a plus. I basically control my Sp404 with it.

Got this for the pads but it went back: the pads are too stiff to the point of not registering light taps.

When you combine this with a competent MacBook or pc , you have a full fledged MPC.

The Akai MPC Studio mkII is the biggest waste of time and money I've ever seen.My biggest beef with this unit is that it doesn't work with anything else other than its own software. It doesn't work with bit wig nor does it work with Ableton live nor does it work with nuendo for nor does it work with Cakewalk.I spent a fortune on DAWs for a good reason, for them to work and be compatible with other midi equipment. Not so with this thing. You'd be better off spending your money on lotto tickets.If you're thinking about getting this, give your head a good shake, Rinse it in the sink for say 20 minutes with cold water, then just to be sure, give it another really good shake. This thing is absolute junk.I mean if you just want to tinker around it's okay.But if you are going to do anything serious, if you're going to lay down a track or anything else like that, forget it. This is not the piece of equipment that you need.Seriously. They need to state this fact on this page. The fact that this thing will not work with any other software at all. Period. There are workarounds yes, if you got time to spare. If you're like, say 20 years old or so but hey I don't have that kind of time to sit there and spend 2-3 hours trying to get something that should work right out of the box when alternatives like Arturia does. Heck, even an M-VAVE does.Good work Akai. I'll never buy anything from you people ever again. No matter how many people say it's good. I don't care who raves about what. The crowd is wrong. And if you don't believe me, just go ahead and turn on Ableton Live and see for yourself.Don't take my word for it. Blow your cash like you were a drunken sailor as far as I'm concerned. You'll still get the same results I did, which is nada in the pinata!

Does everything that I expected, except having the capability to function with other DAWs the same way it works with the MPC 2 and MPC Beats software.