8 Best MIDI Drum Pad Reviews in 2022 [Budget & Premium Buyer’s Guide]

Behind every music producer exists an arsenal of tools, instruments, and software to make their creations come to fruition. One tool in particular has gained immense popularity in recent years. I’m talking of course about MIDI drum pad controllers.

These handy devices can give you a level of freedom that simply can’t be found by other traditional methods. MIDI keyboards are great in their own right, but the faders and knobs can start to feel a bit cramped after a while. Instead, you can use a drum pad controller in conjunction with a MIDI keyboard for some additional flexibility. 

We don’t even need to talk about how frustrating it is trying to manipulate parameters on a plugin interface in a DAW. Having a MIDI controller of any kind can do that job for you with ease. You can save yourself a lot of headaches with one of these devices.

My point is, there’s a long list of benefits to be found by investing in a MIDI pad for your home studio. That being said, there are certainly a vast amount of options out there.

Well, that’s what I’m here for. In this article we’ll talk about some of the key things to consider before buying a USB MIDI pad controller as well as my list of favorite options. My goal here is to give you the information you need to make a sound decision on one of these devices.

Quick Picks

Image	Product	Score	Price
TOP PICK	Native Instruments Maschine Mk3 Pads: 16 x ultra-sensitive pads — Other Controllers: 1 x Touch Strip, 8 x touch sensitive rotary encoders — I/O: 2 x 1/4" (line in), 1 x 1/4" (mic in), 2 x 1/4" (line out), 1 x 1/4" (headphones), MIDI I/O, USB Type B, 1 x 1/4" (pedal) — Power Source: 15V DC power supply (included) / USB bus power	9.7	View At AmazonView At Guitar Center
RUNNER-UP	Ableton Push 2 Pads: 64 x Pressure-sensitive Pads — Other Controllers: Touch strip - pitch bend, scrolling, 8 Touch-sensitive controls — I/O: 2 x 1/4" (sustain, loop control, record start), MIDI through USB, USB Type-B — Power Supply: 12V Power supply (included) / USB bus power	9.6	View At AmazonView At Guitar Center
PREMIUM PICK	Akai Professional MPC One Pads: 16 x Velocity-sensitive RGB Pads — Other Controllers: 4 x Encoder Q-Link Knobs — I/O: 2 x 1/4" (L/R), 2 x 1/4" (L/R), 1 x 1/8" headphone jack, MIDI I/O, 1 x Ethernet (Link), 4 x 1/8" TRS (CV/Gate 1-8), 1 x Type B, 1 x Type A USB — Power Source: 19V DC power supply (included)	9.5	View At AmazonView At Guitar Center
WELL-ROUNDED	Akai Professional MPD226 Pads: 16 x RGB Illuminated Velocity and Pressure-sensitive MPC Pads — Other Controllers: 4 x Assignable Q-Link Knobs, 4 x Assignable Faders — I/O: MIDI In/Out, 1 x USB Type B — Power Supply: MP6 6V DC 1000mA power supply (not included)	9.3	View At AmazonView At Guitar Center
FEATURE-RICH	Arturia BeatStep Pro Tracks: 16-track drum sequencer — Sequencer: 2 monophonic step sequencers — Pads: 16 — I/O: USB MIDI, 2 x 1/8" TRS Type B (In, Out), 1 x Micro-B USB, 8 x drum gate outs, CV/Gate outs — Power Supply: USB Bus powered	9.2	View At AmazonView At Guitar Center
USER-FRIENDLY	Novation Launchpad X Pads: 64 RGB Pads — Velocity Sensitive: Yes — I/O: MIDI USB, 1 x USB-C — Software: Ableton Live Lite, AAS Session Bundle, Softube Time & Tone Bundle — Power Supply: USB bus powered	9	View At AmazonView At Guitar Center
FOR FL STUDIO USERS	AKAI Professional Fire Pads: 64 x RGB Pads — Velocity Sensitive: Yes — Other Controllers: 4 x Assignable, Touch-capacitive Knobs — I/O: USB MIDI, 1 x Type B USB — Sequencer: Step Sequencer — Power Supply: USB bus powered	8.9	View At AmazonView At Guitar Center
BUDGET PICK	Korg nanoPAD2 Pads: 16 x Performance Pads — Velocity Sensitive: Yes — Other Controllers: Programmable X-Y Touchpad, Hold, Gate-arp — I/O: MIDI USB, 1 x Type Mini-B USB — Power Supply: Bus Powered	8.7	View At AmazonView At Guitar Center

Compatibility

No matter what pad controller you’re interested in, it’s important to make sure that it’s compatible with everything else in your home studio.

This is dependent on what DAW you use as well as all the other pieces of studio equipment that you have in your arsenal.

Say you use Ableton Live as your main DAW. While it’s true that most USB MIDI controllers integrate very well with Ableton, not every MIDI pad will work flawlessly with it. This is even more true with other DAWs like FL Studio and Cubase.

The issue here rarely has anything to do with physical integration but with the bundled software that comes with most of these MIDI drum pads. Most manufacturers include an application with these devices that allows you to edit certain settings such as MIDI mapping.

Before pulling the trigger on one of these MIDI drum pads, do a little research and perform a sense check of what you use in your studio to make sure you won’t run into any conflicts.

Form Factor (Size & Weight)

This is pretty self explanatory, but it’s worth pointing out. Think about how you plan on using your new USB MIDI pad controller, and moreover, where you plan on using it. If you’re a stay-at-home producer with a lot of extra space on your studio desk, then a large drum pad might be a good choice. That’s especially true if it’s rarely going to leave it’s home.

Conversely, if you’re a gigging musician, then you’re most likely going to need a drum pad that’s more lightweight and portable. 

This topic runs hand in hand with a couple of the other factors coming up so keep this in mind as we move on.

How Many Controls Do You Need?

The whole reason any producer would invest in a MIDI pad controller is because it’s basically a physical extension of a DAW. 

If you’ve never had one of these devices before, then I’d suggest that you think hard about how you control and manipulate parameters in your current setup. This will help you decipher how many controls you’re going to need on a particular drum pad.

Not only that, but if you plan on using a drum pad as an actual “drum” pad by hitting it with drumsticks, then larger pads might be the way to go. Keep in mind that this means a lower amount of actual pad buttons though.

That brings me to my next point. Buying a device with 64 buttons might sound like the best option, but that’s not always the case. 

You really only need the amount of buttons that you’re actually going to use. Moreover, the amount of faders and buttons has to be taken into account as well. Make sure the device has all the essentials you’ll need in terms of these controls.

Just some food for thought as you’re shopping around.

How Is It Powered?

Nine MIDI controllers out of ten are bus powered via USB. This is obviously the best route to go if you’re a traveling musician or a home producer. It’s simply the most convenient way to. 

Depending on your needs though, a MIDI controller with an external power supply might suit you better. There are even some MIDI drum pads out there that are rechargeable. In most cases, a USB power supply will work just fine.

Connectivity

Your standard drum pad controller transmits it’s MIDI messages via USB and that’s about it. Other devices have no problem doubling as a fancy interface with a higher I/O count. 

In some higher end drum pads you’ll get a 5-pin MIDI out which allows you to connect vintage hardware to it. Some devices can even have microphone inputs, jacks for your studio headphones, and more!

It might be worth it to consider a drum pad of this nature for some added flexibility in your studio and live performances.

Pad Sensitivity & Aftertouch

You’re likely to come across a number of pad button options on these drum pads during your search. Some are designed to be more firm, some will be easy to press. Some will be touch sensitive whereas others will have a clicky response.

It’s important to spend some time looking in the different types of button responses throughout the various drum pad controllers. This factor is probably the one of the most important due to the fact that the drum pads themselves are half the reason why anyone purchases one of these devices.

If you don’t like how the pads feel, then you’re not going to improve your workflow at all. Most folks are more likely to gravitate towards velocity-sensitive pads which largely the standard on these drum pads.

Another thing worth considering is a feature that’s mainly found in higher-end MIDI drum pad controllers. Aftertouch is essentially a MIDI signal that’s sustained as you put pressure on the pad buttons. If you’ve ever seen a producer use one of these machines, you’ve definitely seen Aftertouch in action.

Aftertouch is a cool feature that can certainly add some new levels of creativity to your workflow, but it’s not completely necessary. Decide whether or not you want Aftertouch on the device of your choice because you’ll definitely be paying a little more for it.

Illumination & Color-Coding

Every MIDI drum pad has a different look to it. One thing you’ve probably noticed already is that every device has colorful pads that look all cool and futuristic. This is not just for show though. 

Some MIDI drum machines give you the ability to color code each button pad for organizational purposes. For example, you can make certain buttons green for high-hats, and others red for toms. You can really add a lot of functionality with this feature.

In terms of looks, it’s up to you to decide which MIDI drum pad you like the most. This is more superficial and subjective, but if it’s important to you to have a drum machine that looks cool, then that might be worth considering.

---

Best MIDI Drum Pad List

Now that we’ve gone over the prerequisites, it’s time to dive into the list of my favorite MIDI drum pads on the market. Let’s dive in…

---

Taking the top spot on this list comes a very innovative little drum pad “Maschine” from Native Instruments. The Maschine MK3 is a powerful device that almost feels like you’re playing a complete instrument instead of a piece of MIDI hardware.

First of all, this MIDI drum pad comes loaded with inputs and outputs, so many in fact that you can also call the MK3 an audio interface. You get a 5-pin MIDI in and out, a headphone output, a microphone input, and that’s just to name a few. The only thing missing is XLR connectivity, but that’s just being nitpicky.

This most recent iteration of the MK series has taken on a whole new form with improved pads and a higher resolution interface. All of these improvements are only a complement to the insane amount of parameter control you have out-of-the-box.

You do get Native Instruments companion software with the MK3 drum pad, but don’t assume it to be a full fledged DAW. The software does come in handy though, and it has it’s useful areas. Rest assured that this MIDI drum machine integrates well with most DAWs on the market.

All in all, the Maschine MK3 is a feature-rich drum pad that’s sure to help your creative process. With the ability to record, manipulate, and playback any sound you want, it’s hard not to recommend the MK3 to any producer.

Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk3

If you’re looking for a more compact device, check out the Maschine MK3’s little brother. The Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK3 doesn’t have a screen nor as many I/O, but it is still a powerful drum pad. Not to mention the fact that it’s quite a bit cheaper.

---

Next up comes a solid MIDI drum pad option from the likes of Ableton, the makers of one of the most popular DAWs out there. Ableton has only recently started dabbling in hardware, but they sure have made a name for themselves in that time.

The Push 2 is the most recent version of Ableton’s line of pad controllers which is designed to basically be the hardware companion to their software. 

There is a series of MIDI keyboards made for Ableton from a well-known manufacturer called Novation. Those keyboards and this MIDI drum pad are not one in the same. This device is made by Ableton themselves.

The only reason I’ve placed this MIDI pad controller as the runner-up on this list is because it just works so well. When you have this device in hand, it feels like you really have everything you need right at your fingertips.

Not only that, but the thing looks great! The screen is beautiful and very useful and the velocity-sensitive pads have an amazing feel to them.

Back to the screen which is probably my favorite part of this device. If you’ve ever used Ableton live, then you know what the interface of their stock plugins looks like.

The information displayed on the Push 2 looks almost exactly like a plugin interface. In my opinion, this makes the whole drum pad controller itself feel like a physical piece of plugin hardware. It’s awesome!

Now, this pad controller is not perfect. 

Firstly, it is not a cheap device. This is probably one of the more premium/pro options on this list, and it’s definitely meant for those on a budget.

Secondly, while it integrates seamlessly with Ableton, you won’t find much use for the Push 2 outside of that.

Lastly, it’s no secret that this drum pad is full of great features, but with that comes a bit of a learning curve, especially for beginners.

---

The Akai Professional MPC One MIDI drum pad controller/standalone multi-core system is what true power feels like to a music producer. This line of MIDI controllers from Akai comes in three different forms, but the MPC One is cheaper by a mile, and that’s saying something.

The MPC One is the perfect middle-ground between it’s two older brothers, but it doesn’t sacrifice much to earn that spot. It still has the incredible MPC pads (which are probably the best feeling pads in existence) and it still has a dual-function design.

You have the ability to switch between “MIDI pad controller mode” and standalone mode. In standalone, you have full control over music-making, just as you would on your desktop. This is achievable with four on-board synth engines (similar to a hardware synthesizer), custom sample and loop libraries, AIR mixing and mastering effects, and a multi-core CPU.

On top of that, you have all the connectivity you could ever want. It’s also universally compatible with DAWs in MIDI controller mode which basically functions as a plugin with the included MPC2 software.

As you probably can see in the picture above, there is a gorgeous 7” multi-touch display that adds even more flexibility to your music-making experience. 

All of this does come with a heavy price-tag though. I mean, that’s to be expected right? I’m barely scratching the surface of what this pad controller is capable of. Therefore, if you’re a hardcore, professional music producer, the MPC One is more than worth it to look into.

---

Akai has been around for quite some time now. It’s highly probable that some of your favorite tracks from a couple of decades ago were born on an Akai drum pad controller. There’s a reason why you’ll see three different options from Akai on this list. They know how to make great MIDI hardware.

To that point, the Akai Professional MPD226 is a great example of Akai’s MIDI know-how. It is a modern representation of what’s always made pad controllers great. I decided to include the MPD226 on this list, but there are two other versions to choose from:

• MPD218 – no screen and no faders. The little brother to the MPD226 is a modest little device that’s perfect for those who just need a few pads to make some beats on.

• MPD232 – this option comes with 4 more faders and knobs, and that’s really the biggest difference. There are a couple other features that the MPD226 doesn’t have, but nothing huge you’re missing out on.

It’s fair to point out that this particular pad controller is better suited for beginners. This thing isn’t packed with a ton of features like others on this list. It’s a simple device that comes at a humble price-point. 

---

Arturia is mainly known for their exceptional weighted MIDI keyboards. If you’re a fan of their work, then you’ll love the BeatStep Pro.

This pad controller is among the most advanced on this list simply because of the amount of features it has. There are three on-board step sequencers, tap tempo controls, CV control options, radomizer abilities, and a whole lot more!

All of these features make the BeatStep Pro pad controller almost perfect for live performances. It’s a double-edged sword on this one. On one hand, you have a feature-packed device that can easily be mapped for live use, on the other hand, it’s so tiny that you run the risk of breaking it during a performance.

That’s not to say that the build quality of this MIDI drum pad is bad. It’s actually very sturdy and well built. It’s just very compact.

One other thing about the BeatStep Pro. The plethora of features it has will certainly make beginners feel overwhelmed. On top of that, the layout is intuitive, but only for those who understand what everything means. This is also dependent on how well you know how to map parameters from your DAW.

All I’m saying is that this MIDI pad controller takes a little getting used to, but once you do, it’s a lot of fun to use!

---

There are a number of worthy options for this list from Novation. I decided to include the Launchpad X pad controller in particular because of its user-friendliness.

This is yet another pad controller that’s only compatible with Ableton Live. You can use it to integrate with some hardware synths, but don’t expect it to integrate with FL Studio or Logic. That being said, boy does it work well with Ableton.

This device has a “pick-up-and-play” nature to it. It doesn’t take much to start pushing out some creative beats with this pad controller. You get a whopping 64 velocity sensitive pads that are color-coded. In addition to that you get 16 multi-purpose buttons for transport, clip control and various other settings.

If you decide to go with this device, you’ll see how easy and fun it is to use. You’ll be missing out on having faders and knobs, but that’s not what this pad controller was designed for. It’s meant to be a beat-making machine for hardcore Ableton users.

---

You could hear the cheers of FL Studio fans from miles away. Finally, someone made a pad controller designed for their favorite DAW. 

There are some MIDI keyboards for FL Studio that integrate well with the software, but this device was specifically made for it.

I mean, on this list I’ve already had two options for Ableton users. Where’s the love for Fruity Loops? Well, take one look at this device and you’ll see it. The layout of the drum pad itself looks exactly like the step sequencer on FL Studio. That isn’t just for show either, the Fire has virtually the same sequencing capabilities on-board.

There are a few very cool features on the Fire pad controller that make it work so well with FL Studio as well. For example, it comes with navigation controls. This feature works so well that you won’t even need a mouse to navigate FL’s interface.

You also get dedicated transport controls, multi-use pads, and plenty of knobs and faders. 

The Akai Professional Fire MIDI pad controller isn’t without its flaws though. The pads aren’t as sensitive as I’d like them to be. This makes them hard to press and not ideal for finger-drumming. Also, although the build quality is great, it’s quite compact. Again, this can potentially be a problem if you plan on using it for live performances.

At the end of the day, if you’re like many others who’ve wanted a pad controller specifically made for FL Studio, then it’s definitely worth picking up.

---

This adorable little pad controller doesn’t try to do anything it’s not designed for. In fact, all it was made to do is give musicians a handy little device to have fun with and let their creativity flow. 

The nanoPAD2 from Korg is very much a “what you see is what you get” kind of drum pad. You get 16 velocity sensitive pads and a handful of controls up top. Now, the pads are split into four switchable scenes. This gives you a grand total of 64 pad assignments which is surprisingly good for such a small machine.

On the left hand side of the MIDI pad controller you’ll see an X/Y touchpad (similar to a laptop mousepad) which can be used in a number of creative ways.

It goes without saying that this particular MIDI drum pad isn’t meant for those of you who need a powerful machine that does a million things. It’s a lightweight, budget-friendly controller that’s perfect for jotting down ideas as they come to you. 

---

Conclusion

So there you have it. We went over all the things to consider when looking at MIDI drum pad controllers as well as my list of favorites. In this case, the perfect balance of features, value, and flexibility lies within one option: the Native Instruments Maschine Mk3. 

With that, there’s a lot of great things to find about every option on this list. Many aspects of this decision come down to your studio and what you plan on using a drum pad for. That’s why I chose such an eclectic range of options.

My only hope here was that I gave you some helpful information on your search. As always, feel free to shoot me a message on the contact page.

Happy hunting!