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I have both a 64 drum pad controller and a keyboard with 8 pads, and when it comes to drums I'll always use the exclusive 64 drum pad controller. Although, I would highly suggest the keyboard/drum pad combo as it will save you space and money. Money might not be that big an issue for you, but space is always at a premium for me in the studio. Plus in reality there isn't anything I'm doing with the drum pad specific controller that a keyboard/pad combo couldn't. Good luck with your choice! For context DAW Ableton Live - Keyboard Launchkey 49 - Pad Controller Launchpad Pro Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
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Amazon
amazon.com › midi-drum-pad › s
Amazon.com: Midi Drum Pad
Unlock your creativity with MIDI drum pads featuring velocity-sensitive pads and assignable controls.
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Logic Pro Help
logicprohelp.com › forums › music production › music production techniques and gear
Midi keyboard or Drum pads - Music Production Techniques and Gear - Logic Pro Help
July 31, 2014 - When recording our songs we use my drummer Roland v-drum. But when I'm creating drum beats for my new riffs (we're a rock band) I usually use my midi keyboard Edirol PCR-M80, or create it from scratch in the midi editor. I'm not a drummer but I can't play some easy beats on a real drum kit and us...
Discussions

MIDI controller : keyboard or pads or both? - SOS FORUM
Sign Up TO SOS Newsletters · All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2025. All rights reserved. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden ... More on soundonsound.com
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Drum pads that actually respond well as midi input devices - Hardware (Instruments and Effects) Forum - KVR Audio
Drum pads that actually respond well as midi input devices 2021-12-18T14:20:24+00:00 I have a midi controller keyboard with some small drum pads, and it kinda works for tapping out rhythms, but not particularly well, and the experience isn't really enjoyable, and the process requires a lot ... More on kvraudio.com
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December 18, 2021
Is it better to have a separate MIDI keyboard and drum pads, or combined?
I have both a 64 drum pad controller and a keyboard with 8 pads, and when it comes to drums I'll always use the exclusive 64 drum pad controller. Although, I would highly suggest the keyboard/drum pad combo as it will save you space and money. Money might not be that big an issue for you, but space is always at a premium for me in the studio. Plus in reality there isn't anything I'm doing with the drum pad specific controller that a keyboard/pad combo couldn't. Good luck with your choice! For context DAW Ableton Live - Keyboard Launchkey 49 - Pad Controller Launchpad Pro More on reddit.com
🌐 r/musicproduction
8
1
September 23, 2022
Help me choose a midi keyboard with pads
If you want full size keys (recommended) - do not get the mini. It’s like a keyboard for ants. I’ve owned a few launchkeys over the last decade and I love them. More on reddit.com
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September 8, 2023
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/musicproduction › is it better to have a separate midi keyboard and drum pads, or combined?
r/musicproduction on Reddit: Is it better to have a separate MIDI keyboard and drum pads, or combined?
September 23, 2022 -

I'm looking to buy my first MIDI & DAW setup. Do you think it's better to have a separate MIDI keyboard and drum pads, or to have a single instrument that combines them?

I'm looking at the price range of ~$150 to $250. Recommendations are greatly appreciated.

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UAD Forum
uadforum.com › community › index.php
UAD, Apollo, and LUNA Forums
2 days ago - Universal Audio UAD Powered Plugins, Apollo, and LUNA Forums
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VI-CONTROL
vi-control.net › forums › studio production › gear talk
Best MIDI Controller to Play Drums and Percussion Libraries | VI-CONTROL
November 5, 2023 - I have tried a few for finger drumming. I had the mpd for a long time and then the mashine mikro. Also the novation smaller pads from the latest keyboards. For finger drumming, I personally find that the mashine mikro is superior in sensitivity to the mpd and novation keyboards, by far.
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Best Buy
bestbuy.com › best buy › musical instruments › keyboards & digital pianos › midi keyboards & controllers
Drum Pads Midi Keyboards & Controllers - Best Buy
Shop for Drum Pads Midi Keyboards & Controllers at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up
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GratuiTous
itsgratuitous.com › should-you-buy-drum-pads-or-midi-keyboard
Should You Buy Drum Pads vs. MIDI Keyboard Keys | GratuiTous
Yes, drum pads come on higher-end MIDI Keyboards, but they are often middle-grade quality, and at the end of the day, there is really no difference between a Drum Pad to a MIDI Keyboard Piano Key..
Find elsewhere
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Melodics
melodics.com
Melodics | Drums, MIDI Keyboard & Finger Drumming Lessons
The fun way to learn drums, keys, and pad controllers. Melodics offer interactive lessons, real-time feedback, guided learning paths, and tutorials for your favourite songs. Try it for free!
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MusicRadar
musicradar.com › tech › midi controllers
Best MIDI keyboards 2025: Find the perfect match for your studio workflow
November 18, 2025 - Controls: Pitch and Modulation wheels, 16-full colour RGB backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads, page and scene launch buttons, 8 continuous rotary knobs, 8 sliders, 6 transport controls, octave/transpose buttons, track buttons, 5 RGB TFT screens · Connectivity: USB, MIDI Out/Out2/Thru, Sustain and Expression pedal, Footswitch pedal, CV/Gate/Modulation 1 and 2, Clock out
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Akai Pro
akaipro.com › products › controllers.html
Performance Controllers | DJ Production | MIDI Keyboard | Akai Pro
AKAI Professional controllers for live performance and studio production bring the music to your fingertips!
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Sound On Sound
soundonsound.com › forum
MIDI controller : keyboard or pads or both? - SOS FORUM
Sign Up TO SOS Newsletters · All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2025. All rights reserved. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden ...
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Guitar Center
guitarcenter.com › home › keyboards & midi › midi › midi controllers › midi keyboard controllers
MIDI Keyboard Controllers | Guitar Center
For touring musicians, recording in only one location simply isn't an option. Of course, that's what the Akai Professional MPK25 was designed for. Combining portable performances and production with Ableton Live Lite software and MPC technology, this MIDI keyboard controller is a scaled down ...
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Novation
novationmusic.com › home › midi controllers
MIDI Controllers | Novation
The complete creative controller: 61 semi-weighted keys, Scale and Chord modes and custom controls for any DAW ... MIDI controller keyboard, with 88 velocity-sensitive keys, 16 pads and nine faders with pickup, provide expressive control
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B&H Photo Video
bhphotovideo.com › bh photo › pro audio › studio recording › midi keyboard/drum pad controllers
MIDI Keyboard/Drum Pad Controllers | B&H Photo Video
Your source for MIDI Keyboard/Drum Pad Controllers including USB/MIDI Keyboard Controllers and Drum Pad Controllers, all at unbelievable prices.
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Ableton
ableton.com › en › push
Push 3 – a flexible system for making and performing music
November 21, 2025 - He launches drums and textures from clips, while Operator and Wavetable run from the shapeshifting Max for Live sequencer MDD SnAkE for fluid, real-time modulation. ... Northlane use Push 3 standalone on stage, sending its output straight to the mixer. Each song is mapped across the 64-pad grid, with pad colors helping map out the shapes they play.
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Performer Magazine
performermag.com › home › best instruments › best music keyboards & synth pads › review: donner starry pad midi drum pad controller
REVIEW: Donner Starry Pad MIDI Drum Pad Controller | Performer Mag
March 6, 2024 - For such an affordable unit, the knobs, pads and buttons all feel good, and everything connects to your rig over a standardized USB-C connector. ... BUT! And here’s the big selling point for us, it also features real MIDI output, which means through an adapter you can physically connect it to your other hardware over MIDI to control external synths, drum ...
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KVR Audio
kvraudio.com › kvr forum index › hardware (instruments and effects)
Drum pads that actually respond well as midi input devices - Hardware (Instruments and Effects) Forum - KVR Audio
December 18, 2021 - I own the original maschine mk 1 which is pretty stiff, but still useable, and now I have the Presonus Atom, which I like a lot. I also have a launchpad pro which is pretty good as well, but the pads are naturally smaller. ive never had good luck with any of the pads included on keyboards. keep in mind that finger drumming is a skill, and like any skill it needs some practice.
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Gearspace
gearspace.com › home › the forums › rap + hip hop engineering and production › better to get midi keyboard, drum pad or controller, or combo?
Better to get MIDI Keyboard, Drum Pad or Controller, or Combo? - Gearspace
April 24, 2013 - Great for drums and keys, I don't use the pads just the keys. I have a pad kontrol and love it. Don't use it much though because I use the axiom for everything. The only downfall is the programming. Mine might be a lil jacked but I can't go thru the full 127 midi notes on the pad kontrol.