NanoPad 2 vs LPD8

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NanoPad 2 vs LPD8
Posted on: 20.06.2011 by Veda Zarella
Hi guys,

We've seen the NanoPad vs LPD8 thread before (here)
And the Nanoseries2 thread (here)

But i'd like to know how the nanopad2 and lpd8 compare
I want to buy one of them, but don't know which. I will mainly use it for effects and hotcues.

Here some reference:

OLD Nanopad:


NEW Nanopad:


Akai LPD8:
Chasidy Heckenbach
10.07.2011
Originally Posted by Lew
They have it listed at djstore.com as due on the 23rd.

http://www.djstore.com/item/usbcontr.../vespadone.htm
i see they're in stock now and at 129gbp seem a bit over priced. tempting though...

there again i am considering dropping 100gbp on a icon idj which isnt in the same league build quality wise as the vestax i can only presume. has a lot of mappable controls tho for its size/price...
Hayden Kiska
25.06.2011
Originally Posted by D.S.M.I.T.
I wonder how the drumpads of the Vestax feel...
If the pads are crap then there's no point getting it, the nanopad2 would be a better deal. Except for the LEDs maybe .
The pads on Vestax PAD-One are very sensitive, check out my vid @0:44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgzX2l6eJqI
Chasidy Heckenbach
22.06.2011
Originally Posted by scyn
Did you use something like Bome's midi translator? I've found the CC and Program Change modes to be quite useless in Ableton (cannot trigger clips via CC mode, for example) and was hoping to route them through another app and bring them back in as midi notes / something better. Wasn't 100% about what software to use...
bomes is the standard commercial solution. if you're a coder it's not hard to roll your own.
Chantelle Dellosso
22.06.2011
Originally Posted by 3heads
To use that bank you have to convert the program change messages to CC messages. You'll need another program and it's a bit fiddly, but in the end very well doable.
Did you use something like Bome's midi translator? I've found the CC and Program Change modes to be quite useless in Ableton (cannot trigger clips via CC mode, for example) and was hoping to route them through another app and bring them back in as midi notes / something better. Wasn't 100% about what software to use...
Gavin Rachor
21.06.2011
Originally Posted by photojojo
What about the Vestax Pad One? Although it may be vapor ware since outside of one lone ebay seller I can't find any place to buy one.



http://www.vestax.com/v/products/det...19&parent_id=8
They have it listed at djstore.com as due on the 23rd.

http://www.djstore.com/item/usbcontr.../vespadone.htm
Doug Bieling
21.06.2011
Originally Posted by 3heads
To use that bank you have to convert the program change messages to CC messages. You'll need another program and it's a bit fiddly, but in the end very well doable.
Nah you have 2 banks with no messing by using pads and cc mode (although it doesn't give you a second bank of rotarys) ... program change is another bank possibility if what you say is possible, so that would be 3 banks.
Celestine Porebski
20.06.2011
Originally Posted by zestoi
the cc mode button at least gives u quick access to 2 banks of 8 pads. not sure how useful having to press the bank change button followed by hitting a pad is though...
To use that bank you have to convert the program change messages to CC messages. You'll need another program and it's a bit fiddly, but in the end very well doable.
Kandra Fagler
20.06.2011
Originally Posted by D.S.M.I.T.
Great info, thanks for that !

Do you use it with Traktor and how did you map the lpd8 to it ?



hahah nice detail
I used to use the LPD8 with traktor until I bought an X1

I bought the nanoPad2 primarily to control KONG drum pads in Reason 5, I wanted 16 pads to match the 16 on-screen drum pads in KONG but later out I found out that the pads dont feel great at all so i now use the LPD8 with Reason and the nanoPAD2 is gathering dust
Veda Zarella
20.06.2011
Originally Posted by DJZILCH
I got all of them
The lpd8 has the best pads

The new nanopad2's pads aren't very responsive at all
They have a better build quality (so far) but the pads are really really stiff
If you want more buttons at the expense of responsiveness then go for the nanopad2 otherwise save up a bit and get the korg padkontrol , those are great , nice set of 16 pads and they light up as well
Great info, thanks for that !

Do you use it with Traktor and how did you map the lpd8 to it ?

Originally Posted by 3heads
Also believe about the option to fight off drunken punters with the LPD8. I bet you could bludgeon someone to death with it, it's that sturdy...
hahah nice detail
Veda Zarella
20.06.2011		Hi guys,

We've seen the NanoPad vs LPD8 thread before (here)
And the Nanoseries2 thread (here)

But i'd like to know how the nanopad2 and lpd8 compare
I want to buy one of them, but don't know which. I will mainly use it for effects and hotcues.

Here some reference:

OLD Nanopad:


NEW Nanopad:


Akai LPD8:
Chasidy Heckenbach
10.07.2011
Originally Posted by Lew
They have it listed at djstore.com as due on the 23rd.

http://www.djstore.com/item/usbcontr.../vespadone.htm
i see they're in stock now and at 129gbp seem a bit over priced. tempting though...

there again i am considering dropping 100gbp on a icon idj which isnt in the same league build quality wise as the vestax i can only presume. has a lot of mappable controls tho for its size/price...
Hayden Kiska
25.06.2011
Originally Posted by D.S.M.I.T.
I wonder how the drumpads of the Vestax feel...
If the pads are crap then there's no point getting it, the nanopad2 would be a better deal. Except for the LEDs maybe .
The pads on Vestax PAD-One are very sensitive, check out my vid @0:44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgzX2l6eJqI
Chasidy Heckenbach
22.06.2011
Originally Posted by scyn
Did you use something like Bome's midi translator? I've found the CC and Program Change modes to be quite useless in Ableton (cannot trigger clips via CC mode, for example) and was hoping to route them through another app and bring them back in as midi notes / something better. Wasn't 100% about what software to use...
bomes is the standard commercial solution. if you're a coder it's not hard to roll your own.
Chantelle Dellosso
22.06.2011
Originally Posted by 3heads
To use that bank you have to convert the program change messages to CC messages. You'll need another program and it's a bit fiddly, but in the end very well doable.
Did you use something like Bome's midi translator? I've found the CC and Program Change modes to be quite useless in Ableton (cannot trigger clips via CC mode, for example) and was hoping to route them through another app and bring them back in as midi notes / something better. Wasn't 100% about what software to use...
Veda Zarella
21.06.2011		I wonder how the drumpads of the Vestax feel...
If the pads are crap then there's no point getting it, the nanopad2 would be a better deal. Except for the LEDs maybe .
Gavin Rachor
21.06.2011
Originally Posted by photojojo
What about the Vestax Pad One? Although it may be vapor ware since outside of one lone ebay seller I can't find any place to buy one.



http://www.vestax.com/v/products/det...19&parent_id=8
They have it listed at djstore.com as due on the 23rd.

http://www.djstore.com/item/usbcontr.../vespadone.htm
Doug Bieling
21.06.2011
Originally Posted by 3heads
To use that bank you have to convert the program change messages to CC messages. You'll need another program and it's a bit fiddly, but in the end very well doable.
Nah you have 2 banks with no messing by using pads and cc mode (although it doesn't give you a second bank of rotarys) ... program change is another bank possibility if what you say is possible, so that would be 3 banks.
Mac Fly
21.06.2011		The LPD8 is a little compact beast. I use it along with my S4 and have it assigned to hotcues 5-8 for deck A & B along with FX Banks 3 & 4 for the knobs. This adds more instant control and a perfect addition IMO.

My only gripe is that the knobs are a bit stuby. I assign my swoopy chained effects like phaser, flanger, filters that automatically engage when I turn the knob therefore needing no buttons to activate.
Celestine Porebski
20.06.2011
Originally Posted by zestoi
the cc mode button at least gives u quick access to 2 banks of 8 pads. not sure how useful having to press the bank change button followed by hitting a pad is though...
To use that bank you have to convert the program change messages to CC messages. You'll need another program and it's a bit fiddly, but in the end very well doable.
Chasidy Heckenbach
20.06.2011		the same things were also discussed here

i don't believe the vestax has been released yet

i spent ages believeing about the same options and finally just went for the lpd8. too many reports of the nano mk1 not lasting long and quite a few about the pads on the mk2 being even worse. ofc it was the sheer number of pads that attracted me but i have my launchpad for loads of (not great) pads so i was just really looking for something for drum programming.

the cc mode button at least gives u quick access to 2 banks of 8 pads. not sure how useful having to press the bank change button followed by hitting a pad is though...
Leeanna Ayla
20.06.2011		What about the Vestax Pad One? Although it may be vapor ware since outside of one lone ebay seller I can't find any place to buy one.



http://www.vestax.com/v/products/det...19&parent_id=8
Kandra Fagler
20.06.2011
Originally Posted by D.S.M.I.T.
Great info, thanks for that !

Do you use it with Traktor and how did you map the lpd8 to it ?



hahah nice detail
I used to use the LPD8 with traktor until I bought an X1

I bought the nanoPad2 primarily to control KONG drum pads in Reason 5, I wanted 16 pads to match the 16 on-screen drum pads in KONG but later out I found out that the pads dont feel great at all so i now use the LPD8 with Reason and the nanoPAD2 is gathering dust
Veda Zarella
20.06.2011
Originally Posted by DJZILCH
I got all of them
The lpd8 has the best pads

The new nanopad2's pads aren't very responsive at all
They have a better build quality (so far) but the pads are really really stiff
If you want more buttons at the expense of responsiveness then go for the nanopad2 otherwise save up a bit and get the korg padkontrol , those are great , nice set of 16 pads and they light up as well
Great info, thanks for that !

Do you use it with Traktor and how did you map the lpd8 to it ?

Originally Posted by 3heads
Also believe about the option to fight off drunken punters with the LPD8. I bet you could bludgeon someone to death with it, it's that sturdy...
hahah nice detail
Celestine Porebski
20.06.2011		Also believe about the option to fight off drunken punters with the LPD8. I bet you could bludgeon someone to death with it, it's that sturdy...
Kandra Fagler
20.06.2011		I got all of them
The lpd8 has the best pads

The new nanopad2's pads aren't very responsive at all
They have a better build quality (so far) but the pads are really really stiff
If you want more buttons at the expense of responsiveness then go for the nanopad2 otherwise save up a bit and get the korg padkontrol , those are great , nice set of 16 pads and they light up as well
Veda Zarella
20.06.2011		I have been believeing about these 2 for a week, and whenever I decide it will be this one, the day after i'd say i'll go for the other one.

I hope some people that own one of them can advice me some more !
Tatum Ansaldo
20.06.2011		The new nanopad is supposed to be better than the old one (ie not break after 5 minutes) but i suppose it depends how you want to control your FX. instFX a la midifighter you have more pads on the nanopad, if you want knobs you've got the LPD8. The Nanopad can show you all your cues at once, but the LPD8 has LEDs.

I'd go for the LPD8 because it's proven, but it's your call.

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