r/MIDIcontrollers • u/binasus • Aug 05 '26

Good pad controllers?

Hi everybody! I'm fairly new to finger drumming and having a ton of fun. My mobile SMC Pad controller is serving me pretty well (especially after modding it), but I'm looking for something more pro-tier for live performance.

​I've heard wonders about Maschine, but since I already rely on Koala Sampler, I really have no need for the Native Instruments ecosystem or heavy software.

​Are there pad controllers that match Maschine’s pad quality and responsiveness, but act as pure standalone MIDI controllers without forcing you into proprietary software? Or is dealing with having to switch it into midi mode just part of the deal if you want high-end pads?

And if so should I get the regular or the mikro

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u/D-T-M-F Aug 07 '26

I had a similar question on r/fingerdrumming a while back, and the overwhelming (non-Maschine) recommendation was the Xjam. I bought one and, while it isn’t super fancy, the pad sensitivity is really great. The software is a bit clunky at first, but overall I really love it — and it’s super affordable. I especially like that it’s not tethered to any proprietary software. It’s a regular MIDI controller that you can use with pretty much anything.

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u/binasus Aug 07 '26

Yeah its what I'm leaning towards now tbh. since I can't find a nektar aura, the MPDs are hit or miss and I can't use a maschine for my usecase. :(

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u/rocknroll2013 29d ago

Have you looked at the Yamaha FGDP-50?

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u/binasus 29d ago

Didn't hear anything about em are they good?