If I was a hip hop artist, or played other kinds of music that required a lot of sample triggering, then I might feel differently.  But I bought this because I thought it would be a better, more tactile and fun way of playing sampled drum software like my awesome Addictive Drums.  Nope.  as others have mentioned, the pads are not sensitive.  I bought the pad inserts (the kind that look like electrical tape without the sticky), and all they did was make it easier to reach full velocity.  Hits are typically either full velocity or very low.  It's very difficult to achieve anything in the middle.  I guess I'll try the "corx" inserts next, although I won't be holding my breath for much more improvement.  It usually annoys me when someone reviews something in an application it was not intended for.  But I'll bet there are a lot of people like me who are looking at an Akai MIDI player to trigger multi-layered drum samples.  Don't do it.
If I was a hip hop artist, or played other kinds of music that required a lot of sample triggering, then I might feel differently. But I bought this because I thought it would be a better, more tactile and fun way of playing sampled drum software like my awesome Addictive Drums. Nope. as others have mentioned, the pads are not sensitive. I bought the pad inserts (the kind that look like electrical tape without the sticky), and all they did was make it easier to reach full velocity. Hits are typically either full velocity or very low. It's very difficult to achieve anything in the middle. I guess I'll try the "corx" inserts next, although I won't be holding my breath for much more improvement. It usually annoys me when someone reviews something in an application it was not intended for. But I'll bet there are a lot of people like me who are looking at an Akai MIDI player to trigger multi-layered drum samples. Don't do it.