I'm looking to get something like the Akai APC 40, but would like something that integrates with X2 (possibly X3) really well. I know the Apc 40 works really well with Ableton, but what are some others that work well with Sonar?
 
I know I can use my midi keyboard, but would like to use something with pads on it.

I use my Akai MPD26 and my Alesis DM10.

gustabo
I use my Akai MPD26 and my Alesis DM10.

 

I'm actually looking to get between the MPD26 and the Korg PadKontrol.....from what I've read online, it seems that most users complain that the MPD26 pads are a bit stiff whereas the Korg's pads are more sensitive to touch and respond better. The MPD does have more sliders/buttons than PadKontrol......
 
What's your experience with the MPD?
 
 

Best triggering devices I've ever tried were the Roland Handsonics.
 
If you're a keyboard player like me and all your coordination is concentrated in your fingers, it's the most natural way to get credible human-sounding drum parts. I have a drummer friend who's abandoned conventional drums altogether in favor of a Handsonic, and I much prefer jamming with him over any other "real" drummer.

Mesh

gustabo
I use my Akai MPD26 and my Alesis DM10.

 

I'm actually looking to get between the MPD26 and the Korg PadKontrol.....from what I've read online, it seems that most users complain that the MPD26 pads are a bit stiff whereas the Korg's pads are more sensitive to touch and respond better. The MPD does have more sliders/buttons than PadKontrol......
 
What's your experience with the MPD?
 
 

I bought these to modify my mpd26.
Absolutely no complaints about it since the mod.

bitflipper
Best triggering devices I've ever tried were the Roland Handsonics.
 
If you're a keyboard player like me and all your coordination is concentrated in your fingers, it's the most natural way to get credible human-sounding drum parts. I have a drummer friend who's abandoned conventional drums altogether in favor of a Handsonic, and I much prefer jamming with him over any other "real" drummer.

I wouldn't consider myself a keyboard player even if my life depended on it. Yet, I would love to have Handsonics, but that's waaaaaay more than I could afford and my wife would definitely break my hands if I bought that.   
I'm thinking under $200 should get me a decent drum trigger....
 
Thanks Gustabo for the link......I'll check it out.

Korg PadKontrol; NanoPad; Roland HPD-15 and my main controller keyboard.
(Mostly keyboard and nanopad).
Finger playing seems to lack a real feel to me more and more, and the handsonic requires I run through midi (no USB). The handsonic is cool for what it does, but because all but the five zones are really only finger size, it really has its limits too. I tried out a couple of the other Roland sampling and octapads and finding I want slightly larger pads than they offer for sticking. Room size prevents me from going into their kits though and considering I have my favorite drums ITB, it seems like the optimum would be more a of a hexapad (in the same size as the octapad with the same input triggers) and a simple usb out with no sounds/sequencer in it.
(I'm also hoping they finally get around to adding a USB out on their PK series foot pedal controllers)

At this point, I would suggest only the NanoPad because it's the cheapest, feels and works good.
(I'm probably going to sell my HPD15 & RMP soon)

I use an old Yamaha RY30 drum machine. Yes, that old. It only has 12 pads, but they are velocity sensitive. But I use that machine simply because I haven't decided on which keyboard controller I am going to add to my setup yet - as that keyboard controller will have all the faders, knobs and pads on it that will retire my 12-pad 20+ year old drum machine. I'm looking at one of the Roland A-Pros I think, likely the 61 key version. Then I get more than just pads for drum triggering use, I get the faders and knobs too (and a modern keyboard controller to replace my DX7S and K1000 legacy MIDI keyboards - which I can then just use as synths via MIDI).
 
As long as it has the features *you* want/need, that Akai appears to have PLENTY of pads, knobs and faders and should do you just fine.

I use an Alternate Mode Trapkat and a Korg MicroKey keyboard.  The TrapKat is more for actual drummers to use.  Me, I can barely work the keyboard.  But, man can I drag and drop midi drum grooves from EZdrummer and Superior Drummer.

Mod Bod
I use an Alternate Mode Trapkat and a Korg MicroKey keyboard.  The TrapKat is more for actual drummers to use.  Me, I can barely work the keyboard.  But, man can I drag and drop midi drum grooves from EZdrummer and Superior Drummer.

Yeah Dave, I hear ya....... that's kind of what I'm more "proficient" at (when it comes to keyboard drumming).....when it comes to dragging & dropping midi files, I'm a pro!! :)....Sometimes, it just takes awhile to find the right groove and not always it's what I really have in mind. I love my EZ & Superior drummers and also just got Jamstix, so I'm still learning how to use both.