How does the Renaissance Compare to the NI Maschine?

I currently own the Maschine and my 2KL. I got one hand to wash the other, then I heard about the Renaissance which just seems to be Akai's version of the Mashine integrated into an MPC. Fair game I guess, I'm not a fan of the reduculous price tag since it's still pretty much a $1,300 interface/controller but how does it compare to the Mashine as far as programming and managing sounds like the Mashine does. I like making my kits in the MPC and loading them into the Maschine because it's easier for me. If the Renaissance can make life easier I might pick one up but I've had my XL for years and haven't seen a reason to ditch it and my Mashine has been doin its job so no complaints. So far all the demo's I've seen for the Renaissance have been well not to interesting but it's like Akai comes out with a new MPC every other year and they all do the same thing just about. This is the first one that actually looks completely innovative (well almost) so any feedback on it?

Maschine was designed as a hybrid software-based groove box with a dedicated controller inspired by hardware Akai MPCs. MPC influence extends but not limited to MPC 60 emulation and MPC program import. Several other Maschine features have been included in MPCs for two decades. While its been on the market for 3 years, it is still missing some key MPC features.

The Ren is a software-based workstation with a hardware controller inspired by hardware Akai MPCs. It is actually an expansion of what Akai started 10 years ago with the release of the MPD16 designed to give 3rd party software (drum samplers, DAWs, etc) an MPC-feel.

There are many differences. But one the stands out is that the MPC Ren is designed as a complete multitrack MIDI sequencer for both hardware and software instruments. The Ren has a total of 64 external MIDI channels.

Maschine has very basic MIDI capabilities. It doesn't import MIDI files and has a max of 16 external MICI channels.

Wait until 1.8 is released on Oct1. Check out the new controller and compare the features then. At that point you can decide for yourself if the Ren is worth the extra $600.

*BTW- NI is giving you a full version of Massive to sweeten the pot. If you don't have it already this is damn good addition.

Thanks for all the replies. I've been trying to match my drum style for a long time. I don't like looping I like playing all my stuff live (the way you see that AraabMuzik doing it) only I record my drums like into a track like I'm a real drummer then build the song over it. I've had the Maschine but it's hard to get into with my style vs. the MPC that I can just load up and go for it. I brought the maschine because I was looking forward to the computer integration and sample managing because I'm tired of editing my samples with the jog wheel and after my Zipdrive crashed with my disc with ALL my samples in it while I was backing it up man I was heart broken.

But the MPC man...it's home. You know what I mean it's just feels perfect and the pads melt in your hands. The Maschine doesn't give me that same feeling it just feels like a piece of gear.

J asked for comparisons and not salesman pitches and/or "attaboy" cosigns. Tempted to just delete, but I'll leave it alone for now.

How does the Renaissance Compare to the NI Maschine?
Is the name of the topic.

The topic is "How does the Renaissance Compare to the NI Maschine?"

But the MPC man...it's home. You know what I mean it's just feels perfect and the pads melt in your hands. The Maschine doesn't give me that same feeling it just feels like a piece of gear.

Sounds like you need for more of a confirmation than comparison. It reads like you've already excluded the Maschine unit.

Until both units hit with final specs it's kind of pointless. Maschine has a new software update and controller. The Ren/Studio isn't the same as their hardware predecessors. That said , you should really find out what your getting first before putting them on the scale.

moyphee wrote:The topic is "How does the Renaissance Compare to the NI Maschine?"

But the MPC man...it's home. You know what I mean it's just feels perfect and the pads melt in your hands. The Maschine doesn't give me that same feeling it just feels like a piece of gear.

Sounds like you need for more of a confirmation than comparison. It reads like you've already excluded the Maschine unit.

Until both units hit with final specs it's kind of pointless. Maschine has a new software update and controller. The Ren/Studio isn't the same as their hardware predecessors. That said , you should really find out what your getting first before putting them on the scale.

No, not at all. There's things I like about them both but what I'm curious is if the MPC Renny is a mixture of both the features I like from them. At the time I got the MAschine there was nothing else that had that type of on hands ability to create tracks like the MPC and work with it on the computer untill the Renny popped up. What I was always looking for is basically just something that could sync the MPC to a computer so I could just edit samples and make tracks with it you know. The NI MAschine just feels restrictive when it comes to Real time drumming. I just like to hit record on my mixer and go for it. No looping, no sequencing just banging on the pads. If the Renny can do that I might invest in it but if not I'll hold on to the NI and MPC.

I just have no plans of kicking the MPC out the bed No never! She's my wife everything else is just a mistress.

You might want to consider the Studio. The software is exactly the same.

Lampdog wrote:J asked for comparisons and not salesman pitches

+1

Save that BS for Gearslutz, it's really boring and extremely annoying.

Allow a conversation to flow without your input for a change, just sit back and take in other peoples views for a change. No need to contaminate every goddam thread with the same BS time and time again. Just let the place breathe dammit.