Maschine...

Hmm.. I might just peep this out, give it a shot.

emptysea wrote:True. What's better is relative to each of our individual needs/preferences. I've been talking up the Maschine here because I think a lot of people would appreciate finding out what Maschine really is and what that means. But it's still being dismissed by many due to misconceptions like viewing it as any just a software which many associate with using a mouse and that it's no different than any other computer and a generic midi controller setup. While the Maschine controller itself is a just a usb midi controller (a very good one in comparison to most), what is unique about it is that it brings the experience that was previously only found in standalone hardware in terms of dedicated hardware and integrated software that combine to form a very tactile, efficient, and instrument-like workflow. Many Maschine users find it really cool that you don't even have to look at the computer screen while you use it. Like I've said before I've owned many MPCs and I think they're classic machines and probably would have kept them if I could afford to and had the room for them. Lucky for me, Maschine was almost exactly what I was waiting for.

Anyway, Maschine means heavy competition for Akai. And that is a GOOD THING for those of you who still use or plan to buy MPCs. Akai could learn a few lessons from NI about product support and development, and actually listening to your userbase. I don't care what any of you use to make music. I'm offering my opinion that for my needs and of many others, Maschine represents a welcomed step in the evolution of classic hardware like MPCs and electribes that is not compromised with the limitations of standalone hardware. The nature of responses to my suggestion of Maschine as a replacement for MPC (as some people can't afford to have both. But if you want to use both or neither, I don't care.) indicate that some people's egos are too closely tied to what they chose to invest time and money into for music making. Take a few deep breaths, and try to keep an open mind about these things. There's no need to feel insecure or take things personal about any of this.

ok,were all gonna get one.happy now???.............................................................................................................not really

emptysea wrote:True. What's better is relative to each of our individual needs/preferences. I've been talking up the Maschine here because I think a lot of people would appreciate finding out what Maschine really is and what that means. But it's still being dismissed by many due to misconceptions like viewing it as any just a software which many associate with using a mouse and that it's no different than any other computer and a generic midi controller setup. While the Maschine controller itself is a just a usb midi controller (a very good one in comparison to most), what is unique about it is that it brings the experience that was previously only found in standalone hardware in terms of dedicated hardware and integrated software that combine to form a very tactile, efficient, and instrument-like workflow. Many Maschine users find it really cool that you don't even have to look at the computer screen while you use it. Like I've said before I've owned many MPCs and I think they're classic machines and probably would have kept them if I could afford to and had the room for them. Lucky for me, Maschine was almost exactly what I was waiting for.

Anyway, Maschine means heavy competition for Akai. And that is a GOOD THING for those of you who still use or plan to buy MPCs. Akai could learn a few lessons from NI about product support and development, and actually listening to your userbase. I don't care what any of you use to make music. I'm offering my opinion that for my needs and of many others, Maschine represents a welcomed step in the evolution of classic hardware like MPCs and electribes that is not compromised with the limitations of standalone hardware. The nature of responses to my suggestion of Maschine as a replacement for MPC (as some people can't afford to have both. But if you want to use both or neither, I don't care.) indicate that some people's egos are too closely tied to what they chose to invest time and money into for music making. Take a few deep breaths, and try to keep an open mind about these things. There's no need to feel insecure or take things personal about any of this.

This comes across as a sales pitch. It really does.

This is why people are probably getting their noses out of joint. I am not one of them.

Do you work for Native Instruments? This is an honest question.

sensei wrote:

emptysea wrote:True. What's better is relative to each of our individual needs/preferences. I've been talking up the Maschine here because I think a lot of people would appreciate finding out what Maschine really is and what that means. But it's still being dismissed by many due to misconceptions like viewing it as any just a software which many associate with using a mouse and that it's no different than any other computer and a generic midi controller setup. While the Maschine controller itself is a just a usb midi controller (a very good one in comparison to most), what is unique about it is that it brings the experience that was previously only found in standalone hardware in terms of dedicated hardware and integrated software that combine to form a very tactile, efficient, and instrument-like workflow. Many Maschine users find it really cool that you don't even have to look at the computer screen while you use it. Like I've said before I've owned many MPCs and I think they're classic machines and probably would have kept them if I could afford to and had the room for them. Lucky for me, Maschine was almost exactly what I was waiting for.

Anyway, Maschine means heavy competition for Akai. And that is a GOOD THING for those of you who still use or plan to buy MPCs. Akai could learn a few lessons from NI about product support and development, and actually listening to your userbase. I don't care what any of you use to make music. I'm offering my opinion that for my needs and of many others, Maschine represents a welcomed step in the evolution of classic hardware like MPCs and electribes that is not compromised with the limitations of standalone hardware. The nature of responses to my suggestion of Maschine as a replacement for MPC (as some people can't afford to have both. But if you want to use both or neither, I don't care.) indicate that some people's egos are too closely tied to what they chose to invest time and money into for music making. Take a few deep breaths, and try to keep an open mind about these things. There's no need to feel insecure or take things personal about any of this.

This comes across as a sales pitch. It really does.

This is why people are probably getting their noses out of joint. I am not one of them.

Do you work for Native Instruments? This is an honest question.

in a couple of threads I asked him if he was the founder of native instruments (Stephan Schmitt) cause of how concerned he was that we might consider the maschine a USB controller and software bundle...

i know people get hyped over a piece of good kit... but c'mon man.. dont act like you have so much to lose by people picking other gear. I mean a lot of people have what works for them already and are looking for simple additions to what they already have.. not a replacement.

I mean a lot of people have what works for them already and are looking for simple additions to what they already have.. not a replacement.[/quote]
bingo!!!! or if your just starting and want both worlds, this is a great way to go

emptysea = foe

Maschine 2 may be the future but the current model still has a way to go. Since it is essentially an MPC with the software residing in a PC, they should really go all the way out. The control surface should be a little more robust like an MPC.

Now I have my feelings but I am curious to hear specifically what some of you feel makes Maschine so awesome. Everything I've seen it can do (software-wise) can be accomplished in Logic, Cubase, etc. Has Native Instruments updated the sampler so that it supports multi-sampled libraries like all the other software samplers such as Kontakt or even Battery? The lack of this feature is what made me pass on it when it was first released.

Askia Shaheed wrote:Everything I've seen it can do (software-wise) can be accomplished in Logic, Cubase, etc.

Sure, I can make the same beats with Cubase and Halion or with Reason, but it's not the same process. Maschine's controller and software are far better integrated than I can accomplish with a software sampler from company A and a universal controller from company B.

I just realized something.. why is a maschine on a MPC forum? lmao, its like going to a catholic church and tryna convert people to muslims..

Askia Shaheed wrote:Maschine 2 may be the future but the current model still has a way to go. Since it is essentially an MPC with the software residing in a PC, they should really go all the way out. The control surface should be a little more robust like an MPC.

I'd have to agree. If Akai doesn't wake up NI has a big gaping void to hop into and steal the show, at least for a majority of MPC users. I think with the debut version of Maschine they tried to keep the cost down. Now that they know what they actually have at their disposal they're focusing mad energy to capitalize on it (hence the hastened support and updates). With version 2 of the controller, they really do have room for improvement though, indeed. The Maschine controller is built well as far as controllers go, but its definitely not as well built as most MPCs.

Now I have my feelings but I am curious to hear specifically what some of you feel makes Maschine so awesome. Everything I've seen it can do (software-wise) can be accomplished in Logic, Cubase, etc. Has Native Instruments updated the sampler so that it supports multi-sampled libraries like all the other software samplers such as Kontakt or even Battery? The lack of this feature is what made me pass on it when it was first released.

The advantage over other software is better tactile control due to the controller having almost 1:1 dedication of it's physical controls or menu parameters and design to those of the software's features. The advantage many see over an MPC is how the Maschine software integrates into their DAW and other software instruments, how easy it is to bounce/track out audio, and thus the work flow. Maschine has a few perks of it's own, but all in all it's not really better than an MPC feature-wise. It actually still lacks many of the MPC features or fails to implement certain features as well as the MPC line does. However, the Maschine software can utilize the computer's resources (giving it an edge over any MPC, for most people) and it's a godsend for people looking for an "MPC" inside their computer. MPCs definitely wins with being physically stand-alone and it's lack of perceivable latency, as only a few people's computers and interface drivers can work stably at likewise low latency. It still cannot deal with large libraries in the manner that Kontakt can though. It's a innovative concept that will likely continue to mature, and not to be cliche...but it's a case of, "Moving the goal posts, but not completely removing them from the field".

Comparing it to Battery and Kontakt, it is inferior. Battery still has much more depth for layering and sound design/editing, and Kontakt has more than Battery. Maschine and MPCs often win due to their work flow and ease of quick conceptualization of ideas. Maschine does not compare to a powerful DAW, even when used with a mediocre controller, neither does an MPC when talking about features and sheer power. I don't see it as an "end all" product. Maschine has a great controller editor though which makes me prefer using it over a MPC to control my software.

It's like comparing a desktop to a laptop (figuratively). They overlap in some many place but differ in so many others that it really wouldn't hurt to have both if you can find a use for them, but they're also similar enough to use just one or the other if you don't. Not saying one is more powerful, just that comparisons are inevitable, but debates are moot.

How the hell I managed to type all that shit?

lets see how well mashine works is 10 years. good luck w/that.

revtor wrote:lets see how well mashine works is 10 years. good luck w/that.

Good luck finding MPC parts in 10 more years. See how that works? Things will change, things will depreciate, things will stop working. Who cares? People will always find some point of contention. Why even worry what others are using? It's just as lame to defend a piece of gear to death as it is to come here and spam one that the majority here aren't interested in. Just saying.

No offense, but as long are your brain works in ten years and you can still make beats, who gives a ****?

exit, no romance wrote:How the hell I managed to type all that ****?

It would probably take me an hour to write all that since English is not my native language. I agree with what you said btw.

exit, no romance wrote:

revtor wrote:lets see how well mashine works is 10 years. good luck w/that.

Good luck finding MPC parts in 10 more years. See how that works? Things will change, things will depreciate, things will stop working. Who cares? People will always find some point of contention. Why even worry what others are using? It's just as lame to defend a piece of gear to death as it is to come here and spam one that the majority here aren't interested in. Just saying.

No offense, but as long are your brain works in ten years and you can still make beats, who gives a ****?

there will always be MPC's to scavenge parts from. . but software, licenses, hardware, PC, Mac, laptops, etc. COMPATIBILITY? like I said. good luck w/that. I'm not "defending a piece of gear to death" like the maschine peeps in this thread. I'm just posting a point here on the MPC-FORUMS.

revtor wrote:there will always be MPC's to scavenge parts from. . but software, licenses, hardware, PC, Mac, laptops, etc. COMPATIBILITY? like I said. good luck w/that. I'm not "defending a piece of gear to death" like the maschine peeps in this thread. I'm just posting a point here on the MPC-FORUMS.

Cool. You make a good point, but on the same token...no one forces anyone to run out and upgrade their computers every time a new OS or computer comes out either. Don't worry man, I'm not interested in arguing and this is a free forum. I was just saying. I'm not pro-Maschine nor anti-MPC, or I wouldn't be here. I use both.