Maschine...

@exit, no romance

You make some good points. However, MPCs as well as the Maschine caters to a niche market. OS-wise, every leading DAW can do what an MPC or Maschine does and more. If you partner a DAW with a controller (keyboard, pad, transport, etc), and set up keyboard short-cuts on a standard computer keyboard, you can mimic an MPC-like workflow. I don't quite feel its the same thing for me personally, but I witnessed others do what I do on an MPC just using a DAW seamlessly.

Currently, I use an MPC and Logic. I would much rather use an MPC with Logic's sampler or even Kontakt or Battery. N.I. should just go all out and give Maschine the capabilities of their leading samplers instead of simply periodically incorporating functions already possible with an MPC.

I do have my eye on what N.I. is doing as well as Akai/Ableton. However, the layout of any MPC especially the MPC 5000, is nearly perfect. If Native Instruments can build a control surface like an MPC or if Akai can put the MPC OS inside of a computer paired with a controller identical to an MPC, I would be all over it. I am patiently waiting but not holding my breath.

Askia Shaheed wrote:If you partner a DAW with a controller (keyboard, pad, transport, etc), and set up keyboard short-cuts on a standard computer keyboard, you can mimic an MPC-like workflow. I don't quite feel its the same thing for me personally, but I witnessed others do what I do on an MPC just using a DAW seamlessly.

You can certainly get somewhat close but no cigar. I also have a no-mouse setup with Ableton Live utilizing keyboard shortcuts that are mapped to midi controllers like nanoKontrol/nocturn running python midi scripts combined with Launchpad. What you would still miss is the quick, efficient workflow that comes with the hardware and software being designed for each other like MPC and Maschine. With MPC and Maschine, you can quickly browse sounds, select a sound/track to make adjustments, record automations, sample, slice, chop, duplicate, nudge...etc. all directly from the hardware. Those who like the MPC workflow are going to prefer the Maschine workflow over a complicated mouseless DAW setup with a generic controller, not to mention the amount of patience, research, knowledge, and effort that goes into setting up your DAW and midi controller for a mouseless setup.

Askia Shaheed wrote:Currently, I use an MPC and Logic. I would much rather use an MPC with Logic's sampler or even Kontakt or Battery. N.I. should just go all out and give Maschine the capabilities of their leading samplers instead of simply periodically incorporating functions already possible with an MPC.

Have you watched any of NI's Maschine videos or played with one? Now with the 1.5 update, Maschine has become even more flexible in terms of fitting into people different setups and workflows. Maschine can directly sequence Logic's sampler or even Kontakt or Battery via MIDI out. I prefer just using Maschine's sampler internally though.

Askia Shaheed wrote:If Native Instruments can build a control surface like an MPC or if Akai can put the MPC OS inside of a computer paired with a controller identical to an MPC, I would be all over it. I am patiently waiting but not holding my breath.

I'm curious what you mean by this because Maschine does have a hardware controller like a MPC. It works very much like one and it's easy to find your way around if you've used MPCs before.

emptysea wrote:

Askia Shaheed wrote:If you partner a DAW with a controller (keyboard, pad, transport, etc), and set up keyboard short-cuts on a standard computer keyboard, you can mimic an MPC-like workflow. I don't quite feel its the same thing for me personally, but I witnessed others do what I do on an MPC just using a DAW seamlessly.

You can certainly get somewhat close but no cigar. I also have a no-mouse setup with Ableton Live utilizing keyboard shortcuts that are mapped to midi controllers like nanoKontrol/nocturn running python midi scripts combined with Launchpad. What you would still miss is the quick, efficient workflow that comes with the hardware and software being designed for each other like MPC and Maschine. With MPC and Maschine, you can quickly browse sounds, select a sound/track to make adjustments, record automations, sample, slice, chop, duplicate, nudge...etc. all directly from the hardware. Those who like the MPC workflow are going to prefer the Maschine workflow over a complicated mouseless DAW setup with a generic controller, not to mention the amount of patience, research, knowledge, and effort that goes into setting up your DAW and midi controller for a mouseless setup.

Askia Shaheed wrote:Currently, I use an MPC and Logic. I would much rather use an MPC with Logic's sampler or even Kontakt or Battery. N.I. should just go all out and give Maschine the capabilities of their leading samplers instead of simply periodically incorporating functions already possible with an MPC.

Have you watched any of NI's Maschine videos or played with one? Now with the 1.5 update, Maschine has become even more flexible in terms of fitting into people different setups and workflows. Maschine can directly sequence Logic's sampler or even Kontakt or Battery via MIDI out. I prefer just using Maschine's sampler internally though.

Askia Shaheed wrote:If Native Instruments can build a control surface like an MPC or if Akai can put the MPC OS inside of a computer paired with a controller identical to an MPC, I would be all over it. I am patiently waiting but not holding my breath.

I'm curious what you mean by this because Maschine does have a hardware controller like a MPC. It works very much like one and it's easy to find your way around if you've used MPCs before.

he was talking about the layout of the mpc5000, he likes that mpc so he was saying he wishes akai would make a controller with that layout.

Emptysea can you pleae canswer my question regarding whether or not you work for Native Instruments.

You need to be upfront with that if it is the case. It certainly comes across as thought you do.

The truth please.

I played with Maschine. As a long time MPC-user, it is not quite for me just yet. There isn't a hardware controller on the market that feels like an MPC this includes Akai pad controllers. This is important to me. N.I. and Akai is missing this point.


I wouldn't want Maschine to sequence Logic's sampler. Logic or an MPC would do an equal or better job at this. I have to stress again that N.I. will have to incorporate a full blown sampler in Maschine to pull me away from an MPC.

@sensei: No.

Askia Shaheed wrote:I played with Maschine. As a long time MPC-user, it is not quite for me just yet. There isn't a hardware controller on the market that feels like an MPC this includes Akai pad controllers. This is important to me. N.I. and Akai is missing this point.

What do you find about Maschine that doesn't "feel like a MPC"?

Askia Shaheed wrote:I wouldn't want Maschine to sequence Logic's sampler. Logic or an MPC would do an equal or better job at this. I have to stress again that N.I. will have to incorporate a full blown sampler in Maschine to pull me away from an MPC.

I'm not sure how either Logic or MPC would be any better at sequencing Logic's sampler. Can you explain? Also, what do you mean by a "full blown sampler"?

Maschine doesn't feel like an MPC because its not an MPC. Its best to just play with an MPC for awhile and then use Maschine to feel the difference. This is just my opinion and not fact.

As far as being a full blown sampler...take a look at any leading software sampler on the market. Maschine is under-powered compared to all of them. I feel like NI crippled the software in Machine as not to impact the sales of Battery and Kontakt.

You ask me for specifics about why Logic or an MPC is better at sequencing Logic's sampler. These items have been standards in music production. The question you must answer is what makes Maschine better at sequencing.

Received mine today. I`m going through the steps so far so good. Still working with my 4k though.

What I believe NI needs to understand is that an MPC is a serious percussion tool. Battery is more in line with an MPC in this regard. Maschine focuses more on the integration of its software and hardware which is great. But they have sacrificed the power of the sampler. Its clear NI has been listening to feedback with the release of OS 1.5. But it really needs to be able to import popular sample formats. Also, personally, instead of sequencing other software instruments via MIDI, having the ability to use plug-ins instruments would be awesome.

Believe me when I say I would like to see NI do well with this product.

Question....do you have to use USB for the hardware and software to communicate? Can the hardware and software communicate via MIDI?

First Maschine was a groovebox. Then people wanted it to become an MPC. Now people want it to become a DAW.

Yes, you need USB.

NI obviously wants a clearly defined product range between Maschine, Battery and Kontakt. That's how they want to run their business, and it seems pretty logical as most of us don't need full sampler capabilities in a beatbox... that's where Kontakt comes into play. You should definitely be able to use Battery sounds though.

Coz wrote:NI obviously wants a clearly defined product range between Maschine, Battery and Kontakt. That's how they want to run their business, and it seems pretty logical as most of us don't need full sampler capabilities in a beatbox... that's where Kontakt comes into play. You should definitely be able to use Battery sounds though.

I just got maschine yesterday and I haven`t ran through all the program yet, but correct me if I`m wrong with maschine in midi mode out along with Controller Editor I should be able to sequence battery through maschine and I should be able to control battery parameters with the Controller Editor right? Just like we can with Ableton Live?

From what I know you can midi it to most software from within a daw, but I'm only going on what I've read as I don't own Maschine unfortunately.

I'm sure I heard that you can't load Battery files directly into Maschine, but I could be wrong.

Coz wrote:From what I know you can midi it to most software from within a daw, but I'm only going on what I've read as I don't own Maschine unfortunately.

I'm sure I heard that you can't load Battery files directly into Maschine, but I could be wrong.

Load battery program no. But I believe I can control battery and sequence battery from maschine. I haven`t tried it yet as I`m learning all the NIspeak terminalogy. But from the videos and literature I came across plus the controller editor I believe the above is possible. I have to check out how the standalone differs from the plugin mode as far as sequencing.

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/ ... /?page=343
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