Maschine vs MPC 4000

Askia Shaheed wrote:Fact. I purchased Maschine for only one reason. That is to provide an assessment of Maschine from an MPC user perspective. This is not about being silly...not about being counter productive and backwards...and certainly not about money. For the MPC Forum community (those that are interested in Maschine) I will give my review just like I have with every product I have ever purchased.

Okay, take your time to become a Maschine expert (which I don't claim to be btw) and then do you review. I see you've found your way to the Maschine forum. Welcome! Hopefully your suggestions will help the development of Maschine.

Askia Shaheed wrote:I am not sure why you bring up Maschine's one MIDI out as a limitation in a hardware studio.

Because one MIDI output means you have only 16 MIDI channels at your disposal and you'll have to daisy chain your MIDI instruments. Therefore NI need to add MIDI output selection next to the MIDI channel selection (see chapter MIDI Output from Sounds). Once they've done this, you can add as many MIDI outputs as you want (>4 MIDI outputs).

So if you have a MIDI interface (such as M-Audio MIDIsport 8x8) can Maschine see all 8 MIDI outs and use them? If so, there will be no need for daisy chaining.

MGStudios wrote:Went into GC today and played around on the Maschine for a little while. I didn't think I would be, but I was impressed! It was just a fast-ass workflow. In all honesty the combination of hardware/software really worked out. I decided I'm going to sell my MPC1000, and with that money be able to cop Maschine and an ASR10. I already have Ableton so if I can master all that **** I should be headed in the right direction

Good for you. Did you have OS 1.5 installed already?

I'm not even what OS was installed. The setup has been there for a while so it probaly wasn't. But I didnt even dive deep into it, I just learnt how to setup a basic pattern and record and such.

Lotuz wrote:http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=107996

Ok. Well..since NI took the steps to make it sequence with the one MIDI OUT, the next logical step is to get it to use multi MIDI OUTs like MPC and MV series. I am hoping that NI focus more on the standalone aspects of Mashine.

Groovebox workflow and Workstation workflow.

Two different concepts and two different equipment use in dance music production.


A groovebox is a drum sequencer with a sampler/synth build in. It is more like a ESX electribe, Roland 505 and Yamaha RS7000 made to build patterns and sequences with drums and loops. Most come with loop slicing build in for sync loops with the pattern and they all have pre programming loops installed to get producers going. It is common to connect the groovebox with a another synth, sampler, or drum machine to run in tandem in a studio or live event. But they are not meant to be the center of the studio but pieces of a unit hence the one midi in and one midi Using loops and grooves from records, tape, and what have you grooveboxs can automate the timeslicing to get the patterns to work together.

Classic setups is a groovebox with a synth as the samples are mainly loops can be that can be sliced up automaticallly in the groovebox itself.


A workstation is a midi control station along with audio should as a DAW, keyboard workstation, or tabletop workstation. A workstation includes a sequncer, multitracker, mixer, virtual instruments of synths, samplers, arranger, and the ability to send midi tracks to multiple midi output ports which in turn can control numerous external instruments connected to the midi outs separately. A workstation has many levels of editing, automation,effects, routing and arranging of midi data to send to multiple programs assign to channel send to an particular synth, sampler, or sound module connected to a particular port like midi port A on a 4 port multiple midi out. And routing of audio tracks and busses. MOST important is the fact a workstation allows a user to get the track within the sequencer to a particular port whether it is external midi out port or virtual internal midi out port. These is important for layers patches or programs of various keyboards and sound modules from one midi track.


Why is all this elementary midi 101 important is to differate the two types of equipment at hand and clarify the two. A groovebox is fun, easy to use and meant for a simple job drum pattern creation along with slicing of loops and grooves with added synths sounds a cornerstone for djs and dance producers in the studio with a Main Arranger/Multitracker DAW or harddisk recorder to record the tracks or used live.

A Workstation is meant for studio use to be all in one unit for production composing, tracking, mixing, arranging, and the central midi controller with sync and timing for all other gear in a hardware studio. Or these days a software synths, sampler, and percussion instruments too. Mainly build for studio productions hence the size and weigh of the units. The studio workstations tend to huge, heavy and expensive so not many cats take the expanded editions out on a live set all the time. A small lite version is the usual case.


The maschine is more of a groovebox like the ESX as I say before at the begining of the thread.

The 4k is more of a midi workstation without the audio components of the 25k or the 5k but it can still bounce tracks.

They are meant for two different enviroments and purposes.

The 4k is a midi control Center to be the centerpiece of a studio especially a hardware studio since the day is was invented.

The Maschine is a groovebox not a workstation it is meant to be part of a studio not the centerpiece controlling the studio which is why it was build to work within a Workstation aka DAW not be the Workstation.

It is silly to buy something and assume it is going to work a certain way or cry out for a upgrade for which it wasn`t designed for. You have work with what you have.


I like grooveboxes they are cool, but a workstation they are not. Logic is my workstation along with my 4k whenever I decide to use it again.

MGStudios wrote:I'm not even what OS was installed. The setup has been there for a while so it probaly wasn't. But I didnt even dive deep into it, I just learnt how to setup a basic pattern and record and such.

You should have service center installed on your computer so when you can unplug the controller from the usb port, run service center, download 1.5 from updates, install it, and replug the controller and relaunch for the new features.

Tell that to Guitar Center.

MGStudios wrote:Went into GC today and played around on the Maschine for a little while.

Haze I don't have Maschine, I was playing with it at Guitar Center.

Blue Haze wrote:Groovebox workflow and Workstation workflow.

Two different concepts and two different equipment use in dance music production.


A groovebox is a drum sequencer with a sampler/synth build in. It is more like a ESX electribe, Roland 505 and Yamaha RS7000 made to build patterns and sequences with drums and loops. Most come with loop slicing build in for sync loops with the pattern and they all have pre programming loops installed to get producers going. It is common to connect the groovebox with a another synth, sampler, or drum machine to run in tandem in a studio or live event. But they are not meant to be the center of the studio but pieces of a unit hence the one midi in and one midi Using loops and grooves from records, tape, and what have you grooveboxs can automate the timeslicing to get the patterns to work together.

Classic setups is a groovebox with a synth as the samples are mainly loops can be that can be sliced up automaticallly in the groovebox itself.


A workstation is a midi control station along with audio should as a DAW, keyboard workstation, or tabletop workstation. A workstation includes a sequncer, multitracker, mixer, virtual instruments of synths, samplers, arranger, and the ability to send midi tracks to multiple midi output ports which in turn can control numerous external instruments connected to the midi outs separately. A workstation has many levels of editing, automation,effects, routing and arranging of midi data to send to multiple programs assign to channel send to an particular synth, sampler, or sound module connected to a particular port like midi port A on a 4 port multiple midi out. And routing of audio tracks and busses. MOST important is the fact a workstation allows a user to get the track within the sequencer to a particular port whether it is external midi out port or virtual internal midi out port. These is important for layers patches or programs of various keyboards and sound modules from one midi track.


Why is all this elementary midi 101 important is to differate the two types of equipment at hand and clarify the two. A groovebox is fun, easy to use and meant for a simple job drum pattern creation along with slicing of loops and grooves with added synths sounds a cornerstone for djs and dance producers in the studio with a Main Arranger/Multitracker DAW or harddisk recorder to record the tracks or used live.

A Workstation is meant for studio use to be all in one unit for production composing, tracking, mixing, arranging, and the central midi controller with sync and timing for all other gear in a hardware studio. Or these days a software synths, sampler, and percussion instruments too. Mainly build for studio productions hence the size and weigh of the units. The studio workstations tend to huge, heavy and expensive so not many cats take the expanded editions out on a live set all the time. A small lite version is the usual case.


The maschine is more of a groovebox like the ESX as I say before at the begining of the thread.

The 4k is more of a midi workstation without the audio components of the 25k or the 5k but it can still bounce tracks.

They are meant for two different enviroments and purposes.

The 4k is a midi control Center to be the centerpiece of a studio especially a hardware studio since the day is was invented.

The Maschine is a groovebox not a workstation it is meant to be part of a studio not the centerpiece controlling the studio which is why it was build to work within a Workstation aka DAW not be the Workstation.

It is silly to buy something and assume it is going to work a certain way or cry out for a upgrade for which it wasn`t designed for. You have work with what you have.


I like grooveboxes they are cool, but a workstation they are not. Logic is my workstation along with my 4k whenever I decide to use it again.

why can't the Maschine be both? i don't think that making it capable of recognizing a MIDI Interface's MIDI Ports would make it less of a Groovebox or make it overly complicated...... but, i do understand your point.
we all want/need different things....
in my case, i'm ready to retire my MPC... all i use it for is sequencing anyway(I HATE sequencing inside of DAWS). i feel that the Maschine has SO MUCH potential to be a great sequencer without taking away from what it does well all ready... anyway... just my 0.02.

I think I will continue to give feedback to Akai, NI, Roland, and even JJ for the type of product I want. Then they will decide what direction that want to take (like Akai and Roland adding multisampling into the MPC 5000 and Fantom G in OS updates).

Maschine is grove production studio. In every advertisement, product demo, tutorial, producer testimony, etc, they mention the Akai MPC. Numerous MPC users have spoken since Maschine's release and NI has responded with Akai MPC format import, external MIDI sequencing, improved sampling and sample editing, 16 levels, not repeat, etc. These are all Akai MPC staples. What many of us want is an MPC controller attached to a PC/Mac which hosts the software, MIDI and audio interfaces....in other words...an MPC-killer if you will. It will be up to the management of NI to determine if a product like that will generate business. With the release of OS 1.5 and the fact that they have and are continuing to entertain feature requests (without telling us what it is or isn't), it does look like NI are taking their product in that direction. Truth be told, Maschine is only lacking in a few areas. Simply adding full MIDI sequencing capabilities, it will surpass the first generation of Akai's Midi Production Centers.

i read somewhere that NI usually goes up to .5... and then they jump up to the next whole number...
so i'm not really expecting an update until the 2.0.... which will probably be a year from now.

mjames4208 wrote:i read somewhere that NI usually goes up to .5... and then they jump up to the next whole number...
so i'm not really expecting an update until the 2.0.... which will probably be a year from now.

I was going to pick up Maschine as soon as it hit the streets but its first OS was not appealing. OS 1.5 peaked my interest but not enough to buy it until recently with all the chatter in the forums.

Personally, I am already looking for NI to consider releasing Maschine Version 2 and improve the hardware. I think it will benefit by adding a data wheel and cursor keys like an MPC. I would make the LCD adjustable and significantly enhance its GUI. Just like MPCs, the GUI of Maschine;s hardware looks as if it was created in the 80s. Also, I would replace the soft rubber buttons with hard plastic and remove any writing on the buttons so they won't fade in time.

........who am I kidding. Just make the hardware as close to an MPC or MV as possible with the bankable slider and knobs of the latest Akai controllers PERFECT!

Sorry guys it may be adverstised by a studio but you have to really read the wording aka Groove (loops) Production studio that works in a DAW.. Not standalone one has be be aware of the difference within a workstation and a groovebox. Maschine is just a virtual groovebox not the centerpiece of a studio. Give as much feedback to NI as you wish. If you don`t have a DAW with Maschine you basically have akin to









Grooveboxes not workstations but a groove box with 16 levels, and pads all groove boxes come with note repeat nothing new there, all groovebox sync with one external instrument, all sample, and all have basic editing classic groovebox. To use live you have the classic setup up..


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/ ... 021898.jpg


to work with other components.


A DAW it isn`t.


Neither as hardware DAW either.


So all the speculation and talk of killing a mpc is FALSE for a hardware studio centerpiece. But if you are working with your DAW of choice instead of sequencing still with a 4k or other MPCs you can incorporate Maschine within it as your main groovebox. See many users were using their MPCs as groove boxs, chopping a loop and adding drums and patterns to track into a DAW to continue working on the production as I did before.

Logic as my main DAW is deep with all the MPC Killer functions I need for my productions. Hence it is the central part of my studio and I`m just others have Cubase, Nuendo, Pro tools and etc. But I needed hardware control to feel at home and Maschine provides that especially for the rhythm parts.

If NI develops Maschine into a full fledged DAW may be yrs from now. But to add my improvements to its groove functions yes I and other OWNERS look forward too.

As it is now it is a groovebox not a workstation so the speculators have to dream on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYVQR-Yd ... re=related