Maschine vs MPC 4000

Lotuz wrote:You want me to translate every SP-12 swing setting to a Maschine swing setting?

No just if you can explain maschine settings meanings. I already saw the chart you did for 1/4 settings. And I want to compare it to MPC swing settings not SP12`s

I just had a look in Cubase (drag and drop MIDI from Maschine to Cubase) to see what happens, but I really don't know which conventional swing settings do the exact same thing.

Cycle 1/4 for example. I thought it did the same thing as 1/8 in Cubase (swing moves the even 8th notes). And it does if you program 8th notes. But if you program 16th notes, the swing not only moves the even 8th notes, it also moves the even 16th notes a little. So only the notes on 1/16, 5/16, 9/16 and 13/16 aren't moved.

One beat (4 16th notes) looks like this:



It's like listening to a warped record. First it slows down and then it speeds up again.

I think I understand what it does now.

A cycle of 1/4 = a cycle of 4/16*. The first 16th note of each cycle (1/16, 5/16, 9/16, 13/16) won't move when you apply swing.

When you choose cycle 6/16, then 1/16 won't move, 2/16 and 6/16 move a little, 3/16 and 5/16 move a little more, and 4/16 moves most. The next cycle starts at 7/16, so 7/16 won't move, 8/16 and 12/16 move a little, 9/16 and 11/16 move a little more, and 10/16 moves most. The next cycle starts at 13/16...

Maybe Maschine uses a slightly different wave form, but I think the swing is like this triangular wave:



I just took this pic of the Internet to use as example. Horizontal is time. Vertical is movement by applying swing.

0V = no move at 1/16, 7/16, 13/16.
2.0V = moves most at 4/16, 10/16.




(* Or 8/32 if you program 32nd notes. Or 16/64 if you program 64th notes. Etc.)

Wow thanks for the tips it is more understandable now. So for I have been using maschine's 1/8 swing on 1/16 notes as the 3/16, 4/16 and so on I didn't understand until now. The mpc and SP is famous for 1/16 triplet feel along and I couldn't recognize it on maschine. Thanks for your feedback.

Askia how you tezted out the Maschine?

I just got last night. I will be taking it for a test drive over the next few days.

Blue Haze wrote:

A sampler is only as good as the sample libraries you have to use it with.

Damn I had an epiphany!! I will conduct an experiment and return later. Something I realize I overlooked, I got to check it out.

Well from my experiment I sampled Maschine samples and drums into my 4k and all sounded great. The sample libraries of the Maschine is one of the most outstanding points of Maschine no doubt. However both are samplers and we all realize that a sampler is only as good as the SAMPLES. I learned to import my own samples in Maschine too in the past days.

By playing the same samples in both units I got a better feel on each. Both are excellent for the studio I wouldn`t pick one over the other. It is a matter of preference. One has a great library, tagging system, workflow and the other a great feel and timing.

Samples and drum programming are the keys points.

Are you saying they basically sound the same?because there using the same samples....can you describe a difference?cheers

dryad-66 wrote:Are you saying they basically sound the same?because there using the same samples....can you describe a difference?cheers

Yup the maschine has excellent recorded samples and as far as concern both the same samples were no different to my ears. Subjective of course. As far as recording your own samples both units record, but maschine it dependent on your sound card of choice and the MPC of course has its own AD/DC inputs and outputs. Difference is 4k records up to 96kHz and Maschine is the standard 44kHz I believe. Samples are stereo on Maschine by default, 4k can change to mono, alot of the outstanding samples are from Goldbaby Co which you can get for the mpcs too. The sample kits by akai imported into the Maschine can take up to 4 to 5 groups and the Maschine is limited to only 8 groups. One program in the 4k can contain all 8 groups of samples if one wanted.

Really I had to go back and look at it over a few days as I realize the sample library is the key factor in all samplers. Ease of excess and plenty of sounds to use. A good sampler instruments depends on the sounds, the instrument itself never really gets outdated.

Haze and Lotus, can you give your opinions on the zooming of samples within hardware?

A few people on the MASCHINE boards are saying that this needs to be fixed.....

Yes, there is an issue with the zooming in. When you want to zoom in closely to set your start or end point precisely, then it skips a few steps and it's zoomed in too far. You can still use the software to choose the right step. I'm sure this bug will be fixed.

Installing Maschine's software as I type this....looks like I have plenty of time to kill as wait for installation is complete.

I am aware that only time will tell...but I am not so confident that the control surface will hold up after vigorous use.

Back at this and good for you Jahrome that you got your unit. I have my maschine unit in front of the screen and it works fine knobs and all just I have to wipe the pads and all to keep dust and all clean. Actually the velocity sensitivity is good I don`t have to bang them that hard. But I been back on the 4k on a kind of back to basics and maschine influenced me to a different workflow on the 4k.





And..........4k is great and what I hold maschine under the 4k is the sequencer ease it made me appreciate the 4k more.

Still with a grain of salt I`m a newbie on the maschine. Lotuz and knocksquared are monsters on the maschine from what I seen and heard from their music.


I still like maschine and it is a worthy purchase. But 4k has the sequencer that is the deal maker for me.

All the knobs, buttons, and pads work fine. But when you start mashing on the Maschine, you can immediately feel that it wasn't built to MPC standards. The exception is the pads. I am quite impressed with the pads. I would even dare say that the responsiveness of the pads are better than any MPC

pressure sensitive??