Ditching the MPC for the Maschine

After all the problems I've had with my MPC, either way it's looking like I'm going to have to spend money. On a card reader, cards for it, then a reader for my computer, and the MPC program for my computer to manage my sounds so I'm thinking I'll spend $260 on everything just to get my MPC up to par. I've been pretty bitter about losing all my samples (while in the process of backing them up). I've been looking at the Maschine for a while now and am thinking about jumping over to that since what I'm looking for is something I can jump into and interface off my computer with like making patterns,cutting samples, etc. etc.

I usually just use my mpc and do all my patterns live, I never used the sequencer or made a beat with it in all 10 years I've had it. So for me it's my real time drum machine.

I just wanted to know if anyone is currently running both in their setup. I say both because you never really drop a piece of gear especially something like the MPC. I'm thinking about making my order soon just want some insight.

yea if you got the xl for the computer integration...try again.
i think the draw of an mpc (especially an older model) is that you DONT need the computer. for me it is at least...i originally thought 'oh yea ill edit my samples on the powerful + visual computer editor then just xfer them to the xl', then i started to love the straightforwardness of the mpc sample editor and even the sound of the converters. now i think, if i wanted to edit on the computer why not just use a software sampler and forget all that transfer business.

to me, computers are very visual and the mpc is a lot less so...i was able to focus more clearly on how it sounds vs how i thought i should make it look. if you change yer perception of the mpc from a sequencer / sampler to a totally non-standard synth (including functions that the sequencer provides), you really come to appreciate it for what it offers apart from everything else.

and, even having tried maschine, the sequencer in an mpc is still the strongest point and unmatched in any other software or hardware.

blah blah ramble ramble.... i think if you are that tied to the computer, then a more computer integrated approach is a better idea. though you sound like you know what's up, i bet you start using maschine and you start to miss things about the xl ;].

ive said it once ill say it again - classic samplers are like classic cars - you dont use them for the gas mileage.
mpc 2kxl = chevy nova / muscle car
maschine = toyota prius

tapedeck wrote:yea if you got the xl for the computer integration...try again.
i think the draw of an mpc (especially an older model) is that you DONT need the computer. for me it is at least...i originally thought 'oh yea ill edit my samples on the powerful + visual computer editor then just xfer them to the xl', then i started to love the straightforwardness of the mpc sample editor and even the sound of the converters. now i think, if i wanted to edit on the computer why not just use a software sampler and forget all that transfer business.

to me, computers are very visual and the mpc is a lot less so...i was able to focus more clearly on how it sounds vs how i thought i should make it look. if you change yer perception of the mpc from a sequencer / sampler to a totally non-standard synth (including functions that the sequencer provides), you really come to appreciate it for what it offers apart from everything else.

and, even having tried maschine, the sequencer in an mpc is still the strongest point and unmatched in any other software or hardware.

blah blah ramble ramble.... i think if you are that tied to the computer, then a more computer integrated approach is a better idea. though you sound like you know what's up, i bet you start using maschine and you start to miss things about the xl ;].

ive said it once ill say it again - classic samplers are like classic cars - you dont use them for the gas mileage.
mpc 2kxl = chevy nova / muscle car
maschine = toyota prius

haha, no doubt...i love my xl n will never ditch it!

i love the anology bro!

tapedeck wrote:yea if you got the xl for the computer integration...try again.
i think the draw of an mpc (especially an older model) is that you DONT need the computer. for me it is at least...i originally thought 'oh yea ill edit my samples on the powerful + visual computer editor then just xfer them to the xl', then i started to love the straightforwardness of the mpc sample editor and even the sound of the converters. now i think, if i wanted to edit on the computer why not just use a software sampler and forget all that transfer business.

to me, computers are very visual and the mpc is a lot less so...i was able to focus more clearly on how it sounds vs how i thought i should make it look. if you change yer perception of the mpc from a sequencer / sampler to a totally non-standard synth (including functions that the sequencer provides), you really come to appreciate it for what it offers apart from everything else.

and, even having tried maschine, the sequencer in an mpc is still the strongest point and unmatched in any other software or hardware.

blah blah ramble ramble.... i think if you are that tied to the computer, then a more computer integrated approach is a better idea. though you sound like you know what's up, i bet you start using maschine and you start to miss things about the xl ;].

ive said it once ill say it again - classic samplers are like classic cars - you dont use them for the gas mileage.
mpc 2kxl = chevy nova / muscle car
maschine = toyota prius

I think you missed what I said completely and made a long paragraph. I'm not computer using I'm an analog producer that uses real time recording. I'm interested in the Maschine because it seems to be easier to manage samples, and produce the type of samples I'm looking for. When I got my MPC over 10 years half the technology and programs out right now didn't exist. The reason why I'm looking into other devices is that right now the MPC is failing to meet my needs. Doesn't make sense to dump 260 bucks to try to get the MPC up to par with something that is already offering what I want. The 2XL is good but it's outdated. That doesn't mean it's useless, that just means it doesn't have features that make recording easier now than it was 11 years ago.

The MPC is fun for chopping and recording samples and editing them but it's hastle loading up samples and mixing sets when you have sounds on Disk A and you want to cut in sounds from Disk B, C, and D onto it, or at least save them to one set and end up having to make Disk E. because all the other disk are full. Then get a "Disk Read Error" for only God knows why when you're trying to get your track down.

That's the kind of stuff I'm tired of. Yeah I know the MPC is good so is a lot of other gear. I stayed analog when other guys went to VST's and plug ins. I still have my racks and I still use em just like I have other drum machines but I still use the MPC as well. But right now I need a new main that can follow my current recording needs.

It's hard to talk about gear without there always being a debate but honestly I'm just looking to hear input from MPC folks that have used or are currently using the Maschine in their setup to get some feedback on how they liked it. As a user of the MPC for so long any device like this feels foreign too me but I enjoyed stuff like the MP7 and although that wasn't a hit it still was a good tool.

johnnyonehand wrote:That doesn't mean it's useless, that just means it doesn't have features that make recording easier now than it was 11 years ago.

well some things haven't changed in decades. you plug the output of the source into the input of the recorder and hit record. you said yerself you use realtime recording, and i dont see how it can be any easier now to hit 'play' and 'record' than it was in 1950.

but it sounds like what you are talking about is not about recording but more about dragging and dropping, and a drag-and-drop studio is definitely a different ballgame than a recording studio. and an xl cannot hang with the modern cats in that respect.

johnnyonehand wrote:I'm interested in the Maschine because it seems to be easier to manage samples, and produce the type of samples I'm looking for.

yea i get that, that's why i say go for it...

no foul meant homey, just talking. i am confused though cause first you say you wanted all this stuff to basically manage the mpc from yer computer, then from yer last post it sounds like you are trying to say you stay pretty much with hardware. also sounds like you've had really bad luck with disk drives. sucks.

i dont really care which way you swing, but yea if you need the computer integration, i dont think a maschine can be beat.
if you want to stick with yer hardware, the mpc cannot be beat - mainly as a sequencer for yer other gear - forget sampling.

You keep mentioning the price of $260 to get the mpc up to 'par'...is that mainly what you are concerned with? If I'm not mistaken, the maschine is around $500, plus any software you need and audio interface if you don't have one. A card reader for the 2kxl is 50 bucks for everything you need and there is free software to create the programs. But anyways, I've never used the maschine but I'm pretty sure asking about it on an MPC forum isn't going to help you out very much.

johnnyonehand wrote:I just wanted to know if anyone is currently running both in their setup. I say both because you never really drop a piece of gear especially something like the MPC. I'm thinking about making my order soon just want some insight.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=142556

There you go.

yeah really, 260 seems a bit of a stretch... when I got the card reader for my XL.. while it didn't look as pretty as some of the full CF reader kits available specifically for mpcs.. it costed like $1.50 including shipping on ebay... my computer has a CF slot on it already but those were also like 0.99 on ebay for a USB one.. that right there brings the total to under 3 bucks. (I hollowed out a broken floppy drive and made my own cf reader case to mount it in the mpc)

but that is just me, you are a better judge of your own workflow needs so jumping on something like the maschine just may be that step you need to get your music the way you want it.


is there a way you can try one out before buying it just to see if it's for you?

^ what he said! plus keep in mind that you need a powerful computer (and an asio interface) in order to have a low latency. a lot of cats who are used to produce with MPCs are disappointed by maschine´s latency.

**** wrote:a lot of cats who are used to produce with MPCs never notice any latency with maschine because it's a non-issue in 2011.

Fixed.

emptysea wrote:

**** wrote:a lot of cats who are used to produce with MPCs notice high latencies with maschine because it's a crappy product.

Fixed.

thanks!

**** wrote:

emptysea wrote:

**** wrote:a lot of cats who are used to produce with MPCs notice high latencies with maschine because it's a crappy product.

Fixed.

thanks!

Unless people are running on Pentium 3, surely there can't be any issues with latency in the slightest? No more than you'd expect from running something with an absolute beasting of automation in a DAW?

@ The OP: There's no reason to ditch one thing in favour of another. Just get the Maschine, learn it, enjoy it, and when you've saved up a bit of money get the parts you need for the MPC. Until then you could always back up your samples by recording them into your DAW and then have fun with the arrangements and further tweaking using the Maschine.

scoobylol wrote:


Unless people are running on Pentium 3, surely there can't be any issues with latency in the slightest? No more than you'd expect from running something with an absolute beasting of automation in a DAW?

@ The OP: There's no reason to ditch one thing in favour of another. Just get the Maschine, learn it, enjoy it, and when you've saved up a bit of money get the parts you need for the MPC. Until then you could always back up your samples by recording them into your DAW and then have fun with the arrangements and further tweaking using the Maschine.

What scooby said...................Im actualy back working with maschine again and enjoing it MAINLY because im using my own samples produced on PROPER hardware and also Sampling my own shizz which is a real joy on this combo.So a combination of both software and hardware=a great comprimize.Well lets say a great UNION :: ]] (but yeah you do need a hot computer....)

so i agree with most of the guys on here on you should a maschine. it seems like you mainly want something for performing live and an improvment in managing files. i can sympathize with yuh on losing files. it definitely is a downer. soul crushing at times. however i say in the long run if you keep using your MPC really, really try to find a card reader. i was trekking on zip disks for years. it really wasnt my drive but more of the just the disks. just bad media overall. after about 5 corrupt disks, 200+ lost samples, and several skeleton beats i had to switch. its just inevitable if you stick with zip or floppy - youre going to lose your data.

dont have too much experience with a maschine, but ive played with my friends maschine and have to say theyre pretty amazing. hes running it off an older macbook pro (intel, non unibody) with a Mackie Onyx black jack interface and it seems to work well. ive done a few duo sets with him and seeing him onstage he plays everything off the maschine, which is pretty cool. he doesnt look at the computer screen too much so the maschine controller is the base of his sequencing, triggering samples/drums (among other instruments he plays namely keys).

the only set back(s) getting the maschine id say were probably covered -mpc2000xl vs maschine in terms of feel/swing/vibe and your personal workflow. goes into the software vs. hardware quarrel. id say thats a biggie, but these debates are for a more advanced maschine user on here!

hope this helps! good luck!

emptysea wrote:

**** wrote:a lot of cats who are used to produce with MPCs never notice any latency with maschine because it's a non-issue in 2011.

Fixed.

you would hope... but buy him that 2011 computer as well as a decent interface and hell be set... or else he'll be spending well over that $260 estimate he got on the card readers for his XL..

not to say having a good computer and interface isn't something he should also have but it adds to the price tag. If he already has that boom i7 and RME... then why not grab the maschine also... keep the XL cause of past projects, and start fresh on the new gear. No need to have absolutely every song's components up and running on every single platform known to man or having a single piece of gear that does every feature known to man.. which is where compromises and finding out what works for your own systematical workflow comes into play.