New Maschine MKII revealed! - Full pics and details

[yur2die4]

It is especially comical to see the snide remarks being done by people that have not really experienced Maschine. It is easy to Say this or that functionality are here or there. Ableton Live has a lot of versatility. But the solid integration Maschine offers is really unmatched. As a hardware device, a unique software, and a duo. And it is great to see it constantly evolving. I have had it since launch. Considering that I paid for that instance of it, all these upgrades are a steal haha

And color really does help in organization. I'm curious if people will find a way to exploit it for midi controlling (Ableton script??).

One fun thing to do with it is, use it as a live instant sampler . you can play out a melody with blank notes. And then switch to sampling mode. Hum a note, and viola!! Sampled without having to drag a single waveform.

[djadonis206]

The coolest thing about Maschine is dragging and dropping midi files into Ableton because all your automation comes with the midi file. So useful!

[Theo Void]

I just made this my wall paper and then beat off to it! Good times.

[delicioso]

And color really does help in organization. I'm curious if people will find a way to exploit it for midi controlling (Ableton script??).

"And, yes, color on the pads responds to MIDI. That means unique custom templates for tools like Ableton Live or Renoise could be in store."
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2012/08/m ... e-gallery/

[camoz]

i hoped ni build a "real" stand alone controller.

[Theo Void]

I'm definitely getting this. Try to sell my GAIA to fund it. Seriously, I haven't been this excited about gear in awhile.

[yur2die4]

Despite my excitement for this, I've gotta say, the new MPC looks very competitive. When you consider that it has a slight edge on software, a major edge as a durable and more featured midi controller, plus a full on edge with having a built in audio interface. The price comparisons seem pretty close.

I guess the Ren has started shipping now too.

[humnumb]

Despite my excitement for this, I've gotta say, the new MPC looks very competitive. When you consider that it has a slight edge on software, a major edge as a durable and more featured midi controller, plus a full on edge with having a built in audio interface. The price comparisons seem pretty close.

I guess the Ren has started shipping now too.

Huh? What makes you think the new MPC "has a slight edge on software"? I haven't seen anything that would suggest that. And we're talking about a product that has yet to be released to the public. Just the fact that they made their controller to be a huge dongle so that the software won't even run without the controller being attached is a huge fail IMO.

a major edge as a durable and more featured midi controller

"Plastic construction
Ensures durability."
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Akai---MPC- ... Id=4779039

And I don't see how their controller is "more featured". Just because it has 8 more knobs doesn't mean it's automatically better. The fact that they put the knobs in a separate area (instead of having the knobs and buttons right above below the hardware display like Maschine) is a serious design flaw IMO.

plus a full on edge with having a built in audio interface.

I don't see that as any kind of edge at all. I prefer to have a good dedicated audio interface. No need for a crappy integrated device, especially based on Akai's existing products.

[yur2die4]

I have seen one video so far demonstrating the software. It seems a little cluttered, but the controller's availability of labelled buttons seems I cure this. I eyed up the basic sampler features. The filter has more models to choose from, and the lfo appears to be a little more flexible. There is a song mode. It is like they wrote down everything Maschine has, or everything people expect, and with much intention, tried to one up each feature.

I have yet to see the software in real true action, but te tour of the software was pretty nifty.


As for the hardware. I love the pads on my Maschine, and the displays are great too. For what it is, NI certainly made it effective and versatile. I own Maschine and am genuinely excited about it. As for the knobs, they are dangerous, especially for taking it places. I'm always afraid of bending my knobs. And I've seen people's Maschines where their knobs have lost much resistance and wobble all over in use. I can't compare the USB outlet, but I do know Maschine has had problems for some users (I'm always very careful about jacks myself). I'm admittedly contemplating picking up a Mikro . I love my Lauchpad for just going places and fiddling around. The Mikro would be the sweet spot between the LP and Maschine

The MPC controller may be plastic, but it's buttons and knobs have the build of most of Akai's other gear. And the knobs appear a bit more settled in.


Built in audio interface. In the sense of portability and plugs, it means one less thing you have to plug in/carry/set up. The other bonus is, there are a lot of users New to the whole production thing trying to dive into 'makin beats'. Having a built in interface makes it easier for the company to tell these users how they can reduce their latency issues. A lot of people are just using their laptop sound card... Which isn't terrible. I do it when I'm only using headphones haha.


In a way off topic, I think itd be crazy insane if Ableton 9 watched all this hardware action and stepped up to the Win8 portable touchscreen game . but I don't see that being very realistic haha

[humnumb]

The MPC controller may be plastic, but it's buttons and knobs have the build of most of Akai's other gear.

Which is not saying much considering MPCs are well known to have build issues like pads and screens dying, and especially the tact switches for buttons which are notorious for breaking. They apparently used the same exact tact switches for the new MPControllers.

Built in audio interface. In the sense of portability and plugs, it means one less thing you have to plug in/carry/set up.

Except that the size of the MPC Renaissance controller would make it not very portable at all regardless of whether it has a built-in soundcard or not.

[humnumb]

And color really does help in organization. I'm curious if people will find a way to exploit it for midi controlling (Ableton script??).

"And, yes, color on the pads responds to MIDI. That means unique custom templates for tools like Ableton Live or Renoise could be in store."
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2012/08/m ... e-gallery/

Damn, they look so much better in these pics compared to the guitar center 3D mockups:

[Electric Blue Studios]

it looks like they're going after the sneakerhead market.

[convex]

My thoughts exactly.

I've been using one since it came out, and now I'm wondering how long it will be before they kill it off. Can't tell if this bid for wider appeal with the pretty colors and bling is good because it will broaden the user base and maybe keep the product alive longer. Or if this is a mad grab for cash while they finalize development of the next hardware/software combo instrument that replaces Maschine.

Kore had about five years across two versions. Will Maschine make it another two to match that?

[delicioso]

I've been using one since it came out, and now I'm wondering how long it will be before they kill it off. Can't tell if this bid for wider appeal with the pretty colors and bling is good because it will broaden the user base and maybe keep the product alive longer. Or if this is a mad grab for cash while they finalize development of the next hardware/software combo instrument that replaces Maschine.

Kore had about five years across two versions. Will Maschine make it another two to match that?

"Maschine has become one of the central products in the NI portfolio in record time, it has one of the biggest team of developers, designers and product managers behind it and a comprehensive roadmap ahead of it. The notion that it could be considered for discontinuation is just completely nonsensical.

To put some perspective on the hysteria that some people have been trying to whip up: Traktor and Kontakt have been in constant development for 10 years, and Reaktor has been maintained since 15 years now. There is no reason to believe that Maschine will not progress and grow further for at least the same amount of time."
http://www.native-instruments.com/forum ... stcount=36

"We are of course always looking into ideas for developing the Maschine hardware. However, it’s important to note that current compatibility with the existing controllers will always remain an important focus for us."
http://www.native-instruments.com/forum ... stcount=10

[Stolenlogic]

i'd like to try that out