Maschine or turntables again?

[aqua_tek]

So I've been interested in getting Maschine for a while. I'm also sort of missing my old turntable setup at home.

Maschine looks fun to work with and it's another tool that might get the creativity flowing. I do have the APC40 and the NativeKontrol "hacks" added some pretty nice Drumracks functionality... but the pads, as you may know, are tiny and not velocity sensitive. Maybe the Maschine will complement it nicely. I'm not just looking at it for the pads, though. If that were the case I might as well just get a padKontrol or something. But its software side also looks good, and the big soundbank that comes with it can't hurt.

On the other hand, I am missing my old DJ setup at times. I miss having a pair of turntables and a mixer that I can use to practice for any upcoming gigs, sample random records to mangle in Live, and just mess around with to entertain myself every once in a while.

Creatively speaking, Maschine sounds like it would be a more practical option, plus I can get EDU discount so it would be relatively cheaper than the DJ setup. It also takes up a lot less space. But I'm still torn. What to do, what to do.


Give me your 2 cents.

[supamonsta]

what's your budget mate?

-For DJing, I acquired a vestax VCI 100 and tracktor DUO (69 euros to upgrade to DUO from the T3 LE provided with the vestax), it's really great for fun DJing, if you can get rid of the "good ol' vinyle touch".

that's about 500 euros for the controller + software. (but you'll got to get mp3s or rip your vinyles)

-For fun, easy composition and live workflow the maschine is really cool too. I just acquired it, and am now in the urge of having more time to use it

you can also see some interesting vids on youtube with the maschine as a controller for traktor,,,

My advice would be to get all this stuff (around 1000 euros if all is purchased "first hand"), so it's about the price of a complete DJ setup, but with LOTS MORE FLEXIBILITY, and other possibilities thant only DJing...

my 2 euro-cents

cheers

PS: I voted "booze+drugs+hookers", because :
1)the option I would choose is not there (maschine + tracktor + vestax VCI100)
2)booze+drugs+hookers is a kinda fantasy I'd like one day to get realised!! lolz

cheers

[dum]

well, decks are timeless imo. I still buy tunes that are released on vinyl only, as do several of my buddies - we still mix records when we're hanging out. Plus buying old records dirt cheap for sampling shenanigans is fun. I think of my decks in terms of entertainment more than production. they're not in my studio space, they're in my lounging area with some old electribes and other fun audio doodads, the same place I chill, read, watch movies etc. I'll sell them when I sell my bookshelves with all the books included (i.e. never)

I think sometimes people over-think what decks are for, think too seriously about being super djs or whatever and conclude they're not the ideal dj-ing solution. Fair enough, I guess. Only you can really decide if decks are for you or not.

I'm sure you'd be very happy with the maschine btw - but I couldn't choose between a maschine or my decks. While I don't make a living off my deck djing skills or have a rep as a master turntablist or any desire to be one - I certainly wouldn't give up the decks for the maschine...I'd just keep saving until I had the spare dough for maschine.

[Rave]

I am with dum decks for fun, maschine for studio

[smutek]

I'd go with maschine, however - I'm selling my whole dj setup -

2 Technics 1200's (very old but in good working order)
1 Pioneer DJM 500 (good shape)
1 JBL Eon 15 Monitor with stand (good shape)
1 Set Sony MDR V700 Headphones (good shape)
Serato Scratch Live SL1 (all packacing, control vinyl & Cd's incl.)

Looking for around 1k for the whole shebang. Negotiable.

I'm just down the road from you here in Baltimore. If you're interested drop me a line, maybe we can work something out.

I've been meaning to list this on craigslist since around December, but sometimes I tend to procrastinate...

[funky shit]

Id go for maschine.
but only cause its more of a production tool.
turntables & vinyl is awesome, but vinyl these days are too expensive etc.
if your djing, cds or laptop is the way to go.

[aqua_tek]

smutek, that sounds like a good package, though a bit over my budget.

Budget is my main concern, and the base for my indecision. I wouldn't compare them otherwise, since it would be an "apples to oranges" type of thing. I can afford one. I just need to figure out if I want to go with the DJ or production gadgets.

Then again, I already have Live, Traktor Scratch Pro, and my APC, which I can map to both, so maybe what I should do is focus on continuing to get the most out of the APC, and then get something that will hopefully help me up my game a bit, production-wise. I'm guessing that would make Maschine the likely choice.

Still need to mull it over though.

Thanks for the responses so far

[Bleep Blop Ima Robot]

MASCHINE!!!...nuf said.

[continuous]

Maschine + Drugs... is that an option?

[Bleep Blop Ima Robot]

drugs are always an option with something, especially music stuff, drugs + maschine = FUN FUN FUN

[beats me]

My vote goes for Maschine. If you already have Traktor search youtube for videos showing how you can control Traktor with Maschine and since they are both made by NI you know they sure as fuck are going to eventually make both Traktor and the Maschine software do amazing things together. It's going to make the Ableton/Serato collab look stupid....as if it didn't already look weak without any competition.

If money is an issue maybe try a site like americanmusical.com where they'll split it up into 3 monthly payments, no credit check or questions asked. Also you can get a new Maschine on ebay for about $100 less than you'd get it retail...and that's also $100 less on the edu price.

I think your question has been answered.

[dum]

ya, the maschine/traktor integration looks boss

[SubFunk]

ya, the maschine/traktor integration looks boss

it is uber-boss, killer OMFG hottest shit.

that damn maschine, i need to get one, it is the ultimate tool in my eyes, full superb integration into DAWs, sexy controller and works well with Traktor / Serato, plus it is awesome standalone... and the built is through and through oldskool german quality. yes!

i played only around with it once and i was like that

i need to have it.

[beats me]

So despite almost all evidence and advice pointing to Maschine I expect Nathan's next post to be "So I got some turntables……"

[contakt321]

ya, the maschine/traktor integration looks boss

Dunno, the drugs/hookers/booze integration is pretty outstanding as well