Hardware User here.....Just got the Maschine/software.. quick review mpc vs machine

[InspectahEX]

The sounds are cool, but this thing is like a beat thang mixed with fruity loops with a dash of mpc style. I really think the hardware mpcs KILL the maschine in every aspect of workflow, only plus for maschine i think is that it comes with a lot of sounds, good for beginners who have no personal sounds in their stash, but these are like the same stock instruments and drum kits you can get without the machine, mpc swing, workflow, and sound is all better

PADS - MPC
SOUND ENGINE - MPC
WORKFLOW - MPC
SOLID SEQUENCE CONSTINENCY - MPC
DRUM ROLL/NOTE REPEAT - MPC
BROWSING - MPC... on maschne you can't even preview sounds, just load and hope
STOCK SOUNDS - MASCHINE
STOCK FX - MASCHINE
LOOKS COOLER - MASCHINE
CAPABILTIES - TIE, except maschine has bugs in the software and more menus


Simply put, in my opinion, machine is for beginners that can't afford an mpc, but want something similar, and for those who don't use their own sounds

---------- Post added at 09:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 AM ----------

and I BET when the REN comes out it will crap on the maschine, but if its anything similar i'm sticking with hardware, software is not at all meant to be the center of a professional music production setup unless its protools or logic (from my experience) all software has bigs and hiccups, I can't stand that, when making music thats something u can't be having. I rather not have to worry about my computer usage, available ram, programs freezing/stuttering now and then etc... all BS when it comes to making music with software, i would only use software mainly if my computer had like 8gb rams and like 4+ Ghz processor

[SvenD]

You can preview sounds in Maschine. It is done in the broswer tab of the GUI. It is not possible to audition sounds on the device though, it must be done in the browser on the computer. I found the Maschine more to my liking than the MPC. I was using a 3000LE but find the Maschine to be a faster way to get my ideas down, mainly due to the pain of taking raw WAV files and getting them on the MPC. I use Maschine as a plugin in a DAW, rarely do I do standalone. It is also nice not having to run a freaking D-Sub or 8+2 discrete channels of audio taking up my entire interface, instead everything just comes through USB. However I do agree with you on the issue concerning the pad sensitivity.

[dmajor100]

Basically on the same level as you as far as a mpc being the more solid sequencer,I have a 3000 myself. I have yet bought my zip so ive only practiced with my motif and fantom. I might add I love the 3000s ability to send out 2 midi channels simultaniously and layer the sound of two synths. But back to the comparing work flow,I love maschines sampling and non destructive chopping but not its midi recording and it shuts down my motifs sound engine 70 percent of the time when I try to sequence both together. The 3000 is just a iconic maschine and the feel and stability is whats important to me. Sucks that im gonna have to sample all my drums to make a.program but I know ill love it after. I had the original maschine and now have the mikro which sucks once youve had the original. Im trying to sell the mikro for the mpc studio since I have the real mpc already,also will be getting the mpc fly and think the touch screen alone will beat the mikros work flow.

Ps. Ive had numerous crashes with the machine

[flux302]

kinda hard to give a credible review/ comparison when your not very well versed in maschine... I own a few mpc's and have been a long time mpc user... also I have owned maschine since 1.0 all my mpc's collect dust now. I have to respectfully completely disagree with your comparison. and I have used the ren (at namm)... I would say wait till both current versions of the software are actually released before you make your mind up on it. otherwise you just sound like a fanboy. btw how in the world are you giving the roll category to mpc? that makes no sense. the workflow in maschine IS FAR FASTER than in an mpc but it also works nothing like how the mpc sequencer works so I would assume that your not fully fluent in the many types of workflows maschine is capable of. I would say give it a bit more time solely using mashine... get used to it on it's own terms not trying to force it to be an mpc ... then you will see how fast and powerful it really is. p.s. if you care about your music and your music computer you will set it up proper. with it set proper you will definitely minimize bugs. the only crashes I have received from 1.7.2 are due to issues with 3rd party plugs that cause issues. not with the maschine code. (looking at you IK multimedia) and this includes on my 2008 mbp with only 4 gb ram and a 2.4 ghz core 2 duo...

It took me about a week to realize how the sequencer can speed my workflow up, and once you understand program changes in a daw. it's becomes far deeper of an arranger. if you use your daw to handle scene changes you can do anything and more the song mode of an mpc can do. (though I agree in stand alone mode it needs tempo mapping) and convert scenes to scene. for automation reasons.