MPC 2500 vs Maschine

[MK1st]

I'm sure this thread may have existed elsewhere..., deep in the catacombs of Future Producers. I figured it would be helpful to me and others to bring this question back up in a more recent thread.

I have an MPC 2500 (regular) with all the fixins (except the CD-Drive). I use it from time to time but right now it's being used as a MIDI pad.

I know there are a lot of features with it I love and I like how music sounds from it. Very authentic. But I dont know the complete ins and outs of it. And I dont know if I am using it to its full potential (that kind of reiterates the last sentence, smh).

Anywho, I seen maschine and folks are calling it the MPC killa. I also seen RZA promote the Roland MV (i forget the model number).

My question is, with the complete and full potential of each machine being utilized, what would be better to use? The Akai MPC 2500 or Native Instruments' Maschine?

---------- Post added at 08:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:43 AM ----------

Or the Roland MV 8800(i think thats the model number)

 

[Focused]

In short, Maschine is a groovebox with Extended Sampling capabilities and VST hosting. Its not an MPC:



If you havent maxed out your use of the MPC you need to spend more time with it. Maschine is just as deep as an MPC but in different ways such as routing, effects, and performance features.

 

[alkota]

I learned on hardware samplers... ala MPC, SP12, etc. and moved to Reason in 2008. Reason 6.5 is pretty intensive and capable application, but I don't use a vast majority of the features or get as "in depth" as I could. So it really depends on what your aim is. If Maschine does something that your MPC doesn't, go for it. I personally use Reason like my MPC/drum machines w/ more improved workflow.

 

[ScribeOne]

I now as of yesterday have.... both the 2500 and a maschine.

Ive had my mpc 2500 for years, i use to use it all the time. I use to make full beats out on it. then as time went on i found it easier to mix everything on a computer. Then i found it easier to rearrange samples on software, then i found it easier to chop samples on software and as time went on it was just way more time efficient to do everything threw software on the computer,.. so it hasnt gotten use in a while, once in a while ill rip samples off of a vinyl into it and chop it threw the mpc.. other then that it doesnt get much use anymore

The maschine, seems like a nice piece of equiptment... by no means is it even in the same category as an mpc if anything i feel it stands as a midi controller, but with its own daw and sequencer. But the options seem limitless with it. Like i said though i bought the mk2 yesterday, so by no means have i fully figured it out yet. I havent even mastered simple things such as setting full levels on velocity controls, or how to manually chop samples. I feel like its going to take me a while to learn it... but it definitely seems like a cool piece to master

---------- Post added at 04:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:53 PM ----------

I now as of yesterday have.... both the 2500 and a maschine.

Ive had my mpc 2500 for years, i use to use it all the time. I use to make full beats out on it. then as time went on i found it easier to mix everything on a computer. Then i found it easier to rearrange samples on software, then i found it easier to chop samples on software and as time went on it was just way more time efficient to do everything threw software on the computer,.. so it hasnt gotten use in a while, once in a while ill rip samples off of a vinyl into it and chop it threw the mpc.. other then that it doesnt get much use anymore

The maschine, seems like a nice piece of equiptment... by no means is it even in the same category as an mpc if anything i feel it stands as a midi controller, but with its own daw and sequencer. But the options seem limitless with it. Like i said though i bought the mk2 yesterday, so by no means have i fully figured it out yet. I havent even mastered simple things such as setting full levels on velocity controls, or how to manually chop samples. I feel like its going to take me a while to learn it... but it definitely seems like a cool piece to master

 

[MK1st]

Okay. I've been torn on it. I'm still holding onto my MPC for the time being because I do have an option to use it as a midi pad on my pc. Plus I still feel like there is the need to have it for the time being. I can use certain aspects of it better than I could do things on my DAW but there are other things more complicated or just inconvienent about it. I.E. the sequencer itself is a bit of trouble to me, chopping samples also is a lot more troublesome to me. But I can mash out drum patterns and full beats quicker once I get past all of that. I'm rambling. Thanks guys (and or gals).

 

[i3enjamin]

I've owned both, & I personally favor the MPC 2500 (w/ JJOS of course). The MPC is a starting point for me in the studio. I don't usually need to use VSTs, I plug my 4 keyboards (Access Virus, Roland V-Synth, Juno 106, & Yamaha Motif) into a mixer which goes to the MPC line in. The Maschine can't do this. If I want to, I can also use the headphone out on my computer to run VST instruments through the MPC.


Maschine is an instrument; the MPC is a process. It replaces FL Studio/Cubase/Pro Tools/etc. during the creation phase. However, I wouldn't at all suggest mixing your music on an MPC. The FX are very limited. When you wanna mix, you need to bounce down (or save) your files to a real DAW where you can use unlimited VST (or stock) FX and automation etc.

The MPC is my preferred way to create music (it used to be FL Studio). Pro Tools is my preferred DAW for mixing + sequencing.

 

[volcanobeats]

not an mpc killer....but dope in its own right

i actually own an mpc 2000xl and have owned the 2500 before. And I have maschine. Both are dope, but the mpc is irreplacable in my opinion. its just the way things are done with the two. the mpc is stand-alone. meaning no access to millions of sounds, no unlimited undos, no unlimited sample-time. I like that feeling sometimes. I have my mpc 2000xl, emu e64 sampler hooked to it as well as a motix xf and alesis ion. In my opinion you dont need more than that for sampling/sequencing hip-hop/edm/dub or whatever electronic music. I couldnt see myself just using maschine. It feels chunky to me. Not as fluent as my mpc's feel. But it is very creative with the ability to use kontakt and other vsts within it. But that is my problem sometimes. I have less focus when I have a world of sounds at my disposal. To me it has a lot to do with the music you are making too. Just my opinion though, peace.

 

[MOTC]

They are both apples and oranges. Which one you refer to will depend deeply on your production style. The MPC I feel is more more "hands on" technical where the Maschine is more "point and click" technical. Sampling does not feel the same and neither does anything else. It's great for sequencing and arranging patterns though. I can't say anything bad about either one really other than the Maschine has a learning curve on it that takes some time to get used to.

 

[J_D_Rance]

Not quite accurate

I've owned both, & I personally favor the MPC 2500 (w/ JJOS of course). The MPC is a starting point for me in the studio. I don't usually need to use VSTs, I plug my 4 keyboards (Access Virus, Roland V-Synth, Juno 106, & Yamaha Motif) into a mixer which goes to the MPC line in. The Maschine can't do this. If I want to, I can also use the headphone out on my computer to run VST instruments through the MPC.


Maschine is an instrument; the MPC is a process. It replaces FL Studio/Cubase/Pro Tools/etc. during the creation phase. However, I wouldn't at all suggest mixing your music on an MPC. The FX are very limited. When you wanna mix, you need to bounce down (or save) your files to a real DAW where you can use unlimited VST (or stock) FX and automation etc.

The MPC is my preferred way to create music (it used to be FL Studio). Pro Tools is my preferred DAW for mixing + sequencing.

Not sure I subscribe to this. I am a Maschine Owner and also have had a dance or two with the MPC 1000 and 2500; standard OS and JJOS. Both tools are capable of many of the same things with the exception that the Maschine can host VSTs, functions as a DAW [for beat creation] and has a number of ways to export and/or route audio out to either external devices or other software. The key difference between the two is that the MPC does it all inside the box; sequencing, sampling, audio interface, etc. The Maschine does all those things but still needs an audio interface if you plan to route in audio from external sound sources - oddly enough, there is a MIDI in/out on the hardware controller.

I think the most overlooked thing is that Maschine is Software! It just happens to perfectly married to a USB controller. The MPC actually is software that lives inside its controller.

The truth of the matter is that either way you go, people are going to be loyal to a brand, and thats fine and dandy, but do the homework before openly discrediting the brand you don't really care for.

To the OP, it's a matter of how you envision your workflow and what you'd like to do with your music well into the future. Everything can be a Process if you make it so. I simply want to power on a device, have an idea and get to work. I don't believe in fiddling around and drawing stuff out for nostalgia's sake.

My music partner has his MPC 2500 as the brain of his setup and I have Maschine as my brain. He runs logic and Pro-tools, turntables - I run Reason, Ableton and Pro-tools and Motif XS. Our configurations are almost identical as far as how we have everything set up. Essentially, our rigs are identical and produce the same outcomes. His cabling, routing etc takes place on the back of his MPC, mine takes place on the back of my audio interface.

I hope this helps you make an informed decision. I think you are good either way. I will say though, if you are interested in a small foot print go MPC. All you need are headphones and electricity and you are good. Maschine same thing, but you gotta power up that computer!

Peace

-J