But what exactly does it do that sets it apart from midi controllers? Is it some sort of special hands-on abilities? In your own words, what makes Maschine worth buying?
Think about some of the limitations of a midi controller. Most midi controllers do not allow you manually slice samples using its pads and knobs. Up until now you have always had to use the mouse/ascii keyboard in order to slice a sample in the software world. Maschine allows you to work with samples the same way you would on say an MPC or Modern Sampling workstation keyboard, editing/slicing, truncating, all mouse free.
Midi controllers do not allow you the ability to browse and swap sounds from their interface. There doesn't exist any midi controllers that can read out to you what sound you are currently using and then use it's display and knobs to find a new sound you are looking for, while never touching a mouse to do so. Changing sounds has always been a mouse+ Ascii Keyboard operation, even if you had the best midi controller on the market. Maschine has a dedicated browser for quickly finding sounds, editing your sounds and replacing your sounds without touching the mouse.
Midi controllers dont typically have a read out that tells you the exact name of the parameter you are controlling in all contexts. Even with things like the Axiom pro or Novation Automap, it is highly limited in what the display will actually tell you concerning a button or knob's function at any given point. With midi controllers, they are static, they can only control a software instrument in one context, or state. As soon as you change the state of the software ie switch from the main screen to an edit screen, many of your static controls no longer apply unless you create another template/preset in your midi controller editor. With Maschine all of the controllers have a use regardless of the context/menu. This means no matter what menu in Maschine you go into, Maschine will tell you which knobs and buttons control each function. You dont have to program 5 different control presets for Maschine because it automatically adjusts itself based on the menu context.
Midi controllers don't sample nor sequence. Maschine is a groove box, it has an internal sequencer for making beats, just as a Motif, MPC, or any other workstation has. This internal sequencer can control midi instruments as well as internal sounds and instruments. Think about how a Motif internal sequencer works. The Motif can sequence its own internal sounds, but it also can control and SEQUENCE external instruments. Maschine does the exact same thing. Midi controllers require that you use a separate application to handle the sampling. This means you have a controller that is made by one company, controlling a sampling program made by another company that is totally unrelated. There is a very low level of integration that is possible with this type of relationship. Most controls and intricacies are lost in the midi controller-software sampler interfacing. Maschine has a dedicated software that it has close 100% integration with, meaning that all the functions of the sampler are controlled from Maschine's hardware.
Maschine is software+hardware with almost 100% integration. Imagine opening up Fruity loops with your midi controller connected to it, and then being able to finish your whole beat without ever touching the mouse nor ascii keyboard. Right now thats not possible, you have to touch the mouse ALOT, and you certain have to use the ascii keyboard, especially if you want some sort of speed in your workflow. Maschine allows you to work without using a mouse and keyboard for most commands. This is pretty unprecedented in the world of computers.
