SUPERBANANABOMB
New member
Midi controllers have a market because people dont like using the mouse for many things music related. Low level of integration is better than nothing for many of us. Its obvious that people dont want to use the mouse because so many people buy midi controllers. Again too much of your argument based around the midi controller idea. Maschine is Beat Production workstation. It doesnt live in the same spectrum as a midi controller. It lives in the same spectrum as say an RS7000, SP404, MPC 2500, MC 909 etc. Brand New, Maschine is the price of an mpc 500 Brand New, lets be fair (Used will vary just as anything else used).
In your argument, you say that Maschine is redundant...realistically an MPC is redundant to what a computer/DAW does. There is nothing that an MPC does functionally, that is not possible on the computer with a DAW. That being said Maschine's workflow is leagues beyond the workflow possible using an MPC with a computer. Maschine's workflow is well beyond the workflow possible with a midi controller and a computer. Maschine is about hands on, fast workflow.
But Maschine is linked to the PC, so really it's not the same as a MPC, RS7k, etc. because you can't just bring it anywhere and work on beats. You have to be right next to your computer, which is one of the major reasons why I don't like the idea of Maschine. I am not sure what kind of workflow you're trying to achieve, but I've never had too many problems making stuff in FL or Ableton. By "workflow" if you're simply talking about how fast you can do certain things, you're talking to the wrong person here. I am 100% focused on live PA and jamming.. and I know that although I could use Maschine to some great ends, I just don't see the point of buying it. I could jam out much better with a APC40, I guarantee Maschine can't touch the live performance potential of the APC.
Having a MPC isn't redundant because it's a truly standalone unit that's designed to do something... it's only redundant if you do a bunch of sampling and sequencing on the PC. I think your entire definition of "workflow" is where we have a difference of opinion, because I don't look at workflow as the sheer quickness by which I can change sounds or do whatever, I look at workflow as how much an instrument or controller inspires me to make music, and lay it down easily. The MPC is one of the easiest pieces of gear I've ever learned how to use. It's just my personal opinion that I feel more inspired and FOCUSED when I am working with hardware, and I'm away from the computer. I kinda thought about selling my MPC for a while but now that I've thought about it, I realize that using my computer for "just" sampling and sequencing will slowly poison my whole creative process. I'll stick with my MPC. In fact, I kinda wish I had the cash for a S950 now.. my 2000XL needs a friend!