CreativeDigitalMusic: "Big Maschine update shortly after October 27th"

do does anyone expect mk3 on the next week or studio mk2? or is it purely software enhancements coming next week

 

I'm not expecting anything but i'm hoping it will be software improvements. There really is no need for a new range of controllers when there are so many software enhancements that could be employed.

The studio controller hasn't been as utilised as much as it could be, so there is no need for a MK2 studio IMO unitl they do ( a lot more could be done with those big screens).

 

Expect? nobody expects the spanish inquisition nothing, NI is a blackbox, zero rumors.

MK3 controllers could happen next week or in 2017. Only we can do is hope.

 

Hardware not only changes because makes sense for the users, also components price changes overtime, manufactoring methods change etc... and usually a cheaper to make new controller bigger benefit ratio could pay for the R&D alone, also a bump in sales is a factor.

Thats why Sony makes Playstation Slim versions over time.

 

Given the moves that competition are making; and knowing that new sales are always generated by new hardware as opposed to software updates.

From a marketing perspective of gaining new customers do u think it makes sense for them to make a new controller to counter-act new sales that may be generated from Akai's new hardware?

Also would you feel slighted if NI went the new hardware route or is it the case that you dont care if NI do new hardware as long as they address the software issues?

 

I don't see a new maschine controller for this year but I could see them come out with some different colors or skins to be applied like the old maschine face plates. Cling skins for the studio for those that have it might be doable, but I expect software in the not to distant future. You know how reinvigorated the hardware would be with a seriously well working software environment. my .02

 

I hope that's true because right now I'm thinking about upgrading to Maschine MK2 and so I would hate to get it and then NI announces the MK3. But it's all speculation at this point.

 

Dez its always a crap shoot with gear, sadly enough. Truth is though even the mk1 controllers are still great controllers. I have never felt the urge or need to go from my mk2 to the studio. Ignorance is bliss in some situations.

 

Is your mk1 faulty why would u wait this long to upgrade to mk2 now?

 

No I wouldn't feel slighted, I still quite happily use my Mk1.

For me, the nuts and bolts of the product is in the software. If they want to respond to competition that's where they should do it. The current controllers are perfectly adequate and in the case of the studio controller, are under utilised.

 

I guess at this point makes more sense to stick with your current working solution for some weeks/months until obvious mk3 is released than buying a mk2 at full price just before is deprecated.

 

I would even say that the Mk1 and definitely Mk2 are under-utilised too. There are so many seemingly tiny improvements to controller workflow that could be done that would really have a massive impact on using Maschine: reset parameter to default, one-hand MIDI mode switch, delete modulation for parameter in current Pattern only and not all modulation for that parameter, shift+SELECT actually shows the event select mode that can then be pinned with button 2, PATTERN+selected Pattern pad to toggle between that Pattern and no Pattern... They're just a few in my mind.

Oh, and lest we forget, a primary use for F1/SNAP/ALL.

 

Yea foreal

I'm actually using the mikro mk2 and I waited this long because I was looking for a good deal for the MK2, but I recently just found one and so I was going to upgrade but NI might announce new hardware and so I will just wait.

 

this..

 

Agreed. IF they stick to what they said ages ago and don't make the older "legacy" controllers obsolete. Because as has been said, they really don't need to. And it would be a different story if they genuinely did need new controllers with different designs to do what many of us want. But it's not and they don't.

 

I can't even think of what NI could improve on the controller itself, the concept (not talking about the software) is perfect. I don't need 15 more buttons to take load off some SHIFT functions, I'd like to have the sequencer handle them in an appropriate way so I can work with it

 

They can fit bigger color screens in the same space (current mk2 screens has lot of useless frame) also rearrange some buttons from 1.x times that makes no sense anymore... Who knows, maybe people are right about touch interfaces being the future and they replace the whole left part of the hardware with a touch screen. Or maybe they need new buttons for amazing 2.5 new functionalities. Or touch strips ala Kontrol S.

To say that current hardware is done or future proof is naive.

 

That all sounds cosmetic to me, I'm only interested in functionality.

 

I dont see them ever making the old controller obsolete as far ask mk1/mk2 and studio

but I could see mikro going or being superseeded

 

what if they made the controller out of metal? and added flip screens or tilt screens?