iMaschine Updates: From the Eyes of a "Hobbyist" Musician

Ill start off by saying that I'm not a "producer", nor do I make music for a living these. And when I did make a living with my music, it wasn't the kind of music that comes to mind when people consider purchasing the likes of Maschine or any other number of products offered by NI. For the most part, I've traveled the States and Europe playing a brand of experimental sludge/doom metal. So you can imagine that there was ever any continuity foreseen in my "career" as a musician, especially considering the type of labels that were putting out our material (which were mostly vinyl, CD, and downloadable media).

Anyway, I include all of that in my introduction here because, after lurking for quite some time since 2009, I've noticed that many of you are or claim to be producers or specialists in the areas of beat production and so on and so forth.

I do not fit that mold. I am your AVERAGE consumer... More of a hobbyist than anything else these days. However, I am still very much a musician, and the touring life of a doom metal musician is no longer conducive to being a good father or husband.

So here I am, looking at avenues of creating music that don't involve spending all day practicing and writing with four other musicians in a rehearsal space. I've always loved various forms of electronic music, and it is appealing that I can do most of my work alone and quietly after the kids are in bed.

Enough with my background, though. My reason for signing up to post is because I feel that it is necessary for Native Instruments to understand the way they reach the average consumer - musicians like myself, not the pro producer.

I purchased iMaschine a couple of years ago, well before I owned a Maschine Mikro. Quite frankly, it was the app that made me want to purchase the hardware. I was intrigued by the idea that I could manipulate and slice samples, and since the full-featured hardware was not in my budget, I sprang for the Mikro. Very happy with my purchase, I stayed busy with the hardware, and was so pleased with what I could do, I put even more faith into NI and purchased several of their software bundles and expansion packs (I had already purchased all the ones for iMaschine by this point).

Unfortunately, I had endured some really tough financial times in 2012 and early 2013 that forced me to sell my Mikro. Now that I'm back on my feet, I've been looking at possibly purchasing a higher-end Maschine package. I don't think I can justify the Studio, but the step down from that is a little closer to my $500 budget.

However, there are several things I will consider before I give any more of my business to NI. For starters, we live in a day and age where it isn't uncommon for everyone I know to own an iOS device. I don't go anywhere without my iPad and iPhone. Companies like Korg understand that the iPad is almost an extension of ourselves, and that is part of the reason that I look to Korg before going anywhere else for hardware. They've earned my loyalty as a customer, and I trust them as a company to provide me with quality instruments and interfaces.

I mean, they release an iOS app like Korg Gadget, and NI can't even offer an update for their obsolete software? Do you honestly think that Korg's release of Gadget will do anything but boost their hardware sales? Why is NI so afraid of embracing a platform that is in almost every household in the US (I admit I can't speak for the iOS popularity in other parts of the world). If you believe that, then consider doing more research. If I were NI, I would take notes from some of their competitors on how to build a brand and earn customer loyalty.

I REALLY want to like NI and embrace the Maschine once again, but know that if I do, I'll be buying a second-hand maschine. Especially since they can be had between $200-300 USD for the MK1.

I hope they'll change my mind by showing some interest in the iOS platform. Hell, they would have my respect if they would AT LEAST address the iMaschine at all. They must not want any new customers? Maybe they don't need the business of the average musician?

I'm not asking you to allow my iPad to replace your controller hardware. I'm asking that you care enough to update what you've already released and not to let an otherwise awesome companion to Maschine get left behind or abandon it altogether.

 

Amen!!!!!

Minus the sludge metal this is me! I'm not alone!

I've tried all the rest and keep coming back to imaschine but I can't figure out why a top notch company like native instruments isn't giving proper attention to it's app division ( at least in public ... A hint or something please ). iOS is part of the future of electronic music so with the same economic challenges I sold gear and made a way to get my ipad to experience it myself. It's an incredibly powerful tool that is growing larger with each new groundbreaking app and NI should be a huge part of the landscape.

Korg is owning the big name premium app market right now but they are also coming out with amazing hardware at the same time ( hello?).
I think even the most basic features such as !!!!!AUDIOBUS!!!!! ( sorry about that ), background play, and copy/paste would cement imaschine as one of the top iOS workflow apps. I recently saw a video of an app called beathawk that has start end adjustment and freaking ADSR!!!!! Every drum app should have this period.

Please Native Instruments, let us imaschine lovers know if there is any life left in this app. I personally would love to own the many powerful and innovative NI iOS products and as I can see there are others out there just like me.

Thanks,

JR

 

Amen to that aswell.
As for popularity in the world i can honestly say that as far as music is concerned the IOS platform is the ONLY way to go.
Windows RT, Android and others simply dont have any serious music related software like IOS so the focus of all manufactorers is IOS, period !
In the year 2014 still relying on just the iphone version is extremely sad, just for the form factor alone.
As for the lack of about 1001 functions speak for itself.

I think its safe to say that NI only cares for new hardware with the related software and ofcourse the expansion packs.
Funny enough they do release Imaschine expansion packs just to make another quick buck but dont expect any support anytime soon.
Hell, they dont even respond here to ANY question concerning Imaschine, not a single reply.

No sir, its not going to happen and its sad as proper IOS software could ONLY boost their sales and at the same time polish up their image.
At this time i would say great hardware and computer software, lousy and lame mobile software.
And yes i said it, i know some of you like traktor DJ for the ipad, me too but after some time using it you will see its also rather limited and could use some updates.

 

N.I. should be embarrassed by iMaschine. N.I. customers should be outraged at the lack of features and updates after years of waiting and N.I. only releasing sound packs. That is a slap in the face. Thankfully companies such as Korg, Moog, Intua, Steinberg, Propellerhead, Waldorf, Beepstreet and others have stepped up and produced some amazingly great products. N.i.'s loss is their gain. Korg's Gadget is selling quite well and receiving rave reviews!

 

Speaking of Korg Gadget... Man... That app is THE ****!

C'mon, NI... At least keep up with your competition.

 

Waaaake uuuuup!

 

If they had any plans they would have done it long time ago.
They somehow want to just focus on their hardware and worry ONLY about the software that goes with it.
I think they made a calculation wether the effort would be worth it and it looks like they probably can make more $$$ doing other things.

IMaschine is dead

Wish somebody else would use the format so they could incorporate it in their own app. Like BM2 being able to import and export Maschine files.

 

Eh I think I'm giving up on NI altogether. I doubt I'll even use their soft synths any more. There is better **** out there, and better companies that actually listen to the people that buy their products.

I'll still use imaschine here and there a quick sketch, but I'm not buying another Maschine. At least not until NI shows that they care enough to respond to their consumer concerns.

 

I'll add that, if all they did was come out and say what their iOS plans were, they would probably earn enough of my respect to keep me as a customer.

 

True, they seem to have the audacity to IGNORE all the posts and questions on their own damn forum .... I am sure they are reading this but they just don't bother.
A simple message saying that it won't be supported anymore would be the proper thing to do, BUT that would potentially cost them $$$ as people most likely won't be buying Imaschine expansions anymore or atleast a lot less.

Things like this are issues that need to be asked by cheeky reporters at events like NAMM or similar conventions.

 

what exactly does Kier say when you ask him about these things?

 

Buy korg gadget...have some fun

 

Korg are absolutely killing it, amazing what gadget can do.

 

Just to poke a little.
You spent less for this program than you paid for one Grande Caramel Macciato.
You spent less for this app than you paid for a Number 2 combo, almost less than a kids meal.
You spent less for this app than a couple of soda's and a couple bags of chips from the snack machine.
You spent less for this app than one pint of Cherry Garcia ice cream.

It comes with 4 drum machines, 4 samplers, a 4 track recorder, 2 effects busses, and a bunch of built in high quality sounds.
I'm more than a tiny bit curious what you were expecting... especially after you read the website, and watched the youtube videos?

I have no connection to NI (other than I am a NI customer like y'all), and I only joined the forum today to ask a question about iMaschine, but I stumbled on this thread and just had to poke a bit, I hope you'll indulge me.

There are plenty of apps that don't do much, plenty of apps that cost more than they're worth, and crash and break, and are generally unusable.

This app is not anywhere near that group.

I use all the apps. and I keep coming back to iMaschine; "It is what it is", -, but a really slick little way to make music, and express ideas. If it doesn't do things it never said it could do, and you're frustrated with that, hmmm.

It's never lost a song, never corrupted a song, never not given me back what I put in. And it's partially open. If you want to add samples, add 'em, if you want to record samples, record em. If you want to edit them - well then.. that's not so easy.. but its do'able.

That Korg app, looks swell. But its $40 (only 28 for a limited time - ) - for 8x the money, I would hope it would be swell.
By the same logic, you would buy a Toyota and add that its not nearly as nice the Mercedes-Benz S600 or Lamborghini Gallardo.


I have a list of 'want to see' features in iMaschine too, but as it is, its a fun little app that inspires me to make fun music.

'B

 

Nobody and i repeat NOBODY is saying that it's not worth the $$$ or that is't expensive.
It is however VERY limited and even worse there are no upgrades or any support, yet paid expansions are constantly released so NI still puts some effort into this app.

As for the Toyota, it's not a lambo But it gets you from A to B, has more cargo space, better gas mileage, better reliability, has also at least 2 doors, power windows, power brakes, power steering, a radio, and the list goes on.

Imaschine lacks A LOT of functions like a simple and very basic copy/paste ! The app has been around for some time now and you would expect some support or feedback.
Even the cheapest 3 cilinder Toyota still gets serviced and they still perform recalls. Also the spare parts are also available.

I am sorry, putting everything in perspective simply due to the lowcost of the app is a bit too simple for me.
If you like it i am truely happy for you but loyal NI users simply would like to see a better version and i am sure they are willing to pay for it too.

 

Hear hear! Copy paste, even if it's clunky ( although silky smooth integration like between sector and audio share would be awesome! ) and start end adjustment would bring this app back out front for me and others I'm sure of it.

Oh well

 

At least make it look better on the ipad. Please

 

songmode in gadged is bad
i maschine need a songmode
export much patterns in one maschine project
touch automation of more parameters

 

What the hell? Am I dreaming? An imaschine update? I nearly **** my pants with excitement this morning.

I've yet to delve too far into the update, but I wanted to take a moment to thank NI for giving me a reason to use imaschine again and reconsider purchasing a Maschine hardware package.

And BrianD... You kinda missed my point altogether, but thank you for adding to the conversation. One thing I will point out though... After purchasing expansions and such, I have far more invested into iMaschine than I put into Gadget. So your analogy is really flawed.

However, it's all a moot point now. Thanks, NI!

 

McKabe, before you celebrate too prematurely I must warn you that this "update" is not all that. N.I. still has omitted basic features such as MIDI(duh), Audiobus (double duh), InterAppAudio and even audio copy/paste. I'm happy they added iTunes sampling (something Beatmaker added years ago and even Akai's iMPC had it from day 1). But, at least it is a start and iMaschine is not totally dead. However, once iMPC Pro is released in a few weeks, iMaschine will once again be left in the dust. Hence, the unexpected release of iMaschine 1.4 after over 2 years of no updates.