Jam, MK2 or wait?

Hi, I have a solid background producing music via DAW, controllers etc. but really like the workflow of Maschine and would like to buy my first one. When it comes to music gear and gadgets, I usually buy the latest and greatest. With Maschine (Studio is too expensive for me at the moment), I have tough time deciding between Jam/MK2/wait...

The only cons for me regarding MK2 are: - It's 5 years old. I'm sure there will be a newer one, once I buy it I know it shouldn't be a factor, but still... - Arrangement is indeed much harder than the Jam. With MK2 your are working on beats, with Jam you are working on songs.

My cons for the Jam: - No screen. I really like the way you can do everything on the MK2 hardware without ever looking on your computer screen. - No sampling workflow on hardware (BTW, can you still use the hardware controls for trimming, start/stop, fade, reversing etc. + looking on the computer screen?) - No touch sensitive pads.

What do you think guys? I'm lost....

Thanks in advance!!

 

I cannot imagine working with 0 touch sensitive pads... no way.. get a Jam and pick up a used Mikro ( controller only )... or if you can.... wait.. but who knows how long it will be... in the meantime make as many beats as possible on iMaschine.

 

I would wait.... if the MK3 is coming out, it will be probably announced early September

 

I agree with @macchinista, altho no one can know for certain if something new is dropping in September its only 2 months away and if you buy it now and then September comes and there is in fact a new controller your gonna cry, at least i would.

I am holding off buying a Z2 Mixer for this exact reason.

 

Studio is excellent, but $800... Mk3 is coming out SOMETIME, because of artifacts in the software, but has been known of for 1.5 years. Waiting for Mk3 could take 2 months, it could be 2 more years. No one knows. The JAM isn't even available in the store for the past couple weeks or more... is there going to be a refresh in September? Maybe they will add something or improve something? Maybe not.

If you can wait, I'd wait. Wait until November. If nothing is new at that point, I'd get something. If you do step-sequencing, go with the JAM, but get a Maschine Mk2 if you perform/need touch sensitive pads.

I can't imagine what the Mk3 will bring, aside from perhaps a few spare function buttons and color screens of similar size and use.

 

Thanks guys. I've bought MK2 eventually

 

What makes you guys mention September? I've lost track - is that the usual NI release time for hardware?

 

Hardware from N.I. Tends to be released between September & November (Maschine Studio, MKII, Komplete Kontrol, Jam)...

It's an assumption that they continue that trend.

 

September and October it seems they release stuff. I would hold on to your money folks. Can't wait to see what is next.

 

You are sober up, do not go dreaming again. NI, the management of the interview as early as last year, indirectly, answered the hardware problem, Maschine Jam is the next three years, the only hardware products, the next NI years to do is to do the software better, so Maschine and Traktor Can be completely integrated together, the creation of a new workflow. There will be no expectation of the emergence of Maschine Studio 2, Maschine Jam is now in order to meet Maschine Stuido and exist. In September this year, there will be no new hardware products released, you will not use the brain to think about the problem? If so soon released the so-called Maschine Studio 2, then let the purchase of Maschine Jam users how is it? Will NI destroy the Maschine Jam, the new product that has just been released for less than a year?

 

Why so rude? "You will not use the brain to" speak proper English?
I don't see how a Maschine Studio 2 would "destroy" the Maschine Jam (or piss off whoever bought it) they are completely different products.
An opinion about if something new is coming soon is just that, an opinion, not a fact no matter how educated that opinion might be, yours is no more valid than anyone else's.

The main reason a lot of people believe there's is a small chance of an MK3 dropping this year is this:


I too don't believe (IMO) that it's coming this year, maybe not even next year but the OP asked for advice, the smart option is clearly to wait 1/3 months just to make sure.

 

What problem? What's all the hysteria for? How can you see the future so well? Give me the winning lottery numbers!!

Only NI people know exactly what they are working on and going to release. It's just a pattern of releases circa Sept-Nov every year. That doesn't mean we MUST see something this year, but the chances are high that when they release hardware it will be in that window.

I promise I will use the brain.

 

...looking at the user name my grey matter assumes, he may be chinese (however, definitely not a native-speaker like most of us here) and he may have used an auto-translate function, so I'm not sure, who's rude here, guys...

 

The one who says others are drunk and dont use their brain.

 

...I wouldn't rule it out, that an auto-translation function, depending on the language and its idiosyncratic expressions, can turn something similar to "don't be confused, don't let yourself be fooled again" to "you are sober up, do not go dreaming again." or "not thinking about" into "not use the brain". But, yeah, let's assume, he might not understand, that you guys were making fun of him, so it's probably fine - and there was actually no need that you deleted the picture, wasn't it?

 

You might be right, you might not, i don't know. That tone does not seem like its auto-translated, either way.. it was just a joke I was not making fun of anyone.
I don't think I was rude, however, the GIF was uncalled for that's why I removed it, don't want to engage in anything negative. By now you should know I remain positive on the forum.

 

...I don't know either, but in such scenarios I'd give someone the benefit of the doubt (since phrasing and grammar seem quite odd, as you've mentioned yourself). I guess, that's what I was trying to indicate.

And, indeed, I noticed what you usually post.

 

I have a Z2 and the way I see it - It is a timeless piece of kit. I mean, 2 banks of 4 cue points per channel, 2 FX controllers, even if there may be a new mixer on its way the Z2 is all I can see Id need as far as mixers come. addition controls is another thing obviously, which can simply be added on. If you see a decent priced Z2 id go for it man

 

I own the a Vestax PMC 05 Pro 4, bought it like a month before the Z2 was announced. I got so pissed because i paid more and got less features, dont want to make the same mistake again.

Most my scratch DJ friends have a Z2 these days, the ones that can afford it have the DJM S9. I had it home for 5 days borrowed from a friend as well as a Z2, the S9 is clearly a better mixer but much more expensive. I was hoping NI would do a similar design with bigger pads, more fader control, and especially the ability to seamlessly connect 2 laptops for super easy transitions. I'll keep waiting for now and if nothing new comes out ill probably go all out and cop the S9 (because of the extra features and because i am a Serato user.)

 

Oh yep, I see.
I dont do any mixing - just scratch performance. I honestly didnt even take into consideration the mixing world haha.
The big reason I like the Z2 is that it has the cuepoints on the sides.

I use what I call a Reverse Channel Setup in order to use the cuepoints without ever needing to take my hand off the fader.
Check what I mean in my video here. Left deck in the right channel and invert the crossfader.