New Maschine product ideas! Post your thoughts!

I disagree that there is a need for a replacement controller, and definitely don't want to see anything bulkier.

 

agreed

put the development into the software and use what you’ve got. as stated theres buttons not even used yet. how about this, don’t waste technology when you can improve on an existing product w/ updated software. bulk is also a bad idea. love this controller. don’t mess with success. theres still PLENTY that needs doing on the existing product.
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plus with supposedly tighter lock and more features w/traktor 2, devs, I’m happy with you. you’ve done a great job.

 

Please, no gaps in-between the pads/buttons for any future version. This thing collects dust like a magnet.

 

Maybe Maschine-branded dust covers is a good idea?


But seriously, wouldn't having no gaps between the pads be pretty detrimental to playing?

 

How about this. NI should create a midi keyboard with soundcard and a USB hub and extra controls so you can add the Maschine to. This way users that want keys and other extra stuff can have it and those that don't want it don't buy it. Itll be cool to see a spot on the keyboard dedicated for maschine tilted of course. This way you can remove maschine and use it by itself if need be. I can see it already.

 

Basic Built in Synth / Drum module

I simply would like to see the unit have a "scratchpad" standalone mode devoid of the need to hookup to a computer

Reason?
I still use a beat up old Yamaha RM1x for quickly getting down an inspirational idea.
Only last night I had it at the side of my bed - tune buzzing around in my head - reached for the rm1x and I had that idea down within 5 minutes.

Dont have to run to the studio / switch everything on / boot up etc

I would have the internal sound engine at my disposal simply as "scratchpad" where I could take it back to base and simply swap out all the sounds I didnt want to use with the full array of samples / effects / plugs etc

Its just perfect for when inspiration hits you and as you'll agree Maschine was made for putting on your lap in bed / on a train / in a park

Scratchpad
Basic Synth / Drum Module
Power / Battery
Headphone socket
thats it

 

I don't see a downside to an audio 10 being in there with tighter integration from TSP2. That just seems to make sense. To take Maschine to the next level when they do make a new controller (no time soon, I just got mine, and the software is only 1.6, patience
I'd also love for the library and sounds/synthesis engine IN Maschine. I thought that's what it was at first, just with a DAW like companion program. Having the engine in the unit would lessen the load on the comp.
one other thing to consider is something another poster commented on. Maschine is looked at as standalone predominantly. As a developer you can take that two ways. Try and make Maschine the HUB having an I/O, or Keep it out and make it more of a plugin having it "stand alone" along with your kaoss/Roland/mpc/synth and run them to the preferred sound card/i/o of choice. The second option is more expandable, while having a built in card for use with traktor puts it squarely in one roll. I really hope they take the middle. I deeply want more traktor integration, as in like the serato/bridge addition. Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy wasn't that deal with traktor? I doubt s ranch live has any sort of future, while itch, as crappy a product as it is, does.

 

When Maschine was first released, I was really excited because I thought it was everything I wanted in such a thing... Until I started reading up on it and discovered it required a computer to work. At the time, I had played with a few NI products but didn't quite realise they were so software-based.

Anyway, it would have been amazing if it was true standalone and even if you could just use it as a "scratchpad" and just the drum machine (with a small memory for a few choice kits and samples) and the pattern sequencer were accessible, it would be fantastic. I'm in a very simlar boat to you about this and would love to be able to use Maschine without booting my computer.
MIDI import would make this slightly less of an issue for me, because I could then just use another drum machine and more freely export the MIDI, but I can't easily do that now (without playing the MIDI in and "sampling" it).

The downside to this idea and probably one of the main reasons it wasn't implemented in any way is teh cost. An equivalent workstation type thing that does not require a computer to work costs about three times that of Maschine. A price that would exclude a lot of its current customer base.

 

Agree about the price point issue.....there is alway hope I suppose
Yamaha did it though, they upgraded the RM1x to the RS7000 which added sampling and greater effects....along with the price hike but I guess its all about choice

I bet NI have quite a few software modules they could port onto a rom chip

 

I've always thought that Maschine is very similar in many ways to the Roland MC-909, which was competition for the RS7000, I believe. But they're not really things you'd be able to use in bed.

 

Obviously that's not going to happen with Maschine mainly due to cost.

I think the solution lies in the trend of iPad apps that also have VST/AU plugin versions like the bleep!BOX drum synth or the Crystal XT synth.

 

I don't think it's going to happen either. I don't think a lot of these suggestions are going to happen though.

It would be nice to have a mini Maschine though. One that could interface with its big brother but was standalone and did not need a computer. Again, don't see it happening in reality.

 

PLEASE DONT CHANGE THE HARDWARE!

If you look at something like Novation Launchpad with Ableton Live, people are still coming up with new ways of using it, and it's just a matrix of buttons.

If new hardware is brought out that makes the current hardware redundant, there will be a lot of pissed off people.

As well as that, NI can still make money by charging for software. I would gladly pay extra for exciting new features that allow me to use Maschine more, to do more, and use my mouse less.

 

MASCHINE works, because of it's simplicity, only being a MIDI interface device and pushing all the clever stuff into the PC device controller.

MASCHINE works because the price point is just about acceptable for a larger market.

MASCHINE works because it is not over complicated yet still powerful.

MASCHINE works because it gives the user the option to only use the hardware panel.


I work in electronics and we have a saying, 'If it works, don't fix it!'

All enhancements can be done at the software side & optional hardware add-on modules from the PC end. Lack of USB ports is no excuse to integrate 3 extra bits (buy a usb hub).

RANT OVER.

 

That would piss off some people. The same people who get pissed off anytime there is an update or better version of what they have and it's not free. Like I said above, this is no good reason to hold back making improvements hardware or software.

If the current controller was more than just adequate and did not have significant shortcomings or room for improvement then I would agree. Ergonomically, there is quite a few things that could be improved to speed up workflow and improve the quality. Maschine is primarily operated with the controller so improvements there will enhance the whole experience. I did not mention it but I even don't like how the pads are hard like banging on a table. They need to step it up. The software is dope and the controller is just passable. The software deserves an improved hardware to go with it. Coming from spending thousands on hardware equivalents, I am more than willing to pay a little extra for the upgrade.

 

Safe to say the jury is divided on the idea of a replacement controller. And it's not only "people who get pissed off anytime there is an update or better version of what they have and it's not free" that would be annoyed with a replacement. I have no problem (if I can afford it) with paying for updates/upgrades. The idea of upgrading itself suggests some cost or effort will be involved. However, I think the jury is also divided about the quality and state of the current hardware. I have tried many a controller and, aside from the knob and USB socket issues, there's not a lot to be complained about at the price point it's at.

All this said, I still don't think additional controllers are a bit idea. The kind of add-on that would allow direct access to current and future features that are otherwise a little hidden on the main controller, which would still act as the "core" controller.
I'm sure NI even make it so it was like a "bolt-on" controller and there would be a simple connector to add the new controller(s) to the current one, so it's still one unit.
I think this would be preferable for the majority over an actual replacement.

 

The hardware has a load of knobs, buttons, drum pads, and 2 great displays. It has HUGE potential.
Like I said already, people are doing crazy stuff with the Novation Launchpad and that's only a matrix of buttons.

With all due respect, it shows a lack of imagination and creativity if you think you need more hardware to do amazing things with Maschine. It is also much more efficient to refine the software than to redesign the hardware.

For the record:
- I've no problem with paying for software updates.
- I am against replacement hardware, but not against "supplemental" hardware

This is blatantly false, especially considering how reasonable Native Instruments are in their pricing, and how much they have already done for free. I think most people would be more than happy to dip into their wallets for a significant software update, and I stand by what I said - "Maschine 2" hardware would annoy a lot of people.

 

Your bringing up a cheapo Novation launch pad and that about says it all.

It's not about using my imagination. The controller is adequate or passable as I said so I don't know where that is coming from.

I guess you could argue that a Behringer is fine for mixing until you sit in front of a Eucon console. And I am not talking anywhere the price difference. I'm not trying to use my imagination to make up for hardware short comings and don't want to keep scrolling through more pages as features are added. Or even worse, have NI leave features out because they are to difficult to intelligently map to the controls like has already been done. That is what is special about Maschine is that it's is not quite like a launchpad or any other generic controller.

It's about improving it for the better. You talk about how many buttons Maschine has, I'm talking about dedicated labeled buttons with one touch access vs holding shift combos and scrolling. We all know you can make something work by settling but I'm all about improvement and forward motion.

This is my music production workstation and I take it serious and want it to be the best it can be. Later for settling on workarounds. Are you serious about your music tools or not? Are you saying you would have an inferior controller over one with improved ergonomics? You would rather press 4 buttons vs one to access a function? You would rather use two hands for everything then one finger? You would rather hunch over or put your production unit on a cheap laptop stand then have a flip screen?

A couple hundred bucks is nothing when talking about getting the best music workstation workflow possible. This is silly.

 

That was a long post. Jesus dude did I hit a nerve?

I'm sorry that so many people actually like affordable hardware, such as the "cheapo" Novation Launchpad, an utterly brilliant product, and probably the best hundred euro I've ever spent.

I just bought Maschine a couple of days ago, and I want NI to continue to update and refine the software to make this little box as powerful as it can be.

Bringing out new hardware and letting recent customers rot would be a very Korg thing to do. Thankfully, Native Instruments have clearly learned a thing or two about customer satisfaction over the years.

You never know though, maybe they will bring out a new 3 foot long Maschine with 200 dedicated buttons, all for just 3 grand. Can't see it though.

 

This is pretty cool, and it looks easy to install.. price is cool!
http://youtu.be/f6HSDGL2p3Y
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