Question from a total beginner

hi everyone,
would you recommend to a beginner with no experience whatsoever in making music investing money to buy the Maschine Studio? I've tried a few software (for example Logic Pro) and I found them quite confusing, and from the videos I've seen on YouTube, Maschine and its software seem somehow simpler to handle. What attracts me is the actual physical controller and what looks like a simpler software. However, since I'm a total novice, I have no idea if this could be a very expensive caprice or there could be a real advantage (over let's say a classic DAW) in buying this one. So bottom line, would you recommend Maschine to a beginner who wants to play around and start making some tunes?
Thank you!

 

I would absolutely recommend it. I was a beginner when I got Maschine MK2 (I didn't feel the need for the Studio model) and jumped straight in very easily. You'll always learn more & more tricks and skills as you move along but this is a brilliant piece of equipment for beginners & professionals. I just bought Maschine Mikro MK2 as my portable option. I hope this helps.

 

Thank you! Should I start with the MK2? From what you said it could be an easier way to start...and more manageable financially

 

The Studio has a lot more visuals & options on the unit but I use my Mac monitor for all that stuff. The MK2 model is perfect for me. If there's a store you can compare both side by side you might be able to decide better. But you will not regret buying a maschine unit.

 

THanks!!

 

I would definitely recommend it. I have the studio and it works really nice. If you follow the examples in the manual, you'll be making beats in a matter of hours. And after that, the learning never stops, and at some point you probably want to start using a daw. But to begin with, maschine is really nice. Oh, and that doesn't mean you can't get serious results with it. Maschine has great sounds and effects to get you started.

 

Thanks for your reply!

 

Absolutely not. Maschine (in particular Maschine Studio) is the high end of the price range for studio controllers, pretty much anything else will do the same job at a fraction of the cost. Considering you're new and won't have the skills immediately to utilise the hardware, start simple with something like Fruity Loops and grab an inexpensive controller like an Akai MPD218, you will have 95% of Maschine for about 10% the cost. Once you work out if you like sequencing, look at investing more cash into flashy hardware like Maschine later.

 

Thank you for sharing this aspect. I've haven't got it yet, but also based on what was said above, I had steered towards to Mikro, which seems simpler and is more affordable. However, we are still talking about 4X more expensive than the solution you recommended. I'm definitely attracted to flashy devices, but what you recommended is undoubtedly the most financially wise option...

 

Since you rarely get an opportunity to buy your first music making instrument--get a Native Instruments Maschine...at whatever level your wallet/purse can afford: Mikro, Maschine, or Studio (I have all three MK2 devices...plus the original MK1, iMaschine 1, and iMaschine2). Since Maschine is a MIDI controller as well, any software synths, samplers, or beatmaking apps will benefit from it as a controller. You don't need to use Maschine just for beats...but for song production with other instruments and samples as well. I've even recorded vocal tracks directly into Maschine instead tracking them in my DAW. It's a very versatile first instrument that will help you develop song structure and your own style to music making for multiple genres. The most important thing to consider is the community around the instrument you choose. You have already discovered YouTube and this forum...but there is so much more. You will still want a decent DAW...while there are a lot of DAW features in MASCHINE2x...I've found that you can run out of compute resources of even the most robust computers with Maschine using high-end VST instruments...that you won't have to worry about when tracking, mixing, and mastering in a true DAW.

 

I disagree that this would be 95% of maschine. Maschine's best asset is how the hardware integrates with the software to create an intuitive workflow. That workflow experience really cannot be replaced by any other software/hardware , other than maybe Ableton/Push2, which would basically cost you more than an entry level maschine.

Based on the OP's initial comments, even a Novation Circuit might be a better alternative to Maschine. I wouldn't recommend Ableton/Push2 to a beginner, and particularly more if the OP was confused by Logic Pro.

 

Okay first what can you play? Why do you want to make music for fun or money? How long is your attention span? Do you have a $1000 to blow? What happened when you used Garage Band or did you? Even with the studio you still need to know your way around a daw so why not start there? Or do you just want to make grooves that loop? What didn't you understand about Logic that no one could help you? Without those answers I will say Studio is a big step for a beginner who is already struggling.

 

Hi all! Im in same situation right now, Im thinking of buying a maschine but now there is this Maschine Jam also. Im a beginner what comes to these things so what is the difference of these two? and Im using logic Pro. Thanks for your help!

 

Would be good to have a newbies group I thing ..... I took the plunge and purchased a Studio (2nd user) and just in awe of what it can do, just need to learn how to make it do it.....

 

This is sound advice. To a point... but you also need to find the gear and workflow that keeps you inspired and creative. That’s a worthwhile investment. If you’re constantly struggling to get your kit to do what you want it’s no fun.

But yeah if you’re starting off it’s not smart to get the top of the line stuff right away. You could buy a Maschine studio. Or get a bunch of cheaper devices for the same price! Then if you find you’re constantly using the Maschine and it’s central to your workflow, you’re actually gonna appreciate the extra features the Studio adds.