Realistically is Maschine all I need

Hi everyone,
I am a rapper who is tired begging for beats and have decided to make my own. At first I was looking into getting a keyboard controller and some software but this thing (Maschine) looks like it would be perfect for me. I have some prior experience making beats in fl studio, but the whole "point and clicking" in the sounds ruined the whole experience for me, and so I gave it up until I could afford to get something more hands on.
My question is, would the Maschine be all I would need to create some professional sounding beats? I've watched tons of videos of producers using Maschine to make beats over the past two weeks, but most of them also have a keyboard controller, mixer, and a bunch of other equipment that might as well be alien technology to me. So I'm a little worried that I will get it, and later realize that I need to buy more equipment to get the professional sound I'm looking for. I realize that talent and skill are factors as well, but assuming I have those, would Maschine be sufficient? Thank you in advance for your opinions and I apologize if this topic has already been covered. I did search the forums first, but found nothing similar.

 

realistically, Maschine is all you need to make beats.

if you want make your own songs where you record loads of your own rapping and mix that with your beats, then you will also need a DAW that has Audio Tracks.

sowari

 

realistically
it depends on whether you sample or compose. I for one feel limited when using only maschine sounds and 3rd party one hit samples and loops. I need my ivory's, trillians, and diverse kontakt libraries to get my beats professional sounding when I'm not sampling.
Dont get me wrong. there are plenty of usuable stock instruments in maschine, but I'm very picky. You should drop by your nearest music store and check maschines stock sounds out before deciding. As far as keyboard controller goes.. I think it's pretty essential, but you CAN make due without one if its not your thing. Monitors or a pair of monitoring headphones on the other hand are essential for getting a professional sound. Because the professional sound is about 50% mixing.. some will argue even more.

 

I am one of those guys that owns a bunch of other controllers, hardware and software and I have actually found them to be gathering dust since I got maschine (not that I am an accomplished producer or anything, but I have been making music for quite a while). I bought maschine on a whim and I didn't realize how powerful it really is ... now when composing I rarely even open up Ableton live until a track is much farther along, this is only because I have become attached to some other synths that I have. I think you can probably spend a long time with just maschine until you think you need something else. Since I was never a very competent keyboard player, I find myself just using maschine and becoming more competent playing live beats.

 

I agree with everyone... Fact is, from a hip hop producer perspective one could more than get by with Maschine depending on your tastes. If you wanna create via sound modules and such the controller which is Maschine is inadequate. Seems to me that you can augment Maschine's control capabilities with a dedicated controller which would allow you to manipulate a variety of plugs whether they are rhythmic in nature or melodic. Personally, I have owned nearly everything over the last fifteen years and Maschine preserves the old but doesn't shun the new. 1.6 will expand this perspective and bring it to a level previously unexplored.... Should be an interesting year to say the least.

 

Thanks for the advice. I have recorded with cubase before but now I use Reaper to record my vocals and I couldn't be happier. Is maschine/Reaper a good combination?
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Thanks I currently use Sony MDR-7505 Dynamic Stereo Headphones. I'm assuming they will be good enough for composing. I've never used a sampler before so I'm not sure if I would perfer it over composing, but I wont know until I try it. Is the sound library in Maschine expandable? Is there anything I should know about the compatability of sound/sample packs with Maschine?
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Thanks alot, your reply gives me the confidence in Maschine that I was looking for. I also am not very good at playing the keyboard/piano. I think maschine is right for me.
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Thanks Solidwon, more confirmation that I am looking at a good buy. Thanks again to everyone who commented. Now I just got to wait for that W2 to arrive and I'll be all set. Awesome forum! You haven't seen the last of me, I know I'll be back on here with more questions once I get up and running!

 

the maschine library for hip hop aint all that but u'll get some good drums to get u going.

but u can use ur own wav samples in machine and also use pitch one sample as multisample and use one sound as an instrument.

but id advise u check 2 out some vids of kev brown, knock squared and boon doc youtube vids to get a sense of the workflow of making beats in the box on 1 16 button sampler.

cos essentially u will be following the same process on the machine which is fine for chopping samples, laying drums and doing bass lines, then down the line if u decide u wann play keys/bass via keyboard u can add a midi keyboard into the mix and play th emaschine sounds off that.

id def recommend maschine as a fun unit that is powerful and allows u to do all the key functions of making hip hop beats.

but yeah look into reaper if u wanna record vocals plus u can route maschine audio into reaper as if recording to tape.

 

Also another thing to remember as regards Maschine and Hip Hop is that it can load a hell of a lot of MPC libraries. So go to some hip hop forums and you should be able to get some great free sounds for the boom bap.

 

Cool thanks man
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Awesome, am I correct, that I will be able to use VST Instruments when 1.6 comes out? That was the understanding I got from reading the forums. I kind of feel like a child, with my limited understanding of some of the lingo. I am learning though.

 

Yep, 1.6 will be able to host VSTs natively, that is directly inside maschine so you can write basslines with a proper VST bass synth and do Pianos with a proper VST Piano, etc.

 

cool thanks for the info.

 

real talk.... get maschine learn how to make basic beats, although you can do advance things with it.. if you feel you need more than you ad as you go along, but maschine will give you the best start for you buck...

 

Hell yeah, all ready decided if I get enough back from income tax, Im gonna cop a little 25 key controller with it. Thanks for the advice.

 

Well Ive had maschine for few weeks now, and these are some of the beats i've made. I know the drums in the first one suck, but I've been workin on my drums and I make up for it in my second beat "Move". Also, got a reggae/hip hop type track.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8-bv9zTJ6s


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PEISV3ilYA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seV842HcY3Y